Eloise grew up.

Once upon a time in New York City there was a beautiful hotel called The Plaza. People of means came from near and far to enjoy its luxury and the hotel was famous the world over, indeed it was an internationally renowned institution. Of course things change, what was once new and enchanting becomes old and faded. Tastes evolve, people move on and sometimes even grow up. Seized by property developers, the original incarnation of The Plaza closed its doors in 2005 but opened again in 2008, a mixture of high end condos and hotels rooms. It's had its fair share of controversy and certainly I can't comment on the development in its entirety but I can share one of its jewels with my lovely readers.

Penthouse 2009, The Plaza, 1 Central Park South, New York, NY

I cannot tell a lie, this one took my goddamn breath away. Condo dramas or not, it's utterly spectacular. And for USD$33,500,000 it bloody well should be. I'm going to let the agent, Alexa Lambert of Stribling, do the rest of the talking....

High above the Plaza's sought-after 5th Avenue and Central Park South corner, Penthouse 2009 unfolds across three floors, linked by a dramatic cantilevered sculptural staircase and private elevator. With a uniquely impressive array of custom upgrades that exceed even the standard high-end Plaza finishes, this spectacular loft-style residence offers 6,319 interior and 229 exterior square feet. There are a total of four Park-view bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, 2 separate sitting areas and a paneled Library/Family Room with wood burning fireplace. One enters PH 2009 to find a nearly 80-foot expanse for entertaining, comprised of Sitting, Living, and Formal Dining Rooms and illuminated by a wall of windows facing Central Park. There is also a breathtaking double-height, sky-lit kitchen with Poggenpohl cabinetry, top-of-the-line appliances by Miele, Wolf and Subzero, a 95 square-foot pantry/wine cellar, and a granite-topped island with integral stone sink. The top-floor master retreat combines privacy and luxury in equal measure. Here, elaborate dual bath and dressing accommodations offer rare Macassar ebony vanities, Lefroy Brooks plumbing fixtures and fittings, and custom closets by Poliform, while-from the master bedroom and separate sitting area-French doors frame views of Central Park across an expansive 30 foot terrace. PH 2009 is equipped with the very latest in electronic, home security, HVAC* and humidification systems. Its baths are finished in book-matched Italian slab marble and onyx, and there are walnut-bordered, solid white oak parquet floors throughout. In addition, its future owner will enjoy unlimited access to all the hotel services and restaurants of the Plaza, and the exclusive benefit of entering through the beautifully restored private residential lobby on Central Park South.

Anyway, say what you want about the renovations/restorations/whatever, the fact remains that this property and its immediate surrounds offer just a tiny bit of genuine magic and it's hard to put a price on that.

(click pictures to enlarge)

* HVAC - heat, ventilation and air conditioning. aka climate control.