3 min walk to Abraham and Joseph Spector Playground
Pre-war, white-glove co-op along Central Park West that started as a hotel
The white-glove, pre-war co-ops along Central Park West are some of the most desirable in the city, including The Bolivar, except this co-op started as a hotel. The landmark 15-story, Neo-Georgian building is part of the Central Park West Historic District, a red-brick charmer accented with white stone and terra cotta details. This is one of the few buildings by architect Nathan Korn. (Emery Roth and Schwartz and Gross were among the architects who dominated along this row.) It was built in 1926 as a hotel and went co-op in 1984. As such, Rachel Melniker, a broker with Corcoran who has sold 55 units here, notes that buyers shouldn’t expect classic pre-war layouts. “We have many different configurations of apartments because they were not classic 5, 6 or 7s since they were built as hotel rooms, and people have made many different combinations.” But that hasn’t deterred elite buyers, including comedian and actor Jerry Seinfeld who lived there for many years before moving out for more space. The late Betsy von Furstenberg, a baroness and actress, lived here for decades until her passing; a couple who already lived in the building bought the apartment for more than the list price.
Atypical layouts with Central Park views and pre-war details
Most of the 113 units are one- and two-bedrooms, with a small percentage of studios around 400 square feet that are priced at $500,000. Pied-a-terres are allowed here, and many of these cozy units feature updates like Murphy beds, built-in storage and luxury kitchens with Calacatta marble and Bosch dishwashers. Luxe upgrades apply to bathrooms as well, and it’s not uncommon to find bathtubs replaced with marble shower stalls. One-bedrooms start around 650 square feet and have recently sold for under $1 million. These are big enough to accommodate a small dining room table and a king-size bed, but even gut-renovated kitchens tend to have a small footprint. Two-bedrooms are broader in scope of size and prizing. The last recorded sale nabbed almost $3.6 million for a high-floor unit that offered Central Park and skyline views and intact pre-war details, like original oak floors, beamed nine-foot ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace. Additionally, there are at least a dozen apartments with three- to five-bedrooms, including penthouses. The most impressive floor plans involve duplexes and private elevators. The highest recorded sale is $9 million for a four-bedroom with high-end finishes throughout and Central Park views from most rooms. In general, washers and dryers are allowed in apartments that don’t already have them, along with through-wall air conditioners. Additional modifications are allowed with board approval, and many units have been altered, including adding or removing walls. As a general caveat, owners tend to hold onto residences, so they don’t come on the market very often.
10,000-square-foot roof terrace that’s ideal for parties
As a full-service building, staff includes a 24/7 concierge, 18-hour door attendant and live-in super. The restored lobby features the original ceiling decorated with classical motifs and a welcoming living room vignette that’s comprised of a beige sofa bookended by table lamps, patterned black-and-white chairs on either side of a coffee table and a large chandelier reflected in the oversize grid mirror above the sofa. “It’s not an off-putting place to walk into — obviously I did it 55 times,” Melniker says. A dark brown rug, latte-toned floors, black elevators and gold accents complete the cohesive feel. But the lobby just sets the tone for the building rather than acting as a gathering space. That’s reserved for the roof terrace, featuring an uncommon red-brick floor, attractive landscaping, cushioned lounge chairs and a long communal table underneath a wisteria-wrapped pergola. And yes, residents get to enjoy 360-degree views of Central Park framed by the skyline in the background. “It’s a wonderful place to relax and read or have your book club,” Melniker says, adding how it’s also an ideal spot for getting to know friendly neighbors. (She elaborates how this isn’t the case for some buildings that maintain separate elevators, which aren’t as conducive for meeting neighbors.) The rooftop is also made for entertaining, “I had my wedding up there,” Melniker shares. The small, oval ballroom off of the lobby, decorated in cream and mauve, is another spot for holding gatherings or inviting one’s private yoga instructor. The basement contains a laundry room and storage, whether for bikes, food that needs to be refrigerated or general stuff. Pets are allowed, a definite boon since Central Park is right across the street.
Central Park takes the place of a backyard
As already mentioned, one of The Bolivar’s main selling points is its ideal location across from Central Park at 83rd Street, with a pedestrian entrance at 85th Street. This part of Central Park West and the nearby side streets are mostly residential, but 86th Street is a busy corridor for retail and restaurants, as are Columbus and Amsterdam avenues and Broadway. The American Museum of Natural History is just two blocks away and offers year-round programming for all ages. Lesser known but equally close is the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, which is really an educational playspace rather than a traditional museum. Close by is Zabar’s, a specialty grocery store since 1934 for kosher food and baked goods that draws shoppers from beyond the neighborhood. A large concentration of synagogues is found in this area, along with kid-centric businesses and doctor’s offices.
1, B and C trains and convenient crosstown buses
It’s easy to reach the east side thanks to crosstown buses through the park at 81st and 86th streets, or reverse to the west side for the dog run at Riverside Park at 86th or the 1 train at 86th Street and Broadway. Plus, the B and C trains are readily accessible at either 81st or 86th and Central Park West.
Low monthlies but gas appliances are banned
The Bolivar charges low monthlies considering the co-op’s location and pedigree, and allows for 75 percent financing, “which is very unusual for a Central Park West building,” says Melniker, adding how the co-op is pretty accommodating. However, the building only allows electric appliances, so fans of gas stoves and ovens will have to adjust.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
74/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
91/ 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
Abraham and Joseph Spector Playground
3 min walk
Playground
W 87th Street Park & Garden
6 min walk
Picnic Area
Playground
Theodore Roosevelt Park
6 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Great Lawn
6 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Playground Eighty Nine LXXXIX
9 min walk
Playground
Sol Bloom Playground
10 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Tecumseh Playground
11 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
St Gregory's Playground
11 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Ancient Playground
13 min walk
Schools
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