What Is the Tallest Apartment Building in New York
The tallest apartment building in New York by roof height is Central Park Tower, which rises to approximately 1,550 feet (472 meters) and reaches 98 usable floors above ground. It is widely recognized as the tallest residential building in the world by roof height, surpassing other supertall towers globally. The structure is located at 217 West 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan, directly adjacent to Billionaires' Row along 57th Street. Central Park Tower was developed by Extell Development Company and designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture. It includes a large number of luxury condominiums, with a mix of studio to penthouse layouts spread across its upper floors. For an overview of supertall residential rankings, you can refer to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat database at CTBUH.
By highest occupied floor, the building reaches approximately 1,350 feet (411 meters), making it the tallest residential occupied floor in New York and among the highest in the world. The tower contains a combination of private residences and a dedicated hotel component operated by a hospitality group, with separate entrances and amenities for each use. Construction was completed in 2019, and the building has since held its position as the tallest apartment tower in New York City. The project faced scrutiny regarding financing and unit sales, with public filings and reports covering its development timeline and sales strategy. You can find developer updates and project highlights on the Extell Development website at Extell Development.
Key Height, Floor, and Unit Details
Central Park Tower's structural height to the top of its spire is approximately 1,550 feet (472 meters), with the roof sitting at about 1,350 feet (411 meters). The building contains 98 stories above ground, with mechanical penthouses and mechanical floors occupying the topmost sections. The residential portion begins above the hotel floors, with the highest luxury condominiums located near the top of the tower. Floor-to-floor heights in the residential sections are designed to accommodate large layouts, including several units with double-height ceilings. The tower's slender profile and aerodynamic form are intended to reduce wind loads at extreme heights, a common engineering approach for supertall buildings. Technical specifications are documented in project descriptions from the architect at Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture.
The residential tower includes approximately 179 condominium units, ranging from studios to multi-bedroom layouts, with several full-floor and penthouse configurations. The highest units are located near the top of the tower, with the top penthouse occupying the uppermost residential floors. The building features a range of amenities, including a private club, fitness center, swimming pool, and dedicated concierge services for residents. The hotel component includes its own lobby, rooms, and amenities, separate from the residential entrance and amenities. Sales and leasing data for individual units have been reported in real estate trade publications and market analyses. For financial disclosures related to the project, you can review SEC filings and company reports at SEC.gov.
Developer, Architect, and Design Approach
The developer of Central Park Tower is Extell Development Company, led by founder Gary Barnett, with the project representing one of the firm's largest and most prominent residential towers. The design architect is Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, known for previous supertall projects including Burj Khalifa and Jeddah Tower. The structural engineering was handled by a specialized firm, with wind engineering and foundation design tailored to the tower's extreme height and Manhattan soil conditions. The tower uses a reinforced