230 West 78th Street, 19

This home's layout and views are sheer perfection, and that is not the usual broker-babble or hyperbole, let me explain.

Some homes are lucky to have a view of Central Park or Hudson River; only a handful can claim both. Those that do are often so elevated they float above the city. The 19th floor at the Linden has excellent views of both, with a Direct Living Terrace enjoying Central Park's 'money shot'.

This Direct Living Terrace is one for the ages. At 42 x 15 ft, it is perfectly proportioned for large-scale entraining, yet the landscaping and the mature vegetation give it an intimate feel, making it perfect for more private relaxation. (you can buy plants, but you can only earn maturity in your vegetation) The location of the access points to the terrace enhances the practicality of the space. The southern portion is perfect for cooking and dining, while the north portion, with its pergola, is ideal for lounging with French doors providing that all-important indoor-outdoor feel.

The foreground makes the Central Park view from this home so unique. The lower buildings between you and the Museum of Natural History gardens create a unique viewing corridor that needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated.

In terms of the layout, in most terraced apartments, one needs to pass through the kitchen or the living room to get to the terrace, limiting the furniture arrangement and peaceful enjoyment of those rooms. The 'figure-8' configuration of this home ensures that every space is readily accessible without disturbing any other space. Outdoor gatherings on the terrace are also made perfect by the Central Park views and the central hallway with its direct elevator access.

Thanks to the layout, the glass curtainwall, and the surrounding buildings, what you get is a living room that feels even larger than the 16 x 33 the tape measure gives it. The gas fireplace does double duty as a focal point and a visual barrier to the kitchen. The kitchen itself is wide enough to accommodate a full-size dining table, but a small tweak can make it a well-proportioned dining roomwith perfect sunset views over the Hudson River.

In the transition hallways between the public and private spaces of this home, there is a powder room and laundry; both are ideally located, within easy access from everywhere, yet just outside of everyone's view.

The three en-suite bedrooms are on the south side, ensuring they get very good light. Each of them is well-proportioned for their use, The primary easily accommodates a King-size with plenty of room to walk, and don't worry about an armoire because the dressing area and walk-in closet are generous enough that they are not needed. The marble-clad primary bath has five fixtures, and a large west-facing window ensures a pleasant bathing or showering experience.

The second ensuite bedroom could also handle a king, but you might not want to make your guests too comfortablethey might never leave.

Although the third bedroom is the smallest, it makes up for that by having a view of Central Park. When you visit the third en-suite, one of the unique aspects of this home will come into focus: all three en-suites are windowed.

The Linden, with just 33 units, is a midsize condo with a full-time doorman, bike storage, a gym, a lounge, and a child playroom conveniently located for easy access to all the best things the Upper West Side has to offer.