Many buildings in NYC go unnoticed — unless it’s one of these luxury megawatt buildings. From their eye-popping interiors to glitzy amenities, they certainly grab attention. And it’s no wonder, since they are the schmanciest luxury buildings in NYC. Here we share all the sparkling details. And for giggles, we also included the median asking rents and median sales prices in their neighborhoods. Grab a Dustbuster! We’re about to do some serious name-dropping.
Table of Contents
Midtown Homes Under $750K on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Historic Downtown
227 Christopher Columbus Drive
$699,000
1 |
6
Bayonne
115-117 West 2nd Street
$649,000
2 |
1
Jersey City
220 Freeman Avenue
$739,000
3 |
1
Historic Downtown
10 Regent Street
$678,000
1 |
1
Bergen/Lafayette
193 Myrtle Avenue
$675,000
3 |
6
Bergen/Lafayette
193 Myrtle Avenue
$649,000
3 |
1
Jersey City
41 Gardner Avenue
$669,000
3 |
1
Jersey City
168 Bartholdi Avenue
$679,000
5 |
6
Jersey City
41 Gardner Avenue
$699,000
3 |
1
Bayonne
115-117 West 2nd Street
$649,000
2 |
1
Jersey City
15 Freedom Way
$649,000
2 |
1
Jersey City
1 2nd Street
$689,000
1 |
1
Luxury Buildings in NYC: 220 Central Park South
“Central Park South is the location where everyone wants to be, and it’s almost a developer competition for who is going to build the newest, and the best, and the highest,” says Brandon Abelard, a licensed real estate salesperson for Compass. This particular jewel in the crown of luxury buildings in NYC has made significant headlines lately for a good reason. Unlike other high-priced properties, the values of condos in 220 Central Park South have not only held steady. They’ve skyrocketed. Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai plunked down $157.5 million for two units, up from $102.3 million only a year earlier. Billionaires flock to the building for its classical architecture by Robert A.M. Stern meant to summon the great days of Old New York. (Note the Alabama limestone facade and Juliet balconies that peep out over the rolling verdant Central Park.) Interiors are famously hush-hush, but this rental listing found on StreetEasy shares pristine herringbone floors and Art Deco-inspired millwork. Oh, did we mention amenities include a squash court, screening room, outdoor terraces, and an 82-foot saltwater pool? Aaaah.
How much does it cost to live near this swanky building in Midtown?
Median asking rent as of July 2021: $4,000
Median sales price as of July 2021: $1,587,500
Midtown Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Turtle Bay
332 East 53rd Street
$2,900No Fee
1 |
1
Turtle Bay
230 East 52nd Street
$2,900No Fee
Studio |
1
Murray Hill
5 Tudor City Place
$2,550No Fee
Studio |
1
Murray Hill
241 East 38th Street
$2,800No Fee
Studio |
1
Turtle Bay
928 Second Avenue
$2,695No Fee
1 |
1
Kips Bay
229 East 28th Street
$2,550No Fee
Studio |
1
Turtle Bay
220 East 52nd Street
$2,795No Fee
Studio |
1
Kips Bay
203 East 27th Street
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
421 West 56th Street
$2,475No Fee
Studio |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
412 West 56th Street
$2,423No Fee
Studio |
1
Kips Bay
223 East 32nd Street
$2,297No Fee
1 |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
312 West 51st Street
$2,850No Fee
2 |
1
30 Beekman Place
Heiress and socialite Gloria Vanderbilt was renowned for her top-notch taste throughout her life. (She even famously developed her own line of blue jeans, still being sold everywhere from Macy’s to Kohl’s.) Vanderbilt passed in 2019 after 95 glamorous years, leaving behind her vibrant Midtown East apartment — recently put on the market by her equally famous son, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. Here is the listing for the three-bedroom, 2.5 bath home in one of the most storied luxury buildings in NYC. An absolute steal at $1,125,000, especially given the provenance.
Manhattan Rentals Under $2,500 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Upper West Side
790 Amsterdam Avenue
$2,315No Fee
Studio |
1
East Harlem
2033 Second Avenue
$2,250No Fee
1 |
1
Hamilton Heights
294 Convent Avenue
$2,000No Fee
1 |
1
Central Harlem
2150 Fifth Avenue
$2,450No Fee
2 |
1
East Harlem
2337 First Avenue
$1,915No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
329 Pleasant Avenue
$2,363No Fee
Studio |
1
Hudson Heights
225 Bennett Avenue
$2,055No Fee
Studio |
1
Washington Heights
502 West 167th Street
$2,395No Fee
2 |
1
Inwood
152 Sherman Avenue
$2,000No Fee
1 |
1
Fort George
601 West 190th Street
$1,850No Fee
1 |
1
Lenox Hill
439 East 74th Street
$2,237No Fee
Studio |
1
Washington Heights
735 West 172nd Street
$2,400No Fee
2 |
1
Wondering why this address was fit for American royalty like Vanderbilt? The 1931 apartment building is chockablock with charm, including high ceilings and amenities like a brand new on-site gym and bike storage (handy when the promenade along the East River is just half a block away).
Heads up, living near this building in fabulous Midtown East may cost less than you think!
Median Asking Rent as of July 2021: $3,305
Median Sales Price for the same period: $782,000
Upper West Side Homes Under $750K on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Upper West Side
200 West 79th Street
$459,000
Studio |
1
Manhattan Valley
210 West 103rd Street
$625,000
1 |
1
Upper West Side
310 Riverside Drive
$435,000
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
336 West End Avenue
$599,000
1 |
1
Upper West Side
400 Central Park West
$715,000
Studio |
1
Manhattan Valley
300 West 110th Street
$715,000
1 |
1
Upper West Side
169 West 73rd Street
$740,000
1 |
1
Upper West Side
129 West 89th Street
$575,000
1 |
1
Upper West Side
308 West 103rd Street
$495,000
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
26 West 97th Street
$725,000
1 |
1
Upper West Side
320 Riverside Drive
$715,000
1 |
1
Upper West Side
102 West 85th Street
$425,000
Studio |
1
Luxury Buildings in NYC: 432 Park Avenue
Want to stand apart from the pack? Behold one of the top luxury buildings in NYC. Literally. When it was built, it was touted as the most sky-scraping residential tower in the Western Hemisphere — thanks to its 1,397-foot-tall structure. (For comparison, the top floor of the famously teetering Empire State Building is 1,250 feet tall.)
It lives large, too. Amenities include temperature-controlled wine cellars befitting the most refined Michelin-starred restaurants. There’s also a curated library, yoga studio, sauna, pool with steam room, plus a screening room that would put most Manhattan movie theaters to shame — you get the gist. Among the top luxury buildings in NYC, 432 recently made headlines because its penthouse was listed for a whopping $169 million. That’s nearly double what it was purchased for in 2016, $87.7 million. Within its 8,255 square feet, the next homeowner will be able to roam a 93-foot long living and dining space and take in a panorama over Manhattan (from the 96th floor!) that stretches 360 degrees. The property includes the art and furniture inside, including pieces by Hermes and Fendi. It’s real estate, “but make it fashion.”
Of course, like many other expensive properties, this one, too, is in Midtown:
Median Asking Rent as of July 2021: $4,000
Median Sales Price as of July 2021: $1,587,500
Upper West Side Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Upper West Side
30 West 83rd Street
$2,200No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
35 West 89th Street
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
790 Amsterdam Avenue
$2,315No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
273 West 73rd Street
$2,975No Fee
1 |
1
Manhattan Valley
4 West 103rd Street
$2,888No Fee
1 |
1
Lincoln Square
244 West 64th Street
$2,600No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
131 West 81st Street
$2,650No Fee
Studio |
1
Upper West Side
20 West 95th Street
$2,295No Fee
Studio |
1
Manhattan Valley
448 Central Park West
$2,600No Fee
1 |
1
Upper West Side
41 West 86th Street
$2,933No Fee
Studio |
1
Manhattan Valley
64 Manhattan Avenue
$2,850No Fee
1 |
1
Manhattan Valley
9 West 103rd Street
$2,833No Fee
1 |
1
118 Riverside Drive
If your dream real estate amenities include “funny business,” pay attention. Ben Stiller’s Upper West Side childhood home — owned by his comedic parents, Jerry Stiller and Anna Meara — hit the market in July to the tune of $5 million. Tucked in a 1929 Renaissance Revival building where Babe Ruth once lived, the 3,700 square foot property combines the original unit they bought in the 1960s and an adjacent apartment the duo treated themselves to in the 80s. (Translation: it has not one but two kitchens, a salivatory perk for foodies). Herringbone floors and blonde oak built-in shelves have a Nordic feel. And windows in the fifth floor home overlook leafy treetops of 84th Street.
If you plunk down your hard-earned duckets for the property, which was still for sale as of September 2021, you may see it featured in an upcoming documentary project of Ben Stiller — who also used to own his own digs in the building. Call it a night at the Stiller Museum.
Here’s what it may cost you to live in this uptown neighborhood:
Upper West Side Median Asking Rent: $3,195
Upper West Side Median Sales Price: $1,297,500
Lower East Side Homes Under $750K on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Lower East Side
577 Grand Street
$635,000
1 |
1
Lower East Side
457 FDR Drive
$589,000
1 |
1
Two Bridges
25 Market Street
$728,000
3 |
1
Two Bridges
148 Madison Street
$599,000
2 |
1
Lower East Side
385 Grand Street
$625,000
1 |
1
Lower East Side
550 Grand Street
$719,000
2 |
1
Lower East Side
455 FDR Drive
$550,000
1 |
1
Lower East Side
475 FDR Drive
$619,000
1 |
1
Lower East Side
477 FDR Drive
$579,000
1 |
1
Lower East Side
500 Grand Street
$589,000
1 |
1
Lower East Side
530E Grand Street
$575,000
1 |
1
Lower East Side
475 FDR Drive
$575,000
1 |
1
One Manhattan Square
The water-facing condo tower on the Lower East Side is a true wonder: it’s a jaw-dropper sheathed entirely in glass. Amenities are equally sleek and resort-worthy. Sunken tranquility garden, hammam and saltwater pool? Check. Bowling alley, basketball court, and golf simulator? Check. Alfresco grilling overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge? Le Duh. And it’s all only the beginning of the pampering here.
Fans of The Bachelor will recognize the luxury building in NYC’s most famous roomies, Tyler Cameron and Matt James. Combined, they have more than 3 million Instagram followers and counting, not to mention major fans for their nonprofit food tours for low-income students, ABC Food Tours. *Like.*
And YES, you will find more affordable places to live in this downtown neighborhood:
Lower East Side Median Asking Rent: $3,219
Lower East Side Median Sales Price: $900,000
Lower East Side Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Lower East Side
63 Clinton Street
$2,895No Fee
1 |
1
Lower East Side
141 Essex Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Lower East Side
122 Orchard Street
$2,850No Fee
1 |
1
Lower East Side
170 Rivington Street
$2,900No Fee
1 |
1
Lower East Side
76 Forsyth Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Lower East Side
200 Allen Street
$2,400No Fee
Studio |
1
Lower East Side
95 Orchard Street
$2,495No Fee
1 |
1
Lower East Side
42 Clinton Street
$2,750No Fee
1 |
1
Lower East Side
99 Orchard Street
$2,950No Fee
1 |
1
Two Bridges
117 Henry Street
$2,700No Fee
1 |
1
Two Bridges
84 Madison Street
$3,000No Fee
Studio |
1
Lower East Side
248 Broome Street
$3,000No Fee
1 |
1
Luxury Buildings in NYC: 15 Central Park West
Another Robert A.M. Stern-designed retreat, this tower was once home to Sting (who reportedly moved to its younger, flashier sister, 220 Central Park South, when it opened). Emily Ackerman, a licensed real estate salesperson and principal and founder of The Catalyst Team at Compass, says it’s an incredible building. “It has a ton of amenities. It also is very ‘white glove’; the minute you set foot in there, there’s people on you to assist.” she says. “It’s very exclusive; you have to have a high net worth to live there, so there’s a lot of security in addition to really high amenities.”
Ackerman loves the classic motor court — a cinematic welcome home rare in luxury buildings in NYC. Other amenities include manicured gardens, a gym with a 75-foot-long lap pool under skylights, and even an in-house chef option if you feel like a perfectly executed dinner without stepping out. Proof it’s topnotch: Denzel Washington, Robert De Niro, Mark Wahlberg, and Kelsey Grammer have called it home.
Luckily, you don’t have to be an extremely wealthy celebrity or CEO to call this neighborhood home:
Designed by starchitect David Rockwell and Diller Scofidio + Renfro, this sculptural 88-story tower seems to flow directly from the arts center The Shed and the Vessel. You’re likely to have a postcard-worthy peek from any unit (yup, that’s the Statue of Liberty). But we won’t blame you if you keep your eyes indoors. Amenities include a de facto spa that spans the entire 50th floor, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and a 75-foot-long swimming pool (plus a gym, sauna and steam room, natch). Need a blowout for a hot date? Proceed directly to the in-house salon. If you want the feeling of going out without hailing an Uber, you’ll delight in the sky-top terrace and lounge. It has all the glam factor of a five-star hotel bar but none of the jostling for a seat.
Plus, pampering here is among the best of all luxury buildings in NYC. It includes a 24-hour concierge, pet spa, and underground parking garage. But all of this goodness will cost you. A four-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath unit recently sold for a cool $22 million. Which honestly, compared to some of the rest of the residences we’ve mentioned here? Not bad!