53 W 53rd St

53 W 53rd

Like most of the supertall condo towers that are grouped together as Billionaire’s Row, 53 West 53rd rises high to frame unobstructed views of Central Park, just five blocks north. But with an exposed diagrid concrete skeleton and angular profile, the Jean Nouvel-designed chef d'oeuvre stands apart. According to the Pritzker-Prize-winning French talent, this distinct design is an ode to other iconic skyscrapers that dot the Manhattan skyline, especially the ornate Art Deco-style Chrysler Building. “Architecture is art, and architecture is born from its situation, from its context,” Nouvel is quoted saying during the building's topping-out ceremony in the summer of 2018. “It’s the context as a concept that defines the overall architecture.” A gold and silver foiled setback facade with triple-glazing helps blend this bold edifice into the sky it occupies. The 1050-foot tall 53 West 53rd’s massing makes for uncommon yet spacious layouts: 161 residences with — in some cases — dramatically sloped apertures and finishes masterfully curated by the late, great interior designer Thierry Despont. Homeowners benefit from all the amenities one has come to expect from such a property but also have free access to the Museum of Modern Art — otherwise known as MoMA — for which the building’s monumental podium contains a recent expansion. They can even host private parties in the revered institution’s expansive Sculpture Garden; its director, Glenn Lowry, happens to be a resident. The building also offers a 65-foot indoor lap pool, private screening room, wine vault and library. Soft amenities include 24-hour concierges and door attendants who also offer porter services, pet walking and grooming, dry cleaning and laundry, housekeeping, pantry re-stocking, technology consultations and even floral delivery and care. There’s also bicycle storage and a lounge for chauffeurs. The 15,000 square-foot Wellness Center is managed by Wright Fit and incorporates a golf simulator, a regulation squash court, a sauna, steam rooms and top-line strength and cardio equipment. A vertical garden wall was carefully arranged by leading French landscape architect Patrick Blanc. Meticulously staged by Despont, the Wine Room is a hexagonal jewel box reminiscent of a bygone era. The ground-floor 53 restaurant is managed by the award-winning Altamira Group. Other lifestyle features include exclusive brand collaborations with BLADE helicopter service, esthetician Aida Bicaj, gourmet grocer Butterfield Market, and premium linen brand FRETTE. Residents might not ever need to leave the premises. The building’s girthy concrete zigzag exterior skeleton is strong and sturdy enough that there’s no need for interior columns impeding the even spatial flow of one to four-bedroom units. While one-bedroom residences range from $2.7 million to $5 million, depending on square footage, two bedrooms fetch $5.6 million to 7.2 million. Three bedrooms hover around $8 million and four bedrooms start at $14 million. Penthouses and units on higher floors sell for a premium: $20 million to $50 million. It all depends on size and position within the tower. One duplex penthouse recently sold for $70 million. Several model units have been specially staged by the likes of Elle Decor magazine and design studio RR Interiors. Grayscale and earth tones carry across all interiors, imbuing the space with a warm yet sophisticated atmosphere. While living rooms are adorned with wide-plank oak floors, large walnut entry doors and custom bronze hardware, chef-standard kitchens are finished in custom glass-encased Molteni&C cabinets, as well as Miele and Sub-Zero appliances. Prerequisite Dornbracht fixtures carry across to spa-like bathrooms. High-honed Verona limestone flooring has radiant heating. Walls are clad in a careful interplay of Noir St. Laurence marble and polished Persian Golden Travertine. Mirrored panels and standalone lollipop mirrors extend the perceived scale of the space. All the custom elements were directly designed by Despont in collaboration with each manufacturer. Because of the building's tapered form on higher levels, some bedrooms are encased in paneled buildouts that help offset the sloped-in facade. Of course, the main draws of these residences are the Central Park and Midtown views, even if bedrooms are made a bit more intimate. 53 West 53rd is in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. If living atop the world-famous MoMA wasn’t enough, residents are also close to the institutions and hospitality offerings of Columbus Circle. Replete with a Whole Foods Market, the Deutsche Bank Center hosts 40 premium retailers and 10 exclusive restaurants. The nearby Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet and the Philharmonic. Radio City Music Hall at Rockefeller Center and Carnegie Hall are other prestigious performance venues in proximity to the building. Shopping also abounds on adjacent 5th Avenue while swanky bars and restaurants pepper throughout the surrounding neighborhood.