A classic New York City Home in the heart of a vibrant neighborhood
For buyers looking to experience living in a classic New York City apartment in the middle of a major New York City culture center, The Morleigh at Lincoln Square is an inviting choice. The 10-story, 1924-built structure occupies three lots on a highly coveted block that’s a short walk to Broadway — the neighborhood’s main commercial spine — and the world-renowned Lincoln Center just three blocks south. “It's kind of the apex of where people want to live,” says Jessica Cohen, a Douglas Elliman real estate agent who has worked on the Upper West Side for over two decades. Converted to a co-op in 1984, the Neo-Renaissance building was designed by prolific New York City architect Robert T. Lyons, who is responsible for many prewar apartment buildings and hotels, including contributions to the design of the famed Gramercy Park Hotel.
Like many prewar apartment buildings, the 58-unit structure’s facade displays a two-story stone base and varying shades of brick on the remaining floors. The building’s design is not remarkable, but its typically spacious pre-war layouts are certainly a draw. And, as a building where residents usually stay put, The Morleigh’s sense of intimacy could potentially lure buyers. “There’s not a lot of turnover in the building,” Cohen says. “There’s more of a community feel here.” As the second building tucked inside the south end of 68th Street and Columbus Avenue, the pre-war co-op benefits from its position in the middle of a hotspot but comes without the chaos of being located on the corner of a busy avenue. This end of 68th Street is basically a quiet, tree-lined path leading to Central Park at the east end of the block. “Joanne,”, the beloved Italian restaurant owned by Lady Gaga’s parents, is next door. “If you lived here, you’d be eating there all the time,” says William Postrion, another Elliman agent who’s worked in the neighborhood for 40 years.
Classic pre-war layouts with lots of natural light
The building originated with 18 studios (most of which are cozy alcoves) and 39 one-bedrooms. The few existing two- and three- bedrooms came about through combinations. Bedrooms tend to be on the larger side in one-bedroom units, averaging 12 by 13 feet, give or take, and even as much as 14 by 13 feet in some cases. Although apartments are uniquely configured, layouts share common prewar characteristics like a foyer, galley kitchens with windows, white walls, beamed or coffered ceilings and wood-plank floors. According to Cohen, base materials for floors and ceilings are made of concrete slabs. “That's good for sound attenuation or minimizing it.” . Apartments are in various states of renovation and some owners have chosen to open up their galley kitchens with a window to the living area. All apartments have windows to the outdoors and although views may not always be the most spectacular, they do all let in sufficient amounts of natural light. Penthouse B, a rambling alcove studio with French doors that open to a long terrace, was redesigned by notable architect David Rockwell and surfaces for rent from time to time.
Moderate pricing and essential amenities
For a building that sits within the epicenter of an enticing neighborhood, prices at The Morleigh are fairly reasonable. Most fall under $1 million (only the two three-bedrooms are priced over $1 million, with unit 4AB going for $1.8 million during the summer of 2024). Apart from the three-bedrooms, only studios and one-bedrooms have changed hands between 2020 and the fall of 2024, with prices remaining within the $470,000 to $725,000 range. The Morleigh’s moderate cost can probably be explained by the fact that there are none of the “shiny objects” that almost define contemporary condo buildings, like a sauna, pool or indoor basketball court. The building is set up with a virtual doorman, a laundry room in the basement, bicycle storage and unit storage. There is a live-in super and pets are allowed but only with board approval. The building allows for 75% financing and there is no flip tax. Sublets are permitted without a residency requirement.
Lincoln Square is a nexus of learning
A number of notable schools at all levels live in Lincoln Square. The prestigious Juilliard School is appropriately housed at Lincoln Center. The City University of New York Macaulay Honors College and York Prep School share the block with The Morleigh. LaGuardia, the celebrated high school of the performing and visual arts with its long list of famous alums including Nicki Minaj, Liza Minnelli and Timothée Chalamet, is over on 65th and Amsterdam. Other excellent public high schools like Manhattan Hunter Science High School and West End Secondary School are nearby. The Fordham University Center, housing its law and business schools amongst other graduate programs, occupies two conjoined blocks next to the Lincoln Center. Internationally known Dwight School’s preschool sits one block from Riverside Park South on the west end.
Easy access to New York City’s cultural heart
Catching a performance at the celebrated Lincoln Center — which includes The Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the New York Philharmonic and The Juilliard School, in addition to other arts-related organizations — on any given day of the week, is a breeze since the campus is only five minutes away on foot. A 13-screen AMC movie theater sits right on Broadway and 68th, only half a block from The Morleigh’s front door. Morton Williams on 68th and a Trader Joe’s on 72nd are perched along Broadway, making grocery runs convenient. Major restaurants abound, two of which are close by: Tatiana, Lincoln Center’s highly -extolled eatery by Top Chef alum, Kwame Onwuachi, and Central Park’s iconic Tavern on the Green which can be entered from Central Park West on 66th Street. Before even hitting Broadway, Columbus Avenue offers an almost even mix of local, national and international brands, with everything from the Target 10 minutes south and the Chanel Fragrance and Beauty Boutique one block up. And on days when a cool run through Central Park isn’t possible, Equinox on 67th, Barry’s on 69th and the West Side “Y” on Sesame Street (yes, that Sesame Street) could be a great option.
Trains, buses and a major highway all in under 10 minutes
The local 1 train at Lincoln Square at 66th Street, is a mere four-minute walk southward. On 72nd Street, the 1 and express 2 and 3 trains stop along Broadway, while the A, B and C trains are at Central Park West. To get across town, the M72 at 68th and Central Park West and the M66 at 65th and Columbus Avenue travel eastbound. The West Side Highway can be reached in about 10 minutes.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
89/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
100/ 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
3 min walk
Picnic Area
Events
Dante Park
4 min walk
Picnic Area
Matthew P. Sapolin Playground
6 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Trails
Damrosch Park
7 min walk
Picnic Area
Events
Verdi Square
7 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Samuel N. Bennerson 2nd Playground
9 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Riverside Park South
11 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Soccer
Tecumseh Playground
11 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
West End Park
11 min walk
Trails
Playground
Schools
Source:
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