Last evening, throngs of Manhattan’s most eligible brokers, entrepreneurs and house hunters peopled The Renaissance’s expansive rooftop terrace at 100 John Street. Against jaw-dropping views of the Manhattan skyline, patrons clad in Fendi eyewear and Hermes neckties were keen on keeping the cocktail waitresses busy, but it wasn’t just the drink of the evening that had everyone abuzz: the Moinian Group had just opened the doors to downtown’s newest ultra-luxury penthouse, and with The New York Observer partnering in the unveiling, a string of toasts was only fitting.
Amy Ragone, leasing manager of The Renaissance, steered us about the 3,100 square-foot furnished triplex, showcasing the unit’s spacious five bedrooms and five and a half baths. Our feet found happiness among the heated flooring, and the dining room’s many windows set a nice frame for the lingering New York sunset.
“We’ve created a hotel lifestyle with the conveniences of home,” Natasha Vardi, Senior VP of Residential Properties of the Moinian Group, enthused. And with amenities like residents’ 24/7 access to Luxury Attaché-staffed concierge, “this will set the standard for luxury living downtown.”
The penthouse—carrying an $18,800/month sticker price—was not short on coveters. Roaming the rooftop, we rubbed elbows with Cass Almendral of the Wall Street Solutions Group, who offered advice on corralling the unit for ourselves.
“Know the right people,” he counseled with a laugh. “This is going to be snapped up fast.”
His words led us to seek out Luis Ortiz, the broker of Million Dollar Listing fame. Cocktail in hand, and sporting his own menswear design, the Bravo network star was happy to depart his circle of female admirers and indulge our curiosities.
“It’s beautiful,” he raved of the unit. “I can’t imagine anything better. Normally I’d leave, but I am enjoying myself, I have to say.”
Tom Brady of TOWN Real Estate cut in to extend Mr. Ortiz his card. “Luis, you call me whenever, and we’ll close some deals.”
“Ah, hey, were you on the show, too?” Mr. Ortiz responded.
Mr. Brady shook his head.
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Mr. Ortiz said. “I thought you looked like that guy from Sotheby’s.”
After a few more minutes of shameless swooning, we reluctantly traipsed back downstairs, where we caught Gennady Agrest—president of Cognac Croizet Americas, marketer of the world’s most expensive bottle of cognac—enjoying the evening’s “John 100” concoction. Of the tequila, lemonade, cucumber and mint infused drink, Mr. Agrest admits that “it is good, very good,” but of course, “my cognac is better.” (Then again, at Mr. Agrest’s price of $157,000, we would certainly hope so.)
After settling in strategically close to the sprawling kitchen’s sushi bar, we struck up one last conversation with Mitch Moinian, son of real estate mogul and Moinian Group founder Joe Moinian.
“We love these kinds of moments,” Mr. Moinian divulged, referencing 100 John Street’s start as a lower-rate rental building over a decade ago. “This is all years’ worth of work: we just kept asking ourselves, ‘How could you not want to live here?’ If there was an answer, we knew our work wasn’t finished.”
Indeed, the triplex occupying floors 34-36 of the Renaissance leaves little to be desired. As the evening wound down, we took in one final view of the living room, a tasteful composition of modern furniture accented by a vintage Times Square painting. Of course, the penthouse’s features were plenty, yet we still couldn’t help but fixate on the several copies of a certain pink paper strewn throughout—overall, the property’s winning touch.