Brown Harris Stevens

True Duplex penthouse condos (no one living above you) are rare; there are currently only 12 listed. Not only is this the least expensive, but the average cost of the other 11 is almost double that of this listing. This is not because this one is a slouch-quite the opposite.

To begin with, it has the best view of all of them, but there is so much more because, at 2,500 sf, this true penthouse with two bedrooms, three baths, and an oversized Direct Living terrace is a perfect home. The lower floor is completely dedicated to the public spaces, while the upstairs is for the private areas, and the two are seamlessly separated by a windowed staircase.

The key-locked elevators open on the public floor, so let's begin here.
The first thing you notice is the clever flow created by opening the wall between the foyer and the kitchen. This improved both rooms. The vestibule is now a bright area with ingenious storage spaces and display shelves, ensuring that this often-forgotten spot is fully integrated, it even has a full bathroom on the north end. This bathroom's noteworthy feature is a widowed shower. (don't worry no neighboring building is high enough).

The living spaces on the south side of the gallery are striking with their panoramic views (not hyperbole here. However, they need to be seen in person to be fully appreciated because the 10+ft ceiling height, full-height glass on three sides, and a slant on the east side make the room appear smaller in pictures. However, the floor plan does not lie, at 17x32, this is a very large room.

One standout feature of this penthouse is the perfectly proportioned Direct Living terrace. At an almost square configuration, this terrace is perfect for entertaining. With nearly 300 degrees of open views, you have plenty to gawk at, but with no building blocking your view North, your vista of midtown is among the best I have ever seen.

The kitchen is truly a study in clever design, and what you end up with is a very practical space with stunning views, plenty of storage, and commercial-grade appliancestruly a chef's dream. The aforementioned opening to the vestibule makes the kitchen feel much larger and creates a super cool dining counter. While the low storage cabinets on the slanted east wall are so clever, you can see the next owner continuing them everywhere this wall is exposed.

Up the windowed staircase are two bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom, the smaller bedroom has a wall of windows facing east, awarding you perfect sunrise views framed by the Williamsburg Bridge, which is quite unique. The primary is a complete suite with a walk-in closet, a five-fixture bathroom, and three exposures. Regardless of the open feel these windows provide, privacy is ensured throughout, with no building on your elevation within reach.

To round out the offering on the table here, the apartment has a washer and dryer. And this unit comes complete with a private storage space with its own electricity, making it a perfect wine storage.

The Condo building is called BLUE; it was built in 2007 by the acclaimed architect Bernard Tschumi. It offers 8000 square feet of terraces along with Fios internet, refrigerated storage, a bike room, a full-time doorman, and concierge services. Conveniently situated fifty feet from the F-J-M-Z trains, BLUE is nestled within the vibrant heart of New York's bustling Lower East Side, with all of your favorite amenities, including the famed Essex Market, Katz' Delicatessen, Russ & Daughters, the New Museum and so much more.