Meet MiMA, the Luxury Funhouse Set to Test the Manhattan Market

The Related Companies can go on pretending that MiMA stands for "Middle of Manhattan," but to us, the 63-story tower's nickname is an acronym for "Magical Island of Many Amenities." Magical because this ginormous mixed-use building (which includes 500 rentals, 151 condos, a Yotel cabin-style hotel and off-Broadway theaters designed by Frank Gehry) was built in about two seconds; island due to the somewhat isolated far West 42nd Street location; many amenities because, well, we've been over this. Not only will MiMA staff sort out your life, but they'll also pamper your pooch. The Hell's Kitchen of West Side Story, this is not.

MiMA is a throwback to pre-Lehman real estate decadence?with prices to match?and that has made the building's debut one of 2011's most anticipated moments. And heck, the inclusion of a Dog City probably doesn't hurt the buzz. The rental portion of the building, 500 studio, one- and two-bedroom units on floors 7 through 50, is now open for business, and late last week we got a peek inside. Check out the results in the photo gallery above. Studios start at $2,895, one bedrooms start at $3,495, junior 4s start at $4,895 and two bedrooms begin at $5,995 a month. Mama MiMA! There will be an additional fee tacked on to enjoy all those amenities.

While the glassy tower itself was designed by the Miami-based Arquitectonica, the apartment spaces were carved out by local boy Ismael Leyva, and the interiors (i.e., all those crazy lounges) designed by the Rockwell Group. As for the building's other moving parts, the Yotel New York will open in May and the Signature Center theaters will bow in early 2012. Look for the condos, dubbed One MiMA Tower, to hit the market soon. So, has the Manhattan rental market recovered enough to absorb two new super-luxury behemoths at the exact same time? We can't wait to find out.
· MiMA [Official Site]
· MiMA coverage [Curbed]