Historic Art Deco hotel on Central Park South where staff go above and beyond
There’s a certain cache to having a home on Central Park South. “Everyone knows the address. It’s world-renowned and uniquely New York,” says Fernanda M. Forman, the managing director of the on-site brokerage division of the JW Marriott Essex House. But it’s not just the prestige of the Central Park South address. It’s also the grand Art Deco lobby, the services — “They can arrive at midnight and order a hamburger. We’re always staffed,” Forman says — and the location. Michelin-starred restaurants, world-class shopping and several entertainment options are within walking distance of the 42-story tower. Of course, the 843-acre Central Park is across the street. “We offer a certain lifestyle that people appreciate,” Forman explains.
Built in 1931, Essex House started as a residential hotel for New York’s elite. In the 1970s, the Marriott Corporation converted a swath of its hotel rooms into condos, creating one of the condominium hotels of its kind. The Art Deco tower, with its iconic red sign overlooking Central Park, now has 184 residences scattered among its 525 hotel suites. Residents can expect staff to go above and beyond to help simplify and elevate their lives when they are in New York. The lobby and restaurant were recently refreshed, although they retain a classic Art Deco appeal — think embossed metal, dentil molding, gilt accents and crystal lamps and chandeliers.
Park and skyline views, plus a rental program
Condos have been converted over time, so they are a “mish-mash” of layouts and design styles, according to Forman. Many have park views, but others overlook the city skyline, Columbus Circle or the interior courtyard. When the residences were first launched, they were mostly owned by corporations that would send employees on work trips in New York City. “That was the heyday of traveling executives,” Forman notes. Foreign buyers started to enter the frame in the 1980s, and now about 50% of residents are from abroad. Only about 10 units are owner-occupied full-time, with most using their units as pieds-a-terre and visiting a few times a year. The building does have a rental program, but owners are not constrained by it, as they are at some hotel residences. “They are free to use the unit as much or as little as they want, and they can decorate it as they want,” Forman says. “They can rent it out for a month or more.” There’s no upper limit on how long tenants can lease out the residence, and Forman notes that some visitors come back for an annual month-long stay. In the third quarter of 2024, five residences were on the market at Essex House. That starts with a one-bedroom unit on the 34th floor, asking $1.7 million. “We did the renovations for the owner since it hadn’t been updated since the 1980s,” Forman explains. Another one-bedroom, facing the park, is listed for $3.7 million. A two-bedroom, which combines two hotel units and directly overlooks Central Park, has a $7 million price tag.
White-glove service and Art Deco flair
Essex House Residences is not a new building, so it doesn’t offer the same amenities packages as recently constructed developments. On the other hand, most new builds don’t have historic lobbies or hotel services such as room service and signing privileges at Bourbon Steak New York, the ground-floor steakhouse helmed by Chef Michael Mina. Residents are treated to white-glove service at Essex House, from door attendants and bellhops to a concierge who can make theater and restaurant reservations. Staff can coordinate everything from installing a new dishwasher to having movers come to move a priceless painting, Forman notes. Other amenities include a gym and a package room. “Sometimes people ask if we have a roof deck. I tell them, ‘I offer you Central Park,’” Forman says.
Between Columbus Circle and Fifth Avenue
When Forman first started at Essex House, they marketed the building as being east of Seventh Avenue. Prior to the late 1990s — before the arrival of the Deutsche Bank Center, once known as the Time Warner Center — Columbus Circle was “crime-ridden,” she says. “Anything west of Seventh was a no man’s land. The neighborhood has changed for the better.” Indeed, the building is just a few blocks from the Shops at Columbus Circle, offering luxury retailers, Michelin-starred restaurants and a Whole Foods. It’s also within walking distance of world-class shopping on Fifth and Madison avenues and East 57th Street. Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and Broadway theaters are also walkable, and, of course, there are more than 800 acres of green space across the street.
Walkable to several subway stations
Columbus Circle is a transit hub, serviced by the 1, A and C and B and D trains. The N, R and W stop along Fifth Avenue at East 59th Street, while the F is available on Sixth Avenue and West 57th Street. The M57 bus offers crosstown service along West 57th Street, and drivers can also access the West Side Highway via the thoroughfare. Although John F. Kennedy International Airport is fewer than 20 miles away, a taxi ride there often takes close to an hour and a half due to traffic. Newark Liberty International Airport is about the same distance, albeit in New Jersey rather than Queens, but it takes closer to 45 minutes to an hour to get there by car. There are also public transit options.
Collateral AnalyticsCollateral Analytics
Collateral Analytics AVMs (Automated Valuation Model) employ a number of statistical approaches combined with neighborhood-specific comparable selection guarantees the most up-to-date and precise valuations.
Black Knight®Black Knight
Black Knight’s AVM (Automated Valuation Model) is a state-of-the-art online residential property valuation tool that provides a quick and accurate estimate of the value of almost any home in the U.S.
First AmericanFirst American
First American Data & Analytics’ next-generation AVM combines unrivaled data assets with a blended ensemble of valuation models to produce highly accurate, reliable valuations you can trust.
Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Moderate Crime
Crime Score®
5/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
82/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Grand Army Plaza
7 min walk
745 Plaza
10 min walk
Picnic Area
Dante Park
10 min walk
Picnic Area
Damrosch Park
12 min walk
Picnic Area
Events
Richard Tucker Park
12 min walk
Picnic Area
Events
Channel Gardens
14 min walk
Picnic Area
Nature Center
MMC Plaza
15 min walk
Picnic Area
50th Street Commons
2 min drive
Picnic Area
Ramon Aponte Park
4 min drive
Playground
Waterpark
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Disclaimer: Please note that this building may not be in these schools' attendance zones.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
