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Billionaires' Row: Tycoons, High Rollers, and the Epic Race to Build the World's Most Exclusive Skyscrapers
A fly-on-the-wall account of the ferocious ambition, greed, and financial one-upmanship behind the most expensive real estate in the the new Manhattan megatowers known as Billionaires’ Row—from a staff reporter at The Wall Street Journal
“Deeply informative, delightfully entertaining, and addictively readable.”—Diana B. Henriques, bestselling author of The Wizard of Lies
Longlisted for the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award
To look south and skyward from Central Park these days is to gaze upon a physical manifestation of tens of billions of dollars in global a series of soaring spires stretching from Park Avenue to Broadway. Known as Billionaires’ Row, this set of slender high-rise residences has transformed the skyline of New York City, thanks to developer-friendly policies and a seemingly endless gush of cash from tech, finance, and foreign oligarchs. And chances are most of us will never be invited to step inside.
In Billionaires’ Row, Katherine Clarke reveals the captivating story of how, in just a few years, the ruthless real-estate impresarios behind these “supertalls” lining 57th Street turned what was once a run-down strip of Midtown into the most exclusive street on Earth, as legendary Trump-era veterans went toe-to-toe with hungry upstart developers in an ego-fueled “race to the sky.” Based on far-reaching access to real estate’s power players, Clarke’s account brings readers inside one of the world’s most cutthroat industries, showing how a combination of ferocious ambition and relentless salesmanship has created a new market of $100 million apartments for the world’s one-percenters—units to live in or, sometimes, just places to stash their cash.
Filled with eye-popping stories that bring the new era of extreme wealth inequality into vivid relief, Billionaires’ Row is a juicy, gimlet-eyed account of the genius, greed, and financial one-upmanship behind the most expensive real estate in the world—a stranger-than-fiction saga of broken partnerships, broken marriages, lawsuits, and, for a few, fleeting triumph.
“Deeply informative, delightfully entertaining, and addictively readable.”—Diana B. Henriques, bestselling author of The Wizard of Lies
Longlisted for the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award
To look south and skyward from Central Park these days is to gaze upon a physical manifestation of tens of billions of dollars in global a series of soaring spires stretching from Park Avenue to Broadway. Known as Billionaires’ Row, this set of slender high-rise residences has transformed the skyline of New York City, thanks to developer-friendly policies and a seemingly endless gush of cash from tech, finance, and foreign oligarchs. And chances are most of us will never be invited to step inside.
In Billionaires’ Row, Katherine Clarke reveals the captivating story of how, in just a few years, the ruthless real-estate impresarios behind these “supertalls” lining 57th Street turned what was once a run-down strip of Midtown into the most exclusive street on Earth, as legendary Trump-era veterans went toe-to-toe with hungry upstart developers in an ego-fueled “race to the sky.” Based on far-reaching access to real estate’s power players, Clarke’s account brings readers inside one of the world’s most cutthroat industries, showing how a combination of ferocious ambition and relentless salesmanship has created a new market of $100 million apartments for the world’s one-percenters—units to live in or, sometimes, just places to stash their cash.
Filled with eye-popping stories that bring the new era of extreme wealth inequality into vivid relief, Billionaires’ Row is a juicy, gimlet-eyed account of the genius, greed, and financial one-upmanship behind the most expensive real estate in the world—a stranger-than-fiction saga of broken partnerships, broken marriages, lawsuits, and, for a few, fleeting triumph.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published June 13, 2023
239 people are currently reading
4256 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
July 28, 2023
Somewhat of a niche book that may have appeal only for folks, like me, who enjoy true strories from the real estate development/construction world. Plenty of outsized egos in this one which is what you expect from people who leverage billions of dollars to build supertalls in the heart of New York City marketed to a very small 0.00004 percent* of the world's population that has managed to control bajillions in financial assets from a variety of sources, some legal and others clearly not.
Recommended for anyone interested in modern architecture and real estate goings on in the Big Apple. Well-researched and written by a real estate reporter for the Wall Street Journal.
*ChatGPT supplied figure of world's billionaire population
Recommended for anyone interested in modern architecture and real estate goings on in the Big Apple. Well-researched and written by a real estate reporter for the Wall Street Journal.
*ChatGPT supplied figure of world's billionaire population
April 24, 2023
The skyline south of Central Park is certainly a huge part of NYC, but it has definitely grown a lot taller in recent years. The author does a great job of providing a back-story for these buildings and the people behind them as most people will not be able to ever attain the wealth required to set foot in one of these buildings. The author takes a relatively neutral standpoint and her story telling is very compelling.
February 25, 2024
I was struggling between a three and four star rating. Why?
Well, I think mostly due to expectations on my part that are largely unknown to me. And for me, it doesn’t make sense to punish a book for delivering exactly what it promises to, but failing to be a personal page-turner for you.
As one reviewer pointed out - while this book is probably incredibly interesting to many people at many different points (my personal opinion, not what he said) - the book as a whole is a bit of a niche book.
I believe a lot of people just see the word billionaires and expect it to be interesting - because yes, as much as people may hate to admit it, the world of billionaires is so extremely different than anything you’ve ever known.
Forget being a multimillionaire, this is next level wealth… many of whom will literally never be bankrupt. If anyone wants to challenge me on that, I’d be more than happy to provide an explanation. Insight into this very tiny subset of about 2700 people controlling 3.5% of the world’s wealth provides very interesting psychological analyses, for it often seems as though these people were born on a different planet.
However, while I think most people probably expect a lot of details about these often reclusive, often flamboyant characters (it always seems to be one or the other) - that’s not really what this book is about. Nor do you get pictures of the inside of the buildings themselves, save for one small picture of one tower’s “members only” private club on the hundredth floor. I’m sure this isn’t for lack of trying on the author’s part; rather, the developers of the buildings pride their sales on exclusivity, and ensure their clientele of secrecy.
You can, however, find out what many of the apartments look like, as virtual tours are shown on Ryan Serhant’s YouTube channel, such as the $250 million triplex penthouse listing at Central Park Tower. Check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4d2osT8TXs
And yes, Serhant is mentioned numerous times in the book.
It doesn't seem like my link is doing anything but taking me back to Goodreads, if that's the case for anyone reading this review, if you just copy and paste the link by itself into another browser window, it will work for you, I promise!
Beyond that, the book largely explores the stories behind the scenes of the five tallest “supertalls” construction, from start to finish. Visions of architectural greatness and developers’ desires to leave their mark on NYC’s skyline along with the the agonizing assemblage deals these developers must negotiate to turn these visions into a concrete reality. It really takes a special kind of person to develop, market, sell, etc., these types of projects - not for the faint of heart!
I’ll just end this review by recommending this book for all those interested in learning the sordid details behind bringing these skyscrapers into existence, but also with the realization that you’ll learn a lot about this real estate industry and the power players within it - which may not always be the most sensational read, but it is nonetheless a very informative one.
Also, a quote from the inside jacket of Billionaires’ Row: “a juicy, gimlet-eyed account of the genius, greed, and financial one-upmanship behind the most expensive real estate in the world - a stranger-than-fiction saga of broken partnerships, broken marriages, lawsuits, and, for a few, fleeting triumph.
That sums it up neatly.
Well, I think mostly due to expectations on my part that are largely unknown to me. And for me, it doesn’t make sense to punish a book for delivering exactly what it promises to, but failing to be a personal page-turner for you.
As one reviewer pointed out - while this book is probably incredibly interesting to many people at many different points (my personal opinion, not what he said) - the book as a whole is a bit of a niche book.
I believe a lot of people just see the word billionaires and expect it to be interesting - because yes, as much as people may hate to admit it, the world of billionaires is so extremely different than anything you’ve ever known.
Forget being a multimillionaire, this is next level wealth… many of whom will literally never be bankrupt. If anyone wants to challenge me on that, I’d be more than happy to provide an explanation. Insight into this very tiny subset of about 2700 people controlling 3.5% of the world’s wealth provides very interesting psychological analyses, for it often seems as though these people were born on a different planet.
However, while I think most people probably expect a lot of details about these often reclusive, often flamboyant characters (it always seems to be one or the other) - that’s not really what this book is about. Nor do you get pictures of the inside of the buildings themselves, save for one small picture of one tower’s “members only” private club on the hundredth floor. I’m sure this isn’t for lack of trying on the author’s part; rather, the developers of the buildings pride their sales on exclusivity, and ensure their clientele of secrecy.
You can, however, find out what many of the apartments look like, as virtual tours are shown on Ryan Serhant’s YouTube channel, such as the $250 million triplex penthouse listing at Central Park Tower. Check that out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4d2osT8TXs
And yes, Serhant is mentioned numerous times in the book.
It doesn't seem like my link is doing anything but taking me back to Goodreads, if that's the case for anyone reading this review, if you just copy and paste the link by itself into another browser window, it will work for you, I promise!
Beyond that, the book largely explores the stories behind the scenes of the five tallest “supertalls” construction, from start to finish. Visions of architectural greatness and developers’ desires to leave their mark on NYC’s skyline along with the the agonizing assemblage deals these developers must negotiate to turn these visions into a concrete reality. It really takes a special kind of person to develop, market, sell, etc., these types of projects - not for the faint of heart!
I’ll just end this review by recommending this book for all those interested in learning the sordid details behind bringing these skyscrapers into existence, but also with the realization that you’ll learn a lot about this real estate industry and the power players within it - which may not always be the most sensational read, but it is nonetheless a very informative one.
Also, a quote from the inside jacket of Billionaires’ Row: “a juicy, gimlet-eyed account of the genius, greed, and financial one-upmanship behind the most expensive real estate in the world - a stranger-than-fiction saga of broken partnerships, broken marriages, lawsuits, and, for a few, fleeting triumph.
That sums it up neatly.
August 7, 2023
Billionaires Row by Katherine Clarke could have been a gossipy takedown of the obscene world of luxury real estate in Manhattan. Instead it is a well-reported look at that obscene world. The writing is well-paced and makes circa very readable book. It’s very difficult to feel bad for these developers that’s for sure.
October 28, 2023
Interesting, but a lil bit boring at the same time if ya know what I mean
July 30, 2023
This book is the biography of 5 iconic New York City buildings that were recently constructed, as well as the developers behind them. The buildings are the pinnacle of ostentation, and their egos are almost as big as their builders. These super-tall luxury condo buildings would break records in the real estate market but would also be the source of many headaches. We learn about the men who develop the concepts, the design and construction process, sales and marketing, and the who’s who of real estate market. The financing aspects of the real estate deals were a bit beyond me, and I lost interest when petty squabbling during the economic downturn became a major part of the narrative. But the glimpses of ultra luxury were decadent and I feel like I learned some interesting things about New York City itself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway.
May 16, 2024
This book is quintessential New York, with large egos, extremely large amounts of money thrown around and financial and regulatory hurdles aplenty. I found it very entertaining and read it like a thriller. The author was effective in crafting a gripping and compelling narrative around the key players and the different buildings that were being profiled while still drawing out broader themes. I felt this juxtaposition across the different approaches made the book more engaging since I did not need to have direct experience to have something to compare, contrast and relate to. Moreover, I felt the background on the individuals covered in the book was very helpful to understand their motivations and the different approaches that they each took while trying to achieve a similar aim. Beyond just reciting facts, I also enjoyed the critical lens which the author brought, providing an interpretation and judgement of the choices that were made while providing enough information for the reader to reach their own conclusions. Another particularly strong aspect was the willingness of the author to delve into the details of the financial transactions to better convey the incentives and extreme risks that were involved in these deals.
In my opinion the main flaw was that the sections did not seem to provide a clear or accurate overarching structure for the book. It was also difficult at times to track what was happening contemporaneously with the different projects and a more explicit timeline could have helped this.
Overall, this book blended many of my interests and left me entertained, inspired and eager to engage more with the subject matter.
In my opinion the main flaw was that the sections did not seem to provide a clear or accurate overarching structure for the book. It was also difficult at times to track what was happening contemporaneously with the different projects and a more explicit timeline could have helped this.
Overall, this book blended many of my interests and left me entertained, inspired and eager to engage more with the subject matter.
July 25, 2024
An absolutely fascinating view into the life of the .01%
January 25, 2024
A fascinating, niche read if you're into NYC history, real estate, real estate history, NYC real estate, or work in the real estate industry.
January 18, 2024
It is unreal how the mega- rich live and spend.
September 7, 2023
Kind of book that leads you down the road of checking out other characters from the book and wanting to learn even more about all aspects of how these massive sky towers came to be. Normally I don't say this but book could have been twice as long.
What my 👂 heard below
Gen 11:4
The signs of Urban decay were intense
It's using the same wounded tone
My strategy is built on where markets are headed and it's designed to win tomorrow
Should we openly discuss financials?
Take good care of my money
Don't get into an argument with someone who buys ink by the barrel
No stranger to risk
I have a track record of murky business dealings
What my 👂 heard below
Gen 11:4
The signs of Urban decay were intense
It's using the same wounded tone
My strategy is built on where markets are headed and it's designed to win tomorrow
Should we openly discuss financials?
Take good care of my money
Don't get into an argument with someone who buys ink by the barrel
No stranger to risk
I have a track record of murky business dealings
July 11, 2023
compelling story of the heights of NY residential real estate
Great details
Good story line
Well written
Page turner
Takes you behind the scenes of the people and process for building the billion dollar residential buildings in NYC. A page Turner.
Great details
Good story line
Well written
Page turner
Takes you behind the scenes of the people and process for building the billion dollar residential buildings in NYC. A page Turner.
May 17, 2024
First of all, how did I not know about this building boom in New York? Second, this was a really well written and completely accessible look at this strange moment in time. Clark strikes a delicate balance between trying to understand the motivations of the major players and highlighting the insanity of this kind of luxury. She also clearly understands the “New York-ness” of it all.
April 20, 2025
It’s a niche book in that it’s about the property developers, financiers and urban politics that influence the development of super high-rise buildings in New York. And is only tangentially about the *actual billionaires* who buy apartments (even if not living in them).
BUT if that sounds like your thing then this is worth reading - the personalities involved are obviously ridiculous, and the financial chicanery that goes into constructing these sort of buildings is genuinely interesting even if you end up realising how poorly we allocate human talent and hard work towards anything that matters.
The book itself ends up feeling a bit hollow - some of these buildings are better than others, seemingly no-one lives in lots of them (which does beg the question…*why are you buying this amazing home if you won’t live in it*). But it does what you’d expect.
BUT if that sounds like your thing then this is worth reading - the personalities involved are obviously ridiculous, and the financial chicanery that goes into constructing these sort of buildings is genuinely interesting even if you end up realising how poorly we allocate human talent and hard work towards anything that matters.
The book itself ends up feeling a bit hollow - some of these buildings are better than others, seemingly no-one lives in lots of them (which does beg the question…*why are you buying this amazing home if you won’t live in it*). But it does what you’d expect.
February 21, 2024
Great biography of 5 iconic super tall NYC ( condos with commercial space) buildings that were recently constructed and the developers behind them as well as their very large egos. This book was well researched by Katherine Clarke, a real estate reporter for the Wall Street Journal.
It was fascinating to learn the history of what was and now is, what air rights are and how it is bought and sold in real estate in NYC, how these buildings actually get built and who actually lives in them.
It was fascinating to learn the history of what was and now is, what air rights are and how it is bought and sold in real estate in NYC, how these buildings actually get built and who actually lives in them.
January 24, 2024
The book was different than I expected; I thought it was a book about the architecture and construction of the buildings while it is more focused on the personalities involved. So, while it was not what I was looking for, I'm sure it is of interest to those who want to know about the characters and challenges they faced. ... jb
February 11, 2024
While the book is very thoroughly researched and manages to stay engaging with anecdotes throughout, I would have rather read an article about this topic instead of listening to a whole book.
March 9, 2024
DNF at 66%. I personally could not get into this book, but I think for a certain audience it would be very informative.
September 14, 2024
this book is like if the characters in Succession were 40% older and about 40% as entertaining
Want to read
August 11, 2023FT review
Billionaires' Row — the men behind Manhattan's skinny skyscrapers | Financial Times https://www.ft.com/content/d2c166c9-a...
Billionaires' Row — the men behind Manhattan's skinny skyscrapers | Financial Times https://www.ft.com/content/d2c166c9-a...
February 18, 2024
Well written and helped reader understand the core challenges and complexities of building in nyc and some of the reasons that motivate the buyers of these units. But she didn’t over whelm with all the specifics. I enjoyed format of being able to see the similarities and contrasts of the major developers behind these 5 buildings.
March 17, 2024
First half of the book is great, with concise summaries of: 1) the Manhattan real estate market; 2) the unique financial structures and zoning rules necessary to build skyscrapers there; 3) the history of the buildings being demolished, and the people who lived there; 4) biographies of the flamboyant property developers organizing each tower, and the uber-rich expats who want to buy in to these towers.
The book drags in the second half, getting bogged down in gossip about litigation between particular developers and financers when some of the towers turn out to be less profitable than expected. I could care less at that point. The reading experience also resembled a series of newspaper articles strung together. I think the author copy-pasted her reporting on this topic over the past decade, then went back to her sources to see if they had more tea to spill about the he-said sheikh-said. As an alternative to reading the book, I recommend the Booknotes+ interview with the author, which contains most of the book's best anecdotes. Or perusing several excellent video essays about New York and Billionaire's Row by The B1M Youtube Channel. - 3/17/24
The book drags in the second half, getting bogged down in gossip about litigation between particular developers and financers when some of the towers turn out to be less profitable than expected. I could care less at that point. The reading experience also resembled a series of newspaper articles strung together. I think the author copy-pasted her reporting on this topic over the past decade, then went back to her sources to see if they had more tea to spill about the he-said sheikh-said. As an alternative to reading the book, I recommend the Booknotes+ interview with the author, which contains most of the book's best anecdotes. Or perusing several excellent video essays about New York and Billionaire's Row by The B1M Youtube Channel. - 3/17/24
October 4, 2023
Fun read, interesting anecdotes
January 29, 2024
Was pleasantly surprised. This turned out to be a fantastic read on NYC Real Estate markets, represents a slice of luxury RE markets.
December 22, 2023
KATHERINE CLARKE - BILLIONAIRES' ROW 8/10
Book 50 of 2023
In her compelling book, "Billionaires’ Row," Katherine Clarke unveils the enthralling narrative of how a group of relentless real-estate tycoons transformed the dilapidated stretch of Midtown's 57th Street into the world's most exclusive address with towering "supertalls."
Clarke's account, filled with captivating anecdotes, vividly illustrates the era of escalating wealth inequality. "Billionaires’ Row" is a discerning and riveting exploration of the cunning, avarice, and financial gamesmanship that underpin the planet's priciest real estate, a narrative stranger than fiction, marked by fractured partnerships, failed marriages, legal battles, and fleeting triumphs.
This work of financial journalism offers a poignant reflection on the current landscape of staggering inequality, serving as a revealing exposé of the extremes inherent in America's form of capitalism. "Billionaires’ Row" not only provides a front-row seat to the genius and greed driving these architectural marvels but also serves as a cautionary tale about the far-reaching consequences of allowing extreme wealth to shape the foundations of our society. The lessons gleaned from this narrative may extend beyond real estate, resonating as a poignant warning applicable to domains like higher education.
Clarke's work stands as a powerful commentary on the potential and pitfalls of our capitalist system, urging readers to contemplate the broader implications of unfettered wealth in shaping our societal structures.
Book 50 of 2023
In her compelling book, "Billionaires’ Row," Katherine Clarke unveils the enthralling narrative of how a group of relentless real-estate tycoons transformed the dilapidated stretch of Midtown's 57th Street into the world's most exclusive address with towering "supertalls."
Clarke's account, filled with captivating anecdotes, vividly illustrates the era of escalating wealth inequality. "Billionaires’ Row" is a discerning and riveting exploration of the cunning, avarice, and financial gamesmanship that underpin the planet's priciest real estate, a narrative stranger than fiction, marked by fractured partnerships, failed marriages, legal battles, and fleeting triumphs.
This work of financial journalism offers a poignant reflection on the current landscape of staggering inequality, serving as a revealing exposé of the extremes inherent in America's form of capitalism. "Billionaires’ Row" not only provides a front-row seat to the genius and greed driving these architectural marvels but also serves as a cautionary tale about the far-reaching consequences of allowing extreme wealth to shape the foundations of our society. The lessons gleaned from this narrative may extend beyond real estate, resonating as a poignant warning applicable to domains like higher education.
Clarke's work stands as a powerful commentary on the potential and pitfalls of our capitalist system, urging readers to contemplate the broader implications of unfettered wealth in shaping our societal structures.
January 7, 2024
No particularly insightful takeaways here besides billionaires’ worlds are on a different plane of reality
August 24, 2023
Not as interesting as you'd hope, although I struggle to pinpoint exactly why. There's not a striking amount of insider access or account, perhaps. It does the job, but a little perfunctorily.
September 4, 2023
3.5 stars, really interesting
October 28, 2023
4.5 out 5. A bit niche area so I won’t go to 5 because it may not be for everyone but really fascinating read and well told story on the development of NYC high rise luxury housing.
January 15, 2024
The view from my dining room used to be what realtors in New York call an open-city view. Water tanks, church steeples, parapeted penthouses, one roof deck… but if you knew where to look, you could see, at night, the illuminated top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, a 70-story building that is 50 blocks distant. And from my apartment’s single east-facing window, you could see the top few floors of 731 Lexington Avenue, a 55-story building where Bloomberg L.P. is headquartered.
But in the last decade, my view has been transformed with the emergence of three supertall skyscrapers that are, by definition, more than 1,000 feet in height. These buildings are One57, the Steinway Tower (111 West 57th), and 432 Park Avenue and I like them because they have defeated an otherwise dull and unfocused view. In what was a utilitarian vista of rooftops, they are new and flashy hotspots.
In her enjoyable BILLIONAIRES’ ROW, Katherine Clark tells the stories, as well as provides the backstories, of these three supertalls, as well as two other supertalls—220 Central Park South and Central Park Tower—that are blocked from my view by a 30-story mediocrity at 96th and Broadway. Interestingly, the developers of only two of these buildings—Gary Barnett and One57 and Steve Roth at 220 Central Park South—made money.
So, what are these buildings? Well, they certainly are powerful statements, with three of these buildings—111, 432, and 220—quite beautiful. And yes, they spire over Central Park. But they don’t overpower the park; instead, they just happen to be very tall buildings that seem, more than anything, to be in competition with each other.
On the other hand, I can’t say that I like to walk by these buildings, three of them on 57th Street, because they have an aura of exclusivity. And they are, in fact, designed to be off-putting at street level, with the hoi polloi not invited. But this is not new to New York, with, say, the pre-war apartment buildings on Park Avenue—where you are also not invited—guarded by phalanxes of doormen and porters. I suppose what differentiates these supertalls from Park Avenue is their brazen ostentatiousness.
Regardless, this is a good book and maybe definitive about the appeal these buildings. Clark, btw, traces the existence of these building and their appeal back to the seminal Trump Tower on 56th and Fifth, which opened in 1983. For that building, Trump never intended to compete for buyers with the snobby cooperatives on Park Avenue. Instead, he wanted to sell to the showy Italian guy who drives a red sports car and owns a business and has a much younger wife. From the start, you see, Trump wanted to sell to foreigners and vulgarians, and he had the smarts to realize that this demographic is large enough to support a handful of luxurious tall buildings. From this perspective, these supertalls are reminiscent of Trumps casinos, which are infamous for their bankruptcies.
Ethan, stop griping, already!
Rounded up and recommended.
But in the last decade, my view has been transformed with the emergence of three supertall skyscrapers that are, by definition, more than 1,000 feet in height. These buildings are One57, the Steinway Tower (111 West 57th), and 432 Park Avenue and I like them because they have defeated an otherwise dull and unfocused view. In what was a utilitarian vista of rooftops, they are new and flashy hotspots.
In her enjoyable BILLIONAIRES’ ROW, Katherine Clark tells the stories, as well as provides the backstories, of these three supertalls, as well as two other supertalls—220 Central Park South and Central Park Tower—that are blocked from my view by a 30-story mediocrity at 96th and Broadway. Interestingly, the developers of only two of these buildings—Gary Barnett and One57 and Steve Roth at 220 Central Park South—made money.
So, what are these buildings? Well, they certainly are powerful statements, with three of these buildings—111, 432, and 220—quite beautiful. And yes, they spire over Central Park. But they don’t overpower the park; instead, they just happen to be very tall buildings that seem, more than anything, to be in competition with each other.
On the other hand, I can’t say that I like to walk by these buildings, three of them on 57th Street, because they have an aura of exclusivity. And they are, in fact, designed to be off-putting at street level, with the hoi polloi not invited. But this is not new to New York, with, say, the pre-war apartment buildings on Park Avenue—where you are also not invited—guarded by phalanxes of doormen and porters. I suppose what differentiates these supertalls from Park Avenue is their brazen ostentatiousness.
Regardless, this is a good book and maybe definitive about the appeal these buildings. Clark, btw, traces the existence of these building and their appeal back to the seminal Trump Tower on 56th and Fifth, which opened in 1983. For that building, Trump never intended to compete for buyers with the snobby cooperatives on Park Avenue. Instead, he wanted to sell to the showy Italian guy who drives a red sports car and owns a business and has a much younger wife. From the start, you see, Trump wanted to sell to foreigners and vulgarians, and he had the smarts to realize that this demographic is large enough to support a handful of luxurious tall buildings. From this perspective, these supertalls are reminiscent of Trumps casinos, which are infamous for their bankruptcies.
Ethan, stop griping, already!
Rounded up and recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews