Press

Sales have launched at The Willow, a new boutique condominium on the corner of Third Avenue and East 23rd Street in the heart of Gramercy. The first public availabilities start at $1.3 million for one-bedrooms, $2.2 million for two-bedrooms, and $4.2 million for three-bedrooms. The 69 residences include four half-floor penthouses and one full-floor penthouse, but none of these are on the market yet.

The Willow's design by COOKFOX pays homage to historic Gramercy architecture with a hand-laid red brick facade, and details like arched bays and oversized windows create a sense of warmth and sophistication. The launch comes on the heels of developer Naftali Group's most recent successes on the Upper West Side (The Henry), the Upper East Side (255 East 77th Street), and in Brooklyn (One Williamsburg Wharf).

Select units have private terraces or loggias, and all interiors by Rockwell Group feature serene color palettes, abundant natural light, wide-plank white oak flooring, and luxurious finishes throughout. Kitchens come equipped with honed quartz countertops and backsplashes, custom millwork cabinetry, and Miele appliance suites. Primary baths feature honed Iced Grey stone-slab countertops, radiant floor heating, and Waterworks fixtures.

Residents of The Willow arrive to an attended jewel-box lobby with a custom stone-patterned floor and an artisan-made reception desk. It sets the tone for a thoughtfully curated amenity package that includes a fitness center with cedar-clad sauna, a nautical-themed children's playroom, a screening room, the Glamercy Room music lounge with a professional recording studio and an extensive vinyl collection, and the speakeasy-inspired Mermaid Room lounge. The rooftop terrace offers grilling stations, dining and lounging areas, and panoramic Manhattan views.

Designer David Rockwell drew inspiration for The Willow's amenity spaces from Manhattan's storied past of exclusive private clubs and Prohibition-era speakeasies. This intimate, club-like atmosphere comes through to great effect in a light-filled library with a sleek contemporary fireplace and elegant bookshelves. There are multiple seating areas inside, and the library opens directly onto a beautifully landscaped courtyard garden by Future Green.

The Willow's sales launch comes at a time when the death of physical books has been greatly exaggerated. Independent bookstores across New York City are destinations for locals and tourists alike, and some influential social media accounts (hello, BookTok!) are forums for showing off new books and special editions of old favorites alike. Moreover, in many a luxury real estate listing, glossy coffee table books are pictured as decor for the high-end spaces.

This trend has not escaped New York City residential developers’ attention. High-end developers are allocating precious square footage from common areas and dedicating them to elegant, activated libraries. Beyond that, they are seeking outside experts to curate the libraries, creating literary gems sprinkled throughout the city. We look at buildings with beautifully curated and appointed libraries, and pair them with books about New York City's architecture and urban life.