Fifth Ave. newcomer makes a big impression on buyers.

Less than five months after launching its sales program, a mere 15 residences remain available for purchase at 325 Fifth Avenue, the spectacular 50-story, glass curtain 250-unit luxury condominium tower whose unprecedented array of 4-star hotel amenities and services have obviously made an impression with buyers.

The largest unit still available, according to Steve Charno, Vice President of Douglaston Development, one of the sponsors, is a 1,775 s/f three-bedroom, three-bath home priced at $2,450,000 that includes a 1,500 s/f outdoor terrace, but some smaller unit types, starting with a 688 s/f one-bedroom residence priced at $865,000, are also still on the market.

"But probably not for long," warns Richard Cantor, of Cantor-Pecorella, Inc., the exclusive marketing and sales agent for the project who calls 325 Fifth one of the "great successes" in the current marketplace.

A joint venture of Continental Properties, headed by Mark and Steven Fisch, and Levine Builders affiliate Douglaston Development, headed by Jeffery Levine, 325 is presently rising at the easterly blockfront of Fifth Avenue, between 32nd and 33rd Streets. It's highly successful "interactive" sales office is located just a few blocks away on the ground floor of 276 Fifth Avenue.

One of the signature elements of 325 Fifth Avenue, which is being built from plans by architect Stephen B. Jacobs and interior designer Andi Pepper, a design tandem that has collaborated on such successful upscale Manhattan boutique hotels as Library Hotel, Hotel Giraffe and Hotel Gansevoort, is an entire floor devoted solely to health and recreational amenities.

Included in this unprecedented package will be a 10,000 s/f health club with a decked indoor swimming pool; comprehensive cardiovascular fitness center; matted yoga and aerobic room; men's and women's locker room, sauna, massage and spa treatment, professional screening room; children's playroom; catering kitchen; lounge with marble fireplace; and a state-of-the-art business center.

Additionally, residents will be provided with such services as dog walking, in-room maid service and room safes in every apartment.

The residences at 325 Fifth Avenue will feature floor to ceiling windows affording spectacular city and river views, 10-foot high ceilings, open-plan kitchens with separate pantries and "smart wiring" for high-speed internet access, telephone, fax and cable. Many units will have large terraces and/or balconies. The building's four penthouse residences will be distinguished with 20 foot double height living rooms and wood-burning fireplaces.

Other building amenities include convenient on-site valet parking, doorman and valet service, 24-hour concierge and individual storage units available for purchase.

In keeping with its lifestyle theme, Andi Pepper's lobby design features a two-story bamboo forest entranceway embellished with a waterfall that blocks out street noise with its rippling water effect.