350 W 50th St

The Residences at Worldwide Plaza

When legendary New York developer William Zeckendorf Jr. completed Two Worldwide Plaza, the surrounding Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood was still viewed by many as a seedy backwater. It was 1989 and the massive David Childs-designed, 455-unit residence — extending mid-block from the iconic Postmodern One World Plaza office tower behemoth with an additional 39-story spire and 5-story wrap-around podium — was a harbinger of the many changes to come. Four decades on and the Midtown-adjacent neighborhood is a highly desirable place to live with an extensive array of luxury condominiums that have followed in Two Worldwide Plaza’s footsteps. “It's close to major transportation hubs, The Upper West Side’s universities and Broadway theaters, which is great from a pied a terre standpoint; second homeowners who want to come into the city to catch a show,” says Jesse Feldman, a broker with Compass. The complex has a diverse variety of units, sufficient amenities and ample outdoor spaces. From private balconies extending up from a well-manicured courtyard to interchanging private and shared roof decks and the Urban Plaza at the core of the overall development, Two Worldwide Plaza has no shortage of outdoor space. Setback-perched terraces on the 39-story residential tower frame unobstructed views of The Hudson River, the Upper West Side and Downtown Manhattan. The complex sits on the edge of Midtown Manhattan’s high and ultra-high massing, giving way to mid and low-rise buildings to its west. “It was built like Disney World,” Feldman adds. “Zeckendorf bought up the whole block between 8th and 9th avenues, 49th and 50th streets under different LLCs to avoid suspicion. It was a big deal, especially given the project’s sheer scale.” The particularly thick One Worldwide Plaza office tower — with nods to Gothic, Renaissance and Art Deco architecture styles — incorporates a whopping 1.7 million square feet of space on its own. “No one had done anything like it before.” A 1991 PBS NOVA documentary entitled Skyscraper! goes in-depth into how the developer achieved such a colossal project in an impressive four and a half years. The development even houses its own entrance to the 50th Street Subway station, served by the C and E lines. With a distinct gray-purple granite facade and dominant copper pyramid hip roofs, this quintessentially late 1980s complex remains as unmistakable as ever. Two Worldwide Plaza’s eclectic residential offering ranges from studios to townhome-style two bedrooms and combined three-bedroom units. When the building was delivered, it featured top-line Poggenpohl cabinetry. Though many of the high-quality and durable base-line architectural finishes are still in place, most kitchens and bathrooms were gut renovated over the decades and reflect the different styles of previous owners. Hallways were recently updated. While compact studios fetch around $600,000, one bedrooms — especially those in the tower portion — can surpass the $1 million mark. Two bedrooms sell for $1.5 million, and three bedrooms go for between $1.6 million and $2.8 million, depending on size and position. While the building doesn’t boast an exhaustive list of amenities besides its rich plethora of outdoor spaces, it contains a subterranean parking facility and a sprawling 40,000-square-foot fitness center. Both are independently operated but provide residents with discounted monthly rates. The premium gym, run by the David Barton brand, incorporates a 25-foot-long saltwater pool, saunas and a virtual spin studio. According to Feldman, this facility is a major draw that ensures homeowners don’t have to venture too far for a workout. Though most of the larger residences have in-unit washer/dryers, several laundry rooms are located throughout. The lobby is helmed by 24/7 door attendants. Stradling the edge between Midtown, Hell’s Kitchen and, to a certain degree, the Upper West Side, Two Worldwide Plaza is undeniably in the middle of everything, but if it isn’t enough, plenty of transportation links — including the previously mentioned C and E lines — get residents to other parts of the city within half an hour. A few blocks away, Times Square is served by almost every other Subway line. One stop south, Penn Station is served by many major commuter and regional rail lines. Midtown is peppered with high-brow restaurants, luxury boutiques and legendary cultural institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and Carnegie Hall. The Upper West Side also packs a punch with quainter, owner-operated bistros and the prestigious Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts campus, home to the Metropolitan Opera and the New York City Ballet. Closer to Two Worldwide Plaza, 9th and 10th avenues are lined with a raft of more laid-back watering holes and eateries. The Deutsche Bank Center at Columbus Circle includes 10 ultra-prestigious dining venues, 40 premium stores and a large Whole Foods Market grocery store.