A Redefined Classic at 360 Central Park West

By Daniel J. Bollinger

Overlooking Central Park in the Upper West Side sits 360 Central Park West at West 96th Street, a 16-story building designed by renowned architect Rosario Candela in 1929 and now listed in the Central Park West Historic District. In addition to the park, this residence’s neighborhood also boasts an abundance of culture, shopping, and restaurants. Its central location puts you in close proximity to both Upper West Side and East Side attractions. The New York Historical Society, American Museum of Natural History, and Barney Greengrass are just a few of the many iconic New York City institutions west of Fifth Avenue; while The MET, The Guggenheim, and Sarabeth’s can be easily explored on the East Side. Described as “redefined classic residences” 360 Central Park West possesses both classic elements and modern details.

The residences here offer spectacular views of Central Park and beyond. The Great Lawn, North Meadow, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir will be your main viewing attractions; with a full-city skyline on the east also at your disposal. Come autumn, you’ll experience nature’s colorful show of red, orange, and yellow hues just outside your window, as each unit’s master bedroom and living/dining area face these breathtaking panoramas.

The building’s composition seamlessly combines traditional design with modern details, giving each apartment a classic, yet contemporary feel. The stylish coffered ceilings accentuate the open layouts while complimenting the period of the building’s original construction. The powder room even has a coffered ceiling displaying the craftsmanship and well thought out details by the designers.

Within each apartment, the master and secondary bedrooms are located on opposite ends; and the kitchen/dining/living rooms are set up as one open space. These condos feel more like homes than apartments with large-scale living rooms featuring a long row of windows that welcome in the eye-catching views and ample natural light, as well as extra-wide hallways that help make the residences feel statelier. The kitchens are equally impressive and spacious with floor-to-ceiling cerused oak and lots of pantry space. Here, you’ll also see the seamless blend of traditional fixtures with modern details. Clean contemporary-styled glass-paned cabinets play off the open layout of the kitchen and the rest of the apartment as the wooden cabinets and pantry doors give off a bit of tradition. Another traditional-contemporary juxtaposition is the use of a burnished copper range hood over a sleek waterspout for filling large cooking pots and the professional stove. These are the kinds of details you see throughout the apartments, which tell you that top-notch professionalism has gone the extra mile.

In the bathrooms, the layout and views from the windows are also superb. The master bathroom is a true definition of luxury design. The architects continued the traditional/modern concept with a classic handheld showerhead that matches the contemporary waterspout in the tub. Floor-to-ceiling stone, crown molding, recessed medicine cabinets, and custom cabinets are some of the lux details that accentuate the space; and the built-in marble shelving reaching to the ceiling is an added elegant touch. However, the true masterpiece of the bathroom is the huge custom cut out in the shower area—a stylish way to house shampoo and all your bath time necessities. One great idea to bring the outside into your bathroom is to take a photo of Central Park and have an artist recreate it in the cut out with mosaic tile.

The residences at 360 Central Part West are beautifully designed and located in a great location of Manhattan close to lots of arts and culture, but the true value is that is offers lux apartment living in units that resemble elegant homes.