217 W 57th St

Central Park Tower

The supertall towers that emerged along Midtown Manhattan’s 57th Street — otherwise known as Billionaires’ Row — have been grabbing headlines for years now. One stands out, however. Central Park Tower is the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere and includes a penthouse selling in 2024 for a record-breaking $150 million. It isn’t necessarily size that matters here; rather, it’s location, views and the quality of design features. Most buildings on this now highly coveted stretch make the most of tight plots and benefit from the latest feats in structural engineering to rise especially high yet slender. As the 1,550-foot-tall building’s name suggests, dizzying views of nearby Central Park (and Midtown Manhattan) are a key draw. The tower, completed in 2021 by famed Chicago firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill in collaboration with Extell Development Company president Gary Barnett, now defines the skyline and is unmistakable from almost any vantage point in Manhattan. No one is making a modest entrance in this sumptuously albeit sparely outfitted residence. With interiors staged by leading practice Rottet Studio and programmed by lifestyle curator Colin Cowie, very little has been left to chance. “In Manhattan, space comes at a premium. If you want to build big, you’ve got to build up,” reports Fred Mills, the founder and presenter of the B1M, a YouTube channel that covers engineering and architecture news from around the world. “To develop the small sites, they secured with buildings tall enough to have Central Park views, developers on Billionaires’ Row spent years acquiring air rights from the properties around their lots. That meant they could combine those air rights to build taller properties and ensure those nearby buildings couldn’t block those views.” Most of the supertalls that line this exclusive street were constructed with innovative strategies that allow them to rise high without needing extensive setbacks and large bases. “Stiffening the structure is key to maintaining stability,” Mills adds. “The materials need to be strong enough to keep these buildings steady. Of course, when you’re 1,300 feet in the air, you have to think about the wind.” To keep these thin structures from swaying too much, mass dampers — massive swinging weights installed at the top of the towers — function almost like the shock absorbers you might find in a car. The goal is to reduce the sway enough so that residents don’t notice the movement. According to celebrity New York City broker Ryan Serhant, who was also interviewed in Mill’s report about Billionaires' Row, the area attracts a large international buyer base willing to pay much more for square footage than elsewhere. Given that there are fewer units in these buildings than in other luxury and ultra-luxury condominiums, the limited stock is sold at a higher cost. It’s all about supply and demand and the cache of owning a piece of the action. Among Central Park Tower’s 179 apartments, especially upmarket studios sell for $1 million to $2.5 million. One bedrooms with 1,500 square feet of space – larger than comparable units in nearby supertalls – hover around the $4.2 million mark. While two bedrooms fetch between $5.3 million and $8.5 million, three bedrooms sell for $8 million to $18 million, depending on size and position within the building. Four bedrooms sell for between $23 million and $48 million. Double height and duplex penthouses on floor 100 and higher are priced in the upper 10s of millions and, in some cases, surpass the $100 million threshold. “There are a lot of pieds-a-terres properties here,” says Serhant. “Many are investments, assets; It’s like owning a Picasso. New York City had status symbol properties before Billionaires’ Row but never like it does now. These towers are like brands, like owning a Birkin Bag.” “A generous selection of materials and finishes, from the glass to the finials, adds a surprising softness to the building,” says Gordon Gill, co-principal of the firm he co-owns with Adrian Smith. "We believe that we’ve created a building that’s respectful and refined.” Positioning living and dining rooms near the corner of units, the firm sought to maximize dramatic panorama views. Impressively, structural elements were relegated to the building’s structural core so there wouldn’t be any obstructions in its fully glazed facade. “We really wanted to bring the outdoors in so [residents] feel as though they’re living inside the park,” says Lauren Rottet, principal of the eponymously named design studio. “Gary and I spent a long time choosing the stone and wood finish for both the lighter and darker unit styles.” Bespoke Smallbone kitchen cabinetry anchors chef-caliber Miele appliances. Bathrooms are fully clad in imported stone and feature Dornbracht fittings. Onyx accents throughout hint at the level of luxury this property carries. According to a Forbes article published in April 2024, the 11,535-square-foot Sky House penthouse covers the entirety of the 127th and 128th floors. Currently on the market for $150 million, the residence sits 100 feet higher than the top floor of the Empire State Building. This ‘castle in the sky’ includes eight bedrooms, nine full en suite bathrooms and one powder room. A grand spiral staircase punctuates a double-height grand salon that, alone, is much larger than most New York City apartments. There’s also an observatory, library, family room and wine cellar. Packages are delivered through a discreet staff entrance. There’s 50,000 square feet of amenity space spread throughout the building. The three-level The Central Park Club occupies the 16th through 19th floors and includes a massive outdoor deck that sits atop retailer Nordstrom's uniquely wavey-glass-clad podium. This massive terrace includes a 60-foot-long pool, garden and al fresco dining space. Inside, the Living Room with a billiards table is joined by a screening room. Residents benefit from premium food and beverage services. The Wellness Center includes an additional indoor pool and half basketball court. On a higher level, spaces like the Grand Ballroom, Sky Lounge, a cigar humidor and a private dining room helmed by Michelin-star chefs like Alfred Portale cater to, absolutely, every need. Residents live in the heart of the city and can quickly connect to all parts of Manhattan.