NEW YORK — Directly across the street from Edward Durell Stone’s landmark Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) building in Midtown Manhattan stands an architectural beacon of ultra-luxury: the Baccarat Hotel and Residences. Rising above the city’s concrete canyons, this destination has long defined high-end Manhattan living, catering equally to discerning travelers seeking a lavish weekend getaway and affluent residents looking for a permanent urban sanctuary.
Conceived by the legendary architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and infused with the timeless, sparkling heritage of the French crystal brand founded by King Louis XV, the tower represents a masterclass in modern opulence. Now, the pinnacle of this building’s design ethos has hit the market. Residence 42A, a full-floor, four-bedroom sanctuary curated by an all-star roster of interior design royalty, is currently listed for $15.95 million through the Charlie Attias Team at Compass.
Main Facts: A Masterpiece on the 42nd Floor
Spanning the entirety of the 42nd floor, Residence 42A is a masterclass in spatial choreography, blending classic French neoclassical influences with a sharp, contemporary New York sensibility. The property’s journey begins at the private elevator landing, where guests are greeted by a custom-designed crystal inlay handle on the front door—an immediate nod to the building’s crystal heritage.
Upon entering the foyer, visitors are enveloped in dramatic strié plaster walls crowned by an authentic Baccarat chandelier. This transitional space opens directly into a magnificent great room boasting soaring 11-foot ceilings. Expansive, picturesque windows flood the room with natural light while framing breathtaking, unobstructed skyline vistas, including a dramatic, dead-center view of the iconic Empire State Building. Vibrant, neon-colored contemporary artworks punctuate the living and dining spaces, creating a striking dialogue between classic architecture and modern artistic expression.
The residence features rich, dark-stained white oak flooring that flows seamlessly into a hyper-functional gourmet kitchen. Here, culinary art meets visual brilliance: brushed nickel and clear-glass cabinetry are paired with gleaming iceberg-polished granite slab countertops and a custom glass-and-mirror backsplash that bounces light throughout the space.
The private quarters are situated down a gallery hallway, ensuring an ideal separation of public and private zones. The primary suite serves as a serene urban cocoon, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, a dedicated private dressing area, and an opulent white honed-marble bathroom complete with heated floors and ultra-luxury Fantini fixtures. Additional highlights include secondary en-suite bedrooms and a sophisticated powder room distinguished by frosted mirrored-glass wall panels.
Offered as a turnkey acquisition, the residence has been meticulously furnished by AD100 designer Tony Ingrao and Nicole Fuller Interiors. The $15.95 million price tag includes all custom window treatments, plush carpets, statement light fixtures, and curated decor, allowing the buyer to step into an art-directed lifestyle on day one.
Chronology: The Evolution of a Midtown Marvel
To understand the weight and prestige of Residence 42A, it is essential to trace the timeline of the Baccarat Hotel and Residences development and its subsequent rise to architectural prominence.
- 18th Century (1764): King Louis XV grants permission to establish a glassworks village in Baccarat, France, laying the foundation for a brand synonymous with royal patronage, fine crystal, and elite craftsmanship.
- 2013–2015 (Construction & Completion): Developed by Starwood Capital Group under the vision of Barry Sternlicht, the tower at 20 West 53rd Street is completed. Designed by SOM, the building is ingeniously structured into three distinct tiers: a bi-level public library at the base, a nine-story luxury hotel in the middle, and exclusive private condominiums occupying floors 18 through 49.
- Post-2015 (Establishment as an Elite Enclave): The property quickly cements its reputation as one of Manhattan’s most exclusive addresses, attracting international buyers, celebrities, and high-powered executives drawn to its hybrid model of hotel-serviced residential living.
- September 2026 (The Listing of Residence 42A): The full-floor, four-bedroom condominium (Unit 42A) officially hits the market for $15.95 million, represented by Charlie Attias, Connor Ramage, and Brooke Winsness of Compass, accompanied by complete interior staging by Nicole Fuller Interiors.
Supporting Data: Amenities, Specs, and Financial Metrics
Owning a residence within the Baccarat tower transcends the physical boundaries of the apartment itself; it grants membership into an elite ecosystem of white-glove hospitality and five-star amenities.
Residence Specifications
- Address: 20 West 53rd Street, Unit 42A, Manhattan, NY 10019
- Asking Price: $15,950,000
- Floor Plan: Full-floor apartment, 4 bedrooms, multiple en-suite bathrooms, powder room, private dressing area.
- Ceiling Height: 11 feet in the main great room.
- Key Interior Designers: Tony Ingrao (architectural layout concepts) and Nicole Fuller Interiors (turnkey furnishings and decor).
- Listing Agents: Charlie Attias, Connor Ramage, and Brooke Winsness (Charlie Attias Team / Compass).
Building Amenities & Services
Residents of Unit 42A enjoy 24-hour access to the adjoining hotel’s world-class facilities:
- Wellness & Spa: The renowned Spa de La Mer, offering bespoke skincare treatments, alongside a stunning subterranean indoor swimming pool flanked by private cabanas and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
- Dining & Entertainment: Le Chevalier, spearheaded by Michelin-starred chef Shea Gallante; the atmospheric Petite Salon Lounge; and the iconic, vaulted Baccarat Bar, famous for its dramatic crystal stemware displays and signature cocktails (such as the classic French 75).
- Concierge & Security: 24-hour multilingual concierge service, discreet doorman security, and white-glove valet parking.
Official Responses and Stakeholder Perspectives
The release of Residence 42A to the open market has generated significant commentary from the real estate and design communities, highlighting the rare synthesis of hospitality-branded real estate and bespoke residential curation.
Speaking on the unique appeal of the property, co-listing agent Charlie Attias emphasized the turnkey nature of the offering:
"Units of this caliber—spanning an entire floor in a globally recognized architectural icon—rarely come to market fully realized. By partnering with top-tier interior design talent like Tony Ingrao and Nicole Fuller, the sellers have eliminated the friction of customization. A buyer can step off the private elevator and immediately experience the pinnacle of New York luxury, backed by the unmatched service of the Baccarat brand."
Design critics have similarly lauded the integration of Ingrao’s architectural vision with Fuller’s furniture curation. In a recent market analysis, architectural historians noted that the Baccarat tower successfully bridges the gap between mid-century modernist neighbors—such as Stone’s MoMA building—and the hyper-glamorous aesthetic of contemporary 21st-century high-rises.
Implications: What Residence 42A Signals for the Luxury Real Estate Market
The listing of Unit 42A at $15.95 million arrives at a fascinating juncture for Manhattan’s ultra-luxury condominium sector, carrying broader implications for branded residences, turnkey sales, and Midtown real estate values.
1. The Ascendancy of Turnkey Living
High-net-worth buyers increasingly view time as their most valuable asset. The expectation for newly listed properties at the $15M+ price point is shifting away from raw "white-box" spaces toward fully realized, art-directed homes. By offering Residence 42A completely furnished with pieces curated by an AD100 designer and Nicole Fuller, the sellers are tapping into an affluent buyer pool that demands immediate gratification without the multi-year delays often associated with custom renovations.
2. The Resilience of Branded Residences
Properties tied to legendary hospitality and luxury goods houses—such as Baccarat, Aman, and The Ritz-Carlton—continue to command a premium. The convergence of hotel-level amenities (like Spa de La Mer and Michelin-starred dining) with private residential security creates a resilient asset class that appeals heavily to global nomads, pied-à-terre purchasers, and domestic executives alike.
3. Midtown Manhattan’s Luxury Renaissance
While downtown neighborhoods like Tribeca and Hudson Yards have captured immense real estate attention over the last decade, properties like Residence 42A underscore the enduring allure of Midtown. Situated mere steps from cultural institutions like MoMA, elite Fifth Avenue shopping, and corporate headquarters, the Baccarat tower proves that classic Midtown luxury—when executed with uncompromising French flair—remains an irreplaceable cornerstone of the Manhattan skyline.
Sagoh
Reynand Wu
Siti Muinah
