Words: Jonathan Wells
To join a private members club is to live the high life. Around the world — from The Carnegie Club in Scotland’s Skibo Castle to Carlyle & Co. on Hong Kong’s Kowloon Peninsula — these dens of decadence, perks and privilege are hidden behind firmly closed doors; the reserve and preserve of the influential and wealthy.
But the highest of these high-life haunts is to be found on the island of Manhattan. In New York City, where clubs including The Union and The Metropolitan have been in rude health for centuries, the Central Park Club has this year become the most elevated private members club in the world.
It’s the pinnacle of luxury living; the crowning glory of Central Park Tower — itself the tallest residential building in the world and home to 179 ultra-luxury condominiums. The stylish, sky-scraping club sits over 1,000 feet above Billionaires’ Row, and features 50,000 square feet of luxe, lavishly-appointed real estate spread across three floors.
The white-glove, five-star service begins on the tower’s 100th floor — which spans more than 8,300 square feet, and has been fitted and kitted out by internationally celebrated architecture firm Rottet Studio, the same enterprise that expertly curated the building’s resplendent residential interiors.
This opulent, elevated floor features a grand ballroom for private events, with seating for more than 120 people. There’s also a handsome bar and restaurant serving seasonal menus from Michelin-starred chefs including Alfred Portale, Laurent Tourndel and Gabriel Kreuther — as well as a wine and cigar lounge with 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline, the Hudson and East Rivers and Central Park itself.
Other affluent amenities include access to Central Park Tower’s ‘Terrace’ level, which offers members the use of a 60-foot outdoor swimming pool, sun deck and cabanas, private garden, gas grill and bar, fireplace and screening wall. This same floor features a residents’ lounge complete with billiards table, private screening space, games room and conference centre.
Two floors above those facilities, you’ll find the fitness perks of a Central Park Club membership; a 63-foot indoor saltwater swimming pool and spa with fitness and wellness centre. There’s a squash court, a half-basketball court, steam rooms and saunas — and even a private treatment room if you pull a muscle during a particularly overenthusiastic straight drive.
But the masterstroke of the club? Enlisting ‘lifestyle advisor’ Colin Cowie to orchestrate and generate a specific ambience for the Central Park Club. Up on the 100th floor, the atmosphere of the space changes as the day draws on; with lights that adapt to the setting sun, music that builds in tempo as the evening rolls around and custom seasonal scents diffused throughout.
It’s a well-considered, thoroughly-crafted space; a place where one-percenters can come to unwind and fine-dine all-year-round. And, from such a lofty, luxurious vantage point, they’ll be watching the world go by in style.
Want more high-flying real estate? Step inside Johnny Depp’s old Los Angeles penthouse…
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