Fancy buildings with lavish amenities are nothing new, but as Manhattan developers try to one-up each other by building bigger, more extravagant buildings, they are including amenities that appeal to a younger, more social and seemingly more physically active resident.
Typical amenities like doormen, concierges, valet parking, rooftop terraces and high-end health clubs are old news. The latest offerings will attract the triathlete in training (The Laurel) or golfer (Platinum) or pick-up basketball player (Ariel East and West, William Beaver House).
Other bells and whistles will appeal to residents seeking luxe locales for relaxation and camaraderie like a sand beach (75 Wall Street) or coffee bar (Silver Towers).
It seems that the more unusual, the better.
“The buildings that have good or interesting amenity packages are memorable,” said Clifford Finn, managing director of new development marketing for Citi Habitats.
How far are developers willing to go to pamper buyers and, yes, even their dogs? And with all of the buildings in the pipeline, who can keep track of who offers what?
Brett Grabel, a senior associate broker at the Corcoran Group, said he keeps good notes and his company’s database is pretty accurate, particularly with new buildings.
“Most times though,” Grabel said, “amenities that are great selling points are easy to remember because brokers, owners and buyers are always talking about them.” For example, “the health club at the Bromley or the inexpensive garage at 60 Sutton Place South were two of the first amenities I heard people rave about when I first got into the business in 1997.”
Following is a short list of some of the more unusual amenities new buildings — all condominiums except for the Silver Towers rental building — are planning to offer:
Adiago at 243 West 60th Street: English garden and tennis court.
The Laurel at 400 East 67th Street: Triathlon training center, toddler’s craft clubhouse, video game arcade and dining room with catering kitchen.
Platinum at 247 West 46th Street: Sound-proof room with full-body massage chairs and audio and video; golf simulator room; and wrap-around terrace with outdoor fireplace and cool misting area.
75 Wall Street: Sunning beach with sand and cabanas and rooftop dining area with barbecue and hammock.
Riverhouse at One Rockefeller Park: Dog and pet spa; tree house lounge — a lounge with swings, bookcases and a carpet of grass.
The Setai New York at 40 Broad Street: Rooftop lounge with log-burning fireplace, gas-fire grill pits for campfires and cabanas with oversized daybeds; and rooftop room service.
Ariel East & West at 2628 Broadway and 245 West 99th Street: Pet salon, theater and basketball court.
William Beaver House at 15 William Street: Rooftop lounge with catering kitchen; private dining room and entertainment terrace; screening room with wet bar; terrace hot tub and outdoor shower; and outdoor basketball court with bleachers and squash court.
Avery Condominiums at 100 Riverside Boulevard: Stadium-seating screening room.
15 Central Park West: Private dining room and fully-equipped professional kitchen with full-time private chef.
100 West 18th Street: Landscaped roof deck with outdoor shower, gas fireplace and gas barbecue grill.
Silver Towers at 610-620 West 42nd Street: Coffee bar.