432 Park Avenue: Neighbour's envy, New York's pride

Standing really tall at approx 1,396 feet, 432 Park Avenue is the second highest addition to New York's collection of skyscrapers and will be home to some of the world's richest families, writes Rajesh Kulkarni.

New York City is no stranger to tall buildings. After all, for the longest time it has hosted the magnificent, 102-storey tall American icon – the Empire State Building - which was once the tallest building in the world and more recently the 104-storey, 1,776-feet tall One World Trade Center. In keeping with its long standing tradition of being home to stratospheric towers, this vibrant city is soon going to add a new one to its already long list.

Welcome to 432 Park Avenue. Standing tall at 96 stories (approx 1,396 feet), between the city's 56th and 57th Street, it's the second tallest building in New York and also the highest residential tower in the entire Western Hemisphere.

Soaring a good 150-feet above the erstwhile champion, the Empire State building, this new towering edifice with a rooftop about a quarter of a mile high, offers without doubt some of the best views of the city from the Hudson to the East River, from the Bronx to Brooklyn, from Central Park to the Atlantic ocean.

But wait, before you shrug it off as just another tall building (and there have been a few in recent years), its height is just one of the two unique aspects of this marvel of modern construction. The other being that despite boasting of over 400, 000 sq ft of usable space, this imposing tower will offer just 104 units for people to reside in.

Needless to add that these limited residences are not for the average Joe, but are expected to host some of the world's wealthiest families in one of the world's most expensive addresses to have a home in. And if you are even the slightest bit worried about getting the required bang for your big bucks here, check out some of the more exclusive details of this iconic address.

The project has been designed by world-renowned designer Rafael Vinoly, while the plush interiors are the work of celebrated architect Deborah Berke. Residences here feature a range of contemporary amenities that include 12'-6" finished ceilings, private elevator landings, service entrances, windowed eat-in kitchens, and large master bedroom suites with two bathrooms and adjoining dressing rooms, not to mention expansive 10 ft. by 10 ft. windows designed to flood every home with abundant natural light.

The well-designed Interior finishes include solid oak flooring, custom hardware, and the highest quality natural materials. Windowed kitchens feature white lacquer and natural oak cabinetry, Miele stainless steel appliances, Dornbracht fixtures, marble countertops and floors, and floating breakfast bars overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

The elegantly spacious Master Bedroom Suites include two large bathrooms fitted in book-matched slabs of premium Italian marble with free-standing soaking tubs, cubic marble vanities with 22" oval sinks, and radiant heated floors. Staff suites, office suites, climate-controlled wine cellars and storage units are also available for the discerning buyer.

The tower's condominium units feature high ceilings, and will range from a 351-square-foot (32.6 m2) studio to a six-bedroom, seven-bath penthouse with a library, already under agreement for US$95mn. The towers other facilities that deserve a mention include its 12-foot (3.7 m) golf training facilities and private dining and screening rooms.

Residents staying here will get to make the most of approx 30,000 square feet (2,787 square meters) of amenities that includes a elegant lounge, private restaurant, outdoor garden for dining and events, 75-foot indoor swimming pool, fitness center and spa (with sauna, steam, and massage rooms), a well-stocked library, billiards room, screening / performance venue, conference room, children's playroom and yoga studio.

In-suite dining and room service, concierge, 24-hour doorman, onsite parking garage and valet services will be provided by the building's staff. All amenity spaces here have been provided with ceiling heights up to 28'.

Standing tall at approx 426 metres, 432 Park Avenue is the third tallest building in the United States, and the tallest residential building in the world. It is the second tallest building in New York City, behind the One World Trade Center, but is ahead of the Empire State Building.

Interestingly when measured by roof height, 432 Park Avenue is the tallest building in New York, nosing ahead of the One World Trade Center building by just about 32 ft (9.8 m). For the statistically inclined, this imposing tower affords a massive footprint measuring approx 33,000 square feet. The building was officially topped out on October 10, 2014, making it the highest rooftop in NYC.

A project by the CIM Group located in midtown Manhattan, the tower was originally slated to reach a height of approx 1, 300 feet in 2011. Building the project in 2012 necessitated the demolition of the 495-room Drake Hotel which stood at this location earlier. The tower is now scheduled for completion later this year, while the site itself is today rated as one of the city's most valuable locations on the west side of the famous Park Avenue.