LED BY A POWERHOUSE DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHITECTURAL TEAM, THIS UPCOMING RESIDENTIAL STUNNER IN MANHATTAN’S UPPER EAST SIDE HAS HERITAGE AT ITS HEART, ECHOING THE GREAT MOVEMENTS OF THE PAST WHILE RAISING THE BAR ON ULTRA-LUXURY URBAN LIVING
BY AMANDA McCOY
The New York City skyline is an ever-shifting canvas of ambition and reinvention. Dizzying new developments are constantly generating buzz, from sky-piercing supertowers to charming boutiques, dazzling rooftop experiences to largescale art installations. But progress and innovation doesn’t come at the cost of tradition; in the Big Apple, neighbor – hoods are continuously changing, but their history remains a part of the conversation. The Naftali Group-led tower at 255 East 77th Street, a 36-story residential high-rise currently ascending over Lenox Hill, is a prime example of this Empire City ethos, where every new story has roots in the past.
We have been meticulous about even the smallest of details because, for us, nuance is everything,” said Miki Naftali, chairman and CEO of Naftali Group, the global real estate development firm behind several notable projects like Brooklyn’s Williamsburg Wharf and The Jem in downtown Miami. “Residences have elegant proportions and impeccable finishes. Amenities are elevated to offer exceptional light and views. The architecture builds on the Upper East Side’s legacy of residential sophistication.”
Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA), the building is a love letter to classic pre-war architecture. The firm pulled inspiration from the Gothic and Art Deco movements to shape the silhouette, yielding legacy elements like arches, loggias, pergolas, and a decorative crown. Proximity to Central Park also played a key role in the design, with views from the loggias and outdoor terraces oriented toward the park’s expansive green spaces. Oak leaf motifs are carved into the facade in an homage to the native vegetation of the Upper East Side. (This same motif is used throughout the building, including the swimming pool floor in the massive amenities wing.
RAMSA took the lead on the interiors as well, opting for spacious, sun-blanketed layouts that prioritize flexibility and livability. Kitchens, for example, are primarily set on outside walls, so home chefs can whip up Saturday morning brunch with scenes from the park playing in the background. Tall ceilings, generously sized living rooms, and setback terraces maximize light and views, while a calming, neutral color palette is rendered in luxurious raw materials like marble, natural wood, and stone.
There are 62 homes in the property, ranging from two to five bedrooms, plus a striking penthouse collection located in the building’s crown. PHB was the first of these jewelbox residences to hit the market, demanding a cool $24,700,000 price tag. The seven-bedroom,
“We have been meticulous about even the smallest of details.”
six-and-a-half-bath, floor-through sky palace stretches 5,516 square feet and features a sweeping loggia framed by a trio of stately stone arches that serve sensational skyline views as denizens feast al fresco from a 12-person dining table. There’s still plenty of room for several outdoor chaise lounges, a sofa, and a gas fire pit to bask in the glimmer of New York’s cityscape at night.
Inside the penthouse, a soaring 39-foot great room overlooks the loggia, funneling in views from double-height arched windows that craft an air of indoor/outdoor living. Warm white oak flooring flows from room to room, complementing the muted palette of soft ivory and mixed metal. The kitchen, set on a corner, is finished with honed Calacatta marble countertops and backsplashes, Miele appliances, and a large center island, while the primary bathroom flaunts custom heated stone floors, Bianco Dolomite marble walls, custom warm wood cabinetry, Waterworks hardware, a freestanding tub, and a separate rainfall shower. The primary bedroom, with its floor-to-ceiling corner windows, was designed to feel as if it’s floating above the city.
The Toronto-headquartered design studio Yabu Pushelberg was tapped to steer the amenities, which unfold over the 15th and 16th floors. Positioning the amenities wing above the ground floor was inten – tional, as the elevation ensures spectacular views from every arched window. Standouts include an attached loggia with soaring archways that overlook the park, a 75-foot swimming pool, and a sun-flooded fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated yoga studio. There’s also a sumptuous spa with a steam room, sauna, and massage suite, a cozy library with a fireplace, a screening cinema with plush reclining chairs, a multi-sports simulator, a children’s playroom, and a recording studio.
The building is targeting a completion date of fall 2026, with units starting in the mid-$3,000,000s.
55 E 77th Street 255