Miraval Brings Elegant Arizona Spa Uptown
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
The most remarkable aspect of the Miraval renovation of a 1960s-era highrise rental into a New Age spa and condominium complex are the stark contrasts between new and old.
They’ve stripped away the Formica, the linoleum, and the Masonite paneling. Everything is outfitted in smooth gray stones and Nigerian rosewoods set beside soothing waterfalls.
Even the statuary in the courtyard is considered passé. “They’re getting rid of the metal monkey sculpture. It’s sooo tacky,” says the public relations lady of the cute simian in the middle of the roof-top garden.
True, a tin ape doesn’t quite fit into the world of the noted Arizona destination spa. Miraval is slapping its name on a 40-story building at 515 E. 72nd St. It’s a quiet neighborhood, great for families, and it’s adjacent to the East River. Sotheby’s is just blocks away.
Oh, and the apartment building with the hole in it, the one Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle slammed his prop plane into last month, is across the street. Normally that wouldn’t be worth mentioning, but the tour you get of this stunning Miraval masterpiece goes out of its way to avoid mentioning the scarred structure across the way. Plus, all that talk of Feng Shui, harmony, and peaceful living usually doesn’t involve fiery crashes worthy of a Charlton Heston/George Kennedy 1970s disaster movie.
Yet the reality is that Chuck, George (remember Petroni from the “Airport” movies?), or just about any other significant celebrity would love the Miraval. There are simple renovations in the condo business, and then there is what they’re doing to this place, which is nothing short of spectacular.
The Miraval, worthy of its high-end Tuscon resort name, will offer firstclass spas, activities, and classes, all saving residents the time and cost of flying to Arizona for a week.
Miraval is owned by an Internet tycoon and it shows. Everyone moving into this place seems young, hip, and rich. They’ve been to Miraval spas before and are willing to pay beyond the $3 million it costs for some of the threebedroom apartments to get those premium spa services. This is Manhattan. Everything costs extra.
At the Miraval, we’re pleased to report, it’s worth every dime.
