Green walls offer a touch of nature all year round (Citizen360; Douglas Elliman)
With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, many of us are dusting off green garments for the occasion. But some areas are garbed in green all year long in the form of green walls, also known as living walls or vertical gardens, where plants are inserted into walls with special water management systems. It can be a bit much for even the most intrepid plant parent – after all, an East Village apartment with a living green wall featured in The New York Times only entered contract after a price reduction – but many are happy to enjoy it in their building’s common space.
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, living green walls serve as natural insulation, both against sound and the elements. Environmental benefits include naturally cooling the air, cleaning the air of pollutants and dust, and removing harmful toxins. Add in the mental health benefits of the connection to nature, not to mention the ability of green walls to help buildings achieve LEED certification, and it’s no wonder pricey art in the lobby and/or amenity space is being edged out in favor of a truly more natural approach. We look at buildings all over the city that feature living green walls inside and out.
In this article:
All images of 60 White Street via CORE NYC
In 2010, three cast-iron commercial buildings dating back to the mid-19th century were combined into one luxury condominium in the heart of Tribeca. The facade pays respectful tribute to the buildings' history, but a decidedly modern environmental consciousness played a role in the conversion: All volatile organic compounds were eliminated, materials that were not part of the original structure were locally sourced, and there is a magnificent green wall in the lobby. Amenities include virtual doorman, fitness center, and lounge.
565 Broome Street
8 availabilities from $5,600,000
8 availabilities from $5,600,000
All images of 565 Broome Soho via Douglas Elliman
As Hudson Square makes the transition from abandoned industrial area to downtown's newest "it" neighborhood, the Renzo Piano-designed 565 Broome Soho makes a striking statement. The building is a short walk from Hudson River Park and Spring Street Park, but a landscaped lounge with green wall and library offers a touch of nature in the building. Additional amenities include a a private covered port cochere with automated parking, fitness center with yoga studio, and lap pool with spa and steam room.
565 Broome SoHo, #S23B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
70 Charlton Street (Compass)
With its brown brick facade and steel-framed windows, 70 Charlton Street presents a design respectful of its neighborhood's industrial history. However, the apartments and amenities cater to the modern buyer. They include a fitness center, sports court, lap pool, lounge, and landscaped courtyard with green wall.
70 Charlton, #16C (Compass)
152 Elizabeth Street (Noe & Associates with The Boundary)
152 Elizabeth Street only has seven units, but nevertheless stands out in its Downtown neighborhood. Not only is it the first New York project by Pritzker Prize laureate Tadao Ando, but it also has a massive green wall with seasonal vines that change colors throughout the year.
399 East 8th Street
No current availabilities
No current availabilities
All images of THREE99 via Bond NY
The boutique condominium dubbed THREE99 brings a touch of luxury to Alphabet City with well-appointed apartments, many of which have private balconies. Residents arrive to a lobby with green wall and chandelier, and additional amenity offerings include virtual doorman, a fitness center, a billiards lounge, a bicycle room, storage, a refrigerated package receiving area, and a pet spa. A tax abatement is in effect until 2036.
200 East 21st Street
1 availability for $1,599,000
1 availability for $1,599,000
All images of 200E21 via Douglas Elliman
200E21 is LEED Gold certified, and features like solar-heated water, insulated windows, FSC-certified wood, energy-efficient appliances, water-conserving fixtures, and a green wall in the lobby will be instrumental in that achievement. However, none of these features were installed at the expense of style and comfort. Amenity offerings include a wellness suite with services by Modern Sanctuary, a sunny fitness center, an infrared sauna, a Himalayan salt room, a lounge, and a rooftop terrace.
200E21, #6D (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
500 West 45th Street
10 availabilities from $763,600
10 availabilities from $763,600
Bloom on Forty Fifth (Douglas Elliman)
Full-block development Bloom 45 is located in a busy section of Hell's Kitchen, and retail tenants like Target and Bond Vet have proven popular among locals. However, a massive courtyard at the center of the building is for residents only. Indoor amenities include an attended lobby, fitness center, and lounge with skylight and green wall.
Bloom 45, #330 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
53 West 53rd Street
16 availabilities from $2,899,000
16 availabilities from $2,899,000
53 West 53 (Gilles Ashford)
(Evan Joseph)
The sculptural 53W53 soars high above the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where residents receive Perpetual Benefactor memberships. In-building amenities include an indoor lap pool with green wall, a fitness center, a squash court, a golf simulator, a screening room, a double-height lounge, a wine-tasting room and temperature-controlled wine vaults, and a double-height lounge with Central Park views.
53 West 53, #60B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
441 West 54th Street
No current availabilities – Coming soon
No current availabilities – Coming soon
The Gild (Brown Harris Stevens)
The Gild is located in a bustling section of Midtown Manhattan near the Theater District, Columbus Circle, and Hell's Kitchen. However, the ODA-designed building's skywall, green wall, and private outdoor spaces in select units make it an urban oasis. No more than four units per floor will allow for excellent privacy, and the apartments will feature gliding windows and Japanese-inspired materials.
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252 East 57th Street (Photo credit: Albert Vecerka)
Select units at 252 East 57th Street, a soaring condo tower near where Midtown East gives way to the Upper East Side, feature private balconies overlooking spectacular city views. But upon arrival, residents are greeted by a floor-to-ceiling green wall and brass table of plants. Similarly luxurious offerings include a gated port cochere, pool and spa with hydrotherapy circuit, state-of-the-art fitness center, lounge, library, screening room, and outdoor terrace.
252 East 57th Street, #46C (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
All images of Citizen360 via Douglas Elliman
Citizen360 brings a sleek boutique condominium to the Upper East Side. The building puts an emphasis on tranquility and respite, which comes through well in the lobby's garden wall and water feature, fitness center with yoga studio, spa, lounge, screening room, art studio, and music room.
Citizen360, #24A (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
40 West 116th Street
1 availability for $1,300,000
1 availability for $1,300,000
All images of Kalahari Harlem via Compass
In Upper Manhattan, the LEED Gold-certified Kalahari Harlem is home to the largest green wall in Harlem. The full-service building also offers 24-hour doorman/concierge service, two roof decks, two music rooms, a fitness center overlooking a landscaped courtyard, and attached garage with valet and on-site Zip Cars.
Kalahari Harlem, #B708 (Compass)
2231 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard
2 availabilities from $995,000
2 availabilities from $995,000
All images of Aurum via Compass
The LEED Gold-certified Aurum's many environmentally friendly features include its own co-generation power plant to produce clean energy as well as a green wall in the lobby. A tax abatement is in effect, and amenities include a gym, lounge, bike room, and roof deck.
2351 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard
7 availabilities from $550,000
7 availabilities from $550,000
All images of The Rennie via Brown Harris Stevens
All images of The Rennie via Brown Harris Stevens
Across from the historic Strivers Row, The Rennie is part of a new wave of Harlem development. Select units have private terraces, but all residents can enjoy the green wall in the attended lobby. Additional perks include a 25-year tax abatement, rooftop terrace, fitness center, pet spa, children's playroom, and easy access to the A/B/C/D trains.
The Rennie, #PH18 (Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing LLC)
184 Kent Avenue
2 availabilities from $1,645,000
2 availabilities from $1,645,000
All images of Austin Nichols House via Nest Seekers
On the Williamsburg waterfront, a Cass Gilbert-designed warehouse has housed both the Austin, Nichols & Co. manufacturing plant and later the Wild Turkey whiskey distillery. In its latest incarnation as a residence, the high ceilings, open plates, and oversized windows provide strong bones for highly coveted condos. Over 30,000 square feet of amenities include an attended lobby with green wall, a Zen garden, a rooftop sun deck, fitness center, screening room, and music rehearsal room.
Austin Nichols House, #C208 (Compass)
561 Pacific Street
1 availability for $2,595,000
1 availability for $2,595,000
All images of Five Six One Pacific Street via Douglas Elliman
Five Six One Pacific Street brings a Japanese-inspired design to the cusp of Boerum Hill, Downtown Brooklyn, and Park Slope. Wood paneling, lush green walls, an inner courtyard, and a roof deck with beautiful Brooklyn views bring a sense of peace to this bustling area. Additional amenities, designed with socialization in mind, include a fitness center, children's playroom, and residents' lounge.
Five Six One Pacific Street, #506
$2,595,000
Boerum Hill | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,523 ft2
Five Six One Pacific Street, #506 (Compass)
All images of 251 First via Halstead
The ODA-designed 251 1st Street brings a striking style, top-of-the-line amenities, and abundant outdoor space to Park Slope. It is a short walk to Prospect Park, but a lounge with green wall, two courtyards, and a landscaped roof lounge provide plenty of nature much closer to home. Additional amenities include a fitness center, children's playroom, pet spa, and virtual concierge.
45-30 Pearson Street
4 availabilities from $1,365,000
4 availabilities from $1,365,000
The Greene (Nest Seekers LLC)
Upon arrival at The Greene, a new condominium in the Court Square section of Long Island City, the double-height lobby includes a massive green wall. The rest of the building's amenities were also designed with an emphasis on indoor/outdoor living; these include a massive entry courtyard, a fitness center with adjacent yoga terrace, a second-story lounge with access to a terrace, and a 25th-story Sky Lounge that opens up to an outdoor terrace.
Greene, #20D (Nest Seekers 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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