The Plaza is one of Manhattan’s most iconic buildings. Across from Central Park, at the nexus of the world at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, the hotel was built in the French Renaissance chateau style in 1905 by Henry J. Hardenberg; over the years, guests have included everyone from the Beatles and Christian Dior to Frank Lloyd Wright. In 2005, the 21-story building closed for three years, for a $400 million redesign that incorporated refreshed hotel rooms, plus 181 new condos.
And this luxurious duplex penthouse is, of course, one of those private residences. Resplendent on the top two floors of the Plaza, the condo offers epic views of Manhattan and a 40-foot-long terrace. Spanning 2,900 square feet, the unit is owned by Goya foods heiress Maribel Unanue McVicar and offers three bedrooms, three full baths, two powder rooms and two wood-burning fireplaces. It’s asking $14.5 million via Louise C. Beit at Sotheby’s International Realty.
There’s what appears to be a genuine Giacometti in the great room, which is stuffed with design classics such as Bibendum chairs. McVicar and her designer seem to have stuck to white as a soothing contrast to the frenetic city below, and the condo is additionally enlightened by an unusual slanted skylight that runs the entire width of the main floor, offering beautiful east light and also brightening the main floor bedroom suite.
That enchanting great room also includes a wood-burning fireplace, a herringbone floor, and views of the tops of the Pierre Hotel and the Sherry Netherland. Off the great room, the kitchen flaunts top of the line appliances including a Viking stove, Viking refrigerator/freezer, Miele dishwasher, and wine refrigerator. The junior primary bedroom also has glorious views, a large ensuite bathroom, and dressing area surrounded by a fitted walk-in closet.
On the second floor, access to the terrace is offered from three rooms, and epic views of the unsurpassable Manhattan skyline with its most iconic buildings in full view. The luxurious primary bedroom suite is an oasis of calm, with wood-burning fireplace, windows overlooking the terrace, and double doors to the terrace,. Adjacent is a windowed dressing room with fitted closets, and huge en-suite marble bath with double vanity sinks, soaking tub, separate walk-in shower, and a window. Across the landing, is the third bedroom, also opening to the terrace, and with en-suite windowed bath.
The terrace, situated between two huge turrets crowned with intricate wrought iron grillwork synonymous with images of the Plaza, exhibits the most extraordinary views of the city from a rare and privileged vantage point.
Of course, the Plaza offers residents a luxurious lifestyle including a 24 hour doorman, concierge, landmarked lobby exclsively for condo residents, and European inspired Plaza gardens with a fountain and reflecting pools. Ownership may access to all the five-star services of the Plaza Hotel, including the Oak Room, Oak Bar, Palm Court, Guerlain Spa, health club, Rose Club, Champagne Bar, Warren-Tricomi salon, Grand Ballroom, Terrace Room and luxury retail shops.
