Developer on top of world with redevelopment

Real Estate Weekly, May 5, 2004

For the first time in 35 years, a New York City building has won the prestigious Mercedes Benz Property Award as the "Finest International Redevelopment in the World."

The honor has been bestowed on developer Dennis Herman's The Beekman Regent, situated at 351 East 51st Street.

The one-of-a-kind landmarked condominium residence, which sits atop the handsomely restored facade of a former turn-of-the-century schoolhouse, received the accolade for combining pre-war ambiance with what may well be the most diverse mix of 64 luxury residences ever created for one Manhattan building.

"It is a great privilege for us to be honored for our dedication to excellence, quality of construction and attention to detail," said developer Dennis A. Herman of Beckman International Center, LLC.

"Preserving the building's Romanesque revival facade of wine brick and stone cast markings, originally created by George W. Debevoise in 1890, while time consuming, was an important component in creating this luxurious high-rise residence."

That structure, whose four-story facade was painstakingly preserved during the building's demolition, served as the home of various schools during the past century, including PS 35, PS 135 and the United Nations School, and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, Mr. Herman noted.

This latest award adds to the building's history of recognition, which includes being one of a select few Manhattan homes classified as "the best apartments that money can buy" by WNBC's Jane's New York earlier this year.

The Beckman Regent was also named "one of the finest new developments in New York" by London-based International Homes magazine. New York Living has called The Beckman Regent "one of New York's most luxurious residences" and Yale Robbins rated the building "one of the top two condominiums in New York" in its March 2003 publication.

The 20-story condominium (equivalent to 28 floors in a typical building) features unique layouts representing four design concepts--loft-like residences, townhouses, classic residences and penthouses.

Occupancy began back in Spring 2002 and, while most of the building's homes have been spoken for, with the exception of just a handful of residences, its 10 loft-like homes--also known as The Private Reserve--are just now being introduced to the market.

These spacious homes, ranging from 1,824 to 3,170 square feet, feature towering 14-foot coffered ceilings with cove lighting, 12-inch triple crown moldings, 10-foot high windows in spectacular Romanesque shapes, 9-foot solid core doors, sweeping galleries, enormous onyx master bathrooms and extraordinary gourmet kitchens. Prices range from $2.9 to $6.6 million.

Like the other residences at The Beckman Regent, The Private Reserve homes feature fine, European-inspired finishes such as 24-karat brushed Italian gold hardware.

Whirlpool tubs in the master baths and top-of-the-line kitchen appliances underscore the developer's commitment to fine living.

The traditional European ambiance is also carded out in the building's mahogany paneled lobby, which is highlighted by a Baccarat chandelier based on vintage design and original 18th century Italian artwork.

The fully serviced building offers doorman and concierge service, a library/drawing room, on-site garage with valet parking, a 1,500-square-foot fitness center, private resident's lounge where continental breakfast is served, storage rooms, bicycle and pram room and a wine cellar.

Remarkably, The Beckman Regent's 64 residences share four elevators, one of many exclusive elements that differentiate it from all other buildings of its size.

Herman earned his reputation as a developer capable of recapturing the ambiance of New York's golden prewar apartment era when he built the luxury tower at 60 East 88th Street in 1987 and is now continuing that tradition at The Beckman Regent.