At 860 feet high, 262 Fifth Avenue has dethroned the nearby Madison House as the tallest building in NoMad and is just behind 520 Fifth Avenue as the tallest residential building on Fifth Avenue. Moreover, with a 19:1 slenderness ratio, it is not far behind 111 West 57th Street (23:1 slenderness ratio) as the skinniest skyscraper in Manhattan.
Detractors do not appreciate how the Five Points Development-helmed, Meganom-designed tower has blocked views of the Empire State Building as far south as the Financial District. However, that same height allows for panoramic views and clear sightlines from the simplex, duplex, and quadruplex apartments inside.
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The expansive apartments are also assured of panoramic views by floor-to-ceiling, triple-plate windows and column-free layouts. Apartments will be reached via private elevator access, and interior renderings depict open-concept layouts with clean lines and neutral palettes that do not compete with skyline views.
Construction is winding down on 262 Fifth Avenue's exterior, and a sales launch is likely on the horizon. Released pricing starts at $9.15 million for a two-bedroom simplex, $14.6 million for a full-floor three-bedroom, and $23.25 million for a two-bedroom duplex.
262 Fifth Avenue is among the latest and most striking examples of the all-glass buildings that have become a staple in the New York City residential market. Once limited to commercial structures, buildings like the Murano glass vase-inspired 111 Murray Street, the zigzagging "Jenga tower" at 56 Leonard Street, and Central Park Tower, the reflective prism that is the tallest residential building in the world, regularly command some of the highest prices in Manhattan. While sometimes loathed due to their cold appearance, not to mention the harm they cause to our feathered friends, their novelty lies in the way they open up interiors with their full-height windows, flooding spaces with natural light while bestowing expansive views.
However, admiring these buildings' beauty from afar (or the street) and living inside their glass confines are two very different things. Glass walls can be modern and sleek, but they can also be cold. They make arranging furniture a challenge, as well as achieving a more traditional or eclectic design. Not to mention, do you really want your life on display?
This article explains how to turn a glass house suited for an exhibitionist into a warm, inviting, and private home. It also looks at New York City's most striking all-glass residential buildings and the sometimes limited availabilities inside.
Draperies
There are a wide variety of window treatments readily available, and while blinds and shades—whether vertical, horizontal, manual or electronic—all do the job of providing privacy, they don’t all have the same effect as fabric drapery. Draperies, for one, add the feeling of depth against the flat pane of floor-to-ceiling windows. They also soften the hard impression of glass while framing views.
“Even if clients don’t feel the need for privacy, sometimes we do a sheer drapery to add a little warmth to the room,” says Ximena Rodriguez, Principal and Director of Interior Design at CetraRuddy. She adds that sheer drapes also bring a textural layer to the design. “You can see the light and the view, but it’s almost as if there’s a screen. They hide a little bit of what’s going on inside.” Full height draperies also accent the height of the room and the expanse of the windows.
There are other practical benefits to controlling the light in an all-glass building, too, as temperature fluctuations can be more severe. Drapes will block heat in the summer and the cold temperatures of winter, and that can help lower your heating and cooling bills. Drapes also protect furniture, fabric, and floors from sun damage.
Just note, some upscale buildings suggest (or require) a uniform window treatment that is typically a shade or a blind.
Furniture
“When designing any room with a wall or two of glass, the view should be the focal point and the backdrop of the room,” says Rodriguez. One of the biggest errors people make when arranging furniture in a room with glass walls is when they place a sofa or chair with its back to the view.
“When you have floor-to-ceiling glass, you never want to put furniture right against it,” says Rodriguez. “Typically, I like to position it at least two feet away from the glass. It feels more gracious when you don’t put something right at the window.”
In terms of sofas or chairs, place them against the other walls in the room “unless the room is big enough that you can float the furniture. It might be on the side, but you would still do the arrangement so that it is well proportioned and centered in the room. You always want to work with the view.”
Furniture is another way to add texture to the room, she says. “You can counter the sleekness and the coldness of glass with a good balance of furniture that is upholstered and well proportioned, along with rugs, draperies, and natural materials like wood.” This applies to those who prefer contemporary design, as well. You can still have very clean lines in your furniture with fabrics that are softer.
Artwork
Artwork is important in any space. Art adds color and makes the space personal. “It can be two dimensional or a sculpture,” says Rodriguez. “You can have a sculpture on a pedestal that is silhouetted in front of the window.” She also recommends placing a dynamic piece of furniture in front of the glass. Moreover, even a carefully chosen paint color adds a warmth and a personal touch to what could otherwise be a stark white room.
Lighting
While lighting is important in any apartment, there are certain types of fixtures that work better in an all-glass building. However, the same rule applies: don’t block the view. Rodriquez suggests pendant or overhead lighting that you can “see through” to the view.
“To warm up the space, use different layers of lighting including something overhead like a chandelier, and architectural lighting. And then mix it up with some floor and table lamps.” Look for glass shades, and if it fits the design, try track or recessed lighting.
Outside Looking In
Most people don’t consider what their apartment looks like from outside the window, but maybe they should. In a city like New York where you are surrounded by other buildings, it matters.
“Right now, I’m looking across the street at an all-glass building, and I can see the backs of beds pushed against the walls in one apartment, a desk with a computer and wires coming down in another,” says Cary Tamarkin, the founder and president of Tamarkin Co., an architecture and real estate development company. “On a piece of paper, I’m sure it looks fine.” But in reality? Not so much.
Generally, if you avoid putting furniture in front of the glass, you won’t disrupt the aesthetics of the exterior. But sometimes, you may want to place a desk close to the window if you have a home office and you want to see the view as you work. You can still do this and maintain the clean lines of floor-to-ceiling glass.
Choose your desk wisely, says Rodriguez. “Ideally, it should be something that has wire management, so you can hide the cables within the piece.”
The Bottom Line
If you live in an all-glass building, take advantage of the vistas. Make it the focal point of the rooms; don’t block your sight lines with furniture; and use the other walls that aren’t glass to position the backs of sofas, buffets, sideboards, and TVs. Once you’ve perfected your space, sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.
Top 25 All-Glass Buildings
146 West 57th Street
Developed by Harry Macklowe | Design by Schuman, Lichtenstein, Claman and Efron (SLCE)
241 units | 69 stories | Completed in 1985
3 availabilities from $1.4M - $7.5M
Developed by Harry Macklowe | Design by Schuman, Lichtenstein, Claman and Efron (SLCE)
241 units | 69 stories | Completed in 1985
3 availabilities from $1.4M - $7.5M
Metropolitan Tower, #PHA
$7,499,000 (-6.2%)
Midtown West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,815 ft2
Metropolitan Tower, #PHA (Corcoran Group)
Developed by Securities Groups | Design by James Stewart Polshek & Partners
56 units | 40 stories | Completed in 1984
1 availability for $15M
56 units | 40 stories | Completed in 1984
1 availability for $15M
500 Park Tower, #PH40 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Developed by Macklowe Properties | Design by CetraRuddy
35 units | 67 stories | Completed in 2018
12 availabilities from $1.6M - $28.25M
35 units | 67 stories | Completed in 2018
12 availabilities from $1.6M - $28.25M
200 East 59th Street, #26D (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
#23. 35XV, Chelsea
35 West 15th Street
Developed by Alchemy Properties | Design by FXCollaborative
55 units | 24 stories | Completed in 2011
3 availabilities from $1.97M - $5.25M
Developed by Alchemy Properties | Design by FXCollaborative
55 units | 24 stories | Completed in 2011
3 availabilities from $1.97M - $5.25M
35XV, #13C (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
151 East 58th Street
Developed by Vornado Realty Trust | Design by FXCollaborative
105 units | 55 stories | Completed in 2003
6 availabilities from $4M - $17.5M
Developed by Vornado Realty Trust | Design by FXCollaborative
105 units | 55 stories | Completed in 2003
6 availabilities from $4M - $17.5M
One Beacon Court, #35B
$5,800,000 (-7.2%)
Midtown East | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,757 ft2
One Beacon Court, #35B (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
845 United Nations Plaza
Developed by Trump Organization | Design by Costas Kondylis
376 units | 90 stories | Completed in 2001
16 availabilities from $1.32M - $16M
Developed by Trump Organization | Design by Costas Kondylis
376 units | 90 stories | Completed in 2001
16 availabilities from $1.32M - $16M
Trump World Tower, #86B
$11,995,000
Turtle Bay/United Nations | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 5,425 ft2
Trump World Tower, #86B (Compass)
310 East 53rd Street
Developed by Macklowe Properties | Design by SLCE Architects
88 units | 31 stories | Completed in 2007
4 availabilities from $1.65M - $3.75M
Developed by Macklowe Properties | Design by SLCE Architects
88 units | 31 stories | Completed in 2007
4 availabilities from $1.65M - $3.75M
Three Ten, #27C
$3,500,000 (-7.9%)
Turtle Bay/United Nations | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,359 ft2
Three Ten, #27C (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
15 West 53rd Street
Developed by The Museum of Modern Art | Design by Cesar Pelli & Associates
248 units | 55 stories | Completed in 1985
7 availabilities from $1.55M - $23M
Developed by The Museum of Modern Art | Design by Cesar Pelli & Associates
248 units | 55 stories | Completed in 1985
7 availabilities from $1.55M - $23M
Museum Tower, #PH (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
85 Fleet Street
Developed by JDS Development Group | Design by SHoP Architects
150 condo units | 93 stories | Completed in 2022
17 availabilities from $928K - $16.75M
Developed by JDS Development Group | Design by SHoP Architects
150 condo units | 93 stories | Completed in 2022
17 availabilities from $928K - $16.75M
The Brooklyn Tower, #55A
$2,245,000
Downtown Brooklyn | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,266 ft2
The Brooklyn Tower, #55A (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
#18. 565 Broome Soho
565 Broome Street
Developed by Bizzi & Partners Development, Aronov Development, Halpern Real Estate Ventures, Cindat Capital Management and Michael Shvo | Design by Renzo Piano Architects
115 units | 30 stories | Completed in 2019
4 availabilities from $4.2M - $19M
Developed by Bizzi & Partners Development, Aronov Development, Halpern Real Estate Ventures, Cindat Capital Management and Michael Shvo | Design by Renzo Piano Architects
115 units | 30 stories | Completed in 2019
4 availabilities from $4.2M - $19M
565 Broome SoHo, #S25B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
45 East 22nd Street
Developed by The Continuum Company | Design by Kohn Pedersen Fox
82 units | 58 stories | Completed in 2016
1 availability for $2M
Developed by The Continuum Company | Design by Kohn Pedersen Fox
82 units | 58 stories | Completed in 2016
1 availability for $2M
Madison Square Park Tower, #21B
$1,995,000
Flatiron/Union Square | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 1,128 ft2
Madison Square Park Tower, #21B (Corcoran Group)
Developed by Time Equities | Design by Helmut Jahn
191 units | 64 stories | Completed in 2016
7 availabilities from $1.9M - $12.5M
191 units | 64 stories | Completed in 2016
7 availabilities from $1.9M - $12.5M
50 West, #PH58B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Developed by Related and Oxford Property Group | Design by Diller Scofidio + Renfro
285 units | 88 stories | Completed in 2019
10 availabilities from $2.8M - $21.95M
285 units | 88 stories | Completed in 2019
10 availabilities from $2.8M - $21.95M
Fifteen Hudson Yards, #69B
$7,995,000 (-5.9%)
Midtown West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,058 ft2
Fifteen Hudson Yards, #69B (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
#14. Selene, Midtown East
100 East 53rd Street
Developed by Aby Rosen | Design by Foster & Partners
94 units | 63 stories | Completed in 2018
8 availabilities from $1.6M - $29M
Developed by Aby Rosen | Design by Foster & Partners
94 units | 63 stories | Completed in 2018
8 availabilities from $1.6M - $29M
Selene, #57A (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
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Developed by World Wide Group and Rose Associates | Design by Skidmore Owings & Merrill
95 units | 65 stories | Completed in 2017
5 availabilities from $3.6M - $10M
95 units | 65 stories | Completed in 2017
5 availabilities from $3.6M - $10M
252 East 57th Street, #60A
$9,995,000 (-4.8%)
Midtown East | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 4,631 ft2
252 East 57th Street, #60A (Compass)
Developed by Ian Schraeger | Design by Herzog & de Meuron
49 units | 13 stories | Completed in 2017
1 availability for $8.6M
49 units | 13 stories | Completed in 2017
1 availability for $8.6M
160 Leroy Street, #9BS
$8,595,000 (-4.4%)
West Village | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,351 ft2
160 Leroy Street, #9BS (The Heller Organization Inc)
641 Fifth Avenue
Developed by Aristotle Onassis | Design by Skidmore Owings & Merrill
229 units | 52 stories | Completed in 1975
12 availabilities from $2.33M - $30M
Developed by Aristotle Onassis | Design by Skidmore Owings & Merrill
229 units | 52 stories | Completed in 1975
12 availabilities from $2.33M - $30M
Olympic Tower, #34B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Developed by Izak Senbahar and Simon Elias | Design by Richard Meier
31 units | 16 stories | Completed in 2005
No public availabilities
31 units | 16 stories | Completed in 2005
No public availabilities
122 Greenwich Avenue
Developed by Hines Interest and Aby Rosen | Design by Kohn Pedersen Fox
30 units | 11 stories | Completed in 2010
No public availabilities
Developed by Hines Interest and Aby Rosen | Design by Kohn Pedersen Fox
30 units | 11 stories | Completed in 2010
No public availabilities
80 Columbus Circle
Developed by Related | Design by Skidmore Owings & Merrill
66 units | 55 stories | Completed in 2003
1 availability for $80M
Developed by Related | Design by Skidmore Owings & Merrill
66 units | 55 stories | Completed in 2003
1 availability for $80M
Residences at the Mandarin Oriental, #80
$80,000,000
Central Park West | Condominium | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 8,332 ft2
Residences at the Mandarin Oriental, #80 (Sothebys International Realty)
121 East 22nd Street
Developed by Toll Brothers City Living | Design by OMA
133 units | 18 stories | Completed in 2019
1 availability for $3.5M
Developed by Toll Brothers City Living | Design by OMA
133 units | 18 stories | Completed in 2019
1 availability for $3.5M
121 E 22nd, #N1505
$3,500,000 (-7.9%)
Gramercy Park | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,678 ft2
121 E 22nd, #N1505 (Corcoran Group)
173-176 Perry Street
Developed by Richard Born, Ira Drukier and Charles Blaichman | Design by Richard Meier
16 units | 16 stories | Completed in 2002
No public availabilities
Developed by Richard Born, Ira Drukier and Charles Blaichman | Design by Richard Meier
16 units | 16 stories | Completed in 2002
No public availabilities
53 West 53rd Street
Developed by Hines | Design by Jean Nouvel
145 units | 82 stories | Completed in 2020
16 availabilities from $2.85M - $64.73M
Developed by Hines | Design by Jean Nouvel
145 units | 82 stories | Completed in 2020
16 availabilities from $2.85M - $64.73M
53 West 53, #49A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Developed by Fisher Brothers, the Witkoff Group, and Howard Lorber | Design by Kohn Pedersen Fox
157 units | 58 stories | Completed in 2018
8 availabilities from $2.19M - $8.9M
157 units | 58 stories | Completed in 2018
8 availabilities from $2.19M - $8.9M
111 Murray Street, #43A (Serhant)
860-870 United Nations Plaza
Design by Harrison & Abramovitz
334 units | 38 stories | Completed in 1966
12 availabilities from $1.45M - $4M
Design by Harrison & Abramovitz
334 units | 38 stories | Completed in 1966
12 availabilities from $1.45M - $4M
870 United Nations Plaza, #10G
$2,250,000
Beekman/Sutton Place | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,700 ft2
870 United Nations Plaza, #10G (Serhant)
Developed by Ian Schraeger and RFR Holding LLC | Design by Herzog & de Meuron
31 units | 10 stories | Completed in 2007
No public availabilities
31 units | 10 stories | Completed in 2007
No public availabilities
Developed by Hines and Alexico | Design by Herzog & de Meuron
145 units | 60 stories | Completed in 2016
4 availabilities from $5M - $15.85M
145 units | 60 stories | Completed in 2016
4 availabilities from $5M - $15.85M
56 Leonard Street, #29A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Honorable Mentions
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