The Buildings That Have Defined Manhattan

Manhattan is the most populated borough in New York City and has the highest cost of living in the United States. With dozens of iconic buildings and lavish condominiums, this area is a coveted destination that the rich and famous are proud to call home.

The Exclusive 740 Park Avenue Co-op

Built by Rosario Candela in 1929, 740 Park Avenue is one of the most coveted co-op buildings in New York. This exclusive address is only available to applicants with a liquid net worth of $100 million or more. However, assets alone won’t land you a home here, as notable applicants like Barbara Streisand have been rejected. Current residents include such notables as Vera Wang, David Koch, and Jonathan Sobel.

The Amenity-Rich Condos of The Chatham

The 34-story red brick tower known as The Chatham is the creation of architect and resident Robert A. M. Stern and developer The Related Companies L.P. Striking post-modern details make this an eye-catching addition to the Upper East Side. A health club, spa, and garage are just some of the stellar amenities in this building. Condos here go for an average price of $2,967 per square foot.

The Iconic Trump Tower

Developed by Donald Trump and designed by the Swanke Hayden Connell architectural firm under the lead of Der Scutt, the Trump Tower is impossible to miss. At 861 feet, this is the tallest residential tower in the country and the 8^th tallest building in NYC. The tower’s sawtooth design is a unique feature that maximizes the number of corner windows. In addition, the seven-story mirrored atrium features a stunning waterfall that only hints at the extravagance of the building. Not surprisingly, Donald Trump has an office and penthouse here. As of 2013, condominiums in the tower went for an average of $3,083 per square foot.

The Prestigious 15 Central Park West Address

Like The Chatham, 15 Central Park West was designed by acclaimed architect Robert A. M. Stern. Developers Arthur and William Lie Zeckendorf constructed it. The $950 million building employs seven concierges, six doormen, eight lobby attendants, and four security guards. The architectural design features a timeless appeal inspired by apartments of the 1920s. Notable residents of this building include Sting, Denzel Washington, and Alex Rodriguez.

Apartments sell at an average price of $6,700 per square foot. Former Citigroup Chairman & CEO Sandy Weill sold the exquisite 15 CPW penthouse for $88 million to the 22-year old daughter of a Russian billionaire, Dmitry Rybolovlev.

The Massive Buildings of the Time Warner Center

Designed by Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill and constructed at the cost of $1.7 billion, the Time Warner Center is an iconic destination for shopping, dining, and gawking. This building houses more than 40 specialty shops, restaurants from several Michelin-star chefs, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the exclusive Equinox Gym, and several luxury condominiums. Units here go for an average price of $7,428 per square foot. The penthouse was recently listed at $68 million.

The Carefully Designed 165 Charles Street – 173 Perry Street Buildings

Though 165 Charles and 173 Perry Street look like two pieces of the same puzzle, the former is a carefully designed mimicry. Together, these sleek condo buildings form a striking addition to the New York skyline. Richard Born, Ira Drukier, and Charles Blaichman developed 173 Perry Street and its sister building 175 Perry Street. Izak Sendbahar and Simon Elias developed 165 Charles Street. Richard Meier designed all three. Although, the Charles building was the only one finished by Meier, right down to the doorknobs. Meier’s designs have attracted several celebrity buyers, including Calvin Klein and Martha Stewart. In 2013, units in 165 Charles Street went for an average of $2,915 per square foot. Condos at 173 Perry went for a comparable $2,968 per square foot the same year.

The Energy-Efficient Superior Ink Building

Designed by Robert A. M. Stern and developed by Related, the Superior Ink Building combines the dark brick stylings of the 1970s with modern towers for a distinctive look. The West Village building houses 53 luxury condominiums and seven townhouses. The highly coveted condos are sold out. In 2010, the penthouse sold for $31.5 million, the highest recorded price for a downtown condominium. One of the most notable features of the building is its LEED certification. Units here feature high-end energy-efficient appliances to help the building maintain this distinctive status. Celebrity residents include designer Marc Jacobs, actress Hilary Swank, NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson, and billionaire Mark Shuttleworth.

The World-Renowned Plaza Residences

Most New York visitors recognize The Plaza as an iconic hotel, but few realize that the building houses residential condominiums, as well. These units combine hotel amenities with home comforts for a truly luxurious experience.

Designed by architect Henry J. Hardenbergh in 1909, the exterior of The Plaza features a second empire baroque style. However, the residential units inside offer an appealing blend of traditional and contemporary. These homes feature designer details like 24-karat gold faucets, Nero Marquina stone countertops, mosaic backsplashes made of Calacatta marble tile, and Versace home furnishings. In addition, residents have access to a private butler, catered meal service, valet parking, and maid service. These condos go for an average of $6,546 per square foot.

The Recently Developed One 57

One 57 was designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc and developed by Extell. Danish designer Thomas Juul-Hansen completed the interiors with modern French-inspired designs. The building is packed with amenities including a screening and performance room, full catering kitchen, yoga studio, private fitness center, pet washroom, arts and crafts atelier room, and library with a 24-foot aquarium. Residents can also enjoy the services of the Park Hyatt hotel on the first 30 floors of the 90-story building. At One 57 went on sale in late 2011 and should be ready for occupancy by late 2015 or early 2016. Units average about $6,000 a square foot, but some sellers believe the rarity value will make them worth much more as more units close. For example, one 62^nd-floor unit was immediately flipped for nearly $10 million more than the original buyer paid. This puts the condo at $9,145 per square foot.

The penthouse recently bought by Bill Ackman sold for $90M+. Whether you’re on the market for an opulent Manhattan condo or you’re merely interested in gawking at the lifestyles of the city’s elite, these stunning buildings are a must-see in Manhattan’s unforgettable landscape.