First Avenue? It’s on the up >> LWSY The Charles, NYC

Last month whilst on my whirlwind week in New York for the annual Design Week, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to visit The Charles. Located on 1355 First Avenue, this new residential glass tower designed by Ismael Leyva Architects, with the interior instruction by David Collins Studio is causing quite the intrigue in the Manhattan property market. Featuring 26 full floor apartments with an 11,000 Sq Ft (!!!) quadraplex Penthouse as its cherry on top, I managed to squeeze in a private hard hat tour with Town Residential. I was thrilled to be hosted by Ginger Brokaw and Amy Delson, and Developer Philip Mendlow, Senior VP at Bluerock, before catching up with Wendy Maitland, Town’s President of Sales over lunch at the super chic Four Seasons Grill Room.

The CHARLES

Town have dedicated their boardroom to The Charles on Fifth Avenue, where I was walked through the plans of the building before we headed over to site. I arrived knowing only what I’ve been able to read online, so was intrigued to hear more on the FF&E (fixtures fittings and electrical) of the apartments, as having DCS at the helm of the design is surely going to make each and every apartment spectacular.

There are many highlights to these condos, yes the location on First Avenue is questionable to some (they just need to check the facts to realise that these properties are an incredibly attractive investment) but the space, light and views are unrivalled. As this is a new build each floor has been executed perfectly, full floor apartments are very rare in the city, and for 4/5 bedroom units, the family living spaces and amenities are impressive.

TheCHARLES_lobby

The Lobby

To give you a little insight into the architects Ismael Leyva, the practice has an overwhelming portfolio of commercial and residential projects, and The Charles is quite recognisable as one of their structures if you know anything their previous designs. David Collins Studio (DCS) needs little introduction. They also happen to be the designers of some of my favourite restaurants, hotels and bars, including the Wolseley, Artisan at The Langham Hotel, the Apartment at The Connaught and The London Hotel Group in the US.

The Fitness Centre

You want to know more about The Charles though, so let me share what I know. Having Creative Director Simon Rawlings at the helm of the interior, has injected a European style of living to each apartment. The building is serviced by 2 lifts (not including the private lift for the Penthouse), you arrive by either service lift (go left to enter via the utility/boot room) or the formal/guest entrance. Family living is at the back of each apartment, with The Great Room (the living room) being the most striking space in all the apartments. From the 1st-8th floors is the limestone base of the building, the floors above live in the glass structure with the cantilevered extension. Each apartment has a different configuration, all variations on a theme, (the first 8 floors don’t have the floor to ceiling windows) but with such high ceilings and front to back light, even the lower floors are still big.

The community games / family room above

An example of one of the Great Rooms, the views are astonishing.

The-Charles-1355-First-Avenue-Kitchen

The Kitchen Design

The Charles, which is being developed by Bluerock Real Estate, once fully occupied will home approximately 24 families. Each apartment will be sold ready to move in, all the bathrooms/kitchens will be the same specifications, and the materials used throughout will be mirrored in all the residences. A sense of community in the building has been a consideration since the outset. There will be a live in residential manager/concierge, doorman, there is an on-site fitness centre (all TechnoGym) and a games room/lounge for the youngsters in the building.

These gracious residences will range from 3,107 sq ft to 3,600 sq ft. Energy conservation was thoughtfully executed from the beginning, and the appliances/AV are top of the line. With a central HVAC system, 4-pipe fan coil system, Valli and Valli hardware, pre-wired Kraus Home Automation (platinum package), Electrolux washing machines and vented dryers these properties will feature all that will be expected of properties in these price brackets. The Eat-in-Kitchens all feature Corian countertops and back-splashes, Sub Zero refrigerators, and Miele ovens. White Oak flooring features throughout.

An example Bathroom, personally now after seeing these visuals I wouldn’t want to move in without the DCS interiors.

1355 First-Avenue-The-Charles-Bathroom

The master bathrooms, (that view!!) will feature 12″ x 24″ polished Bianco Dolomiti stone floors, white lacquered cabinets, DCS for Lefroy Brooks fixtures and fittings, and Kohler sanitary ware. I’ve seen these samples in real life and the combinations are beautiful.

The secondary bathrooms in the residences will feature polished Bianco Nuvalo marble floors, grey lacquer cabins and all the same FF&E. The powder rooms again feature the marble, and Lefroy Brooks/Kohler sanitary ware.

A visual of the quadraplex Penthouse above, which has gone to contract and set a record deal in the area. Scroll down to see it’s current construction status, exciting!!!

As we arrived on site, we headed straight to the top and worked our way down through the floors. What an incredible sight to see the progress, the hustle of the workmen and watching these spaces develop. I had no idea what stage the building was at when I arrived so it was it was great to start from the top and see how each floor was evolving.

LWSY The Charles NYC