Two Columbus Avenue

“I think the building was one of the first condos to go up in that area,” says Emily Lundell, an agent with Compass. “It really identified that location as a great spot. Everything there before was old co-ops and the New York Coliseum, but when condos became popular in the ’90s, [this] was a new thing for that area. The Time Warner Center (now the Deutsche Bank Center) was not there in the ’90s, so it was a cool idea to put [Two Columbus Avenue] there because it’s just below 59th Street, so it’s not quite the Upper West Side.” Despite the building being 25 years old, today many residents are most attracted to its location over anything else: “It has views of Central Park and proximity to all the subways, so it’s kind of a pioneer building,” Lundell adds.

Units are spacious, including one-bedrooms that can reach 1,000 square feet

Many owners have updated and renovated their units to their design preference over the years, and many listings are truly turnkey properties. With 133 units in total, the biggest uniformity between each is, according to Lundell, that every unit “has huge windows, so it maximizes the views,” and corner units often have multiple exposures. “Almost everyone has at least two exposures [in the cardinal directions],” Lundell adds. The larger units tend to be on the upper floors, which get much better views, and although the original finishes were excellent quality, Lundell says that “after 25 years, people want to update them” and have done so over the years. For instance, her recent listing was completely renovated and gutted by the owner before going on the market. “[They] opened the kitchen, added all new cabinets, countertops, appliances, all new flooring,” she says. “They removed the tub and put in a huge shower with multiple shower heads.” Across the board, prospective buyers can expect high-end appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf, as well as full-sized, in-unit washer/dryers. Although the building has excellent views of the cityscape, there are very few terraces and there’s no rooftop access.

One- to four-bedrooms available for $1 million and up

One-bedrooms range from around $1 million to $1.3 million for between 783 to just over 1,000 square feet. Two-bedrooms, which make up just over half the building, typically come with 2.5 bathrooms and go between $1.68 to $2.45 million for around 1,500 square feet. Three-bedrooms run between $2.95 million and $3.69 million for anywhere from 1,740 to 2,110 square feet. Four- and five-bedrooms, although there aren’t many of either, have sold for $4.5 million and $6.9 million, respectively, in recent years.

White-glove services, but minimal amenities

Unlike newer developments, Two Columbus Avenue is somewhat lacking in the realm of newfangled amenities. There is, however, a full-time concierge and staff — including a live-in resident manager, full-time handyperson — many of whom, Lundell notes, have “been there since the beginning, so it’s very well-run.” The hallways were renovated just a few years back and include simple, neutral shades and wallpaper, as well as updated lighting. The lobby has not been renovated since the building opened in 1999, but Lundell says it’s “small, but feels intimate,” noting the dramatic, high ceilings. There is a fully equipped gym, and although it has the latest equipment like Peloton, some may consider the aesthetic a bit dated. There is no shared outdoor space, but on the plus side, storage cages are included with every unit.

Close to Lincoln Center, Central Park, major universities and tons of shopping

Situated on the corner of West 59th Street and Columbus Avenue, residents have an interesting set of neighbors. There's the church right next door and Fordham College at Lincoln Center one block away, as well as the Metropolitan Opera House and Julliard a few blocks north. Undoubtedly the biggest perks of living in Lincoln Square, specifically on this block, is that the transportation hub of Columbus Circle – serviced by the 1, A, B, C and D lines – is just one avenue east, as well as the entrance to Central Park, Manhattan’s largest green space. The Shops at Columbus Circle is also under a five-minute walk from the building, where residents can find everything from J. Crew to Williams Sonoma and a Whole Foods, as well as dining options. For arts and culture lovers, whether it’s ballet, the Philharmonic, or a range of both outdoor and indoor concerts, Lincoln Square is perhaps one of the best, year-round locations for live performances in New York City.