Category: Blog

88 & 90 Lex’s on-site amenities, which include a 60-foot swimming pool, fitness center, childrens’ playroom, screening room, and 24-hour concierge, need no introduction. However, there is one element of life at 88 & 90 Lex that may go overlooked: its proximity to several of New York City’s most celebrated educational institutions, which grants residents of these NoMad condos all the benefits of living within an academic and intellectual nexus.

We’ll start with the esteemed Baruch College, which is only a five-minute stroll from 88 & 90 Lex. Though it was founded in 1919, Baruch traces its roots all the way back to 1847, when the City College of New York originated as the Free Academy, the first free public college in the country. Baruch now hosts students representing 160 countries, and that diversity brings a special vitality to the neighborhood – especially when it comes to artistic endeavors. Residents of 88 & 90 Lex will enjoy a rich, wide-ranging roster of public events at The Baruch Performing Arts Center. The 2017-2018 season was one for the books, with an incredible program of music, film, theater, and dance, and the 2018-2019 season calendar will be announced shortly. For those who prefer the written word to performance art, check out The Sydney Harman Writer-In-Residence Program, which brings legends like Mary Gaitskill and Edward Albee to campus for readings and workshops.

Equally treasured by NoMad residents is the School of Visual Arts (SVA). Founded in 1947, SVA was originally the Cartoonists and Illustrators School, and its founder’s guiding philosophy was that the faculty should be made up of working professionals and artists, a principle that guides the school to this day. As a premier art and design school, the SVA campus serves as a hub of creativity and innovation in the city. This is apparent in its jam-packed calendar of events and exhibitions, most of which are open to the public. Be sure to check out the Gramercy Gallery, which offers students a venue for displaying and selling their own work. And for the 88 & 90 Lex buyer who is inspired by their new condo’s modern and luxurious aesthetic, SVA offers plenty of Continuing Education classes (including those in Interior Design).

88 & 90 Lex is perfectly positioned in relation to these two renowned institutions. Baruch College and the School of Visual Arts act as a unique amenity for residents of these NoMad apartments, bringing world-class cultural events and experiences to one’s doorstep. Learn more about 88 & 90 Lex’s on-site amenities, or explore NoMad’s other hotspots.

Summers in New York City are often synonymous with weekend trips to the Hamptons, or other popular retreats. But for residents of 88 & 90 Lex, weekends are often better enjoyed locally. Not only does 88 & 90 Lex offer the finest condos for sale in NoMad; it’s also located in a haven of retail therapy, outdoor relaxation, culture, and dining. There is simply too much to see, do, and enjoy in NoMad, as well as neighboring enclaves of Gramercy, Flatiron, and Murray Hill. Plus, 88 & 90 Lex offers a suite of amenities that make it all too easy to get some R&R right at home. Join us for a perfect Saturday at 88 & 90 Lex, and see what it’s like to live the Lex Life.

Morning

Rise and shine. Start your day by taking a plunge in 88 & 90 Lex’s 60-foot swimming pool. If a few dozen lengths doesn’t wake you up, then the pool’s ambiance—drenched in natural light from the double-height atrium above—will. Soothe your muscles in the whirlpool, followed by a stop in the steam room. Then, put in a couple of miles on the treadmill in the fully equipped fitness center.

Exercises completed, it’s time to take a well-earned shower in your private bathroom with heated floors, before whipping up a light breakfast in your open-plan kitchen, replete with premium millwork and bold stone surfaces. It’s easy to keep a well-stocked fridge in NoMad, as you’re within walking distance of Kalustyan’s, Eataly, Whole Foods, and countless other foodie-friendly shops.

Mid-Morning

Time to step out into the effervescent ambiance of NoMad in the summer. If you’re hoping to add an extra personal touch to your luxury condo, stop by New York Design Center and peruse the antique home furnishings at your leisure—from sculptural leather rock sofas crafted by Gerard Van Den Berg in the 1970s to the French decadence of the Elle W Collection.

If you aren’t in the mood to shop, go ahead and take a stroll in Madison Square Park, enjoying this neatly bordered historic urban oasis. Grab an iced cold brew from Gasoline Alley Coffee for the ideal pick-me-up.

Lunch

The dining scene in NoMad could almost overwhelm you with choices. For refined dining, Park Avenue A/W & S/S makes for a distinguished option, with its soft-lit, tree-ensconced interior and a menu that boasts the inimitable Park Avenue Steak Tartare, made with foie gras and Perigord truffle.

For food with soul, opt for Blue Smoke’s baby-back ribs served with collard greens or side of buttermilk biscuits. As for dessert, why not take it home with you? Buy one or two boxes of Penelope’s sour cream raspberry coffee cakes and see how long you can make them last…

Heading Home

It’s time to wind your way through NoMad’s beautiful streets back to 88 & 90 Lex. You’ll never tire of entering its high-ceilinged, attended lobby, or of the 24-hour concierge service that is always ready to assist you.

With a few hours to spare before dinner, it’s a great time to explore the rest of 88 & 90 Lex’s amenities. Recline in the building’s private cinema, with its top-of-the-line HD screen and surround sound, and then relax in the Residents’ Lounge with a magazine. There’s a pool table, too—ideal for friendly rivalries with your NoMad neighbors. To top off the day, pour yourself a glass of vino and lounge around, or head up to the newly completed rooftop with a good book and relax.

A picture-perfect Saturday in NoMad – now you’re living the Lex Life! Make this a reality and contact our sales team today for our current availability, and to learn more about 88 & 90 Lex.

Workshop/APD, the acclaimed architecture firm behind contemporary residential projects such as The Printing House in Manhattan’s West Village, has done something truly unique by seamlessly blending two separate buildings from different architectural eras into one at 88&90 Lexington in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood.

The two buildings had separate identities in their previous lives, one being a rental building and the other office space, before being reimagined by Workshop. The firm saw the two as a blank canvas and as an opportunity to bridge old with new, restoring the pre-war façade of 88 Lex while giving 90 Lex, the modern post-war half, a “face lift” in addition to creating classic interiors with a modern twist to resonate with the architecture of both.

Workshop maintained the unique pre-war and post-war identifies of 88&90 Lexington while uniting them with a shared expansive lobby and over 8,000 square feet of underground amenity space. The firm completely gutted the basements of both buildings to make way for the collection of amenities, even adding in an L-shaped indoor pool in what was previously vacant space. Workshop also introduced a private cinema, state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga studio, children’s playroom and entertainment lounge completed with a pool table, games, a flat screen and catering kitchen.

The holidays in New York evoke the glamour of winter celebrations like nowhere else, and 88 & 90 Lex puts you right at the intersection of twinkling trees, elegant celebrations, and some of the best shopping in the city. Just outside the doors of these luxury NoMad condos, the retail environment actually becomes an extension of the art and culture that take center stage in this neighborhood. Holiday magic in NoMad has begun, and there is so much to do, see, eat, and shop for.

This time of year, nearby Madison Square Park combines the quaintness of a snow-covered fairy-tale village with the cultural heft of an art gallery, with exhibitions of work by today’s leading artists installed in the park alongside the lights and trees. From now until April 2019, you can immerse yourself in the work of Arlene Shechet, one of the world’s leading sculptors. For a few season’s greetings, the Madison Square Holiday Tree will be a welcoming presence throughout the holidays.

Meanwhile, Eataly may end up topping your list for gifts as well as affogato breaks. With its handpicked selection of specialty goods imported from Italy, along with kitchenware and cookbooks, Eataly is the ideal place to find presents for the foodies and chefs on your list. For a truly showstopping gift for a lover of all things Italian, Eataly has created a special box called “Il Segreto di Eataly,” which truly does contain the secrets of living well, as it features an assortment of top-of-theline products, including organic extra virgin olive oil from Frantoi Cutrera and Honeydew Honey by Miele Thun.

NYC’s beer scene continues to deliciously intensify, and NoMad is no exception. Whether you’re hunting out hip taps, the best food-beer pairing in town, or simply crave the comforting caress of a traditional Irish pub, there are ample beer drinking haunts within walking distance of the luxury condominiums at 88 & 90 Lex. Let’s call in at a few.

Taproom No. 307 | 307 3rd Avenue

NoMad became a better place when Taproom No. 307 opened its doors. Here, you can find the luxury of 40+ beers on tap to choose from. Saisons, milk stouts, double IPAs, lagers… the list goes on. We recommend the Greenport Harbor Leaf Pile Pumpkin Ale (loaded with cinnamon, spice, and all things nice) or perhaps a nice chilled Kolsch. It’s a German-style beer, after all. Excellent poutine, nachos, and flatbread pizzas mean you can hunker down and make a night of it.

Belgian Beer Café |220 5th Avenue

Belgian beer is in a league (and often strength) of its own, and there are few better places to experience it in NYC than at Belgian Beer Café. This luxury brasserie-style establishment brings out piping hot pots of the classic Belgian moules frites, served alongside an unparalleled selection of beers. Start with a light Hoegaarden or Raspberry Lambic before working your way up to something darker and punchier, like a Westmalle Dubbel or La Guillotine Amber. By the time you’re onto dessert, you’ll be braving the Petrus Aged Pale Flemish Sour and at that point, it might be time to grab the check and make your way home.

Flatiron Hall Restaurant and Beer Hall |38 West 26th Street

Down the street and located on the other side of Madison Square Park, you’ll find Flatiron Hall, serving up proprietary craft beers and eclectic global fare. If the main selection of beers doesn’t make your thirst-buds tingle, you can ask your bartender about the special selection of Guest Tap Beers, which will probably suit your fancy. We strongly suggest you round-up your friends and family to join the Monday night trivia league and for some brain food. We recommend that you dive into the pastrami spring rolls or the warm giant pretzel with cheddar ale dip

Residents who have decided to live in the well-appointed and extremely well-located NoMad condominiums for sale at 88 & 90 Lex, know that their neighborhood is filled with endless dining options: from the world-renowned cuisine at Eleven Madison Park to the iconic burgers at Shake Shack. So, of course, it’s no surprise that NYC’s most famous dish—pizza—is taken to an elevated level in this part of town. Here are some of our favorites:

Marta | 29 East 29th Street

Stepping into The Redbury New York hotel, you immediately realize this is more than just your typical lobby. You’re greeted by the distinct smell of wood fire as well-dressed patrons sip on Italian wines, and waiters serve plates full of mouthwatering pies with layers of artisanal cheese, tart tomato sauce and a drizzle of olive oil. Dining at Danny Meyer’s spot, Marta is the closest you’ll get to a Roman pizzeria without a trans-Atlantic flight. If that’s not enough, you’ll be extra pleased to find that gratuity is included.

The blazing fire gives the pizzas a distinct flavor and adds a crisp bite to the crust that holds all of the top-notch ingredients. To really experience the skills of executive chef Lena Ciardullo, try the nearly divine pie made with silken dollops of stracciatella that perfectly complement the sauce.

PN Wood Fired Pizza | 2 West 28th Street

Pizza gets personal at newcomer PN. According to their website, the “PN” stands for “pecore nere,” meaning “black sheep” in Italian.

Not only can you choose your toppings, but, because it’s owned by a flour company, you can choose from one of the seven flours you want to be used for the dough. Take our word, this is a whole new concept that allows you to discover the exact pizza flavor profile you long for.

Whatever dough you choose, your taste buds will delight in the fresh toppings—like the must-order crudo and rucola topped with mozzarella, tomato sauce, spicy and crisp arugula, and thinly sliced prosciutto aged for 20 months. New York Magazine says their pizzas are “among the best in town.” And it’s clear that this cozy, rustic spot is popular with locals, too.

Waldy’s Wood Fired Pizza and Penne | 800 6th Avenue

Want some wood-fired goodness, but you don’t want to leave the confines of your luxe digs at 88 & 90 Lex? Waldy’s is your answer. Since 2006, this operation has been a savior to those who want artisanal pizza on demand, delivered right to their doorstep.

Opened by Waldy Malouf of Beacon fame, Waldy’s takes pizza delivery to the next level with crave-worthy pies, including the chicken with bacon and chipotle peppers pizza. If that sounds like there’s a lot going on, there is; this over-the-top combo of the smoky chipotle peppers and fatty bacon balance the chicken and the cheese to create a sensational flavor profile. One bite, and you’ll be hooked.

Norma | 438 3rd Avenue

Forget the doughy, undercooked so-called “Sicilian” slices from your corner pizza place and try a true Sicilian pizza from a master chef from Sicily itself.

At Norma, Chef Salvatore Fraterrigo recreated a space that is worthy of his hometown. You’ll feel like you’re in a nonna’s dining room with plates and copper pots festooning the walls, but the pizzas, not the decorations, are the star here, specifically the rianata. Chef Fraterrigo mixes up candy tomatoes, anchovies, pecorino, and, of course, oregano to create something that might just transport you to the sunny seaside towns of the old country after only one bite.

If you’re ready to decadently explore your pizza palate, contact us today and find your next home at 88 & 90 Lex.

What makes for the ultimate New York City neighborhood? Every great neighborhood enjoys some combination of convenience, culture, and community – where people who live there, really live there.

Beth Stern, a member of the 88 & 90 Lex sales team, has become an expert in all things NoMad – that’s the trendy enclave north of Madison Square Park, to those just beginning their neighborhood research – and has found that this hip, burgeoning residential neighborhood checks all the boxes. Her enthusiasm for NoMad is rivaled only by her appreciation for the refined residences at 88 & 90 Lex. Read on to learn why life at 88 & 90 Lex means never compromising on what you love about living in New York.

As a member of the NoMad community, Beth has noticed that many people are choosing to set roots here. As such, that sense of community continues to grow – and the intangible, seemingly-insignificant little interactions that make you feel like you belong here (such as running into an acquaintance on the street, or getting on a first-name basis with local business owners) are the norm, not the exception. That priceless feeling of belonging is an essential quality for Beth, and NoMad is where discerning buyers will find it.

The convenience of 88 & 90 Lex’s NoMad location is especially attractive – it’s two blocks from Madison Square Park, five blocks from Gramercy Park, and surrounded by the hottest fitness studios and gyms, coffee shops, and grocery stores – from Fairway to Trader Joe’s to Kalustyan’s. And nowhere is convenience more important than in one’s commute – to this end, many of the world’s most prestigious employers have offices here, or in neighboring Flatiron, Chelsea, and Midtown. Owning a home at 88 & 90 Lex means saying sayonara to relying on subways and cabs when running errands or heading to the office; in NoMad, the best way to get around is by forging your own path.

NoMad residents certainly appreciate the convenience of having every aspect of their weekday routines within walking distance, but this neighborhood really shines on nights and weekends, thanks to its increasing status as a cultural center within New York City. Let’s start with restaurants – 88 & 90 Lex is just blocks from Eleven Madison Park, Upland, Blue Smoke, and countless other in-demand dining experiences. But an excellent meal is just the start – whether your perfect evening includes visiting art galleries, seeing live music, or enjoying the view from an exclusive rooftop club with a cocktail in hand, NoMad has you covered.

Pairing two distinguished, classic Manhattan buildings in NoMad, 88 & 90 Lex has raised the bar for residential real estate adjacent to Madison Square Park. The old-school prewar Manhattan charm mixes and plays with the sleek glass facade, giving these luxury condominiums an entirely contemporary vibe. It commands your attention as you stroll down Lexington Avenue, she notes.

Inside each home, you will find ample closet and storage space, allowing your taste in décor to shine. Open kitchens, high ceilings, large windows, and gallery-inspired art walls make for a well-appointed home. And of course — “the rooftop is absolutely beautiful,” notes Stern, thanks in no small part to its views. “And don’t forget the rest of the 8,000 square feet of amenities, including a 60-foot swimming pool and adjacent whirlpool, gym, playroom, and screening room!”

To learn more about 88 & 90 Lex, view its model residences, and perhaps get a neighborhood tour from Beth herself, visit our contact page.