Herman unveils plans for the Beekman Regent on East Side

Real Estate Weekly, Oct 11, 2000

The plans for The Beekman Regent, a one-of-a-kind luxury condominium residence that will soon rise above the facade of a former turn-of-the-century schoolhouse on First Avenue, between 51st and 52nd Streets, has been revealed by developer Dennis A. Herman of Beekman International Center, LLC.

The new high-rise tower, with its facade of wine brick and stone cast markings, has been designed by architect Costas Kondylis to blend with the Romanesque revival building created by George W. Debevoise in 1890.

That structure, whose four-story facade was preserved during the building's demolition earlier this year, served as the home of various schools during the past century, including PS 35, PS 135 and the United Nations School.

In its place, the Beekman Regent at 351 East 51st Street will offer what may well be the most diverse mix of 64 luxury residences ever created for one Manhattan building, including the first loft condominiums to be built on the East Side in modem times. According to Herman, the ten loft spaces, with handsome herringbone wood floors and finished bathrooms and kitchens, will occupy 26,000 SF on the first two residential floors and will feature ceiling heights of 14 and 16 feet as well as 10-foot high windows in spectacular Romanesque shapes.

Above the lofts, Herman has created five terraced duplex-townhouses along with a one-bedroom simplex that can be combined with one of the town homes. The duplexes will feature a minimum of four bedrooms and will offer large entry foyers, grand staircases and huge outdoor terraces.

Spacious one, two and three-bedroom apartments -- five per floor -- will grace the 6th through 11th floors of the Beekman Regent while the top eight tower floors will house 18 "super luxury" simplex and duplex residences featuring a host of amenities, including 10-foot plus ceiling heights, large outdoor spaces and breathtaking river and city views. These gracious homes -- half of which will have terraces; the other half luxury private balconies -- will range in size from two to four bedrooms.

"Penthouse Eight," the building's largest residence, will boast five fireplaces, including one in the master bedroom.

According to Adrienne Albert, president of the Marketing Directors, Inc., the building's exclusive sales and marketing consultants, starting prices at the Beekman Regent will range from $720,000 to $11 million.

Herman is using only the finest materials and finishes at the Beekman Regent. Every residence will feature fine architectural detail, Brazilian Cherry herringbone wood flooring, top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances and fixtures, raised panel doors, thick white marble windowsills with wood molding, high-speed Internet access, custom designed sterling silver faucets in master baths, jacuzzi spas, and much more.

Expected to open for occupancy in the late summer of 2001, the Beekman Regent will boast a fully-equipped health club and spa, a parking garage and a graciously styled lobby that will feature a resident's private lounge, conference/dining room and state-of-the-art business center.

There will also be approximately 10,000 SF of ground floor retail space available for lease.