Sutton Tower redefined the Midtown East skyline, and gives residents unobstructed views of the East River, the Queensboro Bridge and the city in all directions. “There is a prohibition of constructing around our building now, so nothing can be newly built that can impede the views,” says Jonathan Kalikow, President of the property’s developer, Gamma Real Estate. “You’re getting as good of views or better than buildings in Billionaire’s Row, but you’re in a quieter neighborhood at a lower price point.” Architect Thomas Juul-Hansen, who also designed interiors for the first tower of Billionaire’s Row, created an undeniable air of luxury. From the gilded Art Deco crown on top to the marble-clad backyard garden, ultra-premium materials are used liberally and thoughtfully. “We went to the quarry in Germany and picked out the rock that we wanted,” Kalikow says of the Bavarian limestone facade. “We believe the finishes are amongst the best in the city.”
No floor hosts more than three residences, and because every unit has at least one pair of corner windows, they all have a sense of spaciousness. One bedrooms are around 1,000 square feet and have an extra half bathroom near the entrance. In two bedrooms, which range from 1,200 to 1,900 square feet, larger layouts have two sets of corner windows, plus a central hallway that creates more separation between living and sleeping spaces. Three bedrooms expand on that floor plan by adding a third bed and bath area off the living room. While most units blend open-concept kitchens into the living and dining rooms, the largest three bedrooms separate the kitchens and add service entrances. The few four bedrooms are J-shaped, with a hallway lined with bedrooms and bathrooms on the longer end, and above those are penthouses that occupy entire floors. In these, the living room, dining room, and kitchen are separated by sliding doors, the primary bedroom has multiple walk-in closets, and with four sets of corner windows, residents may find themselves lost in the views for long, life-affirming stretches.
Opulent finishes are the mantra in Sutton Tower, with vibrantly veined Statuarietto marble countertops and bathroom sinks carved from single blocks of marble — sandy Fior Di Bosco in the ensuites and bright white Bianco Dolomiti in the primaries. Oak plank flooring adds more natural beauty, and top-of-the-line Sub-Zero, Wolf and Miele appliances offer unparalleled convenience. Upgrades such as wine fridges, double wall ovens and Toto bidet toilets are commonplace, and a preference for floor-to-ceiling windows keeps homes looking polished.
Depending on their size and location in the building, one bedrooms have sold for prices ranging from $1.8 million to $2.7 million, two bedrooms have sold for prices ranging from $2.6 million to $6.6 million, and three bedrooms have sold for prices ranging from $3.9 million to $8.9 million. The rare four bedrooms have sold at prices ranging from $4.8 million to $6 million. The penthouses, which occupy entire floors, start at $15.5 million. While sublets are allowed, “it can’t be a rental building because tenants [might] decide to make it an AirBnb,” Kalikow says. “We put in place certain protections to make sure that wouldn’t happen.”
Inside, 22,000 square feet of amenities are shared across five floors. The screening room has rows of loveseat sofas and a wet bar, and the game rooms have vintage arcade cabinets and a simulator for practicing golf, archery, soccer and 30 other sports. Two fine dining lounges make use of a catering-friendly kitchen for entertaining, and the 50-foot pool and hot tub are in a heavenly tiled space with an iridescent ceiling. Everyday features are also top of the line. “We wanted to make sure we had one of the fastest elevators in the city,” Kalikow says. “If we’re not the fastest, then we’re the next fastest.”
Excellent restaurants for weekly dining and impressing out-of-towners abound in this neighborhood. P.J. Clarke’s, an old-school gastropub, and Serendipity, known for their frozen hot chocolate, are local favorites, while Mr. Chow represents the high-end alternatives. East River pocket parks at the end of each street make the most of the waterfront, which is kept quiet by the FDR Drive being belowground over here. A short walk west, residents can recharge in Central Park or treat themselves to Fifth Avenue shopping.
The 59th Street and 63rd Street stations are a few blocks away, giving residents access to seven different subway lines that serve the east side of Manhattan and go into Brooklyn and Queens. Roosevelt Island’s tram is mere steps from the building, and car owners have the benefit of being close to both the Queensboro Bridge and FDR Drive.
Sutton Tower is a condominium located in New York and the 10022 ZIP Code. This area is served by the New York County attendance zone.
