Bigger is not always better.
c . 1908 • Landmarked • Prewar • NYC
It seems that nearly every new residential building going up in Manhattan is a large glass tower, but the new condominiums at 22 Central Park South (CPS) provide a welcome antidote to huge, anonymous buildings. Originally built in 1908 and redeveloped by the Elad Group, which also acquired and renovated the adjacent Plaza Hotel, this building offers just seven residences spread over nine floors.
The scale of the building may be petite but it’s big on details. The intimate lobby is clad with marble and has a mosaic sunburst pattern that continues seamlessly into the elevator’s floor. Even the elevator has been glammed up; its exterior doors are etched with an intricate design.
The design ethos was to create a contemporary version of a prewar apartment. Each residence occupies an entire floor of the building, apart from the 2,943-square-foot duplex penthouse. What they have in common is a light, airy look, thanks to their high ceilings and floor-toceiling windows overlooking Central Park. Stellar views aside, one of the benefits to living at 22 CPS is that it allows buyers to have a luxurious but discreet lifestyle.
Samantha Sax, director of sales and marketing for Elad Group says, “22 Central Park South presents the unique opportunity to own a private home in an intimate, boutique building that affords a tremendous amount of privacy and security.” Sax says she envisions potential buyers could be international clients looking for a pied-a-terre or resident New Yorkers looking for a clean, modern aesthetic that is convenient to Midtown.
The building offers several unique amenities, including a partnership with Bergdorf Goodman, which is located just around the corner on Fifth Avenue. The department store curated the accessories and art in the model apartment, as well as the bed linens. This is the first time Bergdorf has collaborated with a residential project.
“After talking with the 22 CPS team and seeing the space and the building, I thought this would be a great idea,” says Andrew Mandell, the vice president of DMM Decorative Home and Kids.
“The proximity to the store and the luxurious finishes in the unit made partnering a logical choice for us. The customer who would be purchasing these units would be the Bergdorf Goodman customer – one who appreciates modern luxury,” he says.
Mandell mixed Kelly Wearstler decorative items with contemporary art, luxurious fur throws and D. Porthault linens with an eclectic selection of vintage books.
“The unit feels luxurious but not stuffy, and your eye is drawn to unique pieces that don’t overpower the space or take away from the amazing view,” he says.
But the partnership with Bergdorf doesn’t end there. Homeowners will have exclusive, ongoing access to Bergdorf Goodman services. Need additional china and glassware before a dinner party? Residents will be able to Skype or FaceTime with Bergdorf staff to find the ideal items, and the purchases will be waiting for homeowners upon their return. Bergdorf’s shoppers can also select clothing and accessories and have them hung up in the client’s wardrobes. Residents can also enjoy priority access to Bergdorf’s beauty and spa services.
Other services within 22 CPS are automated. Each unit comes with a Crestron control pad that allows home owners to remotely control the music, temperature and blinds from an iPad or smart phone.
Accessories and tech aside, the look of the condominiums is classic contemporary with plenty of storage space and conveniences, such as inunit washing machines and dryers.
Each residence has a great room with builtin walnut bookshelves and all of the millwork is custom. The base boards have a higher-thannormal profile, and the great rooms have coffered ceilings and herringbone-patterned floors. Added bonus: All of the casement windows are fully soundproofed, as are the floors, so there’s no fear of hearing neighbors above or below you.
The kitchens have a classic look with streamlined features. All appliances (including a built-in, three-zone wine refrigerator) are by Miele. The upper cabinets, by SieMatic, are crafted from polished nickel, while the lower cabinets are wooden and painted a pale gray. Countertops are a thick Carrara marble with honed edges, and the sink is made of stainless steel. Fixtures throughout the apartments are by Lefroy Brooks.
The bathrooms have a similar pale color palette to the kitchen. The floors are mosaic marble, while the master bathroom has French Carré wall tiles, which give it a hint of Moorish design. Single slabs of Carrara marble were used to frame the tub, giving it a seamless look.
The duplex penthouse, which is on the market for $24,910,000, has three bedrooms and three landscaped terraces that total 900 square feet.
Residents at 22 CPS live just next door to the Plaza Hotel with amenities including the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, the Todd English Food Hall and the Warren Tricomi hair salon. Eloise never had it so good.
Interior Design by Bergdorf Goodman
Photography by Evan Joseph