Why not start with a tale of transformation right here at The Astor Apartments? The Astor Apartments stand as a testament to New York City’s ever-evolving spirit.
The Astor family name conjures images of wealth. It evokes the Gilded Age of New York City. John Jacob Astor founded the family fortune in the fur trade. His successors expanded the family wealth in New York City real estate. Their legacy dots the city. Landmarks include the Waldorf-Astoria. Other examples are the St. Regis Hotel and Astor Place. The Public Theater was once the Astor Library.
William Waldorf Astor built The Astor in 1901. He hired architects Clinton and Russell. They designed a two-towered grey brick structure. An elaborate decorative cornice crowned it. In 1914, Peabody, Wilson and Brown added a third tower. Wealthy businessmen sought these penthouse-style apartments. The Upper West Side’s appeal included Central Park. It also featured the first subway line. Broadway made it even more attractive.
The Astor Apartments now consist of 98 modern condominium units. Pembrooke & Ives redesigned them. The exterior facade remains. Many original interior features persist. The mosaic-detailed lobby is still there. Marble fireplaces evoke the past. Modern amenities have been added. These include a twenty-four-hour concierge and a gym. State-of-the-art interior enhancements elevate the living experience.
The splendid mansions of the Upper East Side often come to mind when thinking of the Gilded Age. The Astors had interests on the Upper West Side too. William Waldorf Astor’s development embodies New York life’s extremes since 1900. The Astor Apartments at 235 West 75th Street tell this story well. It housed the new rich. Later, it became notorious as a “chamber of horrors” in the 1970s. After that, it was renovated into a luxury condo.
William “Willy” Waldorf Astor built the original Waldorf hotel. He was a cousin of John Jacob Astor IV. John Jacob died on the Titanic in 1912. William had a public feud with John Jacob’s mother. She was the gatekeeper of New York society. This resulted in William’s departure to England. He kept a hand in New York real estate.
He built The Astor Apartments during the early 20th-century building boom. The Upper West Side was becoming a magnet for affluent New Yorkers then. They were drawn by Central Park and the IRT. The IRT was the first official subway line. He purchased the land from New York State Senator William Kelly. Kelly had built a single-family house there. Before that, a Dutch dairy farmer’s house stood on the site.
The first two towers of The Astor’s interconnected apartment complex were completed in 1905. Architects Clinton & Russell designed the elegant Renaissance Revival buildings. They featured gray-brick facades. Rounded limestone corners and copper cornices added distinction. The 42 apartments were suites of seven to nine rooms. Annual rents ranged from $1,200 to $3,000. The northern side received a third 12-story tower in 1914. Peabody, Wilson & Brown designed it to accommodate larger penthouse apartments.
The buildings were U-shaped. They had “deep light courts” to satisfy the Tenement House Act of 1901. This act required all apartment buildings to have a window overlooking a street. It could also overlook a yard or light court.
The Astor has seen many phases. It has transformed from luxury apartments to a welfare hotel. It has been a chamber of horrors and a luxury condominium. Today, The Astor stands as a reminder of New York’s resilience. Its splendid past cannot be duplicated.