Zeckendorf Towers

The name Zeckendorf Towers brings to mind any number of things: its eponymous developer; a neighborhood revitalization; an early smoking ban; the city’s largest residential roof terrace; a notorious local politician; a socialite’s death. This is a lot for a building that only dates to 1987. William Zeckendorf Jr., a prolific and pivotal NYC developer, named the building in honor of his famous father, William Zeckendorf, Sr, who was renowned for transforming NYC neighborhoods. In a 2014 New York Times obituary for Zeckendorf Jr., The Times attributes the 29-story Zeckendorf Towers for leading Union Square and Flatiron’s revival; at the time, drug dealers and dilapidated buildings were more the neighborhood’s norm. Zeckendorf’s vision, created by Davis, Brody and Associates, now Davis Brody Bond, arose during the 1980s condo boom and spans an entire block between the park and Irving Place along 15th Street. The red-brick facade isn’t particularly remarkable except for its four pyramid-topped towers, especially at night when they’re lit; it’s considered NYC’s only residential building with four towers. But the Zeckendorf’s storied place in history is likely as much of a draw as its distinctive architecture. Many of Zeckendorf’s 645 units contain the original parquet floors, while floor-to-ceiling windows ensure plenty of natural light. A select number of residences also include ample terraces. Views of Union Square are the most coveted, but higher floors don’t disappoint with vistas that encompass the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. Central air is standard, but washers and dryers depend on the apartment. Most units have been partially or fully renovated since 1987; as such, some kitchens are open concept while others are galley-style, although it’s not uncommon for updated apartments to feature the likes of Bosch appliances and quartz counters, while updated bathrooms favor marble. Meanwhile, thanks to a variety of floor plans, it’s possible to buy a 450-square-foot studio for about $750,000, although one-bedrooms represent the vast majority and hover around $1 million, depending on the size and updates. Larger units offering at least three bedrooms and outdoor space (even a private hot tub) are limited and rarely hit the market; the last one sold for $3.8 million in 2024. Fun fact: Scandal-ridden former New York congressman Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin, his wife at the time, lived here for a spell in a 14th-floor duplex. Upon entering this white-glove building, residents encounter a cascading gold sculpture that adds drama, part of the Zeckendorf’s refresh of its lobby, hallways and amenity spaces. The 14,000-square-foot rooftop terrace is the star attraction, touted as the largest of its kind for a NYC residence. The seventh-floor roof deck goes beyond providing a lush oasis and prime Union Square views; it also captures rainwater runoff. The project stemmed from a 2010 citywide green infrastructure initiative under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg to manage stormwater. For times when the weather isn’t conducive to being on the terrace, the Zeckendorf’s fitness complex lures tenants with its heated lap pool; the skylight adds to the appeal, along with the sauna, steam room and hot tub. The pool area abuts the gym, which feels cramped and favors strength-training equipment, but free classes, from boxing to yoga, are held in a separate studio that’s more spacious and loaded with mats and fitness equipment. Just beyond, the renovated children’s playroom includes a fully stocked toy kitchen and grocery shopping section. Car owners have the convenience of an on-site garage that provides electric charging stations, while busy professionals have the hotel-level convenience of valet dry cleaning. Speaking of laundry, some units include washers and dryers, but there are also two large laundry rooms for the rest of the building. And it goes without saying that smoking isn’t allowed, but Zeckendorf Towers became one of the first residential buildings in the country to completely ban smoking in 2013. Union Square and its surrounding area would be unrecognizable to those who haven’t seen it since Zeckendorf’s inception. The neighborhood is now an epicenter for shopping and dining: The park hosts the famed farmer’s market four days a week (the winter holiday market is equally popular) and is surrounded by chain retail shopping. A new Target recently opened in the building’s ground-floor retail space, while Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are around the corner. It’s not an exaggeration to claim that most daily needs can be found within a 10-minute walk, along with countless restaurants and leisure options that also cater to the nearby NYU crowd. 14th Street/Union Square is a transportation nexus; even better, there’s a subway entrance below the building leading to eight subway lines. These include the 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, W lines and L train to Brooklyn. The PATH train to New Jersey also stops at 14th Street and 6th Avenue. As a lively area, particularly for students and young professionals, Union Square Park is a common destination for protests, which might affect residents trying to access the building. As for the building, it allows short-term rentals and foreign investors, which creates more of an anonymous community.