5 luxury NYC apartments for sale where you won't mind working from home

New Yorkers are spending a lot more time at home these days, and even though much of the city has opened up, your office may not be welcoming you back anytime soon. You may be facing the prospect of working indefinitely from an apartment you bought without intending it to be your full-time office, too.

In theory, working from home is a great idea. It's more convenient, cutting out commuting and giving your schedule more flexibility. But the reality is a lot more complicated. A perch for a laptop may have worked in the past on the random days you were home, but the way we work has changed. It's now dominated by video calls, and you need a separate room with a door that you can close for privacy—and your spouse may need the same. You work hard, so working from home shouldn't be uncomfortable.

Fortunately, right now, the New York City sales market is brimming with luxury apartments, so you can upgrade your home office—and get other modern amenities, new appliances, and the latest technology that your current apartment may be lacking. Consider this the time to find a place that can meet all of your needs and make working from home part of your lifestyle.

If you're looking to upgrade your work-from-home experience, there's a good place to start.

151 East 88th St., PHS, Upper East Side, $7.65 million

Philip House is a classic prewar condominium in Carnegie Hill that has been upgraded for modern living. Its newly constructed, coveted Penthouse South is now available and is represented by Elegran agents Aaron Allen and Elizabeth Van Hiel. Completed in 2015, Penthouse South is a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom duplex perched atop the stately original brick and limestone base of the building. It's in turn-key condition, with a semi-private elevator landing, three separate setback terraces, and low monthly carrying costs.

The interiors were designed by Victoria Hagan, and they ooze luxury: honed stone, natural wood, and fine marble, all made with superior craftsmanship to create a feel that captures the grace of one of Manhattan's most prestigious neighborhoods with the casual ease of a contemporary lifestyle. Upon entry, you are welcomed into a formal foyer that houses a powder room for guests, a large laundry room with a full-size LG washer and dryer, and a staircase with a classic white oak banister. The first bedroom is on the left, with a large closet, en suite bathroom with step-in shower, and access to the west-facing terrace.

The crown jewel of the home is the living/dining space, which is 32-feet long and features double-height ceilings, oversized windows, and access to a west-facing terrace. On the south side of the space, there is a large wood-burning fireplace with a limestone mantel and French doors that lead to an outdoor grilling station. The north side has high ceilings and east and west exposures, allowing for all-day natural light, and another set of French doors topped by an arched transom window. The space was designed to be flexible, and can be configured in many different ways—making it perfect for large dinner parties, indoor/outdoor living, lounging, and working from home.

An eat-in and windowed kitchen is off the common room, and you won't want to head outside for a meal once you see what it offers: custom high-gloss lacquer cabinetry, Belgian Bluestone countertops, a Sub-Zero fridge, six-burner Wolfe stove, two wood-paneled Miele dishwashers, a Sharp microwave oven, and a Sub-Zero wine fridge. The extended countertop comfortably sits four.

Upstairs, there is an additional lounge area/media room, which could be converted into a fourth bedroom or home office. Large glass doors lead onto the east-facing terrace—the largest of the three at 686 square feet. Perfect for sunbathing, relaxing, and entertaining, the terrace features open views of the surrounding neighborhood. The secondary bedroom off the stairs has a large closet and an ensuite bathroom with a bathtub shower combo.

The sprawling master bedroom features a separate sitting room with access to a quaint west-facing terrace, a walk-in-closet and a secondary closet, and access to the larger east-facing terrace. The sitting room could easily be converted into a dressing room. The five-piece, windowed ensuite master bathroom boasts a deep Kohler soaking tub, step-in rain shower, and double vanity. Wide-plank white oak flooring is throughout the apartment, and all bathrooms feature white marble tiling and countertops, with Waterworks polished nickel fixtures.

Philip House boasts amenities for all its residents, including a rooftop terrace with western skyline views and a Club Room. The fitness center has Technogym equipment, and there's also a playroom, game room, and music practice room. In addition to a 24-hour doorman and on-site building manager, Philip House also offers cold storage, a bike storage room, and private storage units. The 2,738-square-foot home is listed at $7.65 million.

375 Riverside Dr., #14D, Upper West Side, $2.25 million

This is the penthouse of a 14-story, full-service building designed by Gaetano Ajello, which has become a premier building in one of Manhattan's most desirable residential neighborhoods. The view up there is something special: unimpeded sight lines to the Hudson River and the Palisades, which will soon be ablaze as fall foliage explodes in reds, oranges, and yellows.

The three-bedroom, two-bath co-op, listed via Elegran agents Nick Anable and Seth Podell, has recently undergone a soup-to-nuts renovation, making it ready for modern living. Improvements include the installation of central air—a rarity in historic buildings like this. Custom millwork and detailing throughout include under-window cabinets, radiator covers, classic baseboards and moldings, herringbone oak floors, and closets customized for their specific room. An integrated music system connects built-in speakers in the bedroom, living room, den, office, and kitchen to play your favorite tunes, allowing you to set the mood, whether that's for guests or just yourself.

The bedrooms were remodeled with particular attention to maximizing functionality and space. The dine-in kitchen is lined with ceiling-high cabinets, and outfitted by top-of-the-line appliances (Bertazzoni, Sub-Zero and Miele), marble countertops, and new tiling.

Located on a picture-perfect Upper West Side block, 375 Riverside Dr. is part of a dynamic and family-friendly neighborhood. Nearby restaurants and shopping accompany the ample outdoor space of Riverside Park with its endless recreational opportunities including tennis courts, dog parks, and bike paths. The home is listed at $2.25 million.

301 West 53rd St., #2GH, Midtown West, $2.295 million

If you've ever had the desire to work al fresco, this home will speak to you. A split two-bedroom, two-bath represented by Elegran agents Nick Anable and Seth Podell, it has its own private 800-square-foot terrace, accessible from the main living area. There's also an additional home office (pictured at the top), perfectly suited to function as your new Zoom room.

After a full renovation, this apartment is the epitome of contemporary living. Dual master bedroom suites are on opposite sides of the home for optimal privacy, while an open-plan layout invites entertaining. The gourmet kitchen boasts custom white lacquer cabinetry and Bosch and Bertazzoni appliances. The wide-plank oak wood flooring adds refinement and warmth, making the home a welcoming space with clean lines and neutral color tones illuminated by an abundance of soft natural light.

The location in happening Midtown West puts many of the city’s iconic and cultural destinations a short walk from home, including Central Park, Columbus Circle, the Lincoln Center, Time Warner Center, Carnegie Hall, and Times Square. This 1,350-square-foot modern home is asking $2.295 million.

165 East 94th St., Upper East Side, $9.25 million

This incredible six-bedroom, six-bath home is one of the prime jewels of Hellgate Hill, a historic neighborhood in Carnegie Hill characterized by tree-lined streets, low garden walls, elegant facades, and contiguous 50-foot-deep gardens which run from house to house—24 townhouses in all. If exclusivity is what you're after, your search begins and ends here. Elegran agents Chris Fry and Shea Mena hold the listing.

This building is a garden oasis, with 5,100 square feet of meticulously renovated interior finished space spread across four floors. That's in addition to the 1,000 square feet of outdoor space in three separate areas of the home, which includes a garden, a terrace off the owner’s suite, and a roof deck. The attention to detail in the renovation of is clear from the moment you step through the custom vestibule created with Bendheim Architectural glass. The expansive space and multiple levels provide an ideal environment for working from home and schooling.

The garden level consists of a guest bedroom/office and full bath. Past the foyer is the custom kitchen, which opens to the dining room and living room with a fireplace and floor to ceiling sliding doors, leading out to the impeccable rear garden. This level is the true heart of the home.

The parlor floor features an expansive entertaining space with floor-to-ceiling windows and wet bar, a sunny library with a marble fireplace, and another full bath. The second floor has the owner’s bedroom suite, complete with a large outdoor terrace and guest room with an additional full bath. The third floor features three bedrooms, two full baths, and a full-sized laundry room. At the top of the custom-designed staircase is an entrance to the rooftop deck, a third, impressive outdoor space surrounded by not only the prewar homes with mature trees but also the city skyline.

While the home has all the trappings of a stately manor, it is completely outfitted for the 21st century, with smart-home technology inside and out. Interior highlights include Lutron lighting controls, app-controlled HVAC system, intercom with remote app front door access, and alarm. The entire house is fitted with beautiful, hand-selected designer lighting fixtures. The exterior walls are insulated with spray foam insulation, and the bathrooms are insulated for superior sound and thermal envelope. The home is asking $9.25 million.

795 Fifth Ave., #3304, Lenox Hill, $14.95 million

The home office above is far from the most stunning room of this opulent residence in the Hotel Pierre, if you can believe it. This baronial three-bedroom, three-bath apartment, listed by Elegran agents Chris Fry and Shea Mena, takes up the entire Fifth Avenue side of the hotel, offering direct views of Central Park, west to the Hudson River, north beyond the George Washington Bridge, and south to Midtown Manhattan. It's on a tower floor with only one other private residence, serviced by a shared elevator landing.

Residences rarely become available in the Hotel Pierre, and it's easy to see why. The hotel was once owned by J. Paul Getty before being converted into a co-op in 1959. It underwent a $100 million renovation in 2005, becoming a luxury residence and the only Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond rated hotel on the Upper East Side. Apartment owners enjoy full access to all hotel services, including 24-hour concierge, twice-daily maid service, spa and fitness center, conference room, business center, and beauty salon. Perrine, the new French/American restaurant along with Two E bar/lounge and the Rotunda, are located in the hotel and can provide room service, an extra perk for those requiring an amenitized work-from-home environment.

As for Residence 3304, it is the epitome of upscale hotel living. A recent renovation expanded the kitchen, refinished the floors, enlarged the closets, and installed beautiful millwork. Natural light streams in from oversized windows in every room, providing an ideal space for a spectacular sun-flooded home office. The vestibule opens to a marble gallery that itself opens onto a corner living room. The corner master suite features a large windowed bath, a second full bath, and ample closets. The formal dining room is large and airy, and there is also a large powder room. Individually controlled air conditioning and heating for each room and sound throughout are some of the additional features of this home. It is listed at $14.95 million.

If you're ready to upgrade your work-from-home lifestyle, connect with an Elegran agent today.