Sometimes it's not easy to let go of the past. We enjoyed 2013 so much that we wanted to give it one last look, this time by seeing what Manhattan buildings were the most expensive. We went through the data of closed sales and compiled this list of the most expensive buildings by average price per square foot. 

Although 15 Central Park West has had some very impressive sales in the recent past, a recent news report has said that the volume of sales in the luxury condominium building has slowed down over the past few months. While there were 17 apartments sold at this very exclusive address in 2011, this year has seen only five apartments in the building finding buyers so far. This has been attributed to the sky-high figures being asked for the remaining condos in the building, with some real estate brokers calling some of these homes not worthy of such striking prices.

A look back at our blog posts over the past few months will reveal that one luxury condominium in particular has been popping up more than the others. The building in question is, of course, 15 Central Park West, the magnificent, limestone building designed by Robert A. M. Stern that has gained a very worthy reputation in Manhattan’s real estate market. While every apartment in this complex is by itself an amazing home, renovations and redesigns of the same have led to even more striking homes, with price tags that match the astounding glamour of these luxury homes.

That didn't take long. It’s only been a few months since the $88 million transaction at 15 Central Park West, but a recently purchased property at Midtown West's One57 has already taken its place as the most expensive condominium sale in New York City. Initially listed at $98.5 million, the 10,923 square foot penthouse at the Manhattan high-rise was bought three months ago for more than $90 million, and news of the sale was kept under wraps until yesterday.

Now that the dust has settled, it’s time to see how the pre-financial crisis wave of upscale Manhattan luxury condominiums built by the world’s best architects are faring. The fortunes of such buildings reveal many important lessons about the Manhattan luxury real estate market - mainly that market trends and location are still bigger factors than architecture. Prices for luxury condominiums in Manhattan are 10% below 2008’s high-water mark, and “Starchitect” buildings are holding up better than most othe luxury apartment buildings in Manhattan. In the short-term, the boom-time mentality that a brand name architect makes a significant pricing difference has dissapated because their values have gone down, albeit not as much as other luxury apartments in Manhattan. But depressed resale prices are only a part of the story. This wave of innovative architecture will still benefit buyers, neighbors, and Manhattanites for decades to come.