Great Buildings: The Carlyle in NYC Stands the Test of Time

By Grace Cassidy With its marquee Madison Avenue address on the Upper East Side, classic Art Deco design and glamorously storied past, The Carlyle has earned its Living Legend status since opening its doors in 1930. But with updates to its interiors from celebrated contemporary designers like Alexandra Champalimaud, Thierry Despont and Tony Chi, and its suite of modern amenities, the 35-story, 192-room residential hotel is anything but history. Suzan Kremer For Suzan Kremer , a Douglas Elliman agent who represents two of The Carlyle’s co-op apartments, The Carlyle’s unique charm and appeal are as vital as ever. “In a city that is always rapidly changing, The Carlyle has always been able to stand the test of time,” she said. Long since the days when John F. Kennedy kept an apartment on the 34th floor, earning the hotel its unofficial designation as “The New York White House,” The Carlyle still offers guests and residents alike a rare New York City experience. “Each floor has been completely renovated and modernized,” Kremer said, from the renown Café Carlyle and  Bemelmans Bar  to recent additions like the  Yves Durif Salon , the restaurant  Dowling’s  and the fitness center. “Generally speaking, many of the apartments have kept the original floorpan though some buyers have bought multiple units to create larger living space.” Kremer currently represents a charming one-bed, one-bath co-op on the 14th floor featuring herringbone hardwood floors, an electric fireplace, private terrace and an open modern kitchen, listed for $1.75 million, and a spacious two-bedroom, two-and-a half-bath facing Madison Avenue for $1.5 million, featuring an abundance of storage and custom cabinetry, and a fully renovated custom Poggenpohl galley-style kitchen. “One of the many wonderful things of being able to work within The Carlyle is that each apartment is unique and has its own style and charm-” said Kremer, who has previously represented numerous co-op’s in the hotel. “Individuality reigns supreme— distinct layouts, color palettes and textiles made each space unique. It is always interesting to think about all of the history interwoven into the building and observing how it manifests uniquely in every residence.” Current residents enjoy access to a wide variety of amenities, including housekeeping twice a day, a concierge team, doorman, discreet security staff and a top-notch fitness center. A spa, salon, two restaurants and a bar are also located conveniently within the building. According to Kremer, The Carlyle holds particular appeal for buyers looking for a pied-à-terre. “A lot of buyers have second, third, fourth homes,” she said. “It has long been a favored destination for royalty, diplomats, celebrities and international guests, as well as native New Yorkers.” For these buyers, she said, it all adds up to an experience of “stepping into a world where timeless luxury seamlessly blends with contemporary living.”