At 100 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022, Selene rises above the corner of Lexington Avenue and East 53rd Street as one of Midtown East's most architecturally significant contemporary residential towers. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the approximately 711-foot skyscraper contains 94 condominium residences and stands beside some of the most important examples of modern architecture in New York City.
For buyers researching new development Manhattan, a new condo Midtown East NYC, or luxury apartments Manhattan, Selene offers a rare combination of globally recognized architecture, a central location, extensive wellness amenities, and immediate access to Midtown's business, dining, shopping, and transportation network.
Selene at 100 East 53rd Street at a Glance
Selene is a slender residential tower designed by Foster + Partners. The building was originally completed before its 2022 relaunch under the Selene name, when a new sales campaign introduced the property to buyers with redesigned positioning and immediate occupancy.
The condominium sponsor is an affiliate of Vanke US.
Building overview:
Current name: Selene
Address: 100 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Architect: Foster + Partners, led by Norman Foster
Sponsor: Affiliate of Vanke US
Height: Approximately 711 feet
Stories: 63
Residences: 94 condominiums
Layouts: One-bedroom through full-floor residences
Building type: Luxury condominium
Selene relaunch: 2022
Original Selene pricing: From approximately $1.875 million
Amenities: 60-foot swimming pool, fitness and wellness facilities, sauna, steam room, spa treatment rooms, residents' club and library
Restaurant: Elevator access to Le Jardinier
The tower's location also places it directly across Lexington Avenue from the former Citigroup Center and immediately behind the landmark Seagram Building.
Norman Foster Architecture in Midtown Manhattan
Architecture is one of Selene's strongest selling points.
Foster + Partners created a slender reinforced-concrete tower wrapped in an undulating glass curtain wall. Rather than appearing completely flat, the facade creates a changing pattern of reflections and vertical movement as light passes across it.
At approximately 711 feet tall, the tower is substantial without reaching the extreme heights of Billionaires' Row.
Its position is equally significant.
The building sits close to Mies van der Rohe's Seagram Building, one of the most influential modern office towers ever constructed. Nearby landmarks also include Lever House and other notable examples of Midtown's postwar architecture.
For an architecture-focused buyer, owning at Selene means living within a particularly concentrated collection of New York modernism.
Inside the Residences at Selene
The residences continue the building's modernist character.
Homes range from pied-à-terre-friendly one-bedroom apartments to expansive full-floor residences.
Depending on the unit, features can include:
Floor-to-ceiling windows
Ceiling heights reaching approximately 11 feet
Wide-plank white oak flooring
Architectural concrete walls
Diamond-polished concrete floors
Ribbed concrete ceilings
Custom lighting
Contemporary kitchens
Expansive Midtown skyline views
Rather than disguising every structural element, some residences embrace concrete as a finished material.
This creates a distinctly architectural interior that differs from the marble-heavy aesthetic common among many luxury apartments Manhattan.
The result is particularly appropriate for a building designed by Foster + Partners. The residences feel connected to the tower's architecture rather than simply inserted into it.
Views From 100 East 53rd Street
Height and location combine to create another major selling point.
Upper-floor residences can offer expansive views across Midtown Manhattan, with the surrounding skyline becoming part of the interior experience through floor-to-ceiling glass.
Because the building sits close to Park Avenue, Lexington Avenue, and Midtown's commercial core, views include some of New York City's most recognizable architecture.
For buyers comparing 100 East 53rd Street condos for sale, floor level and exposure should be considered carefully. Two apartments with similar square footage can provide substantially different experiences depending on their orientation and surrounding view corridors.
Wellness Amenities at Selene
Selene's amenity collection occupies the third and fourth floors of the building's podium.
A 60-foot sunlit indoor swimming pool forms the centerpiece of the wellness offering.
Additional fitness and wellness spaces include:
Cardio room
Weight room
Pilates and ballet studio
Yoga room
Sauna
Steam room
Spa treatment rooms
Changing facilities
Private showers
These amenities allow residents to create a substantial wellness routine without leaving the property.
That can be particularly valuable for buyers who spend significant time in Midtown or travel frequently and want fitness and relaxation facilities immediately accessible from their residence.
The Atlas Club and Library
Selene also provides spaces focused on entertaining and relaxation.
The Atlas Club & Library was furnished by AD100 interior designer William T. Georgis, who also designed furnishings for the lobby.
The lobby incorporates custom furniture and a dramatic fireplace, helping create a warmer arrival experience within an otherwise highly modern architectural environment.
The contrast is intentional.
While Foster + Partners provides the tower with its crisp architectural identity, the furnishings and resident spaces introduce texture and comfort.
Direct Access to Le Jardinier
One of Selene's more unusual amenities is its connection to dining.
Residents have elevator access to Le Jardinier, the acclaimed restaurant located within the building's podium and designed by architect and interior designer Joseph Dirand.
The restaurant adds another layer to the property's appeal for buyers who prioritize dining and entertaining.
Rather than treating the ground-floor commercial component as completely separate from residential life, the development provides a direct relationship between the residences and a notable Midtown restaurant.
What Do Condos at 100 East 53rd Street Cost?
When Selene relaunched in 2022, residences were marketed from approximately $1.875 million.
Pricing has historically varied significantly because the building includes both relatively compact one-bedroom residences and substantially larger full-floor homes.
Current resale and remaining sponsor availability can differ from original offering prices.
For buyers searching for 100 East 53rd Street condos for sale, the relevant factors include:
Floor level
Square footage
Number of bedrooms
Exposure
View quality
Interior configuration
Common charges
Real estate taxes
Sponsor versus resale status
This is especially important in a building where residence types vary so dramatically.
Rather than relying solely on the building's original starting price, buyers should examine current inventory and recent comparable transactions before determining value.
Living in Midtown East
Selene's location may be its greatest practical advantage.
The property sits at Lexington Avenue and East 53rd Street, within walking distance of Park Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Midtown office district.
Transportation access is exceptional.
The E and M trains are accessible at Lexington Avenue and 53rd Street, while the 6 train stops at 51st Street. Additional subway connections and Grand Central Terminal are also nearby.
That can make Selene particularly appealing to buyers who work in Midtown or want convenient transportation to other parts of Manhattan.
The neighborhood also provides immediate access to restaurants, luxury shopping, hotels, cultural institutions, and business centers.
How Midtown East Compares With Other Manhattan Markets
Buyers considering Selene may also be exploring Chelsea, the West Village, Gramercy, Tribeca, SoHo, Hell's Kitchen, or the Upper West Side.
Those neighborhoods provide very different residential experiences.
The West Village and Tribeca offer lower-scale streets and a downtown lifestyle. Chelsea combines art, restaurants, and access to the High Line. The Upper West Side emphasizes residential character and proximity to Central Park and Riverside Park.
Midtown East prioritizes connectivity.
For buyers whose work, travel, and social lives frequently bring them to Midtown, the ability to walk to major offices, restaurants, transit hubs, and cultural destinations can be extremely valuable.
Selene adds internationally recognized architecture to that convenience.
Why Buyers Should Consider Selene
Selene stands out within the new development Manhattan market for four primary reasons.
First is architecture. A residence designed by Norman Foster carries a level of architectural pedigree that relatively few Manhattan condominiums can offer.
Second is location. The building sits within one of the city's most connected business and transportation districts.
Third is scale. With only 94 residences in a 63-story tower, Selene is considerably more intimate than many large Manhattan developments.
Fourth is lifestyle. The combination of a 60-foot pool, wellness spaces, private club, library, restaurant access, and immediate Midtown amenities creates a highly convenient residential environment.
For buyers who prioritize modern architecture and centrality, those characteristics can make 100 East 53rd Street especially compelling.
FAQ About Selene at 100 East 53rd Street
What is Selene in New York City?
Selene is a luxury condominium at 100 East 53rd Street in Midtown East, designed by Foster + Partners.
Is Selene the same as 100 East 53rd Street?
Yes. Selene is the current marketing name associated with the condominium at 100 East 53rd Street.
Is 100 East 53rd Street also called The Centrale?
The property has appeared under different naming references during its development and marketing history. For buyers and SEO searches, the most useful identifiers are Selene and 100 East 53rd Street.
Who designed Selene?
Selene was designed by Foster + Partners, the international architecture firm founded by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Norman Foster.
How tall is 100 East 53rd Street?
The building rises approximately 711 feet and contains 63 stories.
How many condos are in Selene?
The development contains 94 condominium residences.
Are 100 East 53rd Street condos for sale?
Individual residences can be available through sponsor inventory or resale listings depending on current market conditions. Buyers should verify current availability because inventory changes.
How much do condos at Selene cost?
When the property relaunched as Selene in 2022, pricing began at approximately $1.875 million. Current pricing depends on residence size, floor, exposure, and whether the apartment is sponsor or resale inventory.
What amenities does Selene offer?
Amenities include a 60-foot indoor pool, cardio and weight rooms, Pilates and ballet facilities, yoga space, sauna, steam room, treatment rooms, the Atlas Club & Library, and access to Le Jardinier.
Is Selene close to the subway?
Yes. The E, M, and 6 subway lines are immediately accessible in the surrounding area, with additional transportation available at Grand Central Terminal.
Is Selene considered new construction?
The building predates its 2022 relaunch, but the Selene sales campaign and occupancy period fall within the recent new development Manhattan market cycle. Buyers should distinguish the building's original construction timeline from its later rebranding and sales activity.
Modernism at the Center of Manhattan
Selene at 100 East 53rd Street offers a version of Manhattan luxury rooted in architecture and location rather than excess alone.
Its Norman Foster-designed glass tower, 94-residence scale, expansive skyline views, wellness facilities, restaurant connection, and proximity to Park Avenue place it in a distinctive position within the Midtown East condominium market.
For buyers comparing new condo Midtown East NYC opportunities with Chelsea, the West Village, Gramercy, Tribeca, SoHo, Hell's Kitchen, or the Upper West Side, Selene is particularly relevant for those who value modern architecture, transportation access, and the convenience of living in the center of Manhattan.
Michael A. Bhagwandin
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson | New York City
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