88 Lexington Ave

88 & 90 Lex

New York City’s collaborative spirit is on full display at 88 & 90 Lex, a condominium that took two disparate properties — a 1920s Renaissance Revival and a 1950s Brutalist building — and connected them into one luxury high-rise. On the outside, architects kept 88 Lexington’s old-school charm and updated 90 Lexington with a high-tech glass-and-stone exterior. Inside, they constructed entirely new residences, joined by a central lobby, and introduced a swimming pool, movie theater and fully furnished roof deck. “It’s as full service as it gets,” says Sara Schwartz, a Corcoran real estate agent. “My clients just closed on a unit and they loved the amenities. It was part of the reason why they purchased.” With studios, $12-million penthouses and everything in between, there’s a wide range of entry points for buyers. Located above residential Gramercy and below busy Midtown, the building’s Rose Hill neighborhood strikes a balance of being close enough to shopping, transit and dining without being overwhelmed. When it comes to floorplans, one size does not fit all. Example: “You have a two bedroom on the fifth floor and 10th floor, and they differ in square footage, exposure and layout,” Schwartz says. Studios can be narrow, boxy or blessed with a sleeping alcove. One bedrooms have an extra half bathroom — across the building, units have one or one-and-a-half more bathrooms than bedrooms — and can include multiple walk-in closets and kitchen islands with a sink. Two bedrooms can either have sleeping areas flanking a central living room or located down a hallway, and three- and four-bedroom units add extras like home office spaces and patios. Although private outdoor space isn’t reserved only for the most expensive units , even some studios have a small terrace. Like the building’s preserved exterior, furnishings on the inside convey a distinctive sense of craftsmanship and history. Kitchens use antique gray marble backsplashes and fumed millwork on the cabinets and paneled refrigerators, while bathrooms have naturally marbled French limestone — updated with heated floors. Chef-grade double ovens from Bertazzoni and Sub-Zero fridge, freezer and wine cooler make entertaining easy, and a smart thermostat and Bosch washer-dryer make every day comfortable. Prices gradually increase from $1 million for studios to $5.5 million for the more spectacular three bedrooms. Depending on size and which floor they’re on, one-bedroom prices range from $1.6 million to $2.3 million, and two-bedroom prices go from $2.4 million to $3.5 million. Four bedrooms go for $5 million to $6 million, and the penthouses take the cake at $8 million to $12 million. Subleases of a minimum of one-year are allowed, and interested tenants are subject to an approval process. Of course, that means owners can’t apply for a short-term rental permit to use their units as AirBnbs. Comprehensive amenities cater to residents of all ages, and include a mini movie theater, kids’ playroom and lounge with pool, foosball and ping pong tables. The L-shaped indoor pool is long enough for swimming laps and has a hot tub and fully outfitted fitness center next to it. However, the rooftop deck may be the nicest perk, considering its iconic skyline views, weather-resistant furniture and outdoor grill that’s ideal for hosting get-togethers. Stepping out their front door, residents are swept into Manhattan’s hustle and bustle. Just north, Lexington has a string of popular Indian restaurants, and around the corner is the brunch institution Sarabeth’s. Madison Square Park, home to the world’s first Shake Shack (still open for business), is two blocks west, and below that, Broadway and Fifth Avenue have convenient shopping. New York Comedy club is two blocks east, and for residents who need regular medical attention, NYU Langone’s healthcare center is nearby. The 6 train’s 28th Street and 23rd Street stations are steps away, and farther west are the R and W trains. Together, those subway lines provide easy access to Manhattan’s east side and to Queens and Brooklyn. For more active commutes, there’s a CitiBike station directly across the street from the building.