20-Story All-Glass Condo Project Tops Off

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorNew York–The Ascend Group recently topped off Georgica, a 20-story condominium project in Manhattan’s Upper East Side neighborhood. All 20 stories are now up and glass paneling is being installed. Located at 305 East, 85th St., the 58-unit development features gourmet kitchens and amenities such as a children’s playroom, a fitness center and an impeccably landscaped rooftop deck with a playground. In addition, the all-glass tower offers plenty of light and air. “We are not a huge development and offer residents more of a boutique-feel with just 58 residences and two to four residences per floor offering more privacy,”Rob Kaliner, principal of The Ascend Group LLC, tells MHN.Two- to four-bedroom residences, some with home offices and fireplaces, are offered in sizes from 1,237 sq. ft. to nearly 3,000 sq. ft. Prices range from $1.75 million to more than $6 million. Kaliner does not anticipate the crisis in the financial markets to affect Georgica. He says, “Now more than ever people want to put their money in real estate, particularly their own homes, as they feel it is safest there. We believe that we are appropriately priced for our product, location and today’s market.”Inspired by the Georgica Pond in East Hampton, N.Y. Georgica is situated along a tree-lined street. The high-rise is within close proximity of museums and galleries such as the Met, the Guggenheim, the Whitney and the Neue Galerie as well as the East River Promenade, Central Park and Carl Schurz Park. Georgica, which is now 30 percent sold, is slated for completion in 2009.Designed by the award-winning architectural and interior design firm, Cetra/Ruddy, Georgica offers marble hearths in every kitchen and many residences contain 8-ft.-long kitchen pantries and laundry rooms. The corner living rooms will offer floor-to-ceiling glass in every apartment, with many residences that include two-, three- and four-way exposures. Interior design details at Georgica will include sculptural crystal bathroom faucets, custom bamboo and glass walls, limestone fireplace walls, herringbone wood floors and paneled glass doors in every room.