CityPickle at Wollman Rink (CityPickle)
On April 4, Central Park opened CityPickle at Wollman Rink, the transformation of the iconic ice-skating rink into a 14-court pickleball installation, the largest offering in the Northeast. Open from now until early fall, it will offer group clinics, private lessons, open play sessions, children’s camps, and six court hours a day of Community Play at $5 per person. Courtside cabanas are available for rent, official gear is for sale at a pro shop, and food and drink will be provided by Great Performances. Reservations can be made here.
CityPickle at Wollman Rink is emblematic of pickleball's enduring popularity. After flitting in and out of fashion since its invention in 1965, it experienced a new appreciation during the pandemic, as people could be active and social while not having to get too physically close. The sport described as a cross between tennis and ping pong has risen in popularity all over the country, but Time Out observes that something about the sport feels uniquely New York – residents live in close proximity yet alone in their apartments or rooms.
In this article:
Pickleball's popularity shows no sign of fading away, even as padel has emerged as a popular activity. The two racquet sports share several similarities, but there are some key differences: While pickleball can be played on open-air courts, padel courts have glass walls that get incorporated into play. Additionally, between larger courts and slightly heavier racquets, padel offers more of a cardio workout than pickleball.
CityPickle at Wollman Rink has welcomed over 100,000 visitors over the past two years, and the city has no shortage of pickleball and padel courts welcoming amateur athletes. This website is a good place to start searching, and we take a look at listings less than a mile of the city's most popular courts, the better to get home after a particularly vigorous game.
Padel court at 111 West 57th Street
Meanwhile, to the delight of residents, some residential buildings have begun to incorporate pickleball and padel courts into their amenity packages. In an interview with the Washington Post, 111 West 57th Street's developer Michael Stern observed, "We have this insane 82-foot indoor swimming pool in the building and residents probably use the padel court 10 times more."
Residential Pickleball Courts
Southbridge Towers (Brown Harris Stevens)
The Southbridge Towers complex is located down the street from the waterfront John V. Lindsay East River Park. However, the buildings enjoy access to two children's playgrounds, a basketball court, and a pickleball court.
Southbridge Towers, #4J (Corcoran Group)
Kips Bay Towers
The I.M. Pei-designed buildings of the Kips Bay Towers complex surround a three-acre, residents-only garden. It includes strolling grounds, a playground, a basketball court, and a pickleball court.
Kips Bay Towers, #15A (Compass)
Sky (Moinian Group)
Residents of pioneering Hell's Kitchen rental Sky enjoy access to an array of amenities that includes a 70,000-square-foot Life Time Fitness outpost. This location is home to two indoor pickleball courts.
Sky, #55V (Sky Leasing)
From the Listing: Bright and spacious one-bedroom features incredible views, high-end finishes, and classic wood flooring throughout. The kitchen has granite countertops and top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances. Two months free rent on a 14-month lease. See floor plan and full details here.
111 West 57th Street (David Sundberg)
Padel court (Adrian Gaut)
111 West 57th Street is one of the tallest buildings on Billionaires' Row and home to an unparalleled amenities package. Wellness offerings alone include a double-height fitness center, an 82-foot indoor pool, and Manhattan's first indoor private padel court.
111 West 57th Street, #42
$22,500,000
Midtown West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, Unknown Baths | 4,492 ft2
111 West 57th Street, #42 (Sothebys International Realty)
50 West 66th Street (Corcoran Group)
When construction on 50 West 66th Street is complete, residents of the Upper West Side's tallest tower will enjoy access to approximately 50,000 square feet of amenities. These will include a state-of-the-art fitness center and a full-sized basketball and pickleball court. Closings began earlier this year.
50 West 66th Street, #40N
$23,500,000
Central Park West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,395 ft2
50 West 66th Street, #40N (Corcoran Group)
Lincoln Towers (Douglas Elliman)
The Lincoln Towers complex is located in close proximity to Central Park and Riverside Park South, but the buildings enjoy access to a five-acre landscaped oasis all their own. It offers a pickleball court, a basketball court, a children’s playground, and benches.
Lincoln Towers, #26S (Corcoran Group)
The Henry (Compass)
Between its beautifully appointed interiors, prime Upper West Side address, and extensive amenity package, sales at The Henry are off to a robust start. Wellness offerings alone include a fitness center, a half basketball court, and the first indoor pickleball court in a Manhattan residential building.
The Henry, #14WEST (Compass)
Greenpoint Central (MNS)
Greenpoint Central is located a short distance from the Greenpoint Landing waterfront esplanade, popular Manhattan Avenue dining, and the Greenpoint Avenue G train. However, the building offers an array of wellness and social amenities under one roof. These include a fitness center with separate movement studio, an outdoor yoga lawn, and a pickleball court.
Greenpoint Central, #514 (MNS)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Hancock Jefferson (Serhant LLC)
Bushwick boutique condominium Hancock Jefferson offers only 18 units and an incredible array of indoor/outdoor amenities for a building its size. They include a fitness center with yoga studio, an outdoor pickleball/basketball court, a dog run, and indoor and outdoor lounges.
Centric (Nest Seekers)
Woodside condominium Centric’s amenity package is expansive and luxurious enough to rival some Manhattan buildings. It includes a second-story terrace with pickleball court, not to mention a jungle gym, a mini golf station, and an outdoor kitchen.
Centric, #10D (Nest Seekers LLC)
The Brooklyn Tower (Douglas Elliman)
The tallest building in Brooklyn and the borough's first supertall is home to another superlative: what is being described as "the highest basketball, pickleball, and padel court in the Western Hemisphere.” Located 629 feet up, the state-of-the-art athletic facility is enhanced by panoramic skyline views. Condos are expected to come on the market later this spring, and leasing is going strong in the rental component.
The Brooklyn Tower, #51D (Corcoran Group)
Public Courts
Learn more and make reservations here
Reserve Padel at Hudson Yards (Reserve Padel)
In August 2023, developer McCourt Global released renderings of a new office tower to rise at 360 Tenth Avenue. Plans for the site date back to 2005, but local athletes might not mind if it is further delayed: An outdoor padel club with three courts, an elevated viewing area, and a grab-and-go cafe is going strong on the site.
Fifteen Hudson Yards, #66B
$5,499,000 (-5.2%)
Midtown West | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 2,320 ft2
Fifteen Hudson Yards, #66B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Riverside Park pickleball courts, Morningside Heights
No reservations required
Riverside Park pickleball court opening ceremony (Riverside Park Conservancy)
To the delight of enthusiasts, Riverside Park's improvements included five newly opened pickleball courts, located in a little-used section of the park between the skate park and basketball courts. Even on the hottest days, players have benefitted from shade trees and river breezes. Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony in July 2023, West Side Rag noted that players quickly found the new courts on their own.
The Rockwell, #5G (Toll Brothers Real Estate Inc)
Carl Schurz Park pickleball courts, Yorkville
No reservations required
Pickleball courts at Carl Schurz Park (Elegran)
In this peaceful enclave along the East River, three new pickleball courts have been set up in a recently resurfaced area. The courts do not take reservations, but when Patch visited in June 2023, the reporter saw proactivity among the players, arranging whose turn it was and a rough skills-matching system
Gracie Green, #6A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Court 16, Downtown Brooklyn
Learn more and make reservations here
Court 16 rendering (Court 16)
Downtown Brooklyn's City Point development is home to several popular retailers, Dekalb Market Hall, an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a Trader Joe's supermarket, and the flagship location of Court 16, an athletic facility offering seven tennis and pickleball courts of various sizes, including a full-size court. When 6sqft announced the opening in August 2023, they noted that the opening date coincided with the beginning of the US Open tennis tournament.
Brooklyn Point, #23E (Serhant)
Pier 2 pickleball, Brooklyn Heights
No reservations required
Learn more here
Learn more here
Pickleball courts (Alexa Hoyer)
Brooklyn Bridge Park's pickleball courts are located on the same stretch as the ping pong tables, basketball courts, and roller rink. While the park does not offer any formal pickleball events or training, the covered court does allow play to take place in all types of weather, and the address makes for a scenic backdrop.
Quay Tower, #24B (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
Learn more and make a reservation here
PKLYN (PKLYN)
Described as "not a court [but] a community," the founders of PKLYN bounced from one pickleball court to another before setting up a dedicated space in a former warehouse. It offers five professional courts as well as a full bar and lounge, and members and guests alike can come in for drop-in games, group and private lessons, or leagues and tournaments.
14 4th Street, #2A (Decode Real Estate)
Gantry Plaza State Park pickleball, Long Island City
No reservations required
Google Streetview of Gantry Plaza State Park tennis courts
In an industrial setting turned bucolic haven, two pickleball courts have been added alongside Gantry Plaza State Park's tennis courts. Players of all levels are welcome, and the park spent last summer holding Pickleball Open classes to teach newcomers the basics.
Enzo, #2C (Nest Seekers LLC)
CityPickle, Long Island City
Learn more and book court time here
CityPickle Long Island City (CityPickle)
After years of pop-ups all over the city, including one at TWA Hotel in November 2022, CityPickle opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 9-03 44th Road, a converted industrial building in Long Island City. It will feature four air-conditioned courts, a restaurant, and a full bar.
Skyline Tower, #PH304 (Modern Spaces)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
6sqft delivers the latest on real estate, architecture, and design, straight from New York City.
