Duplex Penthouse Commanding Manhattan's Highest Residential Floors

The lower level's double-height great room serves as the home's emotional center, anchored by a monumental limestone fireplace and wrapped in three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows that transform Central Park into living artwork. Despont's masterful spatial planning creates seamless transitions from the airy gallery to the corner formal dining room, each space calibrated to capture specific light and views throughout the day.

The custom Molteni kitchen exemplifies Despont's attention to detail, featuring polished statuary marble countertops complemented by a backlit statuary backsplash and back-painted glass cabinetry with polished nickel detailing. The comprehensive Miele and Sub-Zero appliance suite includes integrated refrigeration, a five-burner cooktop with vented hood, double wall ovens, steam capabilities, and an under-counter wine refrigerator.

Ascending to the 79th floor reveals the primary suite, a sanctuary offering panoramic exposures across three cardinal directions. The spa-like ensuite bathroom showcases Despont's material mastery, blending polished Noir St. Laurent marble, high-honed Verona limestone, and Persian golden travertine. Custom carved vanities, a cast iron Lefroy Brooks soaking tub, and a freestanding steam shower create a resort-level retreat.

Every detail reflects purposeful luxury, from the custom interior lighting design developed in collaboration with Schwinghammer to the motorized Lutron solar shades with bedroom blackout capabilities. The residence's sophisticated environmental systems provide humidified and filtered fresh air throughout, ensuring optimal comfort at this rarefied altitude. Two additional bedrooms each claim spectacular views and windowed ensuites finished in premium Verona limestone, while a dedicated service entrance and utility areas maintain the home's seamless operation.

Positioned at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street, this penthouse commands one of Manhattan's most culturally significant addresses, directly across from the Museum of Modern Art and within the heart of Midtown's premier cultural corridor. The location places residents at the epicenter of New York's artistic and intellectual life, with the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center all within easy reach.

Central Park, stretching endlessly beyond the northern windows, provides a rare constant of seasonal beauty and recreational opportunity in the urban landscape. The park's 843 acres offer everything from the serene Shakespeare Garden to the bustling Bethesda Fountain, creating a natural sanctuary that changes dramatically with Manhattan's seasons. Morning runs along the reservoir loop or evening strolls through the Mall become daily rituals accessible just steps from the residence.

The surrounding neighborhood represents Manhattan's most sophisticated retail and dining landscape. Fifth Avenue's flagship stores, including Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Fifth Avenue, create an unparalleled shopping corridor, while 57th Street's gallery district houses some of the world's most prestigious contemporary art dealers. The recently renovated Four Seasons Restaurant and Daniel provide world-class dining within walking distance.

Midtown Manhattan's transportation infrastructure offers unmatched connectivity, with multiple subway lines converging nearby and direct access to both LaGuardia and JFK airports via the express rail connections. The neighborhood's density of luxury hotels, from The St. Regis to The Plaza, ensures visiting guests enjoy five-star accommodations within blocks.

The cultural richness extends beyond museums to include the New York Philharmonic at nearby Lincoln Center, Broadway theaters concentrated in Times Square, and the intimate venues of the Upper East Side's gallery scene. This location has historically attracted Manhattan's most discerning residents, from titans of industry to cultural luminaries, creating a community that values both privacy and engagement with the city's intellectual life.

Seasonal rhythms play out dramatically at this elevation, from autumn's Central Park foliage display to winter's crystalline skyline views and spring's cherry blossoms along the park's eastern edge. The residence's 360-degree exposures capture the Hudson River's sunset reflections, the East River's morning light, and the ever-changing tapestry of Manhattan's architectural evolution, creating a living observatory of one of the world's greatest cities.