NEW YORK, NY - Bluerock Real Estate together with TOWN New Development proudly announce the closing of its two penthouse residences at The Charles, the company’s luxury Upper East Side tower, for a record-breaking $58.635 million, combined. Located at 1355 First Avenue off 72nd Street, The Charles broke ground in 2012, with a private, full-floor only layout that set a new standard in luxury design.
Penthouse One, a quadruplex, closed for $37.94 million, shattering records as the highest price ever achieved for a residence east of Third Avenue on the Upper East Side. Penthouse Two, a duplex, closed for $20.695 million. Prices per square foot on both units were also among the highest ever recorded in the neighborhood east of Third Avenue.
Ginger Brokaw and Jason Karadus of TOWN New Development are the building’s exclusive sales agents.
To date, more than 70% of The Charles’ 27 units have been sold and the building, which is nearly complete, has already welcomed its first residents.
"The Charles has attracted buyers with a truly exceptional mix of full floor-only residences, light-filled great rooms, sweeping views and superb construction,” Mr. Karadus said of building, which features designer interiors crafted by David Collins Studio and architect Ismael Levya. “Buyers are also drawn to The Charles’ high-touch, white glove service. The ratio of staff to residents is very high, which affords residents a level of service reminiscent of another era.”
The multi-floor penthouses boast 360 degree views that extend from river to river and beyond, with dazzling cityscape views to the north and south.
The 12-bedroom, 12-and-a-half bathroom Penthouse One quadruplex, a spacious and substantial combination of three units, also features generous terraces on two levels, providing the new homeowners with more than 1,300 square feet of exterior space. Plans for the residence include ample, separate spaces for living and entertaining, 12-foot ceilings, as well as a custom-built interior private elevator.
Penthouse Two is an elegant eight-bedroom, eight-bathroom duplex with a streamlined and modern interior circular staircase, a custom built 1,200-square-foot dressing room, 11.5-foot ceilings, and the same wide-open vistas and expansive city views.
Bluerock Real Estate has been working with TOWN New Development to market the project. “The Charles introduced a new level of luxury into the neighborhood east of Third Avenue. There’s a terrific renaissance happening in the neighborhood, with the pending completion of the Second Avenue subway and the continued beautification of the cityscapes adjacent to the river. Prices in the neighborhood are still favorable, though rising, with the influx of luxury buyers and retailers,” said Ms. Brokaw.
Residences throughout the building deliver a contemporary take on gracious Manhattan living with four-bedroom, four-bathroom units sized at 3,000 square feet and up. Oversized living and dining rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows that celebrate the city’s expansive views and streaming natural light. Each unit features beautifully appointed eat-in kitchens with Miele and Sub-Zero appliances; grand master suites with ample dressing areas, walk-in closets and marble soaking baths. Opulent finishes, including five-inch white oak and marble flooring, provide timeless elegance to each unit, while soaring ceilings create a feeling of abundant space and volume.
To ensure that homes are ultra-quiet, the developers installed a state-of-the-art, four-pipe fancoil system that is virtually invisible and silent. Substantial under-floor padding nearly eliminates noise transmission as well.
“The closing of the penthouse units reinforces our belief in the neighborhood was well placed and that our design decisions were in step with the market,” said Ramin Kamfar, CEO of Bluerock. “We created a residence with the scale and privacy of a townhouse, but with lots of light and with the convenience of high-touch concierge service. The market has responded very well.”
The Charles was designed by architect Ismael Levya, lauded worldwide for captivating designs that are both contemporary and sophisticated. Mr. Levya has designed numerous high profile residential developments including Seattle’s Pagoda Towers, the Vista del Parqe in Costa Rica and, in New York, a multitude of buildings including Riverhouse, Icon, Yves Chelsea, BKLYN AIR, 19 Park Place, Place 57 and many others.
Interior finishes were designed by David Collins Studio, designers of upscale hospitality, commercial and residential spaces worldwide. Each features the designer’s timeless, elegant aesthetic. The studio’s projects include The London NYC and London West Hollywood hotels, the Delaire Graff Estate Lodges in South Africa, The Apartment at the Connaught in the UK, The Port Baku Residences in Azerbaijan, Langton House Hotel in Ireland, The Gate Suites in West Hollywood, and numerous other luxury venues.
The Charles’ 32-story glass tower features 27 full floor residences. Developed by Bluerock Real Estate and Victor Group, The Charles breaks from the traditional, pre-war, and post-war brick architecture of its surroundings yet blends elegantly into the neighborhood with a seven-story, limestone base. Building amenities include a children’s lounge, private storage, fitness center, game room, and 24-hour doorman and concierge.
About TOWN New Development: TOWN New Development, led by industry veteran Shlomi Reuveni, focuses on all aspects of high-end new development services, including: market research and analysis; pre-development planning, branding, marketing, advertising; and active sales operations. With a far reaching network of industry specialists, TOWN New Development has direct access to premier architects, contractors, interior designers and elite amenity providers. Innovative, experienced, and built on strong business principles, TOWN New Development also possess exceptional market data and resources. The dynamic team is comprised of seasoned industry leaders whose collective knowledge, experience and expertise are unsurpassed.
About Bluerock Real Estate, Developer: Bluerock is a leading real estate investment firm headquartered in Manhattan with over $1.5 billion of assets under management. The company’s principals have over 100 years of aggregate experience with more than $10 billion in real estate investments. Bluerock’s current portfolio consists of approximately 12 million square feet of apartment, retail, and office properties across the United States.
About Victor Group, Development Manager: Victor Group is a leading New York City-based development company with an unwavering commitment and passion for developing quality, high design and customized luxury residential buildings. Founded by Moshe Shuster in 1994, Victor Group specializes in the development of ground-up residential projects in Manhattan. With decades of international and local experience, Victor Group’s leadership team has forged global partnerships with top lenders, investors, leading architects and joint venture partners. The firm has a keen eye for detail, understands all facets of development and is hands-on throughout every aspect of the process from beginning to end. Today, Victor Group continues to deliver beautifully designed and steadfast buildings that achieve the highest performing results. For more information, visit www.victorgroupnyc.com.
About Ismael Leyva, Design Architect: Founded in 1996, New York City-based Ismael Leyva Architects PC is an internationally recognized architecture, interior design, and urban planning firm with offices in New York City and Central America. The firm is recognized by the development and construction industry for its uniquely creative, iconic, and practical design. Since the establishment of the firm, Ismael Leyva Architects has built a portfolio of diverse, award-winning projects featuring responsive designs that address technical, social, and aesthetic requirements. Current projects include the Battery Maritime Building, 66 Rockwell, and the Hilton Garden Inn.
About David Collins Studio, Interior Design: David Collins Studio is an architectural-based consultancy that over the past 30 years has redefined luxury interior design on a global scale. The studio is proud to have been involved in designing unique projects for a wide range of clients, both in the commercial worlds of high fashion as well as the design of some of London’s most loved and revered restaurants, hotels, and bars. Their work for private clients is no less impressive, although they have developed a reputation for discretion as well as creativity in their work designing homes for those who appreciate beauty, comfort, and attention to detail.