On a recent spring afternoon, I took the train up to Midtown Manhattan to check out 157 W 57th Street, the luxury skyscraper on Billionaires' Row known as "One57."
Source: Compass
One57 is one of a bevy of supertall luxury towers rising on Billionaires' Row, an area in Manhattan just south of Central Park that has some of the most expensive homes in the world. Many are still under construction, but One57 was completed in 2014.
Source: Business Insider
Condos on Billionaires' Row have broken sales records. In 2014, Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell bought the $100.5 million penthouse at One57, which was the most expensive home ever sold in NYC at the time. In January 2019, billionaire Ken Griffin shattered that record when he paid $238 million for a penthouse in the nearby 220 Central Park South.
Source: Business Insider, Business Insider
Stepping into One57's grand entryway felt like entering a high-end hotel. The chandelier, the luxe leather furniture, and the large-scale artwork all gave a feeling of opulence.
Source: Compass
We took the elevator up to the 87th floor via a private keyed elevator and stepped into a stylish corridor complete with a skylight.
Source: Compass
The condo opens into a grand entryway. The listing agent, Kyle Blackmon of Compass, gave me an exclusive tour of the luxury condo.
Source: Compass
The massive great room features floor-to-ceiling windows facing Central Park. The north side of the residence spans 57 feet of park frontage.
Source: Compass
A long hallway leads from the great room to the bedrooms. The residence would be ideal for an art collector, Blackmon told me.
Source: Compass
The design of the building allows for the master suite to have the same unobstructed Central Park views as the great room.
Source: Compass
Looking out from the master bedroom's north-facing window, it almost felt like I was floating in the middle of Central Park.
Source: Compass
Looking below, it was fascinating to see the older skyscrapers that are now being dwarfed by the supertall towers sprouting up on Billionaires' Row.
Source: Compass
The wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows of the master bedroom offer views facing north, east, and south toward the Empire State Building.
Source: Compass
The master bathroom, which is outfitted with Italian marble, comes with dual vanities and steamed showers. The glass-enclosed wet room can turn into a steam room.
Source: Compass
The custom Waterworks Belvedere air-jet soaking tub is carved from a single chunk of marble.
Source: Compass
The three other bedrooms are all situated on the west side of the floor, giving them views of the Hudson River.
Source: Compass
Looking out of the condo's west-facing windows, you can see the rising Central Park Tower (left) — now the tallest residential building in NYC — and 220 Central Park South (right).
Source: Compass, Business Insider
In addition to a Sub-Zero wine cooler, the kitchen comes with dual built-in refrigerators.
Source: Compass
After my tour, it seemed to me that those willing to drop $58.5 million on an apartment in a building like One57 are paying mostly for the views and the prestige of being able to say they live on New York City's Billionaires' Row.
Source: Compass