When it comes to real estate, location is almost everything. But in cities like New York, San Francisco, and Miami, buyers will also pay a premium for another feature: the view.
In Manhattan, the most coveted and costly view is of Central Park. With a median listing price of $3.79 million, homes with a view of the park carry a premium of 39.9%, according to Realtor.com.
Mike Tauber has been exploring these sights for 15 years as an interior and architecture photographer in New York City. He’s photographed tens of thousands of homes and their views, and he recently collected them in a book called “Vista Manhattan: Views from New York City’s Finest Residences.”
Below, see nine stunning views captured by Tauber from penthouses across New York City.
Tauber is usually hired by real estate agents, architects, interior designers, or homeowners to photograph these spaces. One of Tauber’s favorite views comes from a $57 million penthouse at The Pierre. “It has a great perspective on Central Park where you can see people hanging out in Sheep Meadow in the foreground and then across the Upper West Side into New Jersey,” Tauber said.
Mike Tauber
Tauber photographs luxury buildings that range in price. While this penthouse at 50 Sutton Place sold for $4.36 million in 2016 ..
Mike Tauber
… penthouses with this view at 101 West 67th Street have sold for up to $20.75 million.
Mike Tauber
Another coveted view — but generally less expensive — is of the New York Harbor.
Mike Tauber
1965 Broadway, with its view of Lincoln Center, also houses some pricey pads, including a unit that hit the market at $42 million in 2014. It currently has a penthouse on the market for $10.6 million.
Mike Tauber
Views of the Empire State Building also don’t come cheap. A penthouse currently on the market at 39 East 29th Street is asking $4.49 million.
Mike Tauber
In 2011, Tauber began pulling images from his archive to put online. When he realized how many gorgeous views he had captured over the years, he began editing a collection for the book, which was published in 2016.
Mike Tauber
“I get to see some amazing places, some with incredible views,” he told Business Insider. “Occasionally I’ll meet some interesting owners and it reminds me that … photography in general can be a ticket into the lives and habitats of others. I could not make these images without the access, so it really comes down to that.”
Mike Tauber