Top Prewar Condos

1049 Fifth Avenue merges an opulent pre-war style with state-of-the art finishes and technology.

It recently underwent an interior gut renovation that included substantial soundproofing between floors and apartments. With only 54 condominium residences on 23 floors, there are no more than three units per floor, with one floor designated for smaller staff apartments.

Residences are sprawling, averaging over 2,000 square feet. There are libraries with raised panel walls, coffered ceilings, Chicago windows with hand-operated panels, solid core raised panel doors, crown moldings and hand-laid rosewood herringbone patterned floors with ebony borders. Marble bathrooms have cherry wood raised panel cabinetry, double sink vanities and deep soaking tubs. Eat-in kitchens have top-of-the-line appliances, white marble and polished gray granite floors, full-size washers and dryers and butler’s pantries with warming ovens. Many residences have multiple terraces offering some of the best views in Manhattan of Central Park and the city.

It has a full-time doorman and concierge, private storage, attended elevators, a bicycle room and refrigerator storage for deliveries.

The 22-story Walker Tower takes its name from Ralph Walker, the architect of the 1929 telephone switching building that comprises the lower floors. The architects at Cetra/Ruddy not only treated the original’s Art Deco with utmost deference, but also extended and intensified the energetic theme to create a 21st century masterpiece wrought in the finest Gotham style.

Building amenities include a 24-hour doorman, concierge, fitness center with yoga room, refrigerated storage, playroom, bike storage, gym, sauna, library lounge with pantry and bar, and a landscaped roof deck with dining area, sun lawn, and covered cabana area. Walker Tower's address at 212 West 18th Street puts it in close proximity to the High Line, popular Chelsea restaurants and nightlife, and the 18th Street 1 train.

The Plaza Hotel and Residences, located at 768 Fifth Avenue and 1 Central Park South, is an iconic blend of luxury hospitality and upscale living. Designed in French Renaissance chateau style by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh in 1907, The Plaza offers an unmatched New York experience, steps from Central Park, Pulitzer Fountain, and renowned landmarks like Carnegie Hall, MoMA, and the Wollman Rink.

The building’s distinctive exterior features a white marble base, turreted corners, and a mansard roof adorned with finials and flagpoles, adding to its Old World charm. The Plaza’s interior includes 282 hotel rooms and 181 private residences, with the latter housed in the building's north and east wings. The residences feature high ceilings, period moldings, walnut-bordered herringbone parquet floors, and kitchens equipped with stone countertops and mosaic marble backsplashes. Many units boast views of Central Park, Fifth Avenue, and the surrounding cityscape, with some offering terraces and unique turreted windows.

Residents enjoy exclusive access to hotel amenities, including the famed Palm Court restaurant, Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, Warren-Tricomi Salon, and a state-of-the-art La Palestra fitness center. A dedicated staff provides round-the-clock concierge, doorman, butler, and nanny services, along with housekeeping, turn-down service, and limousine arrangements. Additionally, residents have access to a private European-style garden with cascading water features, a rooftop deck, and pet-friendly policies.

Situated on the doorstep of Central Park, The Plaza is encircled by premier shopping and dining options and is conveniently close to several subway lines, making it easily accessible from all parts of Manhattan. The lively surroundings of the Meatpacking District, Lincoln Center, and high-end boutiques along Fifth Avenue cater to a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Throughout its history, The Plaza has hosted distinguished guests and memorable events, such as Truman Capote's Black-and-White Ball. Celebrities and public figures have frequented the Oak Bar, a setting famously depicted in "North by Northwest." The building was partially converted to condominiums in 2008 under El Ad Properties, preserving its landmarked exterior and spectacular interiors. Managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the hotel offers a mix of private residences, transient hotel rooms, and 152 "hotel-condos" that generate income for owners through a revenue-sharing program.

The Plaza has long been celebrated in popular culture, from Neil Simon's “Plaza Suite” to films like "Scent of a Woman" and "Home Alone 2." Its Persian Room nightclub attracted icons like Peggy Lee and Liza Minnelli, and its storied ambiance continues to define New York glamour.

The Westbury was completed as a hotel in 1927 and was converted to 47 condominium apartments in 1999. However, the building still offers such hotel-caliber amenities as a full-time staff, concierge service, a fitness center, a wine cellar, storage, and a bike room. The building is located at 15 East 69th Street, on the corner of East 69th Street and Madison Avenue and close to Central Park, world-class shopping, and fine dining.

40 East 66th Street is a prewar condominium designed by Rosario Candela and located in a luxurious section of the Upper East Side, one block from Central Park and surrounded by top restaurants and shopping. The building offers 24-hour doorman and concierge service, a fitness room, a children's playroom, a bike room, a central laundry room, and storage.

Originally constructed in 1912, 285 Lafayette Street was subsequently converted into 31 apartments. The property also contains 30,000 square feet of retail space currently occupied by the New York Public Library and Ralph Lauren.

There are four apartments on each of its first six floors. Residences include eight penthouses with wood-burning fireplaces and have 26-foot-high ceilings. Apartments also feature hardwood flooring, polished nickel vanities, wine coolers, terraces, elaborate kitchens and master bathrooms with six-foot-long bathtubs.

285 Lafayette Street, which has a rooftop garden and an 800-square-foot lobby with a 10-foot-long white onyx countertop, is partly famous for its celebrity residents including David Bowie and his wife Iman. It is surrounded by boutiques, restaurants and excellent public transportation and is also just south of the famed Puck Building on the southeast corner of Houston Street. It also has a full-time doorman and concierge service.

21 Astor Place is a city landmark that was converted into apartments in 2003.

It is 11 stories and features 50 residences, half of which have different layouts. Thirty-nine units, including 10 duplexes, have either one or two bedrooms. There are also eight, three-bedroom simplexes, a three-bedroom duplex and a four-bedroom duplex. The top floor is a vast space of 7,278 square feet with a 3,094-square-foot wraparound terrace.

Apartments have a loft-style feel with large living areas, 13-foot-high ceilings and many windows. Interiors include sliding room dividers, closets made of semi-opaque glass and staircases angled out of walls to appear as if they are floating. In keeping with such an aesthetic, toilets are also set in bathroom walls.

Apartments have relatively low monthly common charges, even with such amenities as a 24-hour doorman and a health club. With Astor Place and Cooper Union nearby, it is also located close to public transportation and shops.

737 Park Avenue is a handsome 1940 prewar building with 20 stories. In 2013, with much anticipation and tremendous buzz, the building converted to condominium ownership Amenities include a skylit health club, children's playroom, elevator operators, 24-hour attended front door, private storage, bicycle and stroller storage, additional laundry room, and an entertaining garden room.

Marvelously located on the corner of Park Avenue and 71st Street, in the heart of Manhattan's most sought-after residential district, this building is ideal for a buyer that desires the flexibility offered by a condominium but prefers the sensibility of a prewar cooperative. 

The 43-story J.W. Marriott Essex House at 160 Central Park South, which includes both a hotel and 200 apartments, is situated in a premier location overlooking Central Park.

It first opened more than 80 years ago and has undergone a series of renovations over its storied history. Apartments are spacious and feature unique layouts; most residences also have beautiful views of Central Park and the city skyline.

Residents have access to all of the luxury amenities offered to guests of the hotel, which is now operated by Marriott International. Moreover, it has a full-time doorman, concierge service and a spa and fitness center. Unit owners can also order from the hotel’s 24-hour room service and request housekeeping.

The J.W. Marriott Essex House is close to excellent public transportation, high-caliber restaurants and world-class shopping.

Located in Tribeca’s historic district, 250 West Street is a landmark building originally built in 1906 and converted into luxury condominiums in 2014. Residents enjoy an array of premium amenities, including a 24-hour doorman, a 61-foot swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, sauna, children's playroom, and a library lounge.

The building also boasts a 5,000-square-foot rooftop terrace with panoramic views, a sundeck, lounge, dining area, and a vegetable garden. Positioned directly across from Hudson River Park’s Piers 25 and 26, it offers convenient access to recreational activities like a children’s playground, miniature golf, and beach volleyball. With world-class dining, shopping, and cultural landmarks nearby, 250 West Street epitomizes the best of Tribeca living.