A DEEP DIVE

Pools In NYC Homes Making A Big Splash

By AP Connolly

Love to swim, but don’t want to have to trek to a gym to get your laps in? With cooler temps around the corner, why not buy with the convenience of a pool.

Swimming pools are almost as old as urban civilization. Dating to 2600 B.C. they were called Great Baths. These ancient city pools were built of fired and mortared brick and covered with a tar-based sealant. Not much has changed about the concept or importance of pools over the millennia. Designed in different shapes and sizes, pools today not only are a convenient recreation but add status to New York City living. Here, some places to consider that come complete with stunning pools.

245 WEST 99TH STREET
One of the Upper West Side’s premier condos can be found at The Ariel West’s apartment 14AC with its bright, sprawling, 3,400 plus square feet space. The residence features five large bedrooms, 5.5 baths, a very large new windowed eat-in kitchen, a huge living room and dining room and a large den!

Upon entering into a grand gallery, you are greeted with soaring ten-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and abundant light throughout. The entertaining space is highlighted by a fabulous 32-foot long great room with beautiful open views. Off the living room is a partially open new chef’s kitchen, featuring Viking and Miele appliances, a vented stove, and wine refrigerator. Adjacent to the kitchen is a large eat-in area/den.

The private master suite has abundant closet space and storage space as well as an en-suite spa-like master bathroom featuring a double marble vanity, a large glass-enclosed shower, deep soaking tub, floor-to-ceiling windows, and elegant marble slabs.

In the bedroom wing are four generously proportioned bedrooms and three full bathrooms. Two of the four bedrooms share a double vanity limestone bathroom with a bathtub, while the third and fourth bedroom share another limestone bathroom. There is also a large den that can be a nanny’s apartment or a great hang out area! All bedrooms enjoy abundant closet space with custom interiors. There are three zones of central air conditioning, beautiful oak floors, and 10-foot ceilings throughout this special home.

The Ariel West is a white-glove service condominium featuring a doorman and concierge. The building also has a fully equipped, attended fitness center, with a yoga/Pilates studio and 14 free-of-charge fitness classes per week, a 51-foot indoor swimming pool, locker rooms with steam rooms, indoor and outdoor play area, and a basketball court. Across the street, residents can use the large party room at the sister Ariel East building, which has a grand piano, screening room, and a full catering kitchen. Also included in this sale is a large private storage bin; there is also bike storage. Info: Contact Lisa K. Lippman, Brown Harris Stevens (bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/lisa-lippman). Pricing: $6.5 million.

12 EAST 69TH STREET This magnificent mansion, just off Fifth Avenue and Central Park, encompasses six levels with 20,000 square feet. The entry hall with 15-foot ceilings opens to a rotunda and curved staircase leading to the third floor. The great room of this level spans 40 feet, with French doors opening to Juliette balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows.

A hidden door off the main entry hall opens to the top of an extraordinary double-height library and office with ceilings over 24 feet.

On the third level, the 40-foot full formal dining room easily accommodates 40 guests or more at a sit-down dinner. The expansive kitchen—also 40 feet in width—has every cooking appliance a chef could desire.

On the fourth level are two 40-foot-wide bedrooms, with the master suite on the fifth floor featuring an equally large sitting room with two baths and two large dressing rooms.

There is an additional entrance from the street garden level for the lower half of the library affording private access to the office. This level includes the upper balcony section of the movie theater, which seats 12. Also, both an elevator and stairs provide access to the terrace covering the entire roof with views of Central Park.

The lower level provides a gym, a saline swimming pool with northern windows providing natural light as well as two saunas and a full bath. The rear of this floor includes the lower half of a duplex movie theater. Info: Contact Paula Del Nunzio, Brown Harris Stevens (bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent/paula-del-nunzio). Pricing: $88 million.

45 GREENE STREET
In the heart of Soho’s historic Cast Iron District, this quintessential building built in 1882 has only five unique homes. Then there’s No. 6—the luxurious duplex Penthouse with over 2,900 square feet of interior space and over 2,300 square feet of exterior space.

A secured key-locked elevator opens directly into this home which has an open layout, exposed brick, high ceilings, massive windows, and a wood-burning fireplace. The modern chef’s kitchen is outfitted with Viking and Sub Zero stainless steel appliances and cabinetry along with a wine cooler. Off the kitchen is a stackable washer/dryer.

The master bedroom comes with substantial custom closets and a beautiful en-suite marble bath with steam shower. The second bedroom also has an exposed brick wall. The den/third bedroom has three sides of floor to ceiling glass walls that open up to the planted decked terraces and the heated swimming pool. It also includes a wet bar along with a full bathroom.

The Penthouse unit can be combined with the 5th floor unit to make an incredible 7,500 square foot interior and exterior home. Info: Contact Gregory “Greg” Garwood, Halstead (halstead.com/real-estate-agent/gregory-greg-garwood). Pricing starts at $8.85 million.