Jumeirah Essex House: Return of Art Deco Cool

The latest conversion trend — if we've kept tabs correctly — has been condo to hotel. But there are certain buildings, really special places, where people will buck any trend to own a piece of them. These are places like the Plaza, and what was known as the Essex House on Central Park South.

Now it's known as the Jumeirah Essex House, named for the Dubai-based investment firm that owns some of the world's top-rated hotels and resorts. If there's one thing the businessmen of Dubai do better than anyone else on earth, it's to invest in and run the most elegant hotels with the most uncompromised array of services.

One of the great recurring real estate arguments in New York City is to name the building with the best views. The Essex House is our entry every time. But we're also bowled over by the views inside this landmark. The architect Costas Kondylis oversaw the renovation — creation is, perhaps, a better word — of 35 luxury condominiums from 100 or so hotel rooms. They range from 700 to 3,500 square feet and all boast 9 1/2-foot coffered ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows with French doors. Mr. Kondylis' daughter, an interior designer to high society, does the apartments in a timeless, art deco style that oozes sophistication.

The restaurants and bar off the lobby of this building are being redesigned by Tony Chi, who has decided to open an entrance onto Central Park South. Until recently most pedestrians didn't know what incredible dining they passed by.

The lobby, guestrooms, and corridors are designed by Hirsh Bedner, the soul behind the Mandarin Oriental in Miami.

The people who have bought the apartments so far are empty nesters who want luxurious pied-à-terres with five-star hotel dining and services in their lobby. Trendy celebrities might want to shop for a pad farther downtown.

And with prices between $1 million and $9.5 million, there's no chance the wrong element will infiltrate these hallowed halls.