Ricky Martin Sells Peter Marino-Designed NYC Apartment for $6+ Million

This article explores the architecture and design story behind Ricky Martin’s recently sold Upper East Side residence. The Peter Marino–designed, park-facing condominium blends high-end materials, thoughtful spatial planning, and robust building amenities.

Beyond the celebrity headline, it serves as a case study in how contemporary luxury residential design uses proportion, light, and amenities to deliver long-term value in a competitive New York market.

Peter Marino’s Design Vision on the Upper East Side

Peter Marino is known for his work on flagship boutiques and high-profile residences. He fuses art, light, and materiality into carefully curated environments.

In this Upper East Side project, Marino’s approach creates a refined, modern shell that takes advantage of its position above Carl Schurz Park and the East River.

Completed in 2008, the building represents a moment in New York residential design focused on robust construction and expansive glazing. Amenity-rich programming was intended to compete with both classic prewar co-ops and new downtown developments.

Context: Light, Views, and Urban Edge

Located on the seventh floor, the 3,147-square-foot condo benefits from its elevation. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of Carl Schurz Park and the East River.

This design choice maximizes daylight and visually extends the interior into the park and water beyond.

Plan Efficiency and Spatial Experience

The apartment shows how careful planning can make a generous space feel even larger. The layout centers on a long axial foyer, guiding the arrival experience and distributing circulation efficiently.

This planning reduces wasted space and minimizes corridor clutter. It also creates logical connections between public and private areas.

The 30-Foot Foyer as Architectural Spine

The nearly 30-foot-long foyer acts as a central spine. It serves as a linear gallery, providing orientation and display space.

This creates a sense of procession, leading into expansive living and dining areas framed by ten-foot windows. The contrast between the compressed entry and large gathering spaces is intentional.

Open Living, Dining, and Entertaining Zones

The main living and dining areas form one continuous volume, ideal for open-plan living. The architecture prioritizes flexibility:

Chef’s Kitchen as Functional Showpiece

The open chef’s kitchen functions as both a working kitchen and a social hub. Material and equipment choices highlight this dual purpose.

Custom cabinetry and Swiss quartzite countertops provide a durable, refined surface. Appliances from Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Miele signal quality, a standard in this market segment.

Materiality and Performance

Swiss quartzite is a notable choice for its hardness and resistance to staining. Its distinctive texture is valuable in an open kitchen that remains part of the living and dining spaces.

The result is a kitchen that feels like furniture as much as infrastructure.

Bedroom Suites and Private Realm Design

The residence offers two primary suites, two additional en suite bedrooms, and a flexible fifth room. This layout supports adaptable living—multi-generational households, live-in staff, home offices, or wellness rooms.

Each primary suite includes walk-in closets and Italian marble baths. These features align with buyer expectations for refined private spaces.

En Suite Planning and Flexibility

Bathrooms en suite to each bedroom improve privacy and independence. The fifth flexible room is key in modern design, where adaptability matters:

Amenity Programming as a Design Strategy

The building’s amenity package shows how developments now compete as complete ecosystems. Amenities extend private living space in dense urban markets.

The building includes a screening room, arcade and billiards room, gym with Pilates and yoga studios, squash court, golf simulator, landscaped courtyard, on-site parking, and 24-hour service. Each function is programmed to support wellness and social interaction.

From Luxury to Lifestyle Infrastructure

For architects and developers, these shared spaces function as lifestyle infrastructure. They enhance the perceived value of each unit and support resident retention.

Amenities help differentiate the property in a crowded luxury market. They become part of the architectural narrative and contribute to marketability.

The buyer of Ricky Martin’s apartment remains undisclosed. The sale—from a 2012 purchase at $5.9 million to a 2024 sale at $6.15 million after several re-listings—shows the resilience of the Upper East Side luxury condo market.

Martin is now focusing on his $13.5 million Beverly Hills property. This New York residence is a strong example of how design and amenities shape high-end urban living.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Ricky Martin Sells His Peter Marino-Designed NYC Apartment for over $6 Million