Quick Answer: The most expensive penthouse sale in U.S. history is Ken Griffin’s $238 million purchase at 220 Central Park South. Manhattan’s Billionaires’ Row along 57th Street hosts the world’s most expensive residential addresses, with penthouses in buildings like One57, 432 Park Avenue, and Central Park Tower selling for $50-100+ million. Celebrity residents include Sting, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Dell, and various tech billionaires.

Manhattan penthouses represent the pinnacle of urban luxury. Unlike suburban estates that sprawl across acres, these vertical palaces compress extreme wealth into apartments that float above the city, offering views worth more per square foot than most homes cost entirely.

The emergence of supertall luxury towers along “Billionaires’ Row” has created an entirely new category of ultra-premium real estate, attracting global billionaires, celebrities, and those who measure success by how high they live above the street.

$238M
US Record (Griffin)
$10,000+
Price Per Sq Ft (Trophy)
1,550 ft
Central Park Tower Height
$100M+
Ultra-Prime Threshold

Billionaires’ Row: The World’s Most Expensive Street

The stretch of 57th Street between Park Avenue and Columbus Circle has earned the designation “Billionaires’ Row” through a concentration of supertall luxury towers that have redefined ultra-premium residential real estate.

220 Central Park South

Developer: Vornado Realty Trust

Height: 950 feet (79 floors)

Record Sale: $238 million (Ken Griffin, 2019)

Notable Residents: Ken Griffin, Sting

Details: Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects in a classic limestone aesthetic, 220 CPS has become the most valuable residential building in America. Griffin’s purchase combined multiple floors into a single residence with 360-degree views of Central Park, the Hudson River, and the Manhattan skyline.

One57

Developer: Extell Development

Height: 1,005 feet (75 floors)

Record Sale: $100.5 million (2014)

Notable Residents: Michael Dell, Bill Ackman

Details: The building that launched Billionaires’ Row, One57 was the first supertall residential tower on 57th Street. Its duplex penthouse sold for over $100 million, establishing a new benchmark for Manhattan luxury.

432 Park Avenue

Developer: CIM Group/Macklowe Properties

Height: 1,396 feet (85 floors)

Record Sale: $87.7 million

Notable Residents: Saudi royal family members, Jennifer Lopez (former)

Details: The slender concrete tower designed by Rafael Viñoly was briefly the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere. Its minimalist grid of 10×10 windows has become a defining feature of the Manhattan skyline.

Central Park Tower

Developer: Extell Development

Height: 1,550 feet (98 floors)

Record Asking: $250 million (penthouse)

Details: Now the tallest residential building in the world, Central Park Tower offers unobstructed views from unprecedented heights. The building includes a Nordstrom flagship store at its base and amenities designed by Rottet Studio.

Record-Breaking Manhattan Sales

Rank Address Price Year Buyer
#1 220 Central Park South $238M 2019 Ken Griffin
#2 220 Central Park South $157.5M 2021 Daniel Och
#3 One57 $100.5M 2014 Undisclosed
#4 432 Park Avenue $87.7M 2016 Fawaz Al Hokair
#5 157 West 57th Street $80M 2021 Undisclosed

Celebrity Penthouse Owners

Ken Griffin: The $238 Million Record

Citadel founder Ken Griffin’s purchase at 220 Central Park South set the record for the most expensive home sale in U.S. history. The multi-floor residence includes:

  • Approximately 24,000 square feet across multiple floors
  • 360-degree views of Central Park, Hudson River, and East River
  • Private elevator access
  • Part of a $1 billion+ real estate portfolio spanning Chicago, Palm Beach, London, and the Hamptons

For complete coverage of Griffin’s empire, see our guide to Celebrity Hamptons Homes (he owns the former Calvin Klein estate on Meadow Lane).

Other Celebrity Residents

Celebrity Building/Location Est. Value Industry
Sting 220 Central Park South $50M+ Music
Michael Dell One57 $100M+ Tech
Bill Ackman One57 $90M+ Finance
Jennifer Lawrence Upper East Side $15M Entertainment
Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively Tribeca $12M Entertainment

Beyond Billionaires’ Row: Other Trophy Addresses

Tribeca

Lower Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood has attracted entertainment celebrities seeking loft-style living with privacy:

  • Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively: Converted warehouse residence
  • Taylor Swift: Multiple Tribeca properties totaling $50M+
  • Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel: Penthouse (sold)
  • Jake Gyllenhaal: Historic building residence

Upper East Side

The traditional address for old money and established celebrities:

  • Classic pre-war co-ops: Fifth Avenue, Park Avenue
  • Townhouses: $20-50M range
  • Appeal: Established social infrastructure, museum proximity, Central Park access

Upper West Side

Favored by entertainment and media figures:

  • The Eldorado: Historic twin-towered co-op
  • The San Remo: Celebrity residents over decades
  • Appeal: Lincoln Center proximity, family-friendly, less formal than UES

What Ultra-Luxury Penthouses Include

Standard Features ($50M+ Penthouses)

Size: 8,000-25,000 square feet

Bedrooms: 4-8, each with en-suite bathroom

Ceiling Heights: 12-20+ feet

Private Outdoor Space: Terraces totaling 1,000-5,000+ sq ft

Views: Multiple exposures, Central Park mandatory for top tier

Private Elevator: Keyed access directly to unit

Staff Quarters: Separate entrance, 1-3 bedrooms

Wine Storage: Climate-controlled, 500+ bottle capacity

Building Amenities (Billionaires’ Row)

  • Pool: 75+ feet, often with Central Park views
  • Spa: Treatment rooms, sauna, steam
  • Fitness: Equipment rivaling luxury gyms
  • Private Dining: Chef’s kitchen for catered events
  • Theater: Screening room with stadium seating
  • Golf: Simulator with professional instruction
  • Staff: 24/7 concierge, doormen, valet

Price Per Square Foot Analysis

Category Price/Sq Ft Example
Ultra-Trophy (220 CPS top floors) $10,000+ Griffin: ~$9,900/sf
Billionaires’ Row Prime $6,000-9,000 One57, 432 Park penthouses
Billionaires’ Row Standard $4,000-6,000 Lower floors, smaller units
Traditional Luxury (UES/UWS) $2,500-4,000 Pre-war co-ops, new condos
Tribeca Loft $2,000-3,500 Converted warehouse

The Manhattan vs. Hamptons Calculus

Many ultra-wealthy maintain both Manhattan penthouses and Hamptons estates:

  • Ken Griffin: 220 CPS penthouse + Meadow Lane estate
  • Billionaire pattern: $50-100M Manhattan + $20-50M Hamptons
  • Usage: Manhattan primary (September-May), Hamptons (Memorial Day-Labor Day)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive penthouse in NYC?

Ken Griffin’s penthouse at 220 Central Park South, purchased for $238 million in 2019, holds the record for the most expensive home sale in U.S. history. The multi-floor residence spans approximately 24,000 square feet with 360-degree views of Central Park.

Which celebrities live in NYC penthouses?

Notable celebrity penthouse owners include Ken Griffin (220 CPS, $238M), Sting (220 CPS), Michael Dell (One57, $100M+), Bill Ackman (One57), and various Saudi royal family members (432 Park). Entertainment celebrities like Taylor Swift, Ryan Reynolds, and Jennifer Lawrence own properties in Tribeca and the Upper East Side.

What is Billionaires’ Row in NYC?

Billionaires’ Row refers to the stretch of 57th Street between Park Avenue and Columbus Circle, home to supertall luxury towers including 220 Central Park South, One57, 432 Park Avenue, and Central Park Tower. These buildings host the world’s most expensive residential apartments.

How much does a NYC penthouse cost?

NYC penthouse prices range dramatically: $3-10M in newer Brooklyn/Queens developments, $10-30M in traditional Manhattan luxury buildings, $30-100M in Billionaires’ Row towers, and $100M+ for trophy units like those at 220 Central Park South. Price per square foot ranges from $2,000 to over $10,000.

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