These play spaces are no child’s play.
In one of the cutest design trends to catch our eyes lately, high-end condo buildings across New York City are creating design-forward spaces and amenities to appeal to their youngest residents — and to attract luxury buyers who prioritize family-friendly amenities, without compromising on aesthetics.
New developments and building conversions alike have taken extra steps to incorporate play spaces in their amenity roster, and they’re doing so in style.
This new wave of high-design playrooms bring architect-designed play spaces, themed rooms, and stylish kid-friendly amenities to buildings like Sutton Tower, 108 Leonard, the Harper, or 96+Broadway, to name just a few.
So let’s take a quick tour of the New York City condo buildings that are setting new standards for family-oriented luxury living.
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#1 Sutton Tower (430 East 58th Street)
Sutton Tower, the tallest residential building along Manhattan’s East side waterfront, is an architectural masterpiece by celebrated Danish designer Thomas Juul-Hansen.
Rising 850 feet tall, the new addition to Manhattan’s skyline has 120 one- to five-bedroom condominiums, including a penthouse collection of full-floor and duplex homes with 360-degree city views.
As is to be expected from a building of this caliber, Sutton Tower offers a thoughtfully curated collection of amenities, including a stylish playroom designed to spark creativity and fun.
The vibrant play space at Sutton Tower
The bright, vibrant space, designed by Juul-Hansen himself, features wood paneling, custom built-in nook seating, and cubbies for added functionality.
A standout design feature of the playroom is an interactive mural by renowned children’s illustrator Elanna Allen. Complemented by climbing equipment, toys, and books, it creates a dynamic space for young imaginations to thrive amidst a level of design rarely seen in kids playrooms.
#2 The Harper (310 East 86th Street)
The Harper, a brand new 21-story condominium building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, aims to strike a balance between the neighborhood’s rich traditions and forward-looking contemporary living.
And it does so with a range of well-executed amenities, including a state-of-the-art playroom, to complement its two-to-four-bedroom residences — all designed for flexible, family living.
At the Harper, there’s plenty of room for kids to race, climb, and play
The state-of-the-art playroom at the Harper comes with an arched design motif used throughout: in entryways, bookcases, climbing tubes, and slides, then mimicked in the light fixtures.
The climbing wall, ball pit, and games are complemented by cozy reading nooks. The Harper also caters to residents with an artist/maker studio with programming by Robofun, a gaming and screening room, as well as a music room, recording and podcast studio, with lessons by School of Rock.
#3 The former Clock Tower Building (108 Leonard)
One of Tribeca’s most iconic century-old buildings, the Renaissance Revival-style 108 Leonard, originally designed in the 1890s by renowned architects McKim, Mead & White for the New York Life Insurance Company, was recently converted to make way for 167 stylish residences.
While the stellar conversion didn’t take away any of the rich character and timeless details of the century-old building, it did bring a touch of contemporary appeal and modern amenities — including a stylish Alice in Wonderland-themed children’s playroom.
The themed playroom ties in with 108 Leonard’s history
The Alice in Wonderland-themed children’s playroom is a whimsical space that not only serves its function perfectly but pays tribute to the building’s storied history — with a wall-sized clock and gears hinting at 108 Leonard’s well-known moniker of “the Clock Building”.
#4 96+Broadway (96th Street and Broadway)
Another striking addition to the city’s skyline by architect Thomas Juul-Hansen (the designer behind Sutton Tower), 96+Broadway brings a collection of elegant one-to-5-bedroom condo residences to the Upper West Side.
Located at the intersection of 96th Street and Broadway, the new condominium building with has limestone façade celebrates the Upper West Side’s iconic architecture through a modern perspective. Among its extensive suite of premium amenities, the development offers residents a chic and timelessly designed children’s room — with distinct visual appeal.
96+Broadway has a custom mural by a children’s illustrator
The charming play space has a one-of-a-kind mural with unique characters created just for 96+Broadway by children’s illustrator and designer Elanna Allen.
The adorable and stylish children’s playroom also includes a gymnastics foam pit, small communal tables where children’s creativity can flow, and more.
#5 212 West 72nd Street
Thoughtfully reimagined by award-winning architecture firm CetraRuddy, the luxury condominium 212 West 72nd Street — located at a prime corner between Central Park and Riverside Park, overlooking Verdi Square — is a coveted New York address.
Beyond its location and high-end residences, 212 West 72nd Street also attracts residents with its collection of family-friendly amenities that include a private rooftop, an interior courtyard where kids can play safely and enjoy the fresh air, and a stylish playroom.
A place for the little ones to hang out at 212 West 72nd Street
The youngest residents at 212 West 72nd Street have access to a stylish children’s playroom equipped with brightly colored decor and children-sized furnishings including small tables and colorful banquettes.
To further encourage learning, a reading nook has also been set up for kids to enjoy reading, arts and crafts, or complete their homework.
#6 One High Line (500 West 18th Street)
Developed by Witkoff Group & Access Industries, One High Line is a luxury condominium project spanning a full city block in Manhattan’s West Chelsea neighborhood.
It consists of two sculptural twisting travertine towers designed by the world-renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, with the interiors of the glam 36-story West Tower being designed by New York-based Gabellini Sheppard, with Paris-based Gilles & Boissier spearheading design of the 26-story East Tower.
The play areas in the starchitect-designed building
One High Line offers its residents 18,000 square feet of exclusive and state-of-the-art amenities — including a high-design children’s playroom with bespoke rope lighting hanging from the ceiling, a climbing wall, wooden wall puzzles, and more.
#7 The 74 (201 East 74th Street)
Now taking shape at 201 East 74th Street, the 32-story condo tower known simply as The 74 will feature 42 homes with prices ranging from $3.6 million to $13.55 million, and the finest high-end finishes money can buy.
Residents will enjoy a host of curated amenities, including a library lounge with a wet bar and private garden, an entertainment suite with catering facilities and video conferencing capabilities, a state-of-the-art fitness center and Pilates studio, and, of course, a stylish children’s playroom.
The 74’s playroom is reminiscent of a treehouse
The playroom is located on the building’s 17th floor, alongside a suite of other high-end amenities: a private lounge and city-lights dining room, with a custom marble wet bar and catering kitchen, as well as a full-service gym with separate rooms for Pilates, yoga.
Pairing vibrant greens with warm wood finishes and pops of color, the room itself is a playful nod to a treehouse.
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