The Britannia

An atypical residence evocative of old-world European charm

“Let us give to the crowded thousands some portion of that joy that we have known abroad and from the real homes in our own country what finer work could the members of our profession do than this,” one of the building’s architects, Arthur Willauer, wrote in The American Architect magazine in 1920. As original floorplans sourced from the New York Public Library reveal, particularly large units were ingeniously programmed to wrap the central courtyard but also two on either side of the building, introduced to bring in as much natural light as possible. The ground lobby and sizable landings on each subsequent level give way to step up entrances in either direction which then lead into the sprawling homes. Those that line the building’s outer perimeter have triple exposures and separated wings connected by long sun-drenched corridors. In his New York Times column, Gray also noted that the architects avoided the use of dark and narrow hallways. The Britannia was outfitted with two elevators that, along with much of the wooden window frames, were meticulously updated in the past decade.

Classic prewar residences with varying degrees of renovation

Like within any older condo building, especially one that’s been around for over a century, units that come on the market have been updated at different times and according to the specific tastes of previous owners. That said, much of the authentic detailing — elaborate crown molding, 10-foot ceilings and hardwood flooring — has been maintained. Some residences have undergone far more thorough restorations than others. That’s reflected in price more so than the amount of space or number of bedrooms. Take unit 23, which last sold in spring 2022 for $1.3 million. Incorporating three bedrooms, one of which used to be maid’s quarters, the 1,142 square foot residence is adorned with cast plaster elements but also a newly introduced open plan chef’s kitchen replete with top-of-the-line Thermador and Sub-Zero appliances. The octagonal dining room is finished in a coffered wall motif, a beamed ceiling and frosted glass interior windows. Penthouse 94 has a similar design scheme but with dark wood paneled walls. In comparison, slightly smaller unit 10 — on the market in fall 2024 for $500,000 — needed to be entirely revamped and presented as a great opportunity for new homeowners to make their own mark. Some residences have been outfitted with central air and in-unit washer/dryers, even if there’s a sizable laundry room in the basement.

Sufficient amenities and everything Morningside Heights has to offer

The Britannia’s stately lobby is helmed by part-time door attendants. The super lives on site. There are deeded storage units available as well. The main attraction here, however, is the surrounding area. West 110th Street cuts across from expansive and activities-rich Central Park to the undulating cliffside of Riverside Park, which connects into much longer Hudson River Greenway cycling and running path. Also located along this stretch, the massive Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine flanks Morningside Park. Between these three green spaces, there’s an extensive availability of well-maintained sports fields, meandering lawns, wooded walkways, ponds and even a pool that turns into an ice-skating facility during the winter: the Gottesman Rink.

With Columbia University and Barnard College a few blocks north, adjacent Broadway is filled with well know owner-operated haunts that cater to a student crowd but other residents and visitors as well. These include French staple Le Monde and Tom’s Restaurant of 1990s sitcom Seinfeld fame. There’s also a peppering of big box stores and essential service businesses. A Westside Market grocery store can be found at the end of the block. Amsterdam Avenue is home to the world-famous Hungarian Pastry Shop, popular watering hole Amity Hall Uptown and Vietnamese go-to Bánh. Mount Sinai Morningside hospital is also nearby. For residents that commute downtown, the local 1 subway stops right around the corner. They can transfer to express 2 and 3 trains at 96th Street. For those that keep cars in one of the nearby garages or street-park, there are ramps to the Henry Hudson Parkway at West 96th and West 125th streets.