How do you follow up to a building ? That was the uppermost question on everyone’s minds when the developer-architect team of William Lie Zeckendorf, Arthur Zeckendorf and Robert A.M. Stern began converting the Parkside Evangeline hotel at 18 Gramercy Park South into a luxury condominium. Previously owned by the Salvation Army, the building erected in 1927 was, at one time, a dorm-like residence for young women. Real estate followers knew that the building would need a dramatic makeover to make it conform to the luxury living standards of Manhattan.

Well, if the sales figures at 18 Gramercy Park South today are any indication, the makeover certainly worked! The New York Observer reported that six units in the 16-unit building went into contract last week, all of which were listed in the market for more than $14.5 million. The most expensive of these apartments that went into contract was the duplex penthouse, which was asking a whopping $42 million, a price that Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander was ready to pay. That sale was record breaking—it was the costliest apartment sale every made for a Manhattan apartment or penthouse south of 59th Street.

The other apartments in the building may have been priced less, but they were no less impressive--the lowest priced apartment asked for a cool $14.8 million. And these apartments are as grand and luxurious as one expects them to be: full-floor homes with large windows that allow in plenty of light, elegant furniture, beautiful decorations and a host of other such elite features. 18 Gramercy Park South residents are also treated to a number of amenities which include two swimming pools, a fitness center, a sauna, a spa and, of course, a key to the very private and desirable Gramercy Park.

The neighborhood of Gramercy Park is also one of the chief selling points for the residences here. A historic location with several landmarked buildings in the area, living here puts residents close to the best the city has to offer in terms of restaurants, shops, parks, etc. Gramercy Park is close to other great Manhattan neighborhoods like Union Square and the Flatiron District, which assures residents of a variety of things to do on their days out of their sumptuous apartments. With such features and advantages to living here, we are confident that the last few remaining residences at 18 Gramercy Park South will sell like hotcakes very soon as well.