By Carter B. Horsley
One of the more interesting high-rise projects in the Lincoln Center district, this mixed-use tower is one of the most elegant and most visible modern buildings on the Upper West Side. The lower 15 floors of the 60-story tower house offices for the adjacent Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. It is known as 3 Lincoln Center Plaza and also has the addresses of 121 Amsterdam Avenue, 159 West 65th Street and 160 West 66th Street. Since its completion in 1993, the area has continued to undergo major transformation with several major new high-rises nearby clustered to the north of the intersection of Broadway and Columbus Avenue. Because of its more western site, however, this tower's views are largely unobstructed.
The tower is divided into two very distinct sections. The low-rise section facing east is clad in white marble to blend in with the facades of Lincoln Center while the high-rise section fronting on Amsterdam Avenue is clad in black glass with red ribbing. The high-rise tower is beautifully detailed and one of the city's most attractive glass "curtain-walls."
There are 347 condominium apartments in the tower, which was developed by Allan and Abbot L. Stillman and Birchall Associates and designed by Harman Jablin Architects. The building has has two lobby entrances. The main entrance is at 160 West 66th Street, west of Broadway, and a second entrance is from the performing arts complex. The lobby is richly appointed in mahogany, cherry and Danish beech woods. A concierge desk is staffed 24 hours a day and linked to every residence with a computerized audio-visual system. Doorman service also is around the clock. The Center Club for residents includes a 60-foot heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room, showers, an aerobics facility with a specially engineered flexible floor, as well as a reception room and adjacent catering kitchen.
Because residences begin on the 16th floor, they each enjoy majestic views. The homes range in size-up to 3,600 square feet. Prices for one-bedroom units initially started at about $280,000 and two-bedroom apartments started at about $490,000. The building also has some studios and some duplex apartments.