New York City's Billionaires' Row: A Quick Overview

In a city known for having some of the priciest and most exclusive real estate in the world, New York City's Billionaires' Row still manages to stand out in a big way. When it comes to premium residential real estate, this glitzy Midtown enclave is about as good as it gets. Situated just south of Central Park in the area between 59th Street and 57th Street to the north and south and between 8th Avenue and 2nd Avenue to the east and west, Billionaires' Row includes some of the tallest – and newest – residential towers in the city. Read on to learn about its eight most prominent buildings.

111 West 57th Street

With a height-to-width ratio of 24:1, 111 W. 57th Street has been called the world's skinniest skyscraper. Located on the former site of Steinway Hall, it is also commonly known as the Steinway Building; in homage to this fact, a Steinway grand piano graces its lounge area. Completed in September 2018 and designed by SHoP Architects, the Steinway Building stands 1,428 feet tall and includes 60 luxury condos across its 86 stories; most are full-floor residences.

Sales for condos in the building, which cost roughly $1 billion to build, began in September 2018. It is situated at the precise axis of Central Park, offering symmetrical views of the sprawling expanse to its residents. Featuring an Art Deco-inspired design, the building features a bronze and terracotta façade; more than 49,000 cubic yards of concrete were used in its construction.

157 West 57th Street

Known simply as One 57, this 90-story building was completed in 2013. The following year, a penthouse in the building sold for $100 million; at the time, it was the most expensive residential real estate ever sold in the U.S. Several years later, it was revealed that the buyer was Michael Dell of Dell Computer fame. Several other very wealthy individuals have purchased units here, lending the building another nickname: the Billionaire Building.

The façade of the angled glass building alternates between dark and light glass, which creates a distinctive pinstripe effect. Designed by the French architect Christian de Portzamparc, One 57 features numerous setbacks and rippled canopies. The Park Hyatt Hotel occupies the building's ground floors.

225 West 57th Street

The tallest residential tower in New York City and the world, 225 W. 57th Street stands 1,550 feet tall, and its tallest habitable story stands at 1,417 feet. Also known as Central Park Tower and the Nordstrom Tower, the building cost approximately $1.2 billion to complete. Its first seven stories are taken up by a 285,000-square-foot flagship Nordstrom store - -the first in NYC. Total sales are expected to exceed $4 billion, making this possibly the most expensive condo project ever.

The second-tallest building in the U.S. and Western Hemisphere and 13th tallest globally, the Central Park Tower is considered a pencil tower thanks to its slim silhouette. A cantilever extends 28 feet from its eastern side, which maximizes views of the park below. The building includes 179 luxury condos. They range in size from 1,435 to 17,500 square feet and offer between two to eight bedrooms. The eighth through twelfth floors offer 50,000 square feet of amenity space for residents.

220 Central Park South

In January 2019, Ken Griffin, the billionaire hedge-fund manager, purchased a penthouse at 220 Central Park South for $238 million, making it the most expensive home ever sold in the U.S. Designed by Robert A.M. Stern, the property includes an 18-story building, known as The Villa; behind it stands a 953-foot-tall, 79-story tower with 118 luxury condo residences. Musician Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, own a condo in the building, which cost approximately $1.4 billion to construct.

Featuring a New Classical design, 220 Central Park South stands out from the crowd with its limestone façade. Elegant touches abound within, including custom millwork, marble cladding and oak flooring in most units. The building also boasts numerous amenities, including a motor court with a porte-cochere; a wine cellar; an 82-foot-long saltwater swimming pool; and an athletic club.

53 West 53rd Street

Situated seconds away from Rockefeller Center, 53 W. 53rd Street – known as 53W53 – stands 1,050 feet tall and was completed in August 2018. It is adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art, and residents enjoy special privileges to the esteemed art museum. Featuring a postmodern design and 750,000 square feet of floor space, 53 W. 53rd Street boasts a faceted façade that tapers into crystalline peaks near its apex. The southernmost building on Billionaires' Row, it features 145 luxury units across its 82 stories. The top floor features a duplex penthouse that is valued at more than $80 million.

432 Park Avenue

Until 2019, 432 Park Ave. was the tallest residential building in the city. Standing 1,396 feet tall, the 84-story building was developed by Harry Macklowe and designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects. Units in the building are currently valued at between $14 million and $32.5 million. In 2018, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez bought a three-bedroom condo in the building for $15.3 million. The building stands out with its geometric design, which was inspired by a metal can. With a width-to-height ratio of 1:15, it has a very slender profile.

520 Park Avenue

Another Robert A.M. Stern creation, 520 Park Avenue stands 780 feet tall and includes 64 stories. It holds the distinction of being the only building on Billionaires' Row located on the Upper East Side rather than Midtown. Its distinctive limestone façade enhances its New Classical design. In November 2019, James Dyson of vacuum cleaner fame purchased a six-bedroom penthouse here for $74 million. The building includes 15,000 square feet of amenity space, including an outdoor garden, a bi-level fitness center and a private movie theater.

252 East 57th Street

Rounding out the list, 252 E. 57th Street is the easternmost building in Billionaires' Row. It's also the shortest at just 712 feet. The mixed-use building was designed with modernistic flair by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Steve Madden bought a five-bedroom condo here for $12.1 million in 2017. In addition to a Whole Foods store and 78,000 square feet of retail space, 252 E. 57th boasts automated parking and amenities like a pool, sauna, ice room and steam room.