Going up

200 Eleventh Avenue demonstrates that discretion is the ultimate luxury. This unique building, scheduled for occupancy in Autumn 2008, is a true original and would make an ideal base in New York.

While there are few firsts left in a place like Manhattan, 200 Eleventh Avenue introduces something even New Yorkers will find worth batting an eyelash at: the upmarket residential building's signature En-Suite Sky Garage(tm) is the first and only one of its kind in the city, and it's generating chatter among anyone in-the-know.

Conceived by developer Young Woo & Associates and executed elegantly by Annabelle Selldorf of Selldorf Architects, the En-Suite Sky Garage(tm) at 200 Eleventh Avenue is an internal elevator system that will deliver each resident and his or her vehicle to a private 300 square foot garage immediately adjacent to the home.

Fourteen of the building's 16 limited-edition condominiums, which average 2,500 square feet, will feature the elevated garages. In New York City, where a parking space is a much-coveted amenity, 200 Eleventh's En-Suite Sky Garage undoubtedly gives newly elevated meaning to "upscale."

'We requested that Selldorf design a building that belongs in New York,' says Young Woo's Glauco Lolli-Ghetti. 'Not one of these glass boxes that are going up all over the city - those buildings could be anywhere. We thought the garage concept would be an incredible feature, and something the city would be proud of.'

Quality craftsmanship
Offsetting the building's most buzz-worthy feature, 200 Eleventh Avenue demonstrates a bespoke appeal with a level of sensitivity, architectural innovation and quality that is rare among new developments these days. Inspired by neighbouring industrial lofts and organic structural forms, 200 Eleventh represents a significant moment in architecture, with the synthesis of context, shape, dimension, craft and feeling.

The sculpturally formed stainless steel exterior is custom-produced by Kansas City-based A. Zahner Company. Zahner - which has pioneered advances in the architectural metal industry for over 100 years, and has fabricated projects by Gehry Partners, Zaha Hadid and Tadao Ando - collaborated with Selldorf to produce the durable, shimmering faade. The multi-dimensional tower rises from a cast gunmetal glazed terra cotta base, adding tactility and warmth at the building's street level.

Equally considered are the Selldorf-designed interiors, with careful attention to the needs of modern high-end living. For example, 'disappearing kitchens' feature oiled teak folding doors that close to become wood-panelled walls, instantly concealing the entire kitchen.

'Superior quality real estate is judged by more than just a refrigerator brand,' says Leonard Steinberg, the building's marketing director. 'Annabelle Selldorf understands how the very wealthy live and what they appreciate; she designs homes that are both aesthetically remarkable and elegantly habitable.'

Sense of place
With protected views of the Hudson River, 200 Eleventh Avenue is the first residential building to front the new nine-acre Chelsea Cove Park. The building is located on the corner of Eleventh Avenue and West 24th Street in the Chelsea Arts District, one of New York's most creatively charged and culturally significant neighbourhoods. The area is home to world-class galleries and the celebrated High Line elevated rail park, a soon-to-be showcase of urban innovation.

With an influx of architecturally notable projects to be completed over the next few years, Selldorf Architects' imprint for 200 Eleventh Avenue will be joined by buildings from other renowned architects and firms, including Frank Gehry, Gluckman Mayner, Jean Nouvel and Gwathmey Seigel. No other area in Manhattan is currently experiencing such strong influence from creative expression and architectural innovation. And certainly no other building in New York offers the 'vertical utopia' available at 200 Eleventh Avenue.

Residences range in price from about $6- $18 million.