Top 50 Best-Selling NYC Buildings of All Time: 220 CPS Surpasses $3 Billion in First-Time Sales

Key Takeaways:

• 220 CPS becomes #1 best-selling building in NYC with $3 billion sales volume
• 220 CPS also claims highest average price per unit at almost $29 million per unit
• 432 Park Avenue and One57 surpassed $2 billion in first-time sales
• A total of 11 NYC properties closed more than $1 billion in sales
• Brooklyn ranks five buildings among city’s top sellers
• Skyline Tower places Queens among city’s top 50 best-selling buildings for the first time

Five years ago, we analyzed New York City’s residential landscape to find out which were the best-selling buildings of all time. But with the pricing increases of the past few years, especially in the aftermath of COVID-19, as well as a plethora of upscale developments coming online, we decided to take another look at the data and see how rankings have changed in recent years. We ranked buildings by their total sales volume, considering only first-time sales — all resales were eliminated.

Find out which neighborhoods had the highest concentration of best-selling buildings and what buildings surpassed $1 billion or even $2 and $3 billion in first-time sales. Additionally, make sure to read to the end and explore the full list of the top 50 best-selling buildings in the city and what average price per unit they sold for.

11 Manhattan Buildings Close More Than $1 Billion in First-Time Sales

Back in 2017, seven buildings had surpassed $1 billion in sales, of which two — 432 Park Avenue and One57 — were projected to go north of $2 billion as more units sold. Today, 11 NYC buildings — all located in Manhattan — have total sales volumes higher than $1 billion. Additionally, 432 Park Avenue and One57 have indeed surpassed the $2 billion threshold. More than that though, 220 CPS came in strong since opening in 2018, to total more than $3 billion in sales as of Aug. 31, 2022.

Specifically, 220 CPS reached a total sales volume of $3.05 billion, becoming the #1 best-selling NYC building of all time. Currently 91% sold out, the 11 units still on the market are expected to push its sales volume further over the $3 billion threshold. Moreover, 220 CPS also claimed the highest average price per unit in the city at $28,774,000.

432 Park Avenue surpassed $2 billion in first-time sales, as predicted back in 2017. However, due to the immense popularity of 220 CPS, 432 Park Avenue became the #2 best-selling NYC building, instead of the overall top seller, as it was predicted five years ago, with a total sales volume of $2.5 billion. Currently 89% sold, it is unlikely that 432 Park Avenue will overtake 220 CPS, considering its current average price per unit sits at $20 million, the third highest in our top 50.

With a sales volume of $2.21 billion, One57 now stands as the #3 best-selling building in NYC, with 95% of units sold. The average price per unit here now stands at $17,561,000, the fourth-highest unit price among the city’s best-selling buildings. Although not among the 11 top-selling buildings in the city and with a sales volume just shy of $1 billion at $975 million, 520 Park Avenue was the #12 best-selling building, but claimed the second highest average price per unit at $27 million.

Close to Half of NYC’s Best-Selling Buildings Cluster in Just 4 Neighborhoods

Similarly to our previous report, Central Park is the #1 hotspot for best-selling buildings, with 10 of the 50 top-selling projects situated around the iconic location, including six locations with sales volumes of $1 billion or more.

Famous world-wide for its opulent residences and eight-figure deals, Billionaire’s Row boasts a veritable cluster of best-selling buildings contributing seven buildings to our top, including the #1, #2 and #3 top-selling buildings in the city.

At the neighborhood level, TriBeCa, Central Midtown and Lincoln Square are the neighborhoods with the highest concentration of best-selling buildings with six each, followed by Lenox Hill with five. This means that close to half of the city’s 50 best-selling buildings are clustered in just four neighborhoods.

Two Co-Ops Among the City’s 50 Top-Selling Buildings

Analyzing first-time sales to determine the top 50 best-selling NYC buildings, it is obvious that Manhattan remains the borough for ultra-pricey developments. However, other boroughs are muscling their way in too. In 2017, our top 50 contained 49 Manhattan buildings and one sole contribution from Brooklyn. And while our newest top is still heavily dominated by Manhattan buildings, claiming 44 of the 50 best-selling NYC developments, Brooklyn’s presence increased from one building to five and Queens made its debut with one entry.

Moreover, our newest analysis also placed two co-cop buildings among the city’s best-selling as well: The Carlton House in Lenox Hill and Brooklyn Point in Downtown Brooklyn. The 68-unit Carlton House, now fully sold out, had a total sales volume of $630,878,000 placing it at #26. The average price per unit for The Carlton House reached $9,278,000, while Brooklyn Point averaged $1,597,000 per unit. This put the Brooklyn co-op’s total sales volume at $464,671,000, with 36% of its 458 units yet to be sold.

Brooklyn Places 5 Buildings Among the City’s Best-Sellers, Queen Debuts with One

In addition to Brooklyn Point, Downtown Brooklyn also supplied 11 Hoyt Street, with Prospect Heights, DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights contributing one building each to the city’s top sellers. Although Brooklyn’s top selling buildings ranked between #33 and #47 citywide, it is a testament to the borough’s increasing prices that this year it ranked five locations in our top 50, as opposed to just one five years ago. Sales volumes in the five buildings hovered around $500 million. 

Queens made a strong debut among the top 50 best-selling NYC buildings, with the Skyline Tower in Hunters Point recording a sales volume of $625 million. Thus, the tallest tower in Queens also became the #27 best-selling building in NYC. Currently only 63% sold, Skyline Tower has 296 units still on the market that may push the asset higher in the ranking of the city’s best-selling buildings in the upcoming years, considering the average price per unit here clocks in at $1,235,000.

Explore the top 10 best-selling NYC buildings below and scroll to the bottom of the page for the full top 50 ranking:

#10 56 Leonard St.

Sales volume: $1,084,438,781; Units sold: 145;

Developer: Alexico Group, Hines

Architect: Goldstein, Hill & West Architects LLP, Herzog & de Meuron

Colloquially referred to as the Jenga Tower or Jenga Building due to its unique design, 56 Leonard Street is the tallest building in TriBeCa and the 35^th tallest structure in NYC. One of its most attractive features is the two-story, 17,000-square-foot amenities center complete with a 75-foot lap pool, state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga studio, 25-seat indoor/outdoor theater, library lounge and conference center among others.

#9 30 Park Pl. (99 Church Street)

Sales volume: $1,085,386,676; Units sold: 154;

Developer: Silverstein Properties

Architect: Robert A.M. Stern Architects

Also known as the Four Seasons Private Residences New York Downtown, 30 Park Place is the 24^th tallest building in NYC, rising high above Lower Manhattan and TriBeCa. While the lower floors of the 82-story building are occupied by a 189-key Four Season Hotel, the upper floors house 157 luxury condos. Five years ago, it ranked as the #12 best-selling building in NYC, but going from 73% to 98% sold out lifted the 926-foot tower among the city’s 10 best-selling buildings.

#8 Manhattan House (200 E 66Th St.)

Sales volume: $1,105,410,706; Units sold: 416;

Developer: O’Connor Capital Partners

Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Considered the epitome of mid-century modern and one of the most significant post-war buildings in NYC, it received landmark status in 2007. Occupying a full city block, one of the most attractive features of the minimalist structure is its one-acre manicured private garden and the two Hans Van de Bovenkamp sculptures showcased here. Once home to Grace Kelly and Florence Knoll, the iconic structure has been one of the most sought-after addresses since it was completed in 1951.

#7 Fifteen Hudson Yards (15 Hudson Yards)

Sales volume: $1,218,074,724; Units sold: 245;

Developer: The Related Companies

Architect: Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Rockwell Group, Ismael Leyva Architects, P.C.

Originally called Tower D, 15 Hudson Yards was completed in 2018 as a LEED Gold-designed building. It stands 88 stories tall next to the High Line and in close proximity to a variety of art galleries, boutiques and restaurants. But residents can enjoy the high life in the comfort of their own home thanks to amenities such as a health and wellness floor complete with a 3,500-square-foot fitness center, a 75-foot swimming pool, beauty bar, private spa as well as a children’s activities and arts center.

#6 The Plaza (1 Central Park S.)

Sales volume: $1,296,870,614; Units sold: 163;

Developer: Elad Group

Architect: Henry Janeway Hardenbergh (original), Gal Nauer Architects, Costas Kondylis and Partners, Walter B. Melvin Architects, Rani Ziss Architects (redevelopment)

Built in 1907 in the style of a French Chateau, The Plaza has been on the National Register of Historic Places since the late 70s. It has been featured in countless films as well as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic Great Gatsby and of course, Kay Thompson’s Eloise. The private residences benefit from an entrance separate from the hotel component’s as well as a private garden, and enjoy the benefits of hotel living in a private setting.

#5 The Greenwich Lane (133 W Eleventh St.)

Sales volume: $1,671,284,748; Units sold: 197;

Developer: Rudin, Global Holdings

Architect: FXFOWLE

Situated in the Greenwich Village Historic District, The Greenwich Lane offers 30,000 square feet of high-end amenities such as a 21-seat screening room, state-of-the-art golf training facilities, an entire floor dedicated to fitness and wellness facilities including an 80-foot pool with hot tub, yoga and treatment private suits. Other amenities include the children’s activities’ lounge, manicured central garden, resident dining room with catering kitchen and a chef’s kitchen for resident events.

#4 15 CPW (15 Central Park W.)

Sales volume: $1,881,982,784; Units sold: 229;

Developer: Arthur and William Lie Zeckendorf

Architect: Robert A.M.Stern, Cesar Pelli

Comprised of two structures, The House & The Tower, 15CPW finished in 2008 in a New Classical style, complete with a private garden and a cobble stone courtyard. It also offers up a high-end fitness center, private screening room and even a wine cellar, and of course a generous 75-foot swimming pool, billiards lounge and ample conference and meeting rooms.

#3 One 57 (157 W 57Th St.)

Sales volume: $2,212,734,479; Units sold: 126;

Developer: Extell Development Company

Architect: Christian Portzamparc

Previously known as Carnegie 57, One 57 currently ranks as NYC’s 17^th tallest building. The first supertall skyscraper to be completed on Billionaire’s Row back in 2014, it remains by far one of the three best-selling buildings in the city with 89% of its units sold. Residents enjoy personalized services from The Park Hyatt New York, including access to the 3,100-square-foot Onyx Room event space, a private restaurant with a five-star chef, an indoor swimming pool personalized with a Carnegie Hall-designed underwater soundtrack and a curated library complete with billiards table and a 24-foot aquarium, among many more.

#2 432 Park Ave.

Sales volume: $2,500,449,322; Units sold: 125;

Developer: CIM Group, Macklowe Properties

Architect: Rafael Viñoly Architects, SLCE Architects

The fifth-tallest building in NYC, 432 Park Avenue is one of Billionaire Row’s iconic supertall pencil towers. Not only that, but the 1,396-foot tower is the third-tallest residential building in the world, offering incomparable views of the city. It features a plethora of amenities to entice ultra-wealthy buyers, many of whom are celebrities, investment managers and foreign investors. Notable amenities include a residents-only Michelin star restaurant, a swimming complex and fitness center, a 14-seat boardroom along with private meeting rooms and golf training facilities among many others.

#1 220 CPS (220 Central Park S.)

Sales volume: $3,050,037,316; Units sold:106;

Developer: Vornado Realty Trust

Architect: Robert A.M. Stern Architects, SLCE Architects, Thierry Despont

Topping out at 950 feet, 220 CPS is NYC’s 21^st tallest building and was the setting of some of the largest residential purchases not only in NYC, but nationwide too. 220 CPS was also the setting for the #1 most expensive residential sale in the U.S., with billionaire hedge fund executive Kenneth Griffin paying $238 million for one unit back in 2019. When it comes to resales, two units were picked up by Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai for $157 million last year — a deal considered to be the third most expensive residential transaction in the U.S. to date.

Explore the interactive table below for the full list of the top 50 best-selling NYC buildings of all time:

Methodology

When determining the sales volume of each building, only first-time residential sales were taken into consideration. We took into account all closed sales registered with ACRIS by August 31, 2022. Transactions deemed under contract but not yet finalized and registered were not take into account.

Resales were also not included, nor sales of commercial spaces, be they retail, apartment or hotel units. Package sales of more than 3 units were also not considered.

For deals comprising 2 or 3 units, the full value of the deal was added to the building’s sales volume. In the case of transactions comprising a unit as well as a wine cellar or storage units, the full value of the sale was added to the total sales volume; the wine cellar or storage unit was not counted as a separate unit.