117 East 29th Street Apt: PHB

New York, NY 10016

When the most critical audience of seasoned brokers and photographers all have the same reaction of total awe, you know this is a unique home. The details that make this home awe-inspiring are almost too much to mention but I will try.

Let's start with the terrace because it is arguably this home's most outstanding feature. Having built the first-ever database of all known terraced homes in NYC, I have personally reviewed and cataloged 8,565 apartments with private terraces; I understand how unique this one is.

At 1288sf, it is not the largest, but it does top the list in versatility, thanks to its many amenities. There are two distinct areas for dining and relaxing, separated by a pathway right through a "forest" of 16 birches. This pathway through the birches exemplifies the detail that has gone into every aspect of this rooftop oasis: It hides some of the 30 speakers throughout, and the entire terrace was raised so these trees are planted level with the pathway.

West of birch forest is for relaxation, wet or dry. If you prefer "wet," you can take an outdoor shower or relax in an architecturally significant plunge pool/spa. With its four-sided infinity edge and an overflow that magically disappears, it is visually stunning, but the remote-controlled cover makes it usable year-round. For dry entertainment, you can relax on a oversized Italian-made sofa designed and upholstered for large yachts. This West side is serviced by a full bar with a dishwasher.

To the East of the birch forest is the dining area. It has a complete summer kitchen with a Kalamazoo grill and under-counter refrigeration for food and wine. The dining area comfortably seats 10. However, the East of the birches' focal point is the large stone-clad gas fireplace flanked by mature apple trees (complete with apples).

Two other important components make this exceptional terrace very livable year-round.

- Plenty of shade: The dining and relaxing areas are both covered by custom-made German umbrellas anchored to the sub-framing and specifically engineered to handle high wind velocities, While the summer kitchen can be covered by a remote-controlled retractable awning that completely disappears in the zinc-clad wall when not in use.

- Plenty of privacy: This oasis is surrounded by a 4' high green "hedge," which provides perfect privacy without diminishing the open feel. Edmund Hollander designed the entire plant palette mainly using native species that can withstand the changing New York seasons; Japanese White Pine, together with bayberry, holly, hydrangea, and clematis, as well as lavender and rosemary, make for a hardy planting with varied texture and color.

This apartment's interior is as stunning as the terrace, and the attention to detail remains unsurpassed. At just shy of 2100sf with 10" ft ceilings throughout, the apartment is a comfortably sized three-bedroom, three-bath home. You enter the home through a generous hallway leading to a double-high foyer. The walnut-lined walls of the hallway cleverly hide large closets, laundry, and a full bath. The foyer gives access to the "stairway to Heaven" and the private and public areas of this penthouse.

The public areas have an open-plan living room and kitchen as well as a cleverly designed dining area with easy access to the oversized open kitchen. The kitchen itself is publication-worthy, with exposed shelving on a light stone wall and a top-of-the-line appliance package from Gaggenau. Past the living room is the entrance to the library, which has a fireplace and a full en-suite bath, making it an excellent guest room.

The private areas on the west side of the home have two bedrooms. The primary has a windowed en-suite bath, an oversized walk-in shower, heated floors, and plenty of closet space.

Additional details include the HVAC having five zones, twelve 10' high walnut doors, twelve Art walls, a washer/dryer, and a 49sf storage unit in the basement.
If most homes claim to be a "smart home" when their door unlocks automatically, then this home is a "genius-home". The entire home and terrace (access, lighting, shades, HVAC, music, awning, and FIREPLACES) are controlled via remote control or even a smartphone app. 117 East 29th Street is a small condo loft building with both part-time and virtual doorman, a small gym in the basement, and perfectly located near everything dear