Discover NYC's Chic Condos with Upscale Entertaining Spaces

With spring in full swing and warmer weather enticing New Yorkers to gather and socialize, now is the perfect time to explore some of NYC's top developments featuring luxurious entertaining spaces. From chic bars to stylish lounges and elegant dining areas, these condominiums offer residents the perfect settings for hosting memorable gatherings, all within the comfort of their own buildings. High-design condos like Monogram NY, Sutton Tower, and Front & York showcase the importance of providing upscale entertainment options, embracing the concept of layered entertaining where residents can seamlessly move from cocktails to cozy lounges and sophisticated dining areas.

Monogram NY: Elegance in the Heart of Midtown

Photo Credit: Recent Spaces

Designed by Ismael Leyva Architects with interiors by the acclaimed studio Neri&Hu, Monogram NY is a stunning new development situated in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. This elegant condominium effortlessly blends serenity with the vibrant flair of New York City. Residents at Monogram NY can indulge in the top-floor amenity package known as the "Sphere Club." This sophisticated bar and lounge is attended by dedicated staff and offers sweeping panoramic views of the iconic New York City skyline, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a private club. The Sphere Club also includes a reading room lounge with a fireplace, an intimate bar, and a private dining room with a catering kitchen, all enveloped by expansive city skyline vistas. These luxurious spaces provide residents with the perfect settings to host events and gatherings, ensuring a tailored experience for every occasion.

Sutton Tower: Grand Entertaining on the East Side

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Sutton Tower

Standing as the tallest residential tower along Manhattan's East Side waterfront, Sutton Tower is a defining New York address that boasts unrivaled views and dynamic design by the celebrated designer Thomas Juul-Hansen. The condo building's thoughtful amenity collection, known as The Sutton Club, embodies the Upper East Side’s tradition of grand entertaining. The large private dining room, adorned with warm, elegant finishes and an adjacent chef’s demonstration kitchen, is ideal for hosting and toasting with loved ones on special occasions. Residents also enjoy a secondary dining lounge, providing a more casual, intimate space for gatherings. The entertainment opportunities continue in the building’s skylit club lounge and adjacent terrace, as well as the plush screening room equipped with custom sofas, a wet bar, and a cinema-level audio-visual system. These amenities ensure that Sutton Tower residents have an array of options for hosting any type of event in style.

Front & York: A Luxurious Urban Experience in DUMBO

Photo Credit Colin Miller

Front & York, designed by celebrated architect Morris Adjmi, offers an amenity-driven luxury urban experience in DUMBO with one of NYC's largest and most comprehensive amenity collections, spanning 150,000 square feet. Perfect for residents looking to host intimate gatherings or holiday get-togethers, Front & York features a luxurious wine room connected to a chef's kitchen, creating an ideal suite for custom dining experiences. The development also boasts a dedicated party room with a beautiful dinner table for more formal sit-down dining experiences, as well as a billiards lounge complete with a pool table and bar, making it the perfect customizable suite for any occasion. These thoughtfully designed spaces ensure that residents can entertain in style, whether it’s a casual get-together or a grand celebration.

A Seamless Entertaining Experience

Monogram NY, Sutton Tower, and Front & York exemplify the trend of incorporating upscale, versatile entertaining spaces into residential developments. These condominiums not only provide luxurious living spaces but also create an environment where residents can host memorable events without leaving the comfort of their homes. From intimate lounges to grand dining rooms and everything in between, these developments offer the ultimate entertaining experience, reflecting the sophistication and elegance of New York City living.

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How NYC Buyers Are Reshaping New Development

By Bentley Zhao, Chairman and CEO, New Empire Corp.

New York City’s housing market has always evolved alongside the people who live here, but today that evolution is accelerating. Buyers are more informed, more pragmatic, and more focused on how a home supports their everyday lives.

Developers are seeing a clear shift in expectations. The conversation is no longer just about location or luxury finishes. Instead, buyers are evaluating the full living experience—from layout efficiency to long-term ownership costs. This change is influencing how buildings are designed, where development is happening, and what kinds of communities are emerging across the five boroughs.

My perspective on development is shaped by a background in both finance and architecture. After studying at Baruch College and the New York City College of Technology, I joined my family’s business and later became CEO of New Empire Corp., which has completed more than 120 residential and mixed-use projects across New York City since the company’s founding in 1997.

One significant change is the rise of the holistic buyer. In the past, many people focused primarily on traditional factors like location, views, and finishes. While those elements still matter, today’s buyers take a broader view. They want homes that function well in everyday life, paying close attention to natural light, efficient layouts, storage, and access to outdoor space. How a home “lives” has become just as important as how it looks.

At the same time, buyers are increasingly focused on the long-term economics of ownership. Carrying costs such as property taxes and common charges now play a central role in decision-making. For many, especially first-time buyers, predictable monthly expenses are as important as the purchase price. A home is no longer just a place to live; it is a lifestyle investment. 

Three priorities stand out in today’s market: wellness, flexibility and convenience.

Wellness has become a defining force in residential design. Features like fitness centers, landscaped terraces, and rooftop gardens are no longer seen as luxuries but as essential components of healthier environments. There is also a growing emphasis on community and connection. Buyers value shared spaces that foster interaction and improve everyday living. 

Flexibility is equally important. Hybrid work has changed how people use their homes, increasing demand for adaptable spaces. Buyers are looking for layouts that can accommodate home offices, multipurpose rooms, or evolving needs over time.

Convenience, often supported by technology, is another factor. Smart building access, strong connectivity, and efficient package management systems have become expected features. 

Meanwhile, affordability pressures continue to shape the market. Rising construction costs, interest rates, and land prices have driven developers to be more strategic. Instead of offering expansive amenity packages, developers are focusing on amenities that residents actually use. Fitness spaces, co-working lounges, outdoor terraces and practical storage areas deliver real value to residents without adding unnecessary costs.

Design efficiency has also become essential. Smarter floor plans allow developers to create homes that feel open, comfortable, and functional without drastically increasing square footage. This helps keep prices more attainable.

At New Empire, we see this shift not as a compromise, but as an opportunity to build more thoughtful housing that better reflects how people live today.

One of the most visible results of changing buyer preferences is the continued growth of residential development outside Manhattan. Neighborhoods in Queens, Brooklyn and parts of Upper Manhattan are attracting a new generation of first-time buyers seeking the benefits of city living at more accessible price points. In many cases, buyers are willing to live farther from Midtown if it means gaining more space, better value, and a stronger sense of community. 

Radiant: Photo Credit: Conica Studio 

This shift is reflected in the success we have seen at our development projects, Radiant in Long Island City, and Centric in Sunnyside/Woodside, reinforcing the importance of building in neighborhoods with strong transit access and long-term growth potential.

Despite regulatory complexity and economic uncertainty, New York remains one of the most resilient housing markets in the world. Demand continues to outpace supply, and the city’s global economic position ensures a steady flow of residents, workers and investors.

Centric: Photo Credit: SDX Studio 

Buyers today want homes that support their health, adapt to their lifestyles, and deliver long-term value. They want buildings that foster community while still providing privacy and comfort. And they want neighborhoods that combine convenience with belonging.

Developers who listen closely to those priorities will shape the next generation of residential projects across New York City.

In a supply-constrained city with enduring global appeal, the next era of development will be defined not by what is built, but by how intentionally it is lived in.

Bentley Zhao

Bentley Zhao is Chairman and CEO of New Empire Corp., a leading New York-based development and construction management firm that has completed over 120 residential projects throughout New York City.

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Best Place to Unwind? Reading Rooms in NYC Luxury Buildings

Winter is the perfect time to get some reading in. But are you looking for the perfect spot outside of your home for some quiet reading or to host a book club? We rounded up some of the best luxury buildings offering amenities geared toward book lovers with designated reading rooms and curated libraries. 

The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria New York

The Waldorf Astoria is amidst an unprecedented restoration by renowned architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to reopen as a 375-key hotel and 375 condominium residences to be known as The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria. With sophisticated residential interiors and amenities by internationally renowned designer Jean-Louis Deniot, residents will have access to over 50,000 square feet of private residential amenities and all of the services of the Waldorf Astoria New York hotel. 

The Waldorf Astoria New York partnered with The White House Historical Association for the first-ever Presidential Library curation, establishing an elegant and light-filled library with couches for residents to enjoy the novel collection. In addition, the Library will contain books on all of the hotel’s globally-renowned guests that had previously stayed at the hotel. 

Coterie Hudson Yards

Coterie Hudson Yards, developed by Related Companies in partnership with industry care leader Atria Senior Living, provides exceptional care, hospitality offerings, and high-end design for cosmopolitan seniors. 

Among these amenities is a thoughtfully curated library for residents with over 800 hand-selected titles in partnership with renowned local independent bookstore McNally Jackson. Additionally, residents have access to frequent book readings from authors and book clubs where they can discuss their favorite books. 

378 West End Avenue

378 West End Avenue is a new condominium on Manhattan’s Upper West Side designed by COOKFOX Architects, which includes the restoration of an existing, original 1915 Palazzo-style building overlooking the historic Collegiate Church combined with a newly constructed 18-story tower. 

378 West End Avenue features over 11,000 square feet of amenities. A cozy Reading Room filled with stacks of books to choose from is connected to the Garden Terrace, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor sanctuary. 

The Beacon at Garvies Point

Just a short commute from New York City is The Beacon at Garvies Point, the first waterfront condominiums located within the Garvies Point community in the heart of Glen Cove, Long Island. The Beacon’s hotel-inspired services and vast array of amenities compliment the natural beauty of Garvies Point, offering a 24-hour concierge, seasonal outdoor heated swimming pool, and a residents’ lounge. One of the most popular amenities is a library with a fireplace, which some residents love to utilize for group activities like their resident book club. 

Photo Credit: Evan Joseph

Flatiron House

Flatiron House comprises two distinct buildings connected by a shared garden with 44 residences. With architecture and interiors by COOKFOX Architects, a leader in biophilic design, the development utilizes several guiding principles that promote health, well-being, and indoor-outdoor living.

At Flatiron House, The Lounge is directly adjacent to the beautiful outdoor garden, providing residents with a quiet space to sit with a book either inside or out. 

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Warm and Welcoming Lobbies for Cold NYC Winters

With colder weather and shorter days, it's important in the Winter for owners of million-dollar apartments to be ushered into a warm and welcoming environment when they arrive home. These New York City lobbies eschew the typical sterile area to grab your mail in favor of elevated design elements that recall the architect and designers' larger vision for the building. 

130 William

Adjaye designed the exterior architecture and all the interiors, which is 800 feet tall and his first skyscraper in Manhattan. As you know, 130 William’s exterior is comprised of a custom, hand-cast façade and features a repeating pattern of large-scale arched windows that evoke the lofts that once populated the area. The lobby brings those design details inside, including a wall made up of arched-shaped hutches, that are curated with small design items. With 130 William, Adjaye wanted to celebrate NYC’s heritage of masonry architecture that was pervasive along the nearby streets. Adjaye’s overall design with 130 William was to highlight new possibilities of urban vertical living and the lobby sets the stage for this. 

photos by Michael Kleinberg

One Essex Crossing

One Essex Crossing, designed inside and out by CetraRuddy, is a 14-story condominium building that spans a full city block between Broome and Delancey Streets and features residences with skyline views, shared and private outdoor space, and a wealth of indoor/outdoor amenities. CetraRuddy designed the lobby as a series of emotional experiences that offers residents an oasis from the bustling city streets. Residents enter the building via Sky Bridge, an all-glass entry bridge that features direct sightlines and elevator access to the historic Essex Market and new Market Line retail below. A sleek marble ‘runway’ guides residents from the street, through the Sky Bridge, and into the tranquil lobby. Inside the lobby, large, woven-metal curtains separate the lobby’s lounge area from the main entrance and a selection of vibrant artwork, inspired by the artistic attitude of the neighborhood, hang in the space for residents and their guests to enjoy. 

photo credit to Evan Joseph Photography

111 West 57th Street

111 West 57th Street incorporates two notable structures. The first is a 1,428 foot SHoP designed new construction tower, which is the second tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere. The second is the restoration of the historic Steinway Hall, former home of Steinway Pianos which was originally designed by Warren & Wetmore, the famed architects of Grand Central Station. For the lobby design Bill Sofield took inspiration from the original Warren & Wetmore architecture and collaborated with New York artisans to create interiors that were reminiscent of public spaces once featured in classic skyscrapers. Nancy Lorenz, an abstract painter created elevator doors inspired by the bronze detailing work found in many New York landmarks. Artist John Opella created a gold and silver leaf mural depicting elephants breaking out of the Central Park Zoo. The lobby features meticulously restored, end-grain wood flooring from the original Steinway Hall and fused glass urns by Lasvit with gold palm fronds, resting upon an Old Gold-finished vase that weighs 1,300 pounds and stands 14 ft tall. We also have photos of the private porte-cochère on 58th Street providing residents a quiet and private entry.

Photography by Adrian Gaut

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Luxury Residences Elevating New Year’s Resolutions: A Wellness Journey at Your Doorstep

As the new year unfolds, many of us embark on a journey of self-improvement and wellness. However, maintaining New Year’s resolutions can be challenging, with a Forbes Health/One Poll survey revealing that the average resolution lasts just under four months. In this landscape, luxury residences in New York City are redefining the concept of living spaces by integrating fitness and wellness amenities that not only inspire but also sustain residents' health and wellness goals throughout the year.

The Harper: A Blend of Fitness and Creativity on the Upper East Side

Credit: The Harper

The Harper, a new 21-story condominium in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, offers more than just luxurious living spaces. It provides a comprehensive wellness experience with a 24-hour fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and studio mirrors. The Harper also caters to the creative and musical aspirations of its residents with a creative studio by Robofun and a music room courtesy of the School of Rock, making it an ideal place for those looking to balance physical fitness with creative expression.

Selene: A Wellness Sanctuary in Midtown East

Credit: Colin Miller

Selene, a landmark by Foster + Partners, stands tall in Midtown East, offering a collection of wellness and spa-inspired amenities. This includes a 60-foot sunlit swimming pool, a variety of fitness rooms for cardio, weight training, pilates, ballet, and yoga, as well as luxurious saunas, steam rooms, and spa treatment facilities. Selene’s holistic approach to wellness ensures that residents have everything they need to stay committed to their health goals.

Front & York: Life Time Athletic Club in Brooklyn

Credit: Life Time DUMBO

Front & York takes wellness to a new level by housing the first-ever Life Time athletic and wellness club in Brooklyn, and the largest in NYC. Residents receive a complimentary six-year membership to Life Time, accessible across the country. The club features a full-court basketball court, a lap pool, a variety of fitness studios, and a LifeSpa, making it a haven for those dedicated to maintaining their fitness resolutions.

77 Greenwich: Sky-High Fitness in Downtown Manhattan

77 Greenwich in Manhattan’s “New Downtown” offers a unique fitness experience with its Cloud Club. The double-height fitness center, located at the penthouse level, provides panoramic views of the city, adding an element of awe to workout routines. The private training studios and terrace access for yoga and open-air training make it an inspiring space for fitness enthusiasts.

Maverick Chelsea: Wellness in the Heart of Vibrant Neighborhoods

Credit: Maverick Chelsea

Maverick Chelsea, located where Chelsea meets The Highline and Hudson Yards, offers a range of amenities to support wellness resolutions. The development features a 60-foot-long indoor pool, a steam room, sauna, and a state-of-the-art fitness studio. For those seeking relaxation, there’s a private massage room and a meditation room with a Himalayan salt wall.

Tribeca Green: Tailored Wellness in Tribeca

Credit Colin Miller

Tribeca Green, designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, offers a fitness center with a yoga studio that hosts classes from Equinox and Pure Yoga. The 17th-floor terrace is perfect for summer yoga and meditation, providing a serene environment for residents to pursue their wellness goals.

These luxury residences in New York City are not just providing lavish living spaces; they are creating communities that actively support and promote a healthy lifestyle. With such amenities at their fingertips, residents are well-equipped to maintain their New Year’s resolutions and enjoy a healthier, more balanced life.

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