As the third full week of October 2025 drew to a close, a report from the New York City Comptroller's office found that New York's securities industry saw a $30.4 billion profit in the first half of 2025 alone, putting it on track to top last year's $49.9 billion and take its place among the most profitable years on record. Gothamist observes that as the securities industry accounts for a significant portion of state and personal income taxes, this is good news for the state and city governments. This could also be good news for the residential real estate industry.
The week of October 20-26, 2025 also saw the beginning of early voting in the mayoral election, with turnout for the first two days nearly matching the entire early vote count of 2021, the year of the last mayoral election (h/t The City). Some have worried about the possible departure of New York City's wealthiest if Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani wins, but a report from the Fiscal Policy Institute found that threats to leave New York City over tax increases are usually empty ones. It observes that New York's top one percent moves out of state less frequently than all other income groups, and that there was no noticeable increase in out-migration among high earners following 2021's tax increases.
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Moreover, one would never know the wealthiest were thinking of leaving New York City to look at the quantity and quality of residential real estate contracts signed during the week. All ten of the highest-priced contracts were priced above $10 million, and all of the five most expensive were listed above $20 million. This sent the aggregate dollar amount surging week-over-week while the number of contracts signed increased only slightly.
Central Park Tower, 217 West 57th Street, #121 | https://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/midtown-west/central-park-tower-217-west-57th-street/58211/121/IwEQvSDaEcN
As the leaves start to change color, five of the ten highest-priced contracts of the week were for apartments with views of Central Park. Leading the charge was Residence #121 at Central Park Tower, which was asking $54.9 million. This floor-through apartment is located on one of the uppermost floors of the tallest residential building in the world, which allows for panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows facing all four exposures. Interiors feature soaring ceilings, a Grand Salon with triple exposures, a separate eat-in kitchen, and a primary suite spanning the entire west wing. The buyer of this sponsor unit has not been identified, but The Real Deal announced that it was an all-cash deal from a domestic buyer.
15 Central Park West, #29A (Corcoran Group) | https://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/central-park-west/15-central-park-west/30283/29A/cWmFnmYesmlB
Residence #121's asking price reflects a 16% decrease from when it was marketed off floor plans in 2018. However, it still came to more than double the price of the next-highest contract. Residence #29A at 15 Central Park West was asking $25 million. If this three-bedroom overlooking Central Park sells for this price, the unidentified seller will more than double the $10.47 million they paid for it in June 2008, when they bought it from the sponsor.
15 Central Park West was not the only successful building designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects last week. A total of $30.35 million across four contracts was signed at 255 East 77th Street, a forthcoming condominium on the Upper East Side. These included a pair of four-bedroom units that tied for the week's fourteenth-highest contract with an $8.6 million ask. These deals bring the building to nearly 85% sold, and a small handful of public availabilities includes a massive penthouse with two private loggias for $24 million.
235 West 11th Street, top townhouse contract (Leslie J. Garfield) | https://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/west-village/235-west-11th-street/8757/NA/ctiGjqEbHnIT
The week's top Downtown contract was also the top townhouse contract of the week. 235 West 11th Street was asking $21.95 million in the third-highest contract overall. The contract comes more than four years after the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a renovation that included removing a stoop, putting on a roof terrace, and constructing a rear yard addition that allows for a private garden in addition to three balconies. Interiors feature a living room with fireplace, a chef-caliber kitchen, a floor-through primary suite, a basement-level wine room, an elevator to connect all levels, and radiant heated floors and smart home technology throughout. The seller is listed in Acris as an LLC.
The week's highest-priced Downtown apartment contract was signed at 505 West 19th Street, a two-towered condominium that integrates with the High Line in West Chelsea. Penthouse #2 overlooks the High Line, but offers almost as much private outdoor space as it has interior square footage: a total of 4,853 square feet across two terraces and a private rooftop. It was asking $21 million in the fifth-highest contract of the week.
Public records show that the seller bought it from the sponsor for $17.92 million in March 2016. They made the purchase with an LLC, but actor/comedian Mike Myers previously owned another penthouse in the building.
Public records show that the seller bought it from the sponsor for $17.92 million in March 2016. They made the purchase with an LLC, but actor/comedian Mike Myers previously owned another penthouse in the building.
On the new development front, a total of $13.45 million across two contracts was signed at Waldorf Astoria Residences New York. These included Residence #3006, a three-bedroom unit asking $10.3 million in the tenth-highest contract of the week. In addition to hotel benefits, the unidentified buyers will enjoy access to 50,000 square feet of exclusive residential amenities designed by Jean-Louis Deniot. These include an indoor lap pool with skylight, a state-of-the-art fitness center, men's and women's wellness lounges with steam rooms, a private theater with screen and stage, the Empire Club corporate suite, the Presidential Library and Bar, the Monte Carlo game room, the Grand Salon, and the landscaped Starlight Terrace with outdoor kitchens and seating areas overlooking Park Avenue.
"When you think of New York, one of the first places that springs to mind is the Waldorf Astoria" - Jean-Louis Deniot
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In addition to Waldorf Astoria Residences New York and 255 East 77th Street, many new developments in the city saw multiple contracts signed. They include The Village West in Greenwich Village, Monogram New York in Midtown, 155W68 in Lincoln Center, and Brooklyn Point in Downtown Brooklyn, all of which had two contracts signed last week.
Top NYC Contracts: October 20-26, 2025
#10. Waldorf Astoria Residences New York, #3006
Last Ask: $10,200,000
Midtown East | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,529 ft2
Waldorf Astoria Residences New York, #3006 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
#9. 200 Amsterdam, #32B
Last Ask: $10,500,000 (-8.7%)
Lincoln Center | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,677 ft2
200 Amsterdam, #32B (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
#8. 100 Barrow Street, #7/8A
Last Ask: $14,495,000
West Village | Cooperative | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,813 ft2
100 Barrow Street, #7/8A (Compass)
#7. 40 East 66th Street, #12B
Last Ask: $15,950,000 (-8.9%)
Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Condominium | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 4,913 ft2
40 East 66th Street, #12B (Compass)
#6. 535 West End Avenue, #PH
Last Ask: $18,995,000
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 6,500 ft2
535 West End Avenue, #PH (Corcoran Group)
#5. 505 West 19th Street, #PH/2
Last Ask: $21,000,000
Chelsea | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 4,545 ft2
505 West 19th Street, #PH/2 (Reserve Partners)
#4. 111 West 57th Street, #57
Last Ask: $21,750,000
Midtown West | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 4,183 ft2
111 West 57th Street, #57 (Sothebys International Realty)
#3. 235 West 11th Street, #TH
Last Ask: $21,950,000 (-15.3%)
West Village | Townhouse | 5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 5,881 ft2
235 West 11th Street, # (Leslie J Garfield & Co Inc)
#2. 15 Central Park West, #29A
Last Ask: $25,000,000
Central Park West | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,103 ft2
15 Central Park West, #29A (Corcoran Group)
#1. Central Park Tower, #121
Last Ask: $54,900,000 (-6.9%)
Midtown West | Condominium | 5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 7,074 ft2
Central Park Tower, #121 (Extell Marketing Group LLC)
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?
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