This $75M Chelsea penthouse includes the city’s largest private outdoor pool

When we behold corporate executive/real estate investor David Weinreb’s west side trophy penthouse at 551 West 21st Street, a few questions may arise: Why does someone need three elevators? Do we want to walk through the wine closet to get to the living room? Is the West Side Highway a $75 million streetscape? And could we perhaps have done better than artificial turf for the 4,000-square-foot rooftop terrace? That said, if you’re listing your penthouse for $75 million, in addition to city and river views for days, you’d really better have the largest private outdoor pool in New York City, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten had better have designed your kitchen. This box seat in the stadium of Manhattan living covers those must-haves and many more.

This 6,500-square-foot full-floor condominium doesn’t end at its walls; 4,535 square feet of outdoor space includes the building’s entire rooftop, home to the largest, at 61 feet long, private outdoor pool in New York City (“gigantic,” by New York Post standards).

Though it’s nowhere near a city record, the property’s latest ask ranks it among downtown Manhattan’s most expensive. Weinreb, former chief executive of Howard Hughes Corp., purchased the unit as a raw space in 2017 for $38 million and tried–unsuccessfully–to sell the unfinished condo for nearly $50 million in 2021.

A grand-scale renovation completed in 2024 gave the penthouse a designer glow-up at the hands of Ingrao Design and De La Torre Design Studio. Space, light and natural materials orchestrate a masterpiece of luxury, effortless functionality and expensive design–undulant contemporary furniture included.

Step from one of the private elevators opening to the east and west through dramatic 500-pound custom doors. The elegantly-furnished living room puts the Hudson River and southern and western vistas of Manhattan–Statue of Liberty included as an unintentional irony–at your feet.

Floors include wide-plank Schotten & Hansen oak, and windows of vision glass rise to 18 feet, with motorized shades programmed with a seasonal automation system. This effortless level of automation continues throughout the home with Osbee integrated smart systems that include Crestron controls, a full security system, and premium A/V configuration.

Adjacent is an actual chef’s kitchen–the chef being the world-renowned Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a friend of the owner, who designed it for top kitchen outfit Lanserring. Top-tier appliances include a Gaggenau espresso machine, refrigerator and freezer column, steam oven, microwave, vacuum-sealing drawer, warming drawer, cooling wine cabinet, and dual dishwashers. At the heart of this culinary who’s who is a handcrafted-in-France 87-inch Lacanche Sully 2200 range.

From the eastern gallery, the elevator–and a dazzling sculptural spiral staircase–ascends to 4,535 square feet of outdoor space (the building’s entire rooftop) that gives your entire entourage a chance to experience even more dazzling Hudson River and city views al fresco. The enormous swimming pool makes this an unmatched city oasis, served by a full bath, and a built-in BBQ grill.

Behind 800-pound doors, the primary bedroom suite gets panoramic Hudson River views and lots of closet space. A spa-level bath has an integrated steam shower, radiant heated floors, and a vanity topped with a seamless Italian marble slab.

Three additional bedrooms and a unique round bonus room–a standout as a home gym or executive HQ–comprise the private sleeping wing of the home. All bathrooms include TOTO smart toilets.

The 20-story Foster + Partners-designed building, completed in 2015, is a 21st-century architectural landmark even in the architecture gallery that is West Chelsea. Full-service conveniences include a private, gated porte-cochère, a 24-hour doorman, a concierge, aporter, valet services, and a live-in superintendent.

Building amenities are suitably stellar, including a fitness center and yoga studio, spa facilities, a resident lounge, a children’s playroom, and bicycle storage. A parking space is included with the penthouse.

[Listing details: 551W21, 551 West 21st Street, #PH at CityRealty]

[At Compass by Clayton Orrigo]

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