Get Your Slice of the Big Apple Here
They said it couldn't succeed. Timesharesand vacation club memberships? Never. Not in NewYork City, the town where cultural events and symphony concerts trump rollercoasters and theme parks.
Then
"We've stayed at a half-dozen NewYork hotels over the years," said an older couple in evening clothes talking totwo forty-something sisters in running shoes. "This works much better. It's likehaving our own place in town, but with no maintenance or headaches. And it's a good investment," she said.
"Off-season weeks are cheaper, so that's when we bought in," replied one of the sisters. "But we like autumn better anyway, when Lincoln Centeris in the middle of their concert season, and it's easier to get tickets to Broadwayshows."
Unwilling to refit an existing structure,the Hilton development team chosea building site at one of Manhattan's mostexclusive addresses, within walking distance of Fifth Avenue and Central Park.Then, aiming for a blend of luxury and privacy, they tucked the propertybetween two other inconspicuous buildings. If you were walking by you'd nevernotice the entrance hidden behind a pair of unobtrusive glass doors manned byequally unobtrusive doormen.
Nor does the lobby, consisting ofstaff desks and two elevators, reflect the relatively high levels of service, convenience andcomfort that West 57provides. The staff at the reception desk, on duty 24-7, remember your name,your unit and your travel dates. The concierge offers city maps and directions,and books restaurant reservations and Broadway show tickets.
"The project has done well for avariety of reasons," said General Manager Laurie Del Sol, who's followed theventure since the plans were approved and construction began. "It has the
Buy one of those pieces and you get"deeded ownership" in perpetuity (you can leave it to your children) for one ormore weeks starting at $33,900 for low-season dates. Prices for holiday andselect weeks run as high as $125,000. The building has 161 units, with studios,one-bedroom units and penthouse space. The interior design theme, created byAlexandria Champaulimaud & Associates, is no-frills minimalist modern, anchoredby natural and stained wood and furniture in matching wheat, buckskin and ivoryhues. Bathrooms have separate showers and free-standing soaking tubs, mirrorsgalore and complimentary lighting. All rooms have complete entertainmentsystems, with large, flat-screen televisions, indirect lighting and views.
The most decadent feature isHilton's partnership with the newly installed Spa Merge facility on the groundfloor, with nine treatment rooms including two Aqua Therapy rooms. The spaoffers therapeutic and sports massages and facials, combining scientific andnatural techniques. We had a massage each, and can vouch for their expertise. Itwas a first-rate way to end a Big Appleweekend.
THE BUZZ:
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West 57Street is at 102-108 West 57NewYork City, 0019. Call 212-379-01, or see www.west57thstreet.com.