This charming prewar co-op comes with a leafy, secluded setting
Perched above Riverside Park on the westernmost corner of 93rd Street, 210 Riverside Drive is a bit off the beaten path. Even with hoards of shoppers, diners and locals marching along Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue a few blocks east, this particular area is relatively secluded. “I love love love this part of Riverside Drive,” says Rose Ann Nielsen, an associate broker at Corcoran. “You almost feel like you’re in a Woody Allen movie. It’s very much ‘old New York.’” Sure enough, the 1909 Renaissance-style co-op got a cinematic stamp of approval when it appeared in Nora Ephron’s “You’ve Got Mail” in 1998. “It was supposed to be Tom Hanks’ apartment, so they filmed him in the lobby with his dog, and then they walked across the street into the park,” Nielsen shares. Although viewers only got a glimpse of 210 Riverside Drive, Nielsen can attest that the co-op is worthy of its Hollywood moment. “This building is a gem. So many people focus on the buildings on Central Park West and the new developments, but this one is true quiet luxury. People don't necessarily know about the building, but once you're in on it, you love it.”
A beautifully restored lobby is the building’s crown jewel
Designed by Schwartz & Gross, a prominent architecture firm in the first half of the 20th century, the 12-story building features an elegant facade that pairs smooth limestone and beige brick with ornate moldings. This one-way, one-lane detour of Riverside Drive is lined with similar prewar buildings and mature, leafy trees. Once inside the co-op, “you go up a few steps, and when you walk into the building, you’re faced with these gorgeous Tiffany-style stained glass windows that they’ve restored. It’s really a treasure,” Nielsen says. The marble-clad lobby also has mosaic-tiled floors, coffered ceilings and the original elevator cab, which features wrought-iron and glass doors, plus a wooden interior. The elevator operator, who doubles as the doorman, has worked in the building for 10 years. The two other staff members are even more tenured: The live-in super has reached over 25 years of service, and the porter, 35 years. “The staff is wonderful. You really get a sense of white-glove service,” Nielsen adds. Save a laundry room and storage in the basement — which, according to Nielsen, is “clean as a whistle” — the co-op does not have any amenities, like a gym or rooftop. “The shareholders use the park right outside the building as their outdoor space. And in a way, it’s good because it keeps costs reasonable for New York,” says Nielsen, referring to common charges, which would be higher if the building had a significant amenities package.
Full-time residents blend their units’ original character with new renovations
There are nearly 90 units at 210 Riverside Drive, yet no two are exactly alike. “A lot of people have combined apartments, so each one is unique. They’re not cookie cutter,” Nielsen says. Many of the recently sold units have included updated bathrooms and brand-new kitchens, often with more open floor plans. Despite renovations, shareholders often preserve the units’ original prewar features, including hardwood floors, picture frame moldings and arched doorways. Residents also like the 10-foot ceilings and oversized windows. “The big windows give a very open, clean look, which blends nicely with the old-school details,” Nielsen says. Studios are rarely available, but in 2021, one sold for $440,000. One- and two-bedroom units hit the market more often, ranging from $560,000 to $999,900 and $1.1 million to over $1.6 million, respectively. Larger residences have garnered as much as $2.66 million.
For some shareholders, the allure isn’t only the architecture but also the building’s down-to-earth atmosphere. “This is a very friendly community. They don’t allow pied-a-terres because they really like people to live here full-time,” the agent adds. She also shares that her client, who’s selling her three-bed, three-bath apartment, likes to leave her windows open most of the time. “You don’t feel like you’re in New York. It’s pin-drop quiet. The most noise you hear is the little kids playing in the park. It’s happy noise. No sirens or traffic.”
The family-friendly park across the street is the main appeal
Being right across the street from a park is a huge draw for buyers. The quaint Joan of Arc Park has a ton of foliage around its central namesake monument. While it’s a nice choice for peaceful outings, Riverside Park, down a few flights of stairs, is the better choice for riverfront activities. “When it snows, all the kids take their disks and sleds to go down the hill into the park,” Nielsen shares. “It’s called Suicide Hill because it’s so steep. Not a great name for parents letting their kids go down, but it’s a lot of fun. You’ll see so many adults and children enjoying the snow like you wouldn’t believe.” Year-round, residents will find gardens and the Hippo Playground to the south, plus athletic facilities (including tennis courts, soccer fields and a skate park) to the north. “There’s also a really cute little place to have a burger for lunch or grab water or coffee along your morning walk,” Nielsen adds, referencing Ellington in the Park (open from late spring through early fall).
While Joan of Arc and Riverside parks are certainly the heart of the neighborhood, Central Park is just five blocks east. And there’s plenty to be experienced in the neighborhood, as well. “You’re in a quiet part of the Upper West, but once you’re on Broadway, you have so many restaurants to choose from,” Nielsen says, citing her favorites as Dagaon for Mediterranean and Carmine’s for Italian. “There are a lot of cafes and bakeries opening up, plus so many grocery stores and markets with fresh fruit out front. No one will go hungry over here.” For entertainment that’s walkable and affordable, yet top-notch, Nielsen recommends both Symphony Space and Beacon Theatre.
Subways and buses are a short walk away
For intra-borough travel, residents can walk roughly five minutes to the 1, 2 and 3 trains on Broadway. Near the subway stop, there are several bus routes, including the crosstown bus to the Upper East Side. Plus, drivers can quickly access the Henry Hudson Parkway a couple of blocks north.
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Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
75/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
75/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Joan of Arc Park
1 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Crab Apple Grove
3 min walk
Riverside Park - Hippo Playground
6 min walk
Dinosaur Playground
6 min walk
Serpentine Promenade
6 min walk
West 87th Street Dog Run
7 min walk
St Gregory's Playground
9 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Hudson River Greenway
11 min walk
Bike Trails
Trails
Playground Eighty Nine LXXXIX
11 min walk
Playground
Schools
Source:
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