Landmark building on Central Park West that’s home to the rich and famous
91 Central Park West is part of the Central Park West Historic District, a Neo-Renaissance design with Beaux-Arts touches by Schwartz & Gross, the firm behind famous buildings such as 55 Central Park West (prominently featured in the original “Ghostbusters”). The 15-story building, completed in 1929, consists of limestone and beige brick with decorative terra cotta finishes, and is directly across from Central Park’s 69th Street pedestrian entrance. It’s also notable for its enclosed, decorative water tank perched on top of the building. The historic building went co-op in 1961, but the rich and famous have called it home from the beginning, starting with media magnate William Randolph Hearst who occupied one of the penthouse units. Since then, actor Liam Neeson and fashion designer Giorgio Armani are among the notables who have resided there; singer Mariah Carey wanted to, but the board rejected her. New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe is the most recent celebrity to have moved in. “It has an elevated reputation, so people do vie to live in the building,” says broker Karen Kelley of Compass.
Historic, pre-war elements and Central Park views
Aside from one ground-floor studio, most of the 91 pre-war units are two or more bedrooms. “These are large apartments with a full dining room and den and living room; they’re beautifully proportioned,” says Kelley. They also include pre-war features like nine-foot ceilings and windows that are almost floor to ceiling. (It goes without saying that Central Park views are the most coveted.) Other historic elements remain, and it’s not uncommon to encounter residences with original subway tile in the bathroom, beamed ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces or herringbone floors. Since apartments have been renovated to various extents through the decades, it’s fair to say that kitchens and baths are the most modernized, while window air conditioning and in-unit laundry have also become standard. Two bedrooms start at 1,350 square feet, with a recent one selling for $2 million. Three bedrooms offer more than 2,000 square feet; these don’t come on the market very often, with one selling for $6.5 million in 2022. There are two penthouses which have received a fair amount of press over the years, not just for their tenants but for their intact period elements: think stained glass windows with medieval scenes; an 11-foot-high plaster ceiling and carved mahogany fireplace mantle that reaches the ceiling. Penthouse A last sold for $17 million in 2019.
White-glove building with some basic amenities
As a full-service building, a full-time door staff welcomes guests into the formal, but not overly stuffy, lobby, bedecked with black marble walls and beige sofas. Amenities are limited, but residents can make use of a laundry room, gym, ping pong table and playroom, which are all located in the basement and don’t appear to get much use. But Kelley points to the extensive staff as the best amenity. “People have the sense that they’re cared for,” she says.
Leafy, residential block across from Central Park
69th Street is almost exclusively residential, as are the nearby blocks along Central Park, which is still touristy since Manhattan’s largest park is just across the street. Once inside the park, the nearest points of interest include Adventure Playground with its pyramid-shaped slide, the iconic Tavern on the Green, better enjoyed for its ambiance than its food and the expansive Sheep Meadow lawn. Ever-busy Columbus Avenue is at the opposite end of the block, a mix of casual restaurants and coffee shops, chains like Lululemon, upscale perfume shops like Le Labo and boutique stores for jewelry and children’s clothes. The Leopard at des Artistes is a few blocks south from 91 Central Park West, a classy Italian spot with a retro vibe and elaborate murals on the walls. And since the co-op is part of the Lincoln Square neighborhood, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a short walk southwest to enjoy the opera, ballet, jazz, films and so much more.
Close to the B, C and 1 trains
The nearest subway stop is just a few blocks at 72nd Street and Central Park West for the B and C trains, with the 1 train a little further at 66 Street-Lincoln Center. Crosstown buses continually travel through Central Park along 65th Street for convenient access to the Upper East Side.
Fine print for pets and renovations
The building is pet-friendly (subject to certain breed limitations), allowing owners to take advantage of Central Park. It also allows pieds-a-terre on a case-by-case basis. Extensive renovations are allowed as well with board approval.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
83/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
93/ 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
Richard Tucker Park
6 min walk
Picnic Area
Events
Dante Park
8 min walk
Picnic Area
Verdi Square
8 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Matthew P. Sapolin Playground
8 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Trails
Damrosch Park
10 min walk
Picnic Area
Events
Samuel N. Bennerson 2nd Playground
12 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Theodore Roosevelt Park
12 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Tecumseh Playground
13 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Riverside Park South
14 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Soccer
Schools
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