Manhattan House
845 West End Ave
The Aldyn
15 Union Square West
The Rushmore Riverside
515 East 72
Overview
Curbed got our attention about the recent design changes taking place over at the Sundari. Andrew Heiberger, one of the developers, is hardly modest about his expectations for the project, claiming it will “introduce Manhattan to an entirely new brand of living”. Taking its name from a Sanskrit word for beautiful, the Sundari Lofts and Tower building looks to become the latest buzz in the thriving condominium district on lower Madison. To make certain that the building’s design lived up to its name, developer Thorwood Real Estate LLC teamed up with Ismael Levya Architects (Time Warner Center) for the layout and design. Located between 32nd and 33rd streets, the mega-development consists of 37 floors and 103 units. Sundari hopes to become a new living space for well-to-do buyers who enjoy luxury and comfort in the midst of New York’s urban culture.
When the land for the building was first purchased in 2005 by Buttonwood Real Estate LLC, the original architectural plan was for a T-shaped structure that only included 50 units. However, in the summer of 2006, the project was halted as both Buttonwood and Thorwood considered selling the plot and building Sundari elsewhere. Deciding against reselling the property, the T-shaped structure was revised and construction was resumed over a year later with a newer and more ambitious plan which included 103 units and over 150,000 feet of space.
Units & Prices
The Sundari will have a wide variety of units available. Because of the high volume of units in the building and the thin shape, many units will not be overly spacious but undoubtedly efficient and loaded up with building amenities superb finishes. The building will contain 103 one to three bedroom apartments ranging anywhere from around 540 square feet to approximately 3,800 square feet in size. Included in these units are a myriad of loft residences and spacious penthouses. The developers undoubtedly plan to charge a pretty penny for these top floor units after buying air rights to build them. What some of the units lack in size and space, they compensate for in elegance and innovative design. As usual, Levya went over the top on high quality, handpicked materials. Each room comes with royal mahogany wood floors and high ceilings (ranging from 9 feet to 10.8 feet in size). Both the bedroom and living rooms have wall-sized windows allowing for great views of the surrounding landscape. The kitchen comes equipped with marble counter-tops, a sub-zero refrigerator, a Miele dishwasher, and a Viking range with separate ovens.
Easily one of the most distinct features of the Sundari units is the elegant design and uniqueness of the bathrooms. Each bath comes with imported Italian Pietra di Siracusa porcelain tiles, Anigre wood cabinetry, green onyx vanities, and chrome faucets. In addition, master baths have both free-standing Duravit Starck soaking tubs as well as a shower tub. The rooms at the Sundari are definitely an extravagant piece of work.
Amenities
Undoubtedly the most impressive feature of the Sundari development is the multitude of amenities that it provides its residents. The building offers just as many if not more special features than any residential development in its neighborhood. Naturally you’ll find your 24-hour doorman/concierge service along with extra storage space, bicycle room and washer/dryer units. The building also boasts a beautiful private garden with a waterfall and a fitness center on the cellar level which contains a 58 x 10 foot full-sized pool, hot tub, sauna and yoga center. The combination of privacy and exclusive perks help to make residents of the building feel like they are a part of a small community of their own.
Location
Some might argue that this section of Murray Hill has a lot of gentrification yet to come. Others will notice that it has already started. South of the building is the Madison Square Park North neighborhood which gets nicer each year. West of this building is sort of unpleasant with the busy Manhattan Mall area and the touristy Empire State Building very close by. Walk north of the project and you’re getting into busy midtown. Walk east of the building and you can hang out with college grads at the Third Avenue bars. The area is very convenient but not particularly residential.
Investment Potential
Although the Sundari is still in development and the condominiums have yet to go on sale, one can reasonably expect units to be costly and perhaps even more pricey than other nearby projects. What’s interesting is that several potential buyers have written in with reports that certain Madison Square North developments have been negotiating lately on the ask prices. This is quite a change from even one year ago. It’s possible Sundari is a tad late on the scene and might have to be open minded about how to fill up these apartments. Then again, with the dollar in the dumpster, we can expect more Europeans who may be into this project along with any other. We’ll give a B for now and wait on some prices and more information.
