Chicago Bean Sculptor Anish Kapoor’s Expansive NYC Apartment in ‘The Jenga Tower’ Is Listed for $17.8 Million
An apartment owned by world-renowned artist Anish Kapoor in a New York City landmark known as “The Jenga Tower” has come on the market.
The expansive residence on the 47th floor in the “house stacked in the sky,” located at 56 Leonard St. in Tribeca, has an asking price of $17,750,000.
The unique offering is not just a slice of sky-high paradise, but also a piece of history: The unit sits above Kapoor’s renowned New York bean sculpture at the base of the building.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_8hokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_ghokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeThe 3,500-square-foot unit features three private terraces and possibly the best views of the Big Apple. Sitting on the western side of the building, the residence boasts breathtaking vistas from the Empire State Building to the Hudson River.
Listing agent Krista Nickols, with Serhant, says the combination of the layout and vantage point is what makes this residence stand out among other units in the tower.
“What’s unique is that as you get higher up in the building … you see so much of that western water view,” she says. “Other layouts lower in the building, you kind of snake around and then start to see the Hudson River. But this one is immediate, really upon entry.
“There’s definitely a buyer preference for the west side of the building.”
The great room(Rich Caplan)
The apartment has views of the city skyline and the Hudson River.(Rich Caplan)
“The Jenga Tower” has become a New York City landmark.(Rich Caplan)
The apartment boasts three private terraces.(Realtor.com)
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_9lokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_hlokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeGlass walls flood the space with natural light and maximize the views, especially in the great room, which has a 12-foot ceiling and a sleek fireplace.
The chef’s kitchen is outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances and a striking vented hood that follows the building’s sculptural design.
The apartment offers luxury at every corner: a marble bath and oversized walk-in closets. But more notably, this is a rare opportunity to own a sky-high slice of paradise, monumental in art and architectural history.
The secondary bedroom(Rich Caplan)
The lounge with a sleek fireplace(Rich Caplan)
The great room(Realtor.com)
Though less than a decade old, the building has quickly become recognizable in the New York skyline, partly due to its unique design by world-renowned Herzog & de Meuron.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_alokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_ilokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeThe international architectural practice commissioned Kapoor to create a sculpture, similar to his “Cloud Gate” artwork in Chicago, at the base of the building.
The New York version of “the bean” is the only public work by Kapoor in the city. It faced delays due to the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and its technical complexity. The sculpture, which was finally completed in 2023, was estimated to have cost between $8 million and $10 million.
It’s no surprise then that Kapoor decided he would buy a spot in the building in which he has made such an impact, purchasing his condo in 2016 for $13.5 million.
“It’s such a cool full-circle moment. The designer behind that very striking piece of public art is now selling his home in the building it anchors,” says Nickols.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_bdokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_jdokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframeKapoor has been renting out the apartment in recent years.
“He wasn’t using the unit as much anymore. Most recently, it was rented out to some high-profile creatives. Though, I’ll just say ‘creatives’ to protect their privacy.”
The famous building has long been an attractive residence to artists and other well-known people, including musician Frank Ocean, and Nickols says it has the amenities to protect the privacy of its residents.
“They don’t even let you wait in the lobby unless you’re a resident,” she says.
“We’re seeing interest from people who recognize the cultural significance, not just of the building, but of Anish Kapoor’s connection to it,” says Nickols.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_c5okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_k5okr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe“This apartment is really for someone who appreciates design, appreciates architecture, and understands the artistry that went into both the unit and the building.”
Kapoor’s New York City version of “The Bean” is based at the bottom of the tower.(Realtor.com)
Kapoor is known for creating “Cloud Gate,” also known as “The Bean,” in Chicago.(Getty Images)
The appreciation of privacy, the art, and a general uptick in the market are the reasons why the price of the unit has increased by more than $4 million since Kapoor purchased it.
“There are units in this building that have doubled in value over the years, and that says a lot about how it’s been received by the market,” says Nickols.
“The building’s really appreciated. It just shows its staying power.”
The high prices and world-class amenities have landed units in the building on the Realtor.com most-expensive list. These include a 75-foot lap pool, a fitness center, media room, and residents lounge.
The building features a 75-foot lap pool and a sundeck.(Rich Caplan)
The building’s fitness center(Rich Caplan)
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_ddokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_ldokr8lb2mav5ubsddbH1_ iframe
The building’s cinema room(Rich Caplan)
Residents lounge(Rich Caplan)
Nickols is well-known for selling in trophy buildings such as Central Park Tower. But now, she says she’s excited to sell in this particular building due to her personal connection to the space.
“It’s where my kids learned how to swim. We lived there for a long time,” she says.
“It’s funny because I now live across the street, and I look at it every day. I still feel that same awe when I see it.”
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