The Kent – Exquisite Luxury
By Daniel J. Bollinger
The Kent is an Extell Development Company building located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 200 East 95th Street. From the two developments that I have seen I would say that Extell is among the top developers in New York City. I viewed the sales office of The Kent and from the model alone I can tell you The Kent is going to be an iconic architectural building in the years to come. The Kent offers 83 units ranging from 2-5 bedrooms of “refined magnificence and unparalleled design” in Art Deco-inspired architecture.
The Upper East Side continues to be a coveted location offering access to the best schools in the city, many cultural institutions, restaurants, cafes, and shopping. It is also located conveniently close to the new 2nd Avenue Subway line which is slated to be completed December 2016 though of course this a government agency’s estimated completion date. There is plenty of wiggle room to coincide with The Kents’ 2018 occupancy schedule. The Upper East Side has not been overrun by chain stores (yet), walking along 2nd and 3rd Avenues you will still experience a “neighborhood” feel as there are many individually owned shops offering all the services you need. You also have the luxury of stores like Whole Foods being within close proximity.
Some of the features that set The Kent apart from many other developments in the city are: Options ~ there is a degree of customization to personalize each residence including three choices of kitchen cabinet color palettes, flooring options as well as a range of fine finish selections. Offering four and five bedroom units is rarer than many other developments that typically construct studio to three bedrooms. The corner location offers exceptional wraparound windows and views in select models.
The layouts are thoughtfully designed. Most of the units are laid out in gallery style with the master bedroom set apart from the secondary bedrooms. The kitchen and family room is also laid out superbly with an open kitchen with chef’s island which flows seamlessly to the family room. I love the size and scale of the “Great Rooms” (aka – living and dining room). They encompass roughly one quarter (25%) of the entire residences as they should since the “Great Room” is where families spend the most time together. Ten to fifteen foot ceilings create beautiful airy rooms and with floor to ceiling windows with oversized corner windows there is a plethora of natural light.
The master bathroom exemplifies the superior design as it is literally draped in marble. Huge slabs of marble encompass the walls of the master bath and really reflect the “luxury” of The Kent. Some of the finer details of the master bath are in the technology and design. The five-fixture master bath, recessed cabinetry with integrated lighting, and a Kohler BubbleMassage Air Bath are impressive. The beveled edges on the custom double vanities impressed me. With the beveled edges you actually step into the sink instead of bending over to reach the faucets. The 21st-century toilet is eco-friendly with two flush options and a built-in bidet. Details such as these help define the exceptionally thought out design of these residences. The Kent scores high in my “niche factor” rating as well.
And what would an iconic luxury residence be without superior amenities? The Kent provides more than your usual host of amenities and also delivers each amenity to a higher degree. The amenities include The Lobby, The Drawing Room, an indoor pool, Camp Kent, The Garden Salon, and The Sound Lounge. The Lobby is an example of how Extell delivers even the most basic amenity of a building to a higher degree. The lobby has a double-height ceiling which overlooks the tree-lined 95th street. With beautiful Rosewood paneled walls, etched metal inlays, marble patterned floors and custom chandeliers you will know immediately upon entering that this is truly an iconic residence. The Drawing Room gives a proper first impression for residents to meet and greet guests with gold-leaf ceilings, a fireplace, and bar. The indoor pool is heated, luminated and a grand 55 feet.
Camp Kent is a children’s paradise. The motif is “camping” and it is done playfully with a tree house, faux “campfire” with a picnic table and has an indoor and outdoor play area. The Garden Salon is another parlour for entertaining guests and includes fireplace, billiards table, library, and a catering kitchen which overlooks a courtyard garden. The most impressive amenity to me is The Sound Lounge. Designed by famed rock and roller Lenny Kravitz it includes a multisensory space for not only practicing musical instruments but also for screening motion pictures and includes a performance stage, a dance floor and multiple gaming consoles. I have only seen a music room in one other residence (138 Pierrepont Street). I am a huge fan of music rooms where children can practice their instruments in a quiet dedicated space with no distractions. The additional features of The Sound Lounge are just another example of how The Kent delivers a higher degree to its residences in all that they construct.
The Kent is a superb residence that is setting a standard in luxury design and amenities. The price points for these residences are amazing for the product offered and the amenities that this building encompasses. This is definitely a value gem. If you want to see what defines luxury in New York City, you can find out more online at thekentnyc.com.
