2020 has been nothing but tumultuous. Take the global COVID-19 pandemic, for example. It has introduced a new ‘normal’, changing perceptions and altering priorities. As a result, many projects, events and investments have been moved to later dates, like the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
So it may come as a surprise that one of New York’s biggest investments has not really been delayed by COVID-19. Although construction was temporarily suspended in March, Extell Development has not changed the completion date of Central Park Tower, their most grand project yet, which is expected to be finished by late 2020.
Central Park Tower is designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the leading experts in skyscrapers. The team has designed nine of the top 100 supertall buildings, which must have made them an obvious choice for a project of this magnitude.
Reaching 472 metres in height, Central Park Tower is the new tallest residential building in the world, also competing for the title of the tallest building in New York, as it overtakes One World Trade Center without its crowning spire. The previous ‘Tallest Residential Building in the World’ title holder was Rafael Viñoly’s 432 Park Avenue in NYC, which is 426 metres tall.
The superstructure, costing $3 billion dollars to build, is slowly but surely coming together. The building has already reached its final height, rising 131 stories above 57th Street, known also as Billionaires’ Row. The slender reinforced concrete superstructure’s glass coating is nearly finished, as only the crown awaits completion, hidden behind a yellow construction safety net.
The Residences, the first apartments available for sale at Central Park Tower, are now being completed and furnished. This task was assigned to Rottet Interiors, an international architecture and interior design firm led by Lauren Rottet. The spaces are said to be designed with custom details in mind, using the finest natural materials and finished with imported stones, custom millwork and premium fittings and fixtures.
Central Park Tower, with its 179 luxury condos, will feature three floors of the finest amenities for apartment owners such as an outdoor terrace and wellness center, both with swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a ballroom and cigar bar on the 100th floor. Though mostly residential, the building will hold a seven-story Nordstrom flagship store at its base. Hence the building is sometimes referred to as the Nordstrom Tower.
If you happen to have any spare change and fancy buying one of the residences, the first seven condos became available on May 21st, 2020 and range in price from $6.9 million to $63 million.
Central Park Tower has a total of 179 units for sale so it is estimated that the sales’ profit will reach four billion dollars.
The current apartment sizes range from 133 square metres (two bedrooms) to 657 square metres (five bedrooms). They were designed to maximize the views of the city, with many corner units overlooking Central Park and beyond. Spacious floor plans, floor-to-ceiling windows, and top-of-the-line appliances are just a few of the assets that await the future residents of 225 West 57th Street.
The past decade saw a record number of skyscrapers appear in NYC, most of which are taller than 300 metres. With such a constantly evolving skyline, it’s a matter of time before Central Park Tower is dethroned and stripped of its title.
All images in this article are courtesy of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.
