Take a Closer Look at the Design of the World’s Tallest Residential Tower

As shown in a new video, the Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture–designed Central Park Tower will dwarf all other residential buildings when it’s completed.

Tallest Residential Tower Central park
Courtesy Extell

In recent years, New York developers have had nothing but high ambitions for the desirable swath of land on Central Park’s southern edge. So high, in fact, that many of their super skinny towers are smashing vertiginous records, in both height and in price. Take Rafael Viñoly’s 432 Park Ave., which currently holds the title of world’s tallest residential tower, or Christian de Portzamparc’s One57, home to New York’s most expensive residence—a cool $100.5 million. Rapidly rising alongside these skyscrapers are Jean Nouvel’s 53 West 53rd St. and SHoP’s 111 W. 57th St.

But one supertall is slated to dwarf all its neighbors on the so-called Billionaires’ Row. Designed by Chicago-based supertall connoisseur Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) (the firm’s Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia is slated to be the world’s tallest), this Manhattan skyscraper known simply as the Central Park Tower will rise 1,550 feet above Manhattan when completed in or around 2020. That’s about 100 feet taller than the Empire State Building’s spire.

The glass-and-stainless steel-clad skyscraper, developed by Extell with SMI, will house 179 “ultra-luxury” condos, according to a press release issued Monday. These residences will range in size from two to eight bedrooms, with some apartments reaching approximating 17,500 square-feet, or the size of nearly four professional basketball courts. In addition to a seven-story Nordstrom flagship, a host of amenities including a fitness studio, and a 15,000 square-foot terrace, the building will include a members-only club with a yet-to-be-revealed 100th floor private space. Rottet Studio, known for its work on luxury hospitality brands including the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Houston outpost and the St. Regis in Aspen, will be designing the interiors.


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Tallest Residential Tower Central park
A rendering depicting the stunning views from Central park Tower’s kitchen. Courtesy Extell

Sales for the condos began Monday and have been billed as “the most remarkable residences ever sold.” According to Mansion Global, the building will be the most expensive in New York history, with asking prices ranging from $6.5 million to more than $100 million.

The spate of luxury high rises in New York City in recent years has drawn criticism from locals and policymakers alike. But according to AS+GG partner Gordon Gill in a press release, “One of the greatest responsibilities of architecture is to continue to elevate experiences yet create structures that are elegant and respectful.”

He continued, “Central Park Tower was designed to take advantage of the spirit of the great city of New York and create an address worthy of its location on Billionaires Row and Central Park.”

Watch the video depicting renderings of the completed project below.

Video courtesy Extell


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