Ever wonder what it’s like to live in a piece of New York City history? That’s the feeling residents get at the Apthorp. This magnificent building stands before us. It whispers tales of a bygone era.
The Apthorp is more than just an apartment building. It is a landmark. William Waldorf Astor built it in 1908. He wanted the Apthorp to be the grandest apartment dwelling in the world. Astor named it after the Apthorp Farm. The site used to be part of that farm.
Clinton and Russell designed the Apthorp. They spared no expense. The Apthorp occupies an entire city block on the Upper West Side. Its Italian Renaissance Revival style is stunning.
Look at the facade. It’s limestone. It divides horizontally into three sections. Three-story arches lead to an internal courtyard. This courtyard features a garden and a driveway. The entrances to the apartments are here too. The Apthorp is divided into four sections. Each section has its own lobby.
Originally, the Apthorp had 104 apartments. Many were duplexes. They had large rooms and high ceilings. By the 1940s, there were 165 units. Some apartments have since been combined.
Notice the arches on West End Avenue and Broadway. These lead to the courtyard. The courtyard is a light source for the interiors. It measures about 134 by 95 feet. It includes an oval driveway and an octagonal garden. Fountains add to the charm. This courtyard is one of few motor courts at an apartment building in New York City.
Inside, the Apthorp originally featured a mechanical plant in the basement. This supplied heat, electricity and ice to each apartment. Six service elevators run from the basement to all stories. Four passenger elevators connect the lobby to the top story. Terracotta partitions limit the spread of fire.
Each of the four sections has its own lobby. Originally, the ground level had physicians’ offices. There was also a drugstore and a bank on Broadway. These spaces were later converted to storefronts. In 2011, a gym, playroom and entertainment center were added in the basement.
The Apthorp was marketed as the world’s largest apartment building. The first two stories contained duplexes and single-story units. The 12th story had guestrooms and servants’ quarters. The typical floor had ten apartments. Most were duplexes. The apartments were designed in various styles. These included Adam, Colonial and Louis styles.
During the 1930s and 1940s, the apartments were divided. The Apthorp became condominiums in 2010. Some apartments were combined. This brought the building to around 155 units.
Over the years, the Apthorp has attracted many famous residents. These include writers, actors and celebrities. Nora Ephron even wrote about her love for the building.
The Apthorp remains an elegant residence. It is a symbol of classic New York. Its grandeur and history continue to captivate. The Apthorp is a designated New York City landmark. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.