50 Bridge Park Dr

Quay Tower

When prospective buyers hear that a building’s main perk is its location, they often assume that the building isn’t particularly special in its own right. Quay Tower is an exception. Directly on the waterfront and abutting the 85-acre Brooklyn Bridge Park, the 30-story property boasts sleek interiors and impressive amenities to match. Inside, the warm finishes reflect the tranquil outdoor setting, with notes of the California-modern style that Santa Monica-based AD100 designer Marmol Radziner is known for. Each of the 126 residences has floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views, but the exterior is more unique than your typical blue-hued glass tower: architecture firm ODA instead opted for dark-tinted windows interpolated with an asymmetrical, copper-toned grid. The full package was impressive enough to win over A-list actress Zendaya, who purchased one of the penthouses in 2021. Three points became clear upon visiting Quay Tower: the views are incredible, the quality of craftsmanship is unmistakable and the scale is striking. Most condos get a view of the water and Brooklyn, but west-facing condos offer the best views, overlooking the New York Harbor and downtown Manhattan across the East River, with the Statue of Liberty and northern bridges in the background. “The main feedback that we get for every single tour is that the finishes are some of the top they’ve seen,” says Brad Mohr, licensed real estate salesperson with Serhant. “This area of Brooklyn has really been developed into a luxury market, and Quay Tower seems to be the pinnacle from many buyers’ standpoints in terms of quality and finish. A lot of our units are very large, so you kind of get this ‘townhouse in the sky’ element, especially when you get to the penthouses.” Marmol Radziner brought earthy finishes to the airy units, lending a sense of warmth to the window-clad spaces. Wide-plank oak floors complement the kitchen’s custom, white oak cabinetry, which includes a suite of plus-sized, integrated Gaggenau appliances and custom, smoked-bronze hardware. White Princess Quartzite adorns the counters, backsplash and range hood. Primary bathrooms feature travertine marble on the radiant-heated floors and walls, whereas additional bathrooms — all of which are en suite save the powder rooms — have modern, marble-tiled walls with a light-gray veining. Each residence has a full-size Whirlpool washer and dryer, some of which are set in a separate mudroom. No surprise, this level of quality comes with a hefty price tag. Two-bedroom units begin around $1.9 million, three-bedrooms around $2.9 million, four-bedrooms around $4.4 million and five-bedrooms around $6.9 million. Quay has not one but two terraces and lounges, both perched on the top level, offering a slice of the building’s best views to every resident. The south-facing Sky Cabana is the more casual of the two and a prime spot for sun tanning or al fresco dining. “This one is more of a flex space where you can open the giant sliding doors and use the sun deck chairs or two grills outside. Inside, there’s an entertainment space with a TV,” Mohr says. The Sky Cabana’s swankier counterpart is on the opposite side of the floor. “If you want to impress your friends, the Sunset Lounge will really do the job. It gets the postcard shot,” Mohr adds. The cocktail lounge includes a grandiose, look-through fireplace made of swirled black and white marble, as well as lush velvet sofas and a catering kitchen. Modular tables can be rearranged for private events, during which guests can take in dramatic sunset views over the East River. “You get the vista of the entire eastern edge of Manhattan and you can see all the way up to the Queensboro Bridge at night.” On the lower floors, there’s a pet wash with an integrated dryer, a gym, and two family-friendly spaces. The ground-level, 2,500-square-foot fitness center is fully equipped, plus there’s a boxing corner and stretching studio attached. Upstairs, the children’s playroom has a mini jungle gym and art corner, and a music room next door complete with a baby grand piano. “It’s great because the soundproof room keeps the Steinway out of your neighbor’s apartment,” Mohr says. A 24-hour concierge and doorperson attends the lobby, and valet service caters to car-owning residents, using the garage right across the street. Another niche, but well-received perk rounds out Quay’s suite of amenities: preferred service at the ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina, located seconds from the tower doors. The coveted marina has a months-long waiting list, making the premium access especially worthwhile. Quay sits at the southern edge of Brooklyn Bridge Park at the top of Pier 6, which, like the other piers, has been converted into public green space. “Honestly, another amenity is the park itself,” Mohr says. “You have this option that most buildings don’t have at all, and it’s right outside your door: an 85-acre backyard.” Pier 6 includes a native-flower meadow, waterfront lawn with picnic tables, playground and splash pad, beach volleyball courts, and Fornino, a wood-fired pizzeria with a rooftop deck. “Brooklyn Bridge Park is very calm and off the path from the taxis, pedestrians and tourists. Its rhythm of life is somewhat inconsistent with New York City, but it’s a draw because of that.” Morh says. If the allure of Brooklyn Bridge Park isn’t enough, there’s plenty more to enjoy about Brooklyn Heights, plus Cobble Hill to the South and DUMBO to the north. For dining, there are mainstays like The Long Island Bar, hole-in-the-wall favorites like Lilo Cucina and upscale newcomers like Clover Hill, a Michelin-starred seafood eatery. There’s a mid-sized grocer, Town Market, directly across from Quay, and Trader Joe’s and Key Food are just up the road along the business-packed Atlantic Avenue. The Brooklyn Queens Expressway, aka the BQE, is a stone’s throw away, and the Brooklyn Bridge is also nearby for drivers, bikers and walkers. Commuters will pass several Citi Bike stations along the 0.6-mile walk to Borough Hall, which is serviced by the 2, 3, 4 and 5 trains. Stations for the A, C, F, G and R lines are slightly farther. The ferry, arguably the best mode of transportation, is right outside the building, taking riders to Governor’s Island or Wall Street/Pier 11.