Miami versus NYC: These Zaha Hadid pads both cost $50M — but which is better?

One of the penthouses has a helipad and a private pool

From left: Zaha Hadid's renderings of One Thousand Museum in Miami And 520 West 28th Street in Chelsea
From left: Zaha Hadid's renderings of One Thousand Museum in Miami And 520 West 28th Street in Chelsea

Two penthouses in two cities both cost roughly $50 million, but only one has a heliport and a private indoor pool.

Both are in residential buildings designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid, but don’t kid yourself: These pads are not created equal. Bloomberg compared Miami’s One Thousand Museum, developed by Louis Birdman, Gregg Covin and the Regalia Group, and Chelsea’s 520 West 28th Street, developed by the Related Cos., in a sort of amenities deathmatch. We’re going to take a more romantic approach, à la “The Dating Game.”

Each penthouse will try to court our hypothetical buyer by answering the following questions:

Is there a pool in the building?

Private pool

Private pool rendering

A) This penthouse has a private pool.

B) There’s a spa in the building (that you have to share with the non-penthouse owners).

How much space are we talking? 

inside rendering

Rendering of the 6,853-square-foot apartment

A) 15,200 square feet. So much room for activities!

B) 6,853 square feet. So, less room for activities, but cozier?

So, how does that shake out price-wise?

A) A cool $2,993 per square foot

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B) A cooler(?) $5,316 per square foot

Random question, but can I land a helicopter at your place?

Helipad atop one of the buildings

Helipad atop one of the buildings

A) Of course! Doesn’t everyone have a helipad?

B) That would be a no.

Terrace space. Go:

A) 1,270 square feet

B) 2,552 square feet. Ha!

Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid

After careful consideration if you have chosen…

Mostly As: You’re best suited for Miami’s One Thousand Museum. You’ll have views of the city skyline and Biscayne Bay, and you’ll be able to make a quick getaway on your helicopter.

Mostly Bs: Really? Kidding. At 520 West 28th Street, the High Line is basically your backyard. The penthouse, which takes up the ninth through 11th floors, offers views of the park and the city skyline. It’ll be a tough go without a private pool and helipad, but the heart wants what the heart wants. [Bloomberg] — Kathryn Brenzel