I got to experience how the ultra-rich live on NYC's Billionaires' Row. I was shocked at how comfortable Central Park Tower felt and how curated every aspect of living there was.

Kelsey NeubauerJun 23, 2023, 20:25 IST

The author sits in one of the building's units. It could be your dinner view for $63.3 million.Zoe Rosenberg/Insider

I was invited to tour and eat dinner at Central Park Tower, the world's tallest residential building.
I was shocked by how luxurious everything was, from custom-scented rooms to events with celebrities.

I was invited to Central Park Tower — the tallest residential building in the world — for a tour and dinner at its 100th floor restaurant, open only to residents and their guests.

Central Park Tower is the tallest skyscraper in this photo.Bruce Katz Courtesy of PA Press

I was invited to Central Park Tower — the tallest residential building in the world — for a tour and dinner at its 100th floor restaurant, open only to residents and their guests.

The 1,550-foot supertall, with 131 floors and 179 ultra-luxury condos, is a prominent skyscraper along Billionaires' Row, a famous line of residential building's catering to the super rich.

Central Park Tower is one of a handful of skyscrapers that make up Billionaires' Row.Courtesy of Extell Development

The 1,550-foot supertall, with 131 floors and 179 ultra-luxury condos, is a prominent skyscraper along Billionaires' Row, a famous line of residential building's catering to the super rich.

From the ground floor, it looks like the many other luxury condo buildings that line the streets of Manhattan. A doorman stood outside alongside well-manicured shrubs.

The entrance to Central Park Tower located at 217 West 57th Street, along Billionaires' Row.Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

But as I stepped into the lobby I was hit by a different fragrance: a light but distinct smell that I later learned was crafted for the building.

Every detail of the lobby from the lighting, to the furniture, to the scent, evoked wealth, status, and exclusivity.Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

So, as a reporter and an average New Yorker myself, I took this invitation very seriously, and saw it as an opportunity to take other average New Yorkers and any others curious about it inside. Here is what it was like.

The author in front of Central Park Tower.Zoe Rosenberg/Insider

So, as a reporter and an average New Yorker myself, I took this invitation very seriously, and saw it as an opportunity to take other average New Yorkers and any others curious about it inside. Here is what it was like.

I first toured a spacious amenities space, located 14 floors up. It's open to all residents and their guests — and it reminded me of a large, chic living room.

The amenities space on the 14th floor.Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

Residents can also rent this, and other shared spaces in the building, out for private events, at an added cost.

Like the lobby, the whole room was accented with neutral and metallic colors, and strong angles (with an occasional curved line.)Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

Outside, it looked like a luxe suburban backyard floating in the sky. There was cornhole, some marble art, and a bar with a light-up sign that said "Summer 2023."

The exterior space looks like it floats among city buildings.Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

There was also a warm outdoor pool, a lifeguard on duty, and lounge chairs to sunbathe on. This area, too, could hold private parties.

The pool's floor was made of elegant stone.Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

Two floors up, the world's richest people can work out with views of the city. I couldn't take a photo because a resident was lifting weights.

A workout facility on the 16th floor.SERHANT. Studios

There was also an indoor pool, which was being used when I visited, because it was a little too cold for the outdoor pool.

The indoor pool on the 16th floor.Evan Joseph

Next, I went up to a staged five-bedroom apartment on floor 113. On the way up, a wave of nausea hit me, and my ears popped — that's how high off the ground we were.

Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

Next, I went up to a staged five-bedroom apartment on floor 113. On the way up, a wave of nausea hit me, and my ears popped — that's how high off the ground we were.

What struck me first was the living room's view over Central Park, Midtown East, and Times Square down to the World Trade Center.

Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

Looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows that wrapped around the spacious living area, the tops of the city's tallest buildings looked small, like Legos rather than 1,000-foot urban monoliths.

A view of the Empire State Building, which is over 1,200 feet tall, about twenty blocks south and east of the building.Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

Looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows that wrapped around the spacious living area, the tops of the city's tallest buildings looked small, like Legos rather than 1,000-foot urban monoliths.

It seemed that every window offered a live painting of some of Manhattan's most stunning architecture. This is a view of a 111 West 57th Street, another supertall along Billionaires' Row, from the condo's kitchen.

The kitchen within the unit.Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

It seemed that every window offered a live painting of some of Manhattan's most stunning architecture. This is a view of a 111 West 57th Street, another supertall along Billionaires' Row, from the condo's kitchen.

At over 7,500 square feet, it was remarkable to me just how homey the condo felt. The primary bedroom even felt small, but had a very cozy feel. I wasn't expecting it at all, but I could see myself feeling comfortable in a room like this.

The primary bedroom within the unit.Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

At over 7,500 square feet, it was remarkable to me just how homey the condo felt. The primary bedroom even felt small, but had a very cozy feel. I wasn't expecting it at all, but I could see myself feeling comfortable in a room like this.

Next I met Colin Cowie, a world-renowned event planner and lifestyle curator, who got his start planning events in Los Angeles in the 1980s and soon after became one of the most popular celebrity planners.

Colin Cowie has planned events for Oprah, Kim Kardashian, and Jennifer Aniston to name a few.Kelsey Neubauer/Insider

Next I met Colin Cowie, a world-renowned event planner and lifestyle curator, who got his start planning events in Los Angeles in the 1980s and soon after became one of the most popular celebrity planners.

His company has designed experiences for the Central Park Club, which is exclusively for residents and "social members," or beautiful and interesting people that are invited in to fill the space and mingle with guests.

One room in the Central Park Club, where big-name celebrities have performed for residents.Jonathan Walgamott for Extell Development

His company has designed experiences for the Central Park Club, which is exclusively for residents and "social members," or beautiful and interesting people that are invited in to fill the space and mingle with guests.

We made our way to 10 Cubed — the 100th-floor restaurant so named because it is 1,000 feet from ground level —where I had an incredible meal with Cowie overlooking Central Park. We chatted about the way he designed the space for luxury.

A tuna tartare appetizer at 10 Cubed.Zoe Rosenberg/Insider

We made our way to 10 Cubed — the 100th-floor restaurant so named because it is 1,000 feet from ground level —where I had an incredible meal with Cowie overlooking Central Park. We chatted about the way he designed the space for luxury.

The Central Park Club also has a cigar lounge with curated boxes from Davidoff and private alcohol lockers.

The dining room of 10 Cubed.Extell Development Company

I stayed in a 140-square-foot hotel room inside an airport during a 15-hour layover — I didn't love it, but it was totally worth the $230

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I got to experience how the ultra-rich live on NYC's Billionaires' Row. I was shocked at how comfortable Central Park Tower felt and how curated every aspect of living there was.

I was invited to Central Park Tower — the tallest residential building in the world — for a tour and dinner at its 100th floor restaurant, open only to residents and their guests.

The 1,550-foot supertall, with 131 floors and 179 ultra-luxury condos, is a prominent skyscraper along Billionaires' Row, a famous line of residential building's catering to the super rich.

From the ground floor, it looks like the many other luxury condo buildings that line the streets of Manhattan. A doorman stood outside alongside well-manicured shrubs.

But as I stepped into the lobby I was hit by a different fragrance: a light but distinct smell that I later learned was crafted for the building.

So, as a reporter and an average New Yorker myself, I took this invitation very seriously, and saw it as an opportunity to take other average New Yorkers and any others curious about it inside. Here is what it was like.

I first toured a spacious amenities space, located 14 floors up. It's open to all residents and their guests — and it reminded me of a large, chic living room.

Residents can also rent this, and other shared spaces in the building, out for private events, at an added cost.

Outside, it looked like a luxe suburban backyard floating in the sky. There was cornhole, some marble art, and a bar with a light-up sign that said "Summer 2023."

There was also a warm outdoor pool, a lifeguard on duty, and lounge chairs to sunbathe on. This area, too, could hold private parties.

Two floors up, the world's richest people can work out with views of the city. I couldn't take a photo because a resident was lifting weights.

There was also an indoor pool, which was being used when I visited, because it was a little too cold for the outdoor pool.

Next, I went up to a staged five-bedroom apartment on floor 113. On the way up, a wave of nausea hit me, and my ears popped — that's how high off the ground we were.

What struck me first was the living room's view over Central Park, Midtown East, and Times Square down to the World Trade Center.

Looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows that wrapped around the spacious living area, the tops of the city's tallest buildings looked small, like Legos rather than 1,000-foot urban monoliths.

It seemed that every window offered a live painting of some of Manhattan's most stunning architecture. This is a view of a 111 West 57th Street, another supertall along Billionaires' Row, from the condo's kitchen.

At over 7,500 square feet, it was remarkable to me just how homey the condo felt. The primary bedroom even felt small, but had a very cozy feel. I wasn't expecting it at all, but I could see myself feeling comfortable in a room like this.

Next I met Colin Cowie, a world-renowned event planner and lifestyle curator, who got his start planning events in Los Angeles in the 1980s and soon after became one of the most popular celebrity planners.

His company has designed experiences for the Central Park Club, which is exclusively for residents and "social members," or beautiful and interesting people that are invited in to fill the space and mingle with guests.

We made our way to 10 Cubed — the 100th-floor restaurant so named because it is 1,000 feet from ground level —where I had an incredible meal with Cowie overlooking Central Park. We chatted about the way he designed the space for luxury.

The Central Park Club also has a cigar lounge with curated boxes from Davidoff and private alcohol lockers.