As Central Park Tower duplex signs for over $100M, see NYC's all-time priciest apartment sales (2024)

Even in frigid January weather, New York's ultra-luxury market remains piping hot. The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that a duplex penthouse at Central Park Tower has been signed into contract for north of $100 million. Although the buyer's identity remains undisclosed, if the deal closes near its stupendous asking price, it will secure a spot among the city's six priciest apartment transactions on record.

Initially listed in March 2023 for $175 million, the 12,557-square-foot residence had its price adjusted to $149.5 million in September. The penthouse spans the entire 107th and 108th floors, offering breathtaking views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline through enormous floor-to-ceiling windows. Marketed by Douglas Elliman, the residence has seven bedrooms, eight full baths, two half-baths, a floating spiral staircase, and a private elevator connecting the two floors.

Central Park Tower, #107/108, (via Douglas Elliman for Extell Development)

This transaction could become the first closing at Central Park Tower to break into the list of the city's 100 most expensive apartment sales. So far, the tower's priciest closed sale is a four-bedroom on the 53rd floor, which closed in 2021 for just over $50 million.

The supertall, developed by Extell and designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, features a private amenity club spread across three floors, totaling 50,000 square feet. The 100th-floor club includes a private restaurant, a ballroom, a wine bar, and a cigar lounge. Additionally, residents enjoy an outdoor pool, a sun deck with cabanas, a fitness and wellness center, a squash court, a private movie theater, and a business center.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have never stopped believing in the strength and resiliency of New York City” - Gary Barnett, Founder and Chairman, Extell

In recent years, the area along 57th Street and Central Park South, commonly referred to as Billionaires' Row, has witnessed a succession of soaring condominium towers, claiming the lion's share of the city's priciest real estate transactions. Below, we present a roundup of the ten priciest apartment sales ever recorded in New York City. With 2024 off to noteworthy start, this list may see some swift changes by year-end, particularly with the anticipation of more high-floor transactions at Central Park Tower. Moreover, since 2003, Manhattan has witnessed a total of 146 apartment sales surpassing the $40 million mark, marking a substantial 35% surge since early 2021.

All images of 15 Central Park West via Brown Harris Stevens

15 Central Park West’s penthouse looks out on unobstructed views of Central Park, and these are best enjoyed from the 1,979-square-foot wraparound terrace. Interiors include a living room with wood-burning fireplace, a formal dining room, a chef’s kitchen, a family room, a library, a study, a staff room, three secondary bedrooms with en suite baths, and a primary bedroom with sitting room and two en suite baths. Seller Sanford Weill pledged to donate the very generous proceeds of the sale to charity, and Forbes identified the buyer as Ekaterina Rybolovleva, daughter of Russian fertilizer magnate Dmitry Rybolovlev.

(DBOX)

Located near the top of 432 Park Avenue, apartment 92 enjoys incredible views and light from windows in nearly every room, including the kitchen, both primary baths, and the en suite bath in a secondary bedroom. Interiors boast a massive corner living room, a formal dining room, a library, and a kitchen with two dishwashers in the center island and massive pantry with wine cellar. Nearly all bedrooms have en suite baths. The buyer was identified only as a Saudi billionaire.

All images of One57 via Extell

When One57 was under construction, William Ackman was identified as the buyer of a duplex penthouse said to be used as “a fun investment” as opposed to a residence. Between the Grand Salon with wet bar, formal dining room, chef’s kitchen with breakfast room, and entertainment suite opening up to a “winter garden” (glass atrium), there is no shortage of space for the extravagant parties the apartment was said to host. The upper-level primary suite has a walk-in closet and two baths, and the other upper-level bedrooms enjoy generous closet space and en suite baths.

All images of 220 Central Park South via Vornado Realty Trust

At the end of 2019, Daniel Och was identified as the buyer of PH73 at 220 Central Park South, having listed his apartment at 15 Central Park West in preparation for the move. The apartment’s formal dining room, kitchen, library, media room, and fifth bedroom all open up to private terraces. Upstairs, the primary suite occupies its own wing and boasts two walk-in closets, two en suite baths, a massive dressing room, and a morning kitchen.

Not only is PH76 home to one of the most expensive sales in New York, but its 850 square feet of private outdoor space may be among the city’s highest. An elevator lobby opens up to a grand foyer and gallery connecting the entertaining rooms, which include a large living room, formal dining room, chef’s kitchen, and media room with a private terrace. Upstairs, two of the four bedrooms have private terraces. The primary bedroom is not one of them, but it does feature two dressing rooms (one with a walk-in closet), two en suite baths, and a morning kitchen.

One57 (Christian de Portzamparc)

Before 220 Central Park South shattered the record, the city’s most expensive sale was a duplex penthouse at One57 in a transaction that would seal the street’s reputation as Billionaires Row. The Wall Street Journal identified the buyer as Michael Dell and reported that he had tapped Miro Rivera Architects for a renovation of the property. Floor plans show a clear division between living and sleeping areas: The lower level is devoted to entertaining with a Grand Salon, formal dining room, kitchen, library, and gracious gallery to connect the rooms. The upstairs bedrooms all have generous closet space and en suite baths, and the primary suite boasts a walk-in closet and two baths.

(BHS)

In the summer of 2022, the estate of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen sold a penthouse, and a full-floor unit at the cooperative 4 East 66th Street for a staggering $101 million. The transaction, completed through an LLC Eleven-Twelve East, set a new record for the highest price ever paid for a city co-op. The sale, part of Mr. Allen's extensive real estate portfolio, included a penthouse acquired in 2011 for $25 million and an 11th-floor unit purchased in 1996 for $13.5 million. Units in the building are known for their spacious layouts and luxurious features, which contributed to the sale surpassing the previous co-op record set in 2015.

In 2021, the priciest apartment deal in New York City involved the acquisition of two full floors at the ultra-luxurious tower 220 Central Park South. An undisclosed buyer, represented by the limited liability company Chancery Lane, invested a total of $157.5 million in purchasing both full-floor units. The 60th floor was acquired for $82.5 million, while the unit directly above was obtained for $75 million, as indicated by city property records. It is presumed that the buyer intended to combine the two floors. Notably, both units were resale properties. The buyer sold the spread two years later (the next top deal on the list).

Plan of the full-floor residences on levels 60-68 at 220 CPS

Photo of 220 Central Park South and Billionaires' Row (Wade Zimmerman)

In January, a duplex at 220 Central Park South in Manhattan, the nation's most expensive residential building, was sold for $188 million. The property, previously owned by billionaire investor Daniel Och, saw its value more than double from the $92.7 million paid for it just over a year ago. The sale was associated with a Hong Kong office established by Joe Tsai and Jack Ma, founders of the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. The sale ranks as the second-largest home sale nationwide.

At the beginning of 2019, Ken Griffin’s purchase at 220 Central Park South set a new record for the highest-priced home ever sold in the United States. The Wall Street Journal reported that the apartment would be delivered as an unfurnished white box, and the massive spread comes with a private terrace with views to the north, south, and east. Interiors boast a massive living room, a “sunset salon,” an eat-in kitchen with breakfast room, and an enormous primary suite with two dressing rooms, two en suite baths, a sitting room, and a morning kitchen.