SOM's 252 East 57th on Billionaire's Row Unveils Daniel Romualdez-designed Amenities

Anchoring the eastern corridor of Billionaire’s Row, SOM’s 252 East 57th Street has just unveiled the tower's exclusive amenities. The 34th Floor Club and Pool are the first commissioned development designed by AD100 interior architect Daniel Romualdez, whose portfolio includes the homes of notable musicians and fashion leaders including Mick Jagger and Tory Burch. The 34th Floor Club encompasses the entire floor and features panoramic views of the New York skyline and serves as an extension of each resident’s private home. Amenities include access to a luxurious lounge with piano and gas fireplace, a library curated by The Strand, a formal dining room with catering kitchen available for private events, a 70’ south-facing terrace, a billiards room, breakfast room, conference room, state-of-the-art screening room, two fully furnished guest suites with private kitchens, and a state-of-the-art fitness center complete with Peloton bikes as well as yoga and Pilates studios. Additional amenities include a porte-cochère that leads to an automated parking garage with electric car charging stations, a 75-foot swimming pool, custom hydrotherapy circuit spa, children’s playroom, Luxury Attaché concierge, and a dog playroom serviced by SPOT. 252 East 57th features 93 condominiums which are located on the top 36 floors of the 700' tall tower which was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and developed by World Wide Group and Rose Associates. The tower also features 175 rental residences known as Aalto 57 on the lower floors. Sales for available condominium units range in size from 1738 to 4972 SF and range in price from $3,975,000 to $14,800,000.

When designed the intrior spaces, Romualdez drew inspiration from iconic NYC spots such as Mr. Chow’s and Halston’s showroom at the Olympic Tower. Romualdez said he “wanted the interiors to be very urban and sleek. We chose certain pieces like the St. Thomas sofa and the waterfall coffee table - both in the living room - because they are personal favorites. The Arne Jacobsen swan chairs in the library were a nod to the cosmopolitan design-minded person who I imagined would be a resident of 252.” On working within SOM’s architecture, he explained, “we used the curve of the building, a significant SOM feature, as a running theme throughout our design. The outline of the pool is curved, as is the oval handrail." 

Penn Station to Move Forward with $1.6 Billion Revamp, Construction to Begin with Expected Completion 2020

Penn Station is officially moving forward with a $1.6 billion revamp after reaching a financial deal announced Governor Andrew Cuomo. The project includes redeveloping the James A. Farley Post Office into the Moynihan Train Hall and is a joint venture between Empire State Development, The Related Companies, Vornado and Skanska, who have committed $1.2 billion to the project. The MTA, Port Authority and Amtrak have committed an additional $420 million. The Related Companies, Port Authority and Amtrak will lease and operate 700,000 SF of commercial and retail space. The project will also include a 255,000 SF train hall and a 92-foot skylight to pay homage to the original Penn Station. The new station will be designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. “Fifty years after the loss of the original Penn Station structure, passengers will once again experience a world-class rail hub worthy of New York,” said Governor Cuomo. Construction will start soon with an expected completion in 2020.