This Pint-Sized Penthouse Has Two Terraces and a Big View of the Hearst Tower

A mere block from where Midtown’s newest Billionaires’ Row continues to rise along 57th Street south of Central Park, you’ll find a thriving example of the classic New York City streetscape that has long-defined Midtown West, in places a jumble of skyscrapers, low-lying brick and rows of standard-issue mid-(20th)-century apartment buildings, in one of which you’ll find this cozy co-op studio at 310 West 56th Street, described aptly by its listing as “the perfect pied-a-terre penthouse.”

The 1964 co-op building is in a spot that’s getting more prime by the decade, already steps from the park, Columbus Circle and the Time Warner Center and blocks from Lincoln Center; then there’s that glittering condo canyon to the east and Bjarke Ingels’ game-changing Via rising to the west. The iconoclastic Norman Foster-designed Hearst Tower was among the vanguard–and it’s right across the street. Whoever lives here should probably be a fan of its gleaming white-and-glass geometric grid frame. Because they’re going to be seeing a lot of it.

The modestly-sized (square footage isn’t listed) apartment, priced at $549,000, is tucked among the top floors of the 13-story residence, benefitting from both views and terraces. The listing says, “Upon entering this apartment, you are immediately taken with the spectacular and open view of the Hearst Building.” And they aren’t kidding (see photo at top and above). The distinctive office tower reveals itself outside the apartment’s 20+ feet of northern exposure windows in a surreal reverse of the “objects may be closer than they appear” distortion law; you’ll get a chance to get very familiar with what Hearst employees are having for lunch. That aside, the city views look pretty impressive, rivaling those of far pricier pads.

Equally impressive are the pair of terraces that bookend the space, facing east and west, respectively, like smaller versions of the elegant brick-clad balconies that grace many a penthouse residence. So you’ve got sunrise and sunset covered. And size notwithstanding, we’re not going to sneeze at any private outdoor space in the city.

The apartment offers plenty of room for the basics, and you can certainly move things around and add a wall or two as well. The kitchen and bath aren’t pictured and though they appear to be generously-sized, the apartment is described as being in “original condition,” so you’ll probably want to do some updating there. Buiding amenities at the full-service residence include a full-time doorman, a live-in super, laundry, additional storage and a bike room.

For someone who seeks a 21st-century urban catbird seat similar to the ones that come with eight-figure price tags in the fancy new towers nearby, the location sells itself, with every form of transportation minutes away, and the city’s best parks and other iconic destinations–and, of course, the Hearst Building–literally outside the front door.

[Listing: 310 West 56th Street, PHC by David C. Salvatore for Warburg Realty]

[Via CityRealty]

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Images courtesy of Warburg Realty.