Two Trees Management to develop 29-story Mercedes House

Midtown Manhattan is now home to New York's latest architectural icon with the opening of Mercedes House, a 29-story gem spiraling into the Manhattan sky and redefining the city's skyline. A modern tower of glass and greenery developed by Two Trees Management and designed by world-renowned architect Enrique Norten, the spectacular residences located at 555 West 53rd St. has a zigzag footprint and a silhouette of cascading green roof terraces on every floor, allowing for unobstructed views of Clinton Park and the Hudson River and the surrounding cityscape. Norten, founder of TEN Arquitectos, is known internationally for his unique vision and fresh perspective on urban landscapes including hotels, performing arts space, universities and museums. And Two Trees, under the leadership of David and Jed Walentas, is the developer who created the popular, artistic and thriving waterfront community of DUMBO in Brooklyn. Two Trees, making its first foray back to Manhattan after 30 years, brings its design and construction aesthetic to Mercedes House. "We've built Mercedes House to provide the convenience and vibrancy of Midtown Manhattan, while creating the sensibility of an urban oasis," said David Walentas, principal at Two Trees Management. "Our residences offer architecturally exceptional rental homes designed as luxury havens, each offering a quiet counterpoint to the world's most vibrant city." The building's first phase will allow for an anticipated occupancy of 222 rental homes, available starting in May. The residences completed in the first phase will include studios, one-bedroom homes, some with home offices, and two-bedroom residences. All of Mercedes House's 900-plus residential offerings - which range from 500 to 1,200 s/f - are expected to be finished by late 2012, including a number of luxury condominiums. The high-end spaces feature dramatic floor to ceiling windows which flood the space with natural sunlight and offer picturesque views from every angle. The impressive gourmet kitchens open up onto generous living areas with stunning white oak floors. High performance Bosch washers and dryers are standard in all units, while Grohe fixtures, white ceramic glass tile floors and a deep soaking Kohler tub feature in the bathrooms. The building's cutting edge design and convenient location are just two of its major draws which also include an impressive array of amenities such as a state-of-the-art wellness center and health club, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, indoor basketball court, boxing ring, golf simulator, screening room and volleyball court. The expertly landscaped exterior includes two large decks on either side of the building offering residents a lavish outdoor pool and soothing Zen paradise, respectively. "The difference in quality and price is unmistakable," said Asher Abehsera, managing director of residential properties for Two Trees Management. "Between the stunning design and the unparalleled amenities program, we believe we have delivered the most extraordinary residential home in Manhattan." Well-situated just steps from the Hudson River, Mercedes House is located in the middle of an evolving Clinton Park community with new restaurants and retail options opening regularly. The revitalized West Side neighborhood is the perfect base for taking advantage of the city's vibrant arts community, with Broadway theaters and Lincoln Center both just blocks away. Along with its residential offerings, Mercedes House will be home to the American headquarters of Mercedes-Benz USA, including a 330,000 s/f Mercedes-Benz showroom at the building's base. The property will also house the new NYC Police Department Horse Stable, a 5,500 s/f non-profit theater space and on-site parking - a major luxury in midtown Manhattan.