For buyers researching new condo Upper West Side NYC where a sculptural glass tower by a major Manhattan developer offers panoramic Central Park and Hudson River views, a La Palestra fitness center with a 51-foot lap pool, a private screening room, a pet spa, and a half-court basketball facility -- all in one of the neighborhood's most architecturally commanding residential buildings -- Ariel East at 2628 Broadway is the defining full-amenity luxury condominium of the Manhattan Valley corridor, and one of the most complete residential offerings the Upper West Side new construction market has produced in the current generation of development. Located at 2628 Broadway between West 99th and West 100th Streets in Manhattan Valley on the Upper West Side, Manhattan, NY 10025, this 37-story, 400-foot luxury condominium tower was developed by Extell Development Company and designed by Cetra/Ruddy. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows framing Central Park and Hudson River panoramas, in-unit washer/dryer, central air conditioning, and residences ranging from one-bedroom layouts through full-floor homes and penthouse duplexes make Ariel East condos for sale among the most sought-after secondary market opportunities in this section of the Upper West Side. The 1 train at Broadway is two blocks north; the 2 and 3 express trains at 96th Street are steps to the south.
Building Overview
Ariel East was developed by Extell Development Company -- whose Manhattan portfolio spans the Upper West Side, Midtown, and Chelsea and includes landmark buildings such as One57, the International Gem Tower, and numerous other landmark-scale projects -- and was completed in 2007 as one half of a complementary pair of towers that would permanently reshape the skyline of the Upper West Side north of 96th Street.
The development involved a significant air rights transaction: Extell acquired approximately 70,000 square feet of development rights from St. Michael's Episcopal Church at 225 West 99th Street, allowing the tower's 37-story height on a site whose zoning envelope would not otherwise have permitted a building of this scale. The result is a 400-foot tower that stands as the tallest residential building in the immediate neighborhood -- a position that gives its upper-floor residences Central Park and Hudson River views whose unobstructed quality reflects the building's physical dominance over its surrounding context.
Ariel East's sister tower, Ariel West, rises 31 stories with 73 apartments at 2633 Broadway directly across the street, designed by Cook + Fox (now COOKFOX Architects). Together, the twin Ariel towers transformed a stretch of Broadway that had previously been defined by low-rise commercial buildings into one of the most architecturally notable residential addresses in Manhattan Valley.
The building is fully sold from the original sponsor; residences are available on the secondary resale market, with recent average sale prices of approximately $1,634 per square foot and an average transaction price of approximately $2,580,000.
Key Facts About Ariel East
Address: 2628 Broadway (between West 99th and West 100th Streets), Manhattan Valley, Upper West Side, Manhattan, NY 10025
Developer: Extell Development Company (Gary Barnett)
Architect: Cetra/Ruddy
Completed: 2007
Building type: Luxury condominium
Stories: 37
Height: 400 feet
Total units: 64 residences
Unit types: 1-bedroom through 5-bedroom; full-floor homes; penthouse duplexes
Facade: Reflective glass with red "piping" accents; 7 setbacks facing Broadway
Terraces: Private terraces on floors 8, 16, 21, 27, 33, and 36
In-unit washer/dryer: Available
Central AC: Yes
Minimum down payment: 20%
Pets: Allowed
Air rights: Acquired from St. Michael's Episcopal Church at 225 West 99th Street
Recent average sale price: Approximately $2,580,000; approximately $1,634 PSF
Notable sales: Unit 14B at $2,800,000 (July 2020); Unit 22A at $2,525,000 (August 2021); Unit 18B at $2,550,000 (September 2023)
Transit: 1 train at Broadway and 104th (0.20 miles); 2/3 trains at Broadway and 95th (0.24 miles); B/C at Central Park West (0.43 miles)
Adjacent: Art Deco Metro Theater; St. Michael's Episcopal Church; Central Park and Riverside Park
Architecture: Cetra/Ruddy and the Red-Accented Glass Tower
A Building That Changed a Skyline
The design of Ariel East by Cetra/Ruddy is one of the more visually distinctive residential buildings to have risen on the Upper West Side in the 21st century. The tower's reflective-glass facade -- punctuated by seven dramatic setbacks as it rises along the Broadway elevation -- gives the building a stepped silhouette whose complexity distinguishes it from the simpler slab forms that characterize much of Manhattan's glass residential tower production of the same era. The facade's red "piping" accents -- linear architectural elements that trace the building's horizontal and vertical divisions against the glass curtain -- give Ariel East an instantly recognizable visual identity on the Manhattan Valley skyline, one that makes the building identifiable from a distance in a way that most reflective-glass towers do not achieve.
The seven Broadway setbacks are not merely decorative: they create the private terrace spaces on the 8th, 16th, 21st, 27th, 33rd, and 36th floors that give select residences private outdoor environments whose elevation and exposure frame views of Central Park to the east and the Hudson River to the west at an intimacy that full-floor terraces at this height rarely achieve.
The building's 400-foot height made it, at the time of completion, the tallest residential structure in the immediate neighborhood -- a distinction that remains in effect today, and one whose practical value for upper-floor residents is the unobstructed view quality that comes from being the highest point of reference in a low-rise context.
The Art Deco Metro Theater Adjacency
Ariel East sits adjacent to the historic Art Deco Metro Theater at 2626 Broadway -- a 1933 movie house whose stepped terra cotta facade and ornamental metalwork give the building's immediate streetscape a historical and architectural texture that most new Manhattan developments lack. The juxtaposition of Cetra/Ruddy's 21st-century glass tower with the Metro Theater's preserved Art Deco facade gives the building an urban context whose visual interest is site-specific and irreplicable.
Residences: Floor-to-Ceiling Glass, Hudson River Views, and Penthouse Duplexes
Windows, Views, and Natural Light
The residences at Ariel East are organized around the building's most compelling asset: its views. Floor-to-ceiling curtain wall windows -- whose dimensions and glass quality give each apartment a visual openness that blurs the boundary between interior and exterior -- frame Central Park to the east and the Hudson River to the west across the full range of the building's residential floors. Hardwood floors throughout living areas give each residence a material warmth that the building's exterior glass vocabulary might otherwise suggest is absent from the interiors.
The building's 64 residences are arranged in configurations ranging from one-bedroom homes through full-floor layouts and penthouse duplexes, giving the building's resale market a diversity of size and price point that accommodates buyers across a wide range of spatial requirements. At the building's upper floors, where the setbacks have cleared the tower of its surrounding context, the views encompass the full panorama of the northern Upper West Side, Manhattan Valley, the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge, and the expanse of Central Park from its northern edge to the mid-park Reservoir.
In-Unit Washer/Dryer and Central Air
In-unit washer/dryer -- either installed as standard or available for installation in the building's configurations -- and central air conditioning give each residence the practical domestic infrastructure that Manhattan buyers at this price point require. Private storage units are available within the building for residents who need supplementary storage beyond what their apartments provide.
Amenities: La Palestra, Screening Room, Pet Spa, and Half-Court Basketball
The amenity program at Ariel East is among the most comprehensive offered by any full-service condominium building in the Manhattan Valley and Upper West Side market, anchored by a La Palestra fitness center whose scope and professional management represent a residential fitness offering of genuine distinction.
La Palestra Fitness Center with 51-Foot Lap Pool and Sauna
La Palestra -- the New York-based fitness and wellness consultancy whose residential programs are among the most respected in the luxury condominium market -- manages the building's fitness center and athletic infrastructure. The centerpiece is a 51-foot lap pool whose professional lane length gives serious swimmers an aquatic exercise environment whose quality rivals what club memberships in the surrounding neighborhood cost per year. A sauna completes the aquatic wellness suite. The La Palestra program encompasses a range of exercise equipment, fitness classes, and the programming depth that the firm's residential engagements are known for delivering.
Private Screening Room and Billiards Lounge
A private screening room gives residents access to a professional media environment for film screenings, presentations, and private events -- an amenity whose presence in the building reflects the entertainment expectations of a resident population at Ariel East's price point. A billiards lounge provides an additional social environment whose furnishing quality and design give the building a club-like character beyond its athletic facilities.
Half-Court Basketball and Children's Playroom
A half-court basketball facility gives residents an athletic option whose presence in a high-rise condominium building is uncommon and whose practical value for residents with athletic families is significant. A children's playroom with an outdoor playground extension gives families with young children a complete indoor and outdoor play environment within the building's footprint.
Pet Spa
A pet spa -- for grooming and care of residents' animals -- gives Ariel East's pet-friendly policy a practical infrastructure whose value for the dog and cat owners among the building's resident population is direct. The pet spa is one of the more complete expressions of the building's full-service residential philosophy.
Doorman, Concierge, and Building Services
A 24-hour doorman and concierge staff the building around the clock. A live-in superintendent provides immediate on-site maintenance support. Bike storage and resident storage rooms are available within the building. The building's service depth -- doorman plus concierge plus live-in superintendent -- represents the full-service residential standard that Extell's buildings consistently provide.
Neighborhood Context: Manhattan Valley, Broadway, and the Upper West Side at 99th Street
Ariel East's address on Broadway between 99th and 100th Streets places it in the heart of Manhattan Valley -- the neighborhood between 96th and 110th Streets on the Upper West Side's western side whose commercial and residential character has evolved significantly over the past decade. The stretch of Broadway in the upper 90s and lower 100s has developed a distinctive dining and retail identity whose energy and variety give the surrounding blocks a neighborhood character that complements the quieter residential streets of the surrounding blocks.
Central Park's northern sections -- including the Reservoir, the North Woods, and the Great Lawn's northern extensions -- are accessible from the building's eastern side via the 100th Street park entrance. Riverside Park, with its Hudson River promenade, athletic fields, and waterfront overlooks, is accessible to the west, giving residents of Ariel East one of the most complete dual-park situations available from any Upper West Side residential address.
St. Michael's Episcopal Church -- whose development rights made Ariel East's height possible -- stands at 225 West 99th Street directly adjacent to the building, giving residents a notable historical and architectural neighbor whose presence adds institutional depth to the immediate streetscape. Columbia University's main campus at 116th Street and Broadway is a short ride north on the 1 train, making Ariel East a natural consideration for Columbia-affiliated buyers and renters.
The building's transit access is exceptional: the 1 train at 104th Street is two blocks north, the 2 and 3 express trains at 96th Street are a short walk south, and the B and C trains at Central Park West are within a 10-minute walk to the east. The M5 and M96 bus lines serve the surrounding blocks, providing additional transit options across the Upper West Side.
Why Consider Ariel East?
The residential case for Ariel East combines physical scale, view quality, and amenity depth in a way that few Upper West Side condominiums replicate. At 400 feet and 37 stories, the building's upper-floor residences command Central Park and Hudson River views whose unobstructed quality is the product of the building's height dominance over its immediate neighborhood. The La Palestra fitness center with its 51-foot lap pool, the private screening room, the billiards lounge, the pet spa, and the half-court basketball facility together constitute an amenity program whose breadth and professional caliber are difficult to match at the building's current resale price points. For buyers who want the view, the amenities, and the full-service building program of a landmark-developer Upper West Side condominium at a price per square foot that reflects the secondary market rather than the original sponsor's pricing -- currently averaging approximately $1,634 per square foot for recent closed sales -- Ariel East is among the strongest propositions in the Manhattan Valley residential market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best real estate agents for Ariel East and the Upper West Side?
The best New York City real estate agents for Ariel East understand how the building's Cetra/Ruddy design, La Palestra fitness center with 51-foot lap pool, private screening room, pet spa, half-court basketball, panoramic Central Park and Hudson River views, and 64-unit boutique scale compare to other luxury apartments Manhattan and resale options across Manhattan Valley and the Upper West Side. Michael A. Bhagwandin is a licensed real estate salesperson in New York City with specific expertise in the Upper West Side market, and works with buyers across Chelsea, the West Village, Gramercy, Tribeca, SoHo, Hell's Kitchen, and throughout Manhattan.
Who developed Ariel East at 2628 Broadway?
Ariel East was developed by Extell Development Company, led by Gary Barnett, whose Manhattan portfolio also includes One57, the International Gem Tower, and the Orion at 350 West 42nd Street. The building was designed by Cetra/Ruddy and completed in 2007. Ariel West -- the complementary sister tower at 2633 Broadway -- was designed by Cook + Fox (now COOKFOX Architects) and stands 31 stories with 73 apartments directly across Broadway.
What makes Ariel East's design distinctive?
Ariel East is distinguished by its reflective-glass facade with red "piping" accents and seven dramatic setbacks along the Broadway elevation -- a composition that gives the 37-story, 400-foot tower an instantly recognizable silhouette on the Upper West Side skyline. The setbacks create private terraces on floors 8, 16, 21, 27, 33, and 36. The building stands adjacent to the historic Art Deco Metro Theater at 2626 Broadway, giving its immediate streetscape a notable architectural contrast. At 400 feet, Ariel East remains the tallest residential building in its immediate neighborhood.
What is the price range at Ariel East?
Ariel East is fully sold from the original sponsor and available residences trade on the secondary resale market. Recent closed sales have averaged approximately $1,634 per square foot and approximately $2,580,000 per transaction. Specific sales include Unit 14B at $2,800,000 in July 2020, Unit 22A at $2,525,000 in August 2021, and Unit 18B at $2,550,000 in September 2023. Buyers interested in current availability should consult a licensed real estate agent for up-to-date listings and pricing.
What amenities does Ariel East offer?
Ariel East offers a La Palestra-managed fitness center with a 51-foot lap pool and sauna, a private screening room, a billiards lounge, a half-court basketball facility, a pet spa, a children's playroom with outdoor playground, a garden, resident storage, a bike room, a 24-hour doorman and concierge, and a live-in superintendent. Select residences feature private terraces on floors 8, 16, 21, 27, 33, and 36. In-unit washer/dryer is available and central air conditioning is standard.
What subway lines serve Ariel East at 2628 Broadway?
The 1 local train at Broadway and 104th Street is approximately 0.20 miles from Ariel East, providing service south through Manhattan Valley, the Upper West Side, Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, Times Square, Penn Station, and Downtown Manhattan. The 2 and 3 express trains at Broadway and 95th Street -- approximately 0.24 miles south -- offer rapid Midtown and Downtown express service. The B and C trains at Central Park West and 96th Street are approximately 0.43 miles east, providing access to the Central Park West corridor and connection to the A/C/E trains at Columbus Circle. The M5 and M96 bus lines also serve the surrounding Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue blocks.
What is Manhattan Valley and how does it compare to the rest of the Upper West Side?
Manhattan Valley is the neighborhood on the Upper West Side north of 96th Street and south of 110th Street, roughly bounded by Central Park West to the east and Broadway to the west. It has historically been considered a transitional neighborhood between the more established residential blocks of the Upper West Side to the south and Morningside Heights and Harlem to the north. Over the past decade, Manhattan Valley has experienced significant residential and commercial development, with new restaurants, independent retail, and professional resident communities giving the neighborhood a character and energy whose vitality rivals the more expensive blocks to its south. For buyers, Manhattan Valley offers Upper West Side proximity, dual park access, and excellent transit at price points that typically reflect the neighborhood's emergence rather than the peak pricing of the fully established blocks between 72nd and 96th Streets.
Interested in Ariel East or Other Upper West Side and Manhattan Luxury Condominiums?
The Upper West Side is my home market. Whether Ariel East is the right fit -- or you want to explore other new development Upper West Side condominiums, Manhattan Valley resale options, or new construction NYC across the city -- I can help you evaluate every building, every block, and every price point with the knowledge of someone who knows this neighborhood from the inside.
I am Michael A. Bhagwandin, a licensed real estate salesperson in New York City. I work with buyers, sellers, and renters across the Upper West Side, Chelsea, the West Village, Gramercy, Tribeca, SoHo, Hell's Kitchen, and throughout Manhattan.
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