The Upper West Side is entering a new era of luxury living as high-net-worth buyers continue to close $40M+ deals at Extell Development’s newest flagship tower, 50 West 66th Street. Once defined by prewar buildings and artistic charm, the UWS is now solidifying its place among Manhattan’s top luxury markets.
A Closer Look at 50 West 66th Street
Rising 775 feet over Lincoln Square, 50 West 66th Street is the tallest building on the Upper West Side. Designed by world-renowned Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta, this 70-story tower is their first-ever residential building in the United States. Its sculptural form, stone detailing, and warm materials distinguish it from the glassy towers of Midtown, while still delivering the drama of unobstructed skyline and park views.
Inside, the building offers a curated suite of ultra-luxury amenities, including:
- • Sweeping views of Central Park and the Hudson River
- • Grand residence layouts with ceiling heights rising up to 14 feet
- • Spa-level wellness facilities
- • Indoor and outdoor pools
- • Private lounges, entertaining spaces, and landscaped terraces
- • A limited collection of 127 residences, enhancing exclusivity
Despite minimal marketing and no dedicated building website, the tower is already over 75% sold, underscoring its unprecedented demand.
Record-Breaking Sales Transform the Neighborhood
The building has recently achieved two standout eight-figure sales:
- • A 7,000 sq. ft. 42nd-floor home sold for $44.93 million
- • A 47th-floor residence closed at $46.77 million, becoming the most expensive home ever sold on the Upper West Side
These sales highlight a meaningful shift in buyer behavior. Wealthy families and generational-wealth buyers — once focused on downtown or Billionaires' Row — are recognizing the value of the Upper West Side. The neighborhood offers larger floor plans, quieter streets, and prime access to both Central Park and Riverside Park, all while offering a better value per square foot compared to the East Side.
A Neighborhood Quickly Rising in Profile
In addition to luxury residential projects, the UWS has seen a wave of new boutique retail, wellness studios, fine dining, and specialty food shops. Combined with the area’s coveted schools, cultural institutions, and quick West Side Highway access, the appeal to affluent buyers is stronger than ever.
Extell is already doubling down: the developer has begun planning a second, even taller tower at 77 W. 66th Street, expected to reach 1,200 feet. Together, these projects mark a major turning point in the future of luxury living uptown.
