Using the Spanish word for ‘court’ as its moniker—a nod to Court Square—the project is a joint venture between Argentine developer Planet Partners and CBSK Ironstate, a consortium of New York-area investors that includes CB Developers, SK Development and Ironstate.  Planet Partners is an international real estate development firm with projects in Buenos Aires, New York City, and Montevideo.  

Construction began last year, and the project on 44th Drive is nearly ready for occupancy. The building was designed by Buenos Aires-based Dieguez Fridman Architects & Associates in conjunction with architectural firm Beyer Blinder Belle. Not surprisingly, the building’s design evokes the open, airy and spacious feeling of Buenos Aires architecture. “We really loved their aesthetic and thought it would work really well in the Court Square neighborhood,” Scott Shnay, Principal of CBSK Ironstate, tells The Cooperator. 

Sizing Up the Project

As described on its website, the property has “clean lines, rich architectural details and a refined materials palette. Wrapped in tinted glass with a contextual stone base, the contemporary design appears as a collection of stacked boxes to create a visually stunning and thoroughly modern experience.” In addition to aesthetics, the building's stacking design allows for more apartments to have private outdoor space.

Apartments at Corte range from studio to three-bedroom units, with sizes between 400 and 1,350 square feet. Features include high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows; wood floors; spa bathrooms; and designer chef kitchens with marble countertops and Miele appliances. Prices for the condos vary from the mid-$500,000s to over $3 million.

The building's amenities will include a 24-hour doorman; a live-in super; residents’ lounge; a fitness center; a kids’ playroom; a landscaped common roof deck; private roof terraces for the penthouses; and stroller and bike storage. In addition, roof cabanas, private storage lockers, and 21 private parking spaces are available for purchase. 

“Everything is very clean and modern, yet comfortable,” says Shnay. “Beyer Blinder Belle collaborated on the interior design and used a lot of warm woods to create a contemporary design that doesn’t feel cold. We also worked with [urban design  and landscape architectural firm] MPFP on the landscape design, which brings a lot of greenery into public spaces, as Corte’s lobby, fitness center and resident’s lounge frame a landscaped meditation garden.”

A Unique Sense of Space and Place

Shnay adds that two of the main things considered when designing the building with Dieguez Fridman were the views and natural light. “At just eight stories, the building still has remarkable views of the Manhattan skyline. DF played with cantilevered dormers to create framed view shots of the city.

“Also,” Shnay continues, “since Corte is only eight stories, we are using a glass curtain wall to bring as much light as possible into the units. There are landmarked townhouses behind the project, so the southern views and exposures are protected, and we wanted to take advantage of that.” 

Sales for apartments at Corte are currently underway, and occupancy is projected for 2019.

AJ Sidransky is a staff writer at The Cooperator, and is a published novelist.