Ahead of the opening of the Gilder Center, see the Upper West Side's best museums, cultural centers, and real estate listings

By Michelle Mazzarella | From Future New York Friday, April 28, 2023

Aerial view of the Upper West Side with the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation in the center (Iwan Baan)

The Museum Mile section of Fifth Avenue is often – and rightly – considered one of New York’s cultural capitals, but the museums and performance spaces on the opposite side of Central Park are not to be overlooked. Not only do they draw visitors from all over the city and indeed the world, but they make their section of the Upper West Side appealing to families and vibrant for all residents. We look at the most exciting cultural venues from Columbus Circle to 96th Street along with listings well situated near them.

200 Central Park West
Opens May 4, 2023

When the Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation opens to the public next week, it will fulfill the American Museum of Natural History's longtime ambition of connecting 10 buildings on the Upper West Side campus for a more seamless experience. The project was announced in 2014 and approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission ("Landmarks") in 2016. Museum president Sean Decatur hails the Gilder Center as part of "a new era of exploring the wonders of nature at the Museum."

↓ The design by Studio Gang was inspired by canyons and caves, and clad in the same stone used on the Central Park West entrance.

Gilder Center at dusk (Iwan Baan)

↓ Visitors arrive to the Kenneth C. Griffin Exploration Atrium, which is illuminated from large-scale skylights.

Atrium detail (Iwan Baan)

Fourth-floor bridge and skylights (Iwan Baan)

↓ One of the Gilder Center’s most eye-catching links is to the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, which is connected through the Yurman Family Crystalline Pass.

Yurman Family Crystalline Pass (Alvaro Keding / American Museum of Natural History)

↓ The Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Insectarium features 18 species of live insects, digital exhibits, interactive touch screens, and a massive model of a beehive.

Susan and Peter J. Family Insectarium (Alvaro Keding / American Museum of Natural History)

↓ The Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium is home to up to 1,000 butterflies of nearly 80 species, as well as a digital microscope and a pupae incubator.

Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium (Alvaro Keding / American Museum of Natural History)

**↓ Invisible Worlds presents an immersive 360-degree art experience to show how all life on Earth is interconnected.**

Invisible Worlds (Iwan Baan)

↓ The Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Collections Core includes three floors of floor-to-ceiling samples of the museum’s specimens, only a small fraction of which are on display year-round.

Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Collections Core (Iwan Baan)

↓ The David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Research Library houses one of the largest natural history libraries in the world, as well as an elegant new reading room.

David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Research Library (Alvaro Keding / American Museum of Natural History)

New York Historical Society

170 Central Park West
See hours and tickets here

Rendering of New York Historical Society expansion (Robert A.M. Stern Architects for Landmarks Preservation Commission)

In the 1930s, the New York Historical Society purchased a parcel of land for the express purpose of building an annex. Nearly 100 years later, the building has been designated a “triple landmark” (individual landmark located in not one but two New York Historic Districts) and Landmarks has unanimously approved the Robert A.M. Stern Architects-designed expansion. The quarry that provided stone for the original building is still open and able to provide materials for the addition, which will house new gallery and classroom space, new mezzanine office space, expanded on-site conservation space, and an outdoor sculpture garden. The top-floor gallery space will host the LGBTQ+ Museum, the first of its kind in the United States. The expansion’s groundbreaking took place in September 2021, and completion is estimated for 2026.

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Children's Museum of Manhattan

212 West 83rd Street
See hours and tickets here

Future home of Children's Museum of Manhattan (FXCollaborative for Landmarks Preservation Commission)

Over the years, the Children’s Museum of Manhattan has become so popular with families all over New York that its current location is “at capacity.” To that end, the museum purchased 361 Central Park West, which was originally built as the New York City branch of the First Church of Christian Scientist in 1903, for $45 million at the end of 2017. Since then, they have been working with FXCollaborative to preserve the historic exteriors while transforming the interiors into a state-of-the-art facility with exhibition space, a workshop/performance space, an attic walk, and an outdoor terrace with Central Park views. When Landmarks unanimously approved the renovations, it was described as “an outstanding adaptive reuse project.” An opening date for the new location is not yet available.

David Geffen Hall

10 Lincoln Center Plaza
See calendar and tickets here

David Geffen Hall (Lincoln Center)

Seemingly from the day the New York Philharmonic’s concert hall opened in 1962, music lovers were displeased with its acoustics and lackluster atmosphere. As such, when the renovation by Diamond Schmitt Architects and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects was announced in December 2019, it was also announced that a master acoustician would be part of the process. The walls were resurfaced to improve resonance; the upper tier was rebuilt to direct seats towards the stage; the lobby was doubled in size to create new public space; and in response to the pandemic, upgraded HVAC and air filtration systems were installed.

Completion was originally estimated for 2024, so as to time construction around the Philharmonic’s seasons, but the pandemic-induced lockdown allowed work to proceed continuously and the hall to open in October 2022, two years sooner than predicted. The musicians are happier with the improved acoustics, audiences have been excited to return, and celebrity conductor Gustavo Dudamel is set to join the philharmonic as music and artistic director in 2026.

Lincoln Center

See calendar and tickets here

Lincoln Center (CityRealty)

David Geffen Hall (see above) is part of the celebrated Lincoln Center performing arts complex, which includes the iconic Metropolitan Opera House and the recently renovated David H. Koch Theater, former home of the Metropolitan Opera and current home of New York City Ballet. At the center of it all is Josie Robertson Plaza, home of the famous fountain and the site of events like group concerts, Live in HD Metropolitan Opera broadcasts, and silent discos, to name but a few.

American Folk Art Museum

2 Lincoln Square
See hours and tickets here

American Folk Art Museum entrance (Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA - American Folk Art Museum, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79641429)

The American Folk Art Museum got its start near the Museum of Modern Art, but a space across from Lincoln Center that once served as a separate branch is now the main home of New York’s only museum dedicated to folk and self-taught artists. Their collection spans the turn of the 18th century to the 21st and features about 8,000 works of art that include paintings, photographs, wood and stone carvings, and textiles.

Museum of Arts and Design

2 Columbus Circle
See hours and tickets here

Museum of Arts and Design, 2021 (ajay_suresh - Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) - NYC, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=109173773)

The Tiffany & Co. Fifth Avenue flagship reopens today, but the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Jewelry Gallery is a mainstay at the Museum of Arts and Design, located across from Columbus Circle and a stone’s throw from the supertalls of Billionaires’ Row. In addition to the galleries of contemporary art, the museum houses open studios for visitors to observe the creative process, a number of art workshops, a 144-seat auditorium for lectures and performances, and Robert, a modern American restaurant overlooking Central Park.

Symphony Space

2537 Broadway
See calendar and tickets here

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For almost 100 years, the Symphony Theatre has been a mainstay of the Upper West Side; the Thalia, the movie theater in the basement, has attracted generations of movie buffs and been immortalized in Best Picture-winner Annie Hall. In 2000, in what would later become a familiar story for the area, Symphony Space sold its air rights to Related Companies (which used them to build luxury rental The Lyric) and used the proceeds to spruce up their space. It still hosts the occasional movie screening, but has emerged as a popular venue for literary events and book launches in recent years.

The Ardsley, #1P
$700,000

Central Park West | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

The Ardsley, #1P (The Agency Brokerage)

From the Listing: Be the first to call the newly imagined apartment home. Completely renovated and meticulously designed by Phillip Smith and Douglas Thomason, this spacious loft-like junior one-bedroom feels uncluttered and airy, with 10-foot ceilings, wide plank reclaimed pine wood floors (same as the Whitney Museum), and an open concept layout that flows easily from a substantial foyer, through an expansive dining and living room, and into a large bedroom. The updated kitchen boasts a tile backsplash, custom fir millwork, beautiful balsatina lava stone counter tops, and energy-efficient Mele appliances, creating the perfect environment for any chef. Refresh and restore yourself in the spa-like bathroom with cool mint tile backsplash, Toyo toilet, and Kohler fixtures. See floor plan and full details here.

111 West 70th Street, #5F
$849,000

Broadway Corridor | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

111 West 70th Street, #5F (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: This charming, south-facing fifth-floor walk up offers a one bedroom duplex and loft space, an additional two nooks for an office area and storage. Exposed brick, hardwood floors, 11-foot ceilings, an open renovated kitchen, and washer dryer are some of the wonderful features in this apartment. Dine al fresco and enjoy the change of seasons on your own spacious private roof deck! See floor plan and full details here.

Element, #11E
$1,350,000

Lincoln Center | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths | 801 ft²

Element, #11E (Keller Williams NYC)

From the Listing: This south-facing gem boasts a private balcony and stunning views from the 11th floor. Inside, you'll find an immaculate living space flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. The open chef's kitchen is outfitted with top-of-the-line appliances, including a dishwasher, breakfast bar, and ample cabinet space. The serene bedroom features an en-suite bathroom and plenty of room for a king-sized bed and furniture. Plus, your guests can enjoy a half-bathroom complete with a washer/dryer. See floor plan and full details here.

202 West 78th Street, #3W
$1,550,000

Broadway Corridor | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,280 ft²

202 West 78th Street, #3W (Compass)

From the Listing: A magnificent three bedroom with an office/convertible four bedroom with gorgeous pre-war features and architectural details is available in a boutique brownstone co-op on a beautiful tree-lined street in Upper West Side. This apartment features a spacious living room with a decorative fireplace, a bedroom with good storage space (currently used an office), a formal dining room, a windowed chef's kitchen, a study, a primary bedroom with exposed bricks and a decorative fireplace, another bedroom with two exposures, and two windowed bathrooms. See floor plan and full details here.

The Colonial Studios, #101
$2,399,000

Central Park West | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths

The Colonial Studios, #101 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: This private home has been updated and features two full bedrooms, two full bathrooms and an open kitchen concept that has been designed for the fussiest chef. The living room area features hardwood floors, custom interior designed lighting and even a 54" television that could be included in the sale. For the audiophile there is a Bose surround sound system and built-ins for extra storage. The second floor contains the primary bedroom with a south-facing bay window, treetop views and walk-in closet. The guest bedroom is extremely quiet and is located on the other side of the second floor for complete privacy. See floor plan and full details here.

3 Lincoln Center, #18D
$2,995,000

Lincoln Center | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,087 ft²

3 Lincoln Center, #18D (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

From the Listing: Brilliantly conceived and meticulously renovated by renowned California architect, Mary Maydan and featured in HGTV April 2023 publication, Apartment 18D embodies the essence of modern design offering expansive multifunctional living and entertaining spaces consisting of the living area, dining area, kitchen, workspace, as well as a library/den/second bedroom. Your favorite TV show or movie is enjoyed from a motorized projection screen that cleverly descends from the ceiling of the living room. Spanning 16 feet along the western wall of the living room area is a library with a custom desk and shelves by Italian designer LEMA. There is a frosted gray color sliding door that can conceal this inviting workspace when not in use. The primary bedroom features a large walk-in closet and an expansive wall of closets and storage. See floor plan and full details here.

40 West 67th Street, #5AB
$3,795,000

Central Park West | Cooperative | 4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths

40 West 67th Street, #5AB (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Enter this seamlessly combined home through a lovely windowed foyer with large center table, built-in bookcases, discreetly tucked away home office and a beautifully renovated windowed powder room. With perfect symmetry this apartment features many dramatic details including matching side by side living and dining rooms, each with working fireplaces and upholstered window seats beneath beautifully maintained leaded Grisaille stained glass windows. There are four bedrooms, each with their own en-suite windowed bathroom renovated to a high standard featuring Lefroy Brooks and Dornbrach fixtures and new double hung and double pane windows throughout. See floor plan and full details here.

The Dorilton, #4DE
$4,495,000

Broadway Corridor | Cooperative | 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 3,000 ft²

The Dorilton, #4DE (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Enjoy the voluminous space and grand room proportions found in this lovingly maintained residence that has dutifully retained its Old World character. Original fireplace mantles, ornate glass transoms, rich herringbone hardwood floors with original inlay borders, bay windows, original oak paneled library, and mahogany beamed ceilings decorate and define the uniqueness of this regal Beaux Arts home. Entertain extravagantly in this grand, south-facing living room that peers over the tree-lined West 71st Street as guests can meander through double doorways either into your corner library or formal dining room. See floor plan and full details here.

360 Central Park West, #10A
$5,000,000

Central Park West | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,921 ft²

360 Central Park West, #10A (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

From the Listing: Enjoy open park and city views from every window of this fabulous three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom condominium located directly on Central Park West. From the eat-in kitchen to the oversized living room, from the primary bedroom with a private office nook overlooking the park, to the two secondary bedrooms with sweeping open views over the future home of the Children's Museum of Manhattan, this Central Park West home has it all. CetraRuddy designed and renovated the apartment to a high standard, and then the current owners spent $500,000 on upgrades and built-ins. See floor plan and full details here.

Westbury House, #PH3
$5,990,000 (-.2%)

Broadway Corridor | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths | 3,041 ft²

Westbury House, #PH3 (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

From the Listing: Truly unique and rarely available, this full floor, private landing mint penthouse has amazing views and wonderful outdoor space! Spread out over 3,000 square feet, this home boasts four bedrooms, plus an office and is loft-like and flooded with light. Enter onto your private landing off of which there are two doors to enter the home. The landing is yours to decorate and utilize and has extra storage. The corner living room has wide open south and east exposures with a wall of windows looking out to one of your private terraces. The kitchen has stone countertops and contemporary Italian cabinetry and includes lots of counter space, a wine refrigerator and a large pantry. The primary suite is a double size bedroom with multiple closets, including a large walk-in and a wood-burning fireplace! See floor plan and full details here.

239 Central Park West, #8B
$6,350,000

Central Park West | Cooperative | 4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths

239 Central Park West, #8B (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: This elegant, high-floor, 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom home showcases nearly 40' of direct Central Park views from 3 bedrooms including the corner primary suite, as well as oblique views from the formal expanse; a highly coveted vantage point providing a gorgeous seasonal perspective. The gracious and flowing layout is well-planned for large-scale entertaining as well as private living, with en-suite baths in all 4 bedrooms.The formal expanse includes a beautiful and oversized living room, spacious and elegant custom wood-paneled library-den/media room, eat-in windowed chef's kitchen with separate dining area and butler's pantry, and a very elegant and large formal receiving foyer with marble flooring that is large enough for formal dining. See floor plan and full details here.

Would you like to tour any of these properties?

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200 Central Park West
Opens May 4, 2023

↓ The design by Studio Gang was inspired by canyons and caves, and clad in the same stone used on the Central Park West entrance.

↓ Visitors arrive to the Kenneth C. Griffin Exploration Atrium, which is illuminated from large-scale skylights.

↓ One of the Gilder Center’s most eye-catching links is to the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, which is connected through the Yurman Family Crystalline Pass.

↓ The Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Insectarium features 18 species of live insects, digital exhibits, interactive touch screens, and a massive model of a beehive.

↓ The Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium is home to up to 1,000 butterflies of nearly 80 species, as well as a digital microscope and a pupae incubator.

**↓ Invisible Worlds presents an immersive 360-degree art experience to show how all life on Earth is interconnected.**

↓ The Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Collections Core includes three floors of floor-to-ceiling samples of the museum’s specimens, only a small fraction of which are on display year-round.

↓ The David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Research Library houses one of the largest natural history libraries in the world, as well as an elegant new reading room.

170 Central Park West
See hours and tickets here

Select which properties are of interest to you:

212 West 83rd Street
See hours and tickets here

10 Lincoln Center Plaza
See calendar and tickets here

See calendar and tickets here

2 Lincoln Square
See hours and tickets here

2 Columbus Circle
See hours and tickets here

2537 Broadway
See calendar and tickets here

The Ardsley, #1P
$700,000

111 West 70th Street, #5F
$849,000

Element, #11E
$1,350,000

202 West 78th Street, #3W
$1,550,000

The Colonial Studios, #101
$2,399,000

3 Lincoln Center, #18D
$2,995,000

40 West 67th Street, #5AB
$3,795,000

The Dorilton, #4DE
$4,495,000

360 Central Park West, #10A
$5,000,000

Westbury House, #PH3
$5,990,000 (-.2%)

239 Central Park West, #8B
$6,350,000

This is your member's center

In this article:

200 Central Park West Opens May 4, 2023

↓ The design by Studio Gang was inspired by canyons and caves, and clad in the same stone used on the Central Park West entrance.

↓ Visitors arrive to the Kenneth C. Griffin Exploration Atrium, which is illuminated from large-scale skylights.

↓ One of the Gilder Center’s most eye-catching links is to the Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, which is connected through the Yurman Family Crystalline Pass.

↓ The Susan and Peter J. Solomon Family Insectarium features 18 species of live insects, digital exhibits, interactive touch screens, and a massive model of a beehive.

↓ The Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium is home to up to 1,000 butterflies of nearly 80 species, as well as a digital microscope and a pupae incubator.

↓ Invisible Worlds presents an immersive 360-degree art experience to show how all life on Earth is interconnected.

↓ The Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Collections Core includes three floors of floor-to-ceiling samples of the museum’s specimens, only a small fraction of which are on display year-round.

↓ The David S. and Ruth L. Gottesman Research Library houses one of the largest natural history libraries in the world, as well as an elegant new reading room.

170 Central Park West See hours and tickets here

Select which properties are of interest to you:

212 West 83rd Street See hours and tickets here

10 Lincoln Center Plaza See calendar and tickets here

2 Lincoln Square See hours and tickets here

2 Columbus Circle See hours and tickets here

2537 Broadway See calendar and tickets here

Select which properties are of interest to you:

Listings in this article

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200 Central Park West
Opens May 4, 2023

**↓ Invisible Worlds presents an immersive 360-degree art experience to show how all life on Earth is interconnected.**

170 Central Park West
See hours and tickets here

212 West 83rd Street
See hours and tickets here

10 Lincoln Center Plaza
See calendar and tickets here

2 Lincoln Square
See hours and tickets here

2 Columbus Circle
See hours and tickets here

2537 Broadway
See calendar and tickets here