View from the top: Inside the Billionaire's Row skyscraper that just became the tallest residential building in the world at 1,550 feet

Sep 19, 2019, 02:24 IST

Central Park Tower just officially topped out at its full height of 1,550 feet, making it the tallest residential building in New York City — and the world.

The tower sits on 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan, about a block from Central Park.

The bustling stretch of 57th street is part of an area that has come to be known as Billionaires' Row.

I rode the construction elevator up with some other journalists and Extell employees. The journey seemed to take forever, and although the elevator was enclosed, I could imagine us climbing up higher and higher into the sky above New York City.

I rode the construction elevator up with some other journalists and Extell employees. The journey seemed to take forever, and although the elevator was enclosed, I could imagine us climbing up higher and higher into the sky above New York City.

We stepped out onto the 107th floor, where media and Extell employees in hard hats were milling around and enjoying a spread of coffee, juice, bagels, and pastries.

White curtains covered the floor-to-ceiling windows, so nobody could yet see the much-anticipated views.

Gary Barnett, the founder and president of Extell Development, got up on stage to say a few words.

Everyone rushed to the windows to take in the views. Looking downtown, you have a direct view of the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center in the distance.

To the west, you can see the new Hudson Yards skyscrapers sprouting up next to the Hudson River, and beyond that, New Jersey.

To the east, you can spot the tip of another of Extell's Billionaires' Row towers, One57, and then 111 West 57th rising behind it. Behind that is the completed 432 Park Avenue, which Central Park Tower surpassed as the city's tallest residential tower.

To the east, you can spot the tip of another of Extell's Billionaires' Row towers, One57, and then 111 West 57th rising behind it. Behind that is the completed 432 Park Avenue, which Central Park Tower surpassed as the city's tallest residential tower.

But it was the views of Central Park that truly took my breath away.

There's nothing to obstruct your view of the park and its surrounding neighborhoods, such as the Upper East Side.

Central Park Tower will be completed in 2020, but it's already launched sales of its 179 condos.

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View from the top: Inside the Billionaire's Row skyscraper that just became the tallest residential building in the world at 1,550 feet

Central Park Tower just officially topped out at its full height of 1,550 feet, making it the tallest residential building in New York City — and the world.

The tower sits on 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan, about a block from Central Park.

The bustling stretch of 57th street is part of an area that has come to be known as Billionaires' Row.

I rode the construction elevator up with some other journalists and Extell employees. The journey seemed to take forever, and although the elevator was enclosed, I could imagine us climbing up higher and higher into the sky above New York City.

We stepped out onto the 107th floor, where media and Extell employees in hard hats were milling around and enjoying a spread of coffee, juice, bagels, and pastries.

White curtains covered the floor-to-ceiling windows, so nobody could yet see the much-anticipated views.

Gary Barnett, the founder and president of Extell Development, got up on stage to say a few words.

Everyone rushed to the windows to take in the views. Looking downtown, you have a direct view of the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center in the distance.

To the west, you can see the new Hudson Yards skyscrapers sprouting up next to the Hudson River, and beyond that, New Jersey.

To the east, you can spot the tip of another of Extell's Billionaires' Row towers, One57, and then 111 West 57th rising behind it. Behind that is the completed 432 Park Avenue, which Central Park Tower surpassed as the city's tallest residential tower.

But it was the views of Central Park that truly took my breath away.

There's nothing to obstruct your view of the park and its surrounding neighborhoods, such as the Upper East Side.

Central Park Tower will be completed in 2020, but it's already launched sales of its 179 condos.