What defines a luxury building?

Luxury is a state of mind

According to Gemini :Luxury apartment buildings offer an elevated living experience compared to standard apartments. They typically combine features to create a sense of comfort, convenience, and exclusivity. Here's a breakdown of the key elements:

High-End Finishes and Design:

Spacious layouts with high ceilings and ample natural light
Upgraded appliances and fixtures throughout the apartments.
High-quality materials used in construction (hardwood floors, marble bathrooms)
Modern and stylish design elements that create a luxurious feel
Top-Tier Amenities:

Residents' only amenities like swimming pools, rooftop terraces, fitness centers with state-of-the-art equipment, and business centers
Additional services for convenience, such as concierge services, valet parking, dog walking, and in-house dry cleaning
Sometimes even unique amenities like movie theaters, bowling alleys, or rooftop gardens
Location and Security:
Situated in desirable neighborhoods with easy access to entertainment, shopping, and dining
Enhanced security measures with controlled access entry, security cameras, and doorman or security personnel

A focus on resident satisfaction with attentive property management that caters to their needs
A sense of community and exclusivity for residents

high end appliances are non-senses. buyers can install their own

Location.
+ from Keith's post
Spacious layouts with high ceilings and ample natural light
Upgraded appliances and fixtures throughout the apartments.
High-quality materials used in construction (hardwood floors, marble bathrooms)
+ Kithchen cabinetry and countertops

+ cental AC (should be very high up)

Ah. Gemini covered Location.

Personally I find the concept that location plays any part in whether someplace is a luxury building to be ridiculous.

About 30 years ago I saw a sign on a building on 8th Avenue in Chelsea proclaiming "luxury condos." But it was an unrenovated tenement building ( the units were renovated). I thought "who's concept of 'luxury' doesn't include an elevator?"

Funny about that Gemini list: Privacy doesn't seem to be much of a priority. They go on about residents' amenities, but these are all *shared* items -- the truly luxurious residence has it's own gym, wine cellar, etc.

In NYC, silence is a luxury, and noise transmission a tremendous problem. The Gemini list focuses on finishes, but obtaining true quiet is a construction skill.

My idea of luxury also includes a private elevator landing, if not a fully private elevator.

Amenity-rich buildings might be popular, but they are the opposite of luxury. Luxury is never seeing your neighbors, not having them spilling out of yoga pants in the lobby.

There are many pre-war buildings that were constructed in an era pre-dating central air and don't offer it. They abut Central Park and are found on Park Avenue , 5th Avenue etc and are clearly luxury . Clearly central air is not required

And how well are these pre-war apartments are selling if not renovated with some type of central AC system!! Window ACs will never be luxury. Through wall can be with proper cabinetry etc. Usually any pre-war above certain $ per sq ft has some type of condenser in a closet venting to the outside via a window.

https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/how-much-the-jeffersons-deluxe-apartment-in-the-sky-cost/

ultimately, luxury can be determined based on the number and size of the bathrooms
https://streeteasy.com/talk/discussion/48394-which-way-it-swings

Park Avenue, but not luxury: https://streeteasy.com/talk/discussion/38473-four-park-avenue-mouse-problem

Along the lines of Rinette's comment on bathrooms, luxury for me is where every bedroom has an en suite bath and there is also a proper powder room for entertaining.

Powder room for entertaining? You must mean something like this one:

https://people.com/home/see-inside-susan-sarandons-8m-nyc-apartment-featuring-an-awards-filled-bathroom-on-sale-now/

Rock bottom luxury is doorman and dishwasher. Elevator is kind of a given.

I think of doormen, security , hall men.

some buildings have central air and some don't. Doesn't quite mean luxury or not. how the bathrooms are configured doesn't matter, anyone can modify an apartment after its bought but 9 foot ceilings and above are a must. ditto with appliances as sticking in a subzero doesn't make a building luxury

Right, luxury building. Not necessarily luxury apartment...

I stick with what I said: luxury can be determined based on the number and size of the bathrooms

I agree with Rinette