The Behemoth
Riverside Boulevard, Upper West Side
This pool is a veritable giant for a Manhattan high-rise—with a 37-foot-long, 15-foot-wide, 8-foot-deep footprint. It’s made of sealed-tight stainless steel with underwater lights for after-dark dips. The pool deck is enrobed in resin—the better to prevent slippage. The view, a swatch of New Jersey stretching from Weehawken to Edgewater,is impressive, too (and, thanks to clear fencing, perfectly unmarred). The condo is asking $15.9 million—the pool is the biggest on the market right now—via Corcoran’s Deanna Kory.
For Sale: $15.9 million
The Celebrity Hangout
Walker Street, Tribeca
It was with his two athletic young sons in mind that real-estate developer Edmond Li outfitted the terrace of his garden-level Tribeca apartment with a pool back in 2006. “We wanted to keep the kids active,” he says. The tiled gunite pool is a heated, saltwater affair that’s 14 feet wide, 22 feet long, and surrounded by bluestone slabs. We really enjoyed it when we had it,” Li says fondly. Presumably, so have the several celebrities—including Leonardo DiCaprio—who rented it after Li and his brood moved to a house in the suburbs (with a bigger pool) in 2007. It was sold to the current owner in 2012.
The Miami-Style Hideaway
East 17th Street, Flatiron
Doug Levine, a start-up and real-estate investor from Florida, was on the hunt for a pied-à-terre with a pool a few years ago. The one he landed on is lined with velvety blue tile; its motorized current allows one to swim in place for miles, even though it’s just seventeen feet long and eight feet wide. The decking is made from synthetic material that requires little maintenance. For lounging, there’s a flat-screen-equipped cabana. (Levine’s not using it much these days, and is renting it for $40,000 a month, via Town Residential’s Jon Cella.)
For Rent: $40,000 per month
The Backyard Retreat
East 30th Street, Murray Hill
So the belowground backyard Manhattan pool isn’t an urban legend after all. Sam Ramirez Jr., a financier, wasn’t looking for a pool when he was house-hunting in 2006. But the townhouse he and his wife fell for came with one that, at 30 feet long and 8 feet wide, took up nearly half the yard. Rather than pave it over, they’ve embraced it, teaching their three kids to swim and hosting many a poolside birthday party.
The Rooftop Gem
East 74th Street, Upper East Side
The saline pool located in this townhouse’s spalike basement is meant for serious swims, but the soaking pool on the roof—encrusted with Bisazza mosaic tile and in the shadow of the Carlyle Hotel—was made for relaxing. Developer Valerio Morabito took design inspiration from his native Italy and current home base, Miami. It’s now on the market for $30 million through Brett Miles and Jason Karadus of Town Residential.
For Sale: $30 million
The Designer Showpiece
Vestry Street, Tribeca
Installing a rooftop pool is no joke (all that weight requires stringent planning and engineering). This one, designed by architect Winka Dubbeldam, who lined the building’s façade with marble bonded to glass, features a volcanic-stone perimeter. At twelve to sixteen feet long and eight feet wide, the pool has a special filtration system that eliminates the need for virtually any chemicals. A cabana shields loungers from direct sun—and nosy neighbors.
The Suburbanlike Fantasy
Edwin Street, Staten Island
Pools are rare everywhere in the city—except in Staten Island, says broker Gary Papirov, where they’re pretty much a dime a dozen, especially in large homes. Still, this pool is bigger than most, a classic suburban swimmer at 20-by-40 feet with a diving board and surrounded with red brick and lush hedges. A terrazzo-tiled cabana houses a full stainless-steel outdoor kitchen and dining table. The property is currently under contract.
The Mini Paradise
West Broadway, Soho
Though right in the heart of Soho, this small pool feels private, bounded by a stone fence, ferns, and cypress trees. There’s an outdoor shower around the corner, too, and an alfresco kitchen—complete with a dishwasher. (The apartment’s available for $17.25 million with Corcoran’s Deborah Grubman and David Dubin.)
For Sale: $17.25 million