It’s almost time for March Madness when everyone becomes a basketball fan. According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, basketball is the most popular sport in the United States with over 26 million people playing. Even though there are outdoor hoops all over Manhattan, indoor courts are not as easy to come by in the city whose average price per square foot outranks all other US cities. Amazingly, some NYC developers are defying the odds and have built indoor basketball courts that will knock your basketball tube socks off.
Here are four indoor courts to dribble over.
180 East 88TH Street
The Upper East Side's 180 East 88th Street is a striking, 32-story condominium by hot developer DDG. The artisan crafted building features 48 private residences ranging from lofts to five-bedrooms, full floor and duplex units, as well as one triplex penthouse. In addition to the wine room, playroom, game room, lounge and fitness room, the amenity that will get your heart pumping the most (literally) is the partial basketball court and adjacent soccer pitch. The half-court indoor basketball court features soaring double-height ceilings and an abundance of natural light (something not often found in indoor courts).
Waterline Square
Designed by the starchitect team, Rafael Viñoly Architects, Richard Meier & Partners Architects, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, and Hill West Architects, Waterline Square is on one of the last remaining waterfront development sites on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The masterplan encompasses nearly five acres and features 263 luxury one- to five-bedroom condominiums located in the three towers. The building offers more than 100,000 square feet of sports, leisure, and lifestyle amenities, as well as a beautifully landscaped park and open spaces spanning nearly three acres. The Waterline Club, which connects all three buildings, has been designed by David Rockwell's hospitality group, Rockwell Group. The full-sized court is impressive with its six hoops that allow for full or half court games. Other amenities include an indoor tennis court, soccer field, state-of-the-art fitness center, a 25-meter, 3-lane lap pool, separate children’s pool, art studio and specialty zones for children and pets.
Madison Square Park Tower
Rendering Credit: Williams New York
Madison Square Park Tower, the tallest residential building between Midtown and Lower Manhattan, boasts five floors of amenities, including a half court designed by the London-based designer, Martin Brudnizki. Known for his high-profile hotels and private clubs, including the SoHo Beach House in Miami Beach and Annabel’s Terrace in London, Brudnizki gave a university club-inspired court contemporary flare, using a geometric-patterned ceiling and upholstered wall panels. The benches on the side of the court are a bit worrisome for rough play but the old school style makes up for the possible banged-up shins (form over function).
One Manhattan Square
With over 100,000 square feet of amenities, the Lower East Side’s One Manhattan Square. One Manhattan Square is a vertical village. At its heart, the multi-level fitness center will offer an expansive full-size basketball court, in addition to three swimming pools, a bowling alley, golf simulators, squash court and yoga studio. Post-game relaxation can also be found in the building’s full service spa or its 40,000 square feet of breathtaking gardens.
Whether you are an avid player or fan, these LeBron and Steph-worthy basketball courts are pretty amazing amenities. Get that fantasy league ready for March Madness and place your bets on which ones of these courts wins the championship!
