432 Park Avenue

The 1,396-foot (425.5 meters) 96-story tower appears pencil-slim, regular in its appearance, and takes ultra-luxury residential architecture, both literally and figuratively, to a new level. The building has a regular, rectilinear-shaped façade of brick and glass to give an appearance of a straightforward and simple style. But it is more than that. The regularity is the basis of its architectural design and its engineered central core. It is how the building "works" according to Viñoly. Six double-height baffles minimize the effects of wind on the slender figure of Park 432 Avenue tower.

The residences begin at above 300 feet (91.44 meters) to make the most of the views. The 30,000 square feet (2,787 square meters) of amenities plus the services space below are on the lower levels. The interior design was orchestrated by Deborah Berke Partners, and the top-most penthouse's interior was the work of Kelly Behun.

There are four access-controlled elevators that move residents at 1,600 feet per minute. Each floor has a dedicated service elevator, and a separate, dedicated elevator services the amenities floor. 

Most residences at 432 Park Avenue are either a half-floor or full-floor design, and all have 12 feet 6 inch (3.81 meters) finished ceilings and column-free living spaces. The windows are all an impressive 10 feet square (9.2 square meters) insulated glass windows, and all have motorized shades. Living area floors are solid oak. The largest residences have private elevator vestibules and separate service entrances. Laundries are, of course, vented directly to the outside, as are the stove hood fans. This is not a given in other new developments in NYC.

432 Park Avenue apartments have different designs, and typically range in size from 3,575 square feet (332.1 square meters) to over 4,400 square feet (411 square meters). There are two residences measuring 1,442 square feet (134.96 square meters.) Most residences have a living-dining room, typically measuring approximately 840 square feet (78 square meters) and a fully-fitted kitchen. The larger residences enjoy a separate dining room adjoining the kitchen. Master bathrooms have an adjoining dressing room. Every residence has a powder room for guests.

Most floor plans are 3 or 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, although the northeastern line has a number of two bedrooms. Full floor residences, measuring up to 8,255 square feet, (766.91 square meters) have floorplans which include 6 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. The full floors have a library and an additional powder room.

432 Park Avenue penthouse suites occupy floors 91 to 96. Their designs include up to 8,255 square feet (766.9 square meters) with 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 2 powder rooms, separate living, family, and dining rooms. Some have a library, and others offer a separate staff member bedroom.

Kitchens

The kitchens are fitted with Italian cabinetry completed with white lacquer and natural oak. They have either Blue de Savoie or Bianco Scintillante marble countertops, large marble tile floors, and Dornbracht polished chrome fittings. Some kitchens are equipped with two dishwashers and with a Subzero wine cooler. Kitchens also have a marbled window breakfast bar so residents can make the most of the morning views.

Bathrooms

Master bathrooms have Statuary book-matched marble floors and walls, a 1200 lb. (545.45 kilos) solid Bianco Sivec marble vanity, and custom-designed cabinetry. Each has a freestanding soaking tub and a freestanding marble and glass shower. The radiant-heated floors ward off the winter chills.

The secondary bathrooms have Tundra-gray marble floors, Venus marble wall finishes, and marble countertops.

432 Park's amenities equal the luxurious style of the residences and deliver a level of service the world's elite expect. The staff members are a team of 40 selected professionals whose resumés equal their responsibilities for delivering the highly personalized service one would expect. 432 Park Avenue residents enjoy 24-hour concierge, room, catering, and valet parking services.

The 12th-floor private restaurant is led by Michelin star Chef Shawn Hergatt. It has a daily meal service from breakfast to dinner and only caters to residents and their guests. The semi-private dining area will satisfy those special family or business occasions. There is also a 5,550 square foot (510.96 square meters) terrace for dining al fresco.

Jay Wright designed the wellness and fitness center. The 75-foot swimming pool, the fully-equipped fitness center, sauna, and massage rooms are intended to incorporate Wright's philosophy and his approach to physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental balance.

There is a billiard room, a library, a conference room, a presentation/screen room, and a children's play area. The garden and roof deck complete the picture.

What can one say about this distinctive part of Manhattan? 432 Park Avenue Condominiums stands between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue, and between 56th Street and 57th Street, arguably one of the most expensive blocks in New York City. Midtown East is world-famous for Tiffany's, Saks, the Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, the United Nations HQ; the list goes on. It revels in the best dining establishments, such as the Michelin-starred Daniel and The Modern, to name but two, as well as cultural icons such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Morgan Library.

432 Park is located in the most important location serving UHNWIs over the last 50 years, across the street from the Four Seasons Hotel on East 57th Street.

A number of decisions by Macklowe and Vinoly make this one of the most expensive buildings to build in the world. For instance, it is an extremely tall topping out at close to 1,400 feet. Second, ceiling heights are 15.6 feet slab-to-slab, which is unheard of in residential construction, also substantially pushing up the cost of each residence.

Third, only the finest finishes, like all the white slabs of marble used in the kitchens and baths. Fourth, all those 10' x 10' glass windows are super expensive. Finally, 432 Park has a port-cochere and parking. A lot of its competitors like 520 Park and 111 West 57th Street don't have parking available for residents.

Um 57

This ultra-luxury, glass-façade condominium by architect Christian de Portzamparc gives the impression, from the outside, of both clouds rising to the sky and of water cascading to the ground. Inside, the spacious apartments are discrete, opulent, and offer a subtle nod to the French modernists who inspired the interior designers.

The residences are above the prestigious Park Hyatt flagship hotel, whose five-star service is available to the residents. The hotel suites occupy floors 3 – 30.

The condo residences represent two primary designs. The "One Collection" residences, on floors 32 – 38, have 1 to 3 bedrooms and come fully furnished. The "Signature Collection" residences, on floors 39 – 90, boast a 5 bedroom and 5 bathroom design. One of the tower's floors is given over to hotel guest amenities, and two others are dedicated to condo owners.

111 West 57th Street

This modern masterpiece incorporates Steinway Hall, built in 1925, from which a superb new tower emerges. The architects, SHoP, have merged New York City's history and building craft with modern innovation to create a delightful exterior of terra-cotta and bronze filigree.

The building is 1428 feet (435 meters) tall, has 55 stories, and has 60 condo residences of both half-floor and full-floor design. Residents enjoy spectacular 360° views of Central Park and the city skyline.

Residents enjoy the 82-foot lap pool with its alcove cabanas and lounge seating and the huge terrace with its own mezzanine level for those who choose additional privacy.

225 West 57th Street

Central Park Tower, as it is also known, rises a very impressive 1550 feet (472.44 meters) above Midtown's skyline to give spectacular views of Central Park and the city. It has 95 floors and houses 179 extraordinary apartments. The Developer, Extell, has given over the first 7 floors of the building to house Nordstrom's New York flagship store. Hotel suites are above the store, and then the residences are above those, to ensure maximum privacy and wonderful views.

The residences include everything from apartment suites to a massive 16,000 square foot (1,486.45 square meters) penthouse with its own private terrace and open-air pool.

Residents enjoy three whole floors of amenities from a cigar bar and grand ballroom to conference suites and a children's play area.