My last blog Starchitect Skyline was part of a series of blogs about Manhattan real estate in history/today. I wrote about the brand name glass tower apartment buildings of the new millennium that are changing the NYC skyline.
This blog is about landmark buildings from another era and other uses that have been transformed or are being converted to luxury apartments.
Old World Details - Meets Modern Amenities.
Famous hotels, landmark banks, insurance company headquarters, factories, hospitals and even a former Police headquarters have been transformed into luxury apartments that offer unique spaces. This trend in real estate is not only taking place in Manhattan but in cities throughout the country.
Throughout Manhattan landmark buildings are being converted to condos. Just as the Starchitect branded buildings are a great marketing tool for developers so are famous Landmark buildings. Here is a sampling of some Landmark Living in Manhattan.
The Apple Bank building built in 1928 on the Upper West Side
Currently selling loft style condos priced from $2 to $8 million.
Old Police Headquarters Building at 240 Centre Street built in 1909
Edwardian Baroque style converted to 55 coop apartments in 1987.
Met Life Building 1 Madison Avenue
Once the tallest building in the world, converted to 142 condo units.
The Supreme Macaroni Factory
Pasta factory on 9th Ave at 39th St. is being converted to 96 condos.
The Cocoa Exchange 1 Wall Street
Neo- renaissance triangular shaped building converted to luxury apartments.
The Plaza Hotel
The famous Plaza Hotel is being converted to luxury condominiums
The Castle 455 Central Park West
1887 Cancer Hospital converted to luxury condos.
Churches
Park West Church 86th & Amsterdam Ave.
Tax exempt landmark churches are looking to real estate developers for cash. The Park West church at 86th and Amsterdam has plans to preserve it's main sanctuary and tower while erecting a 21 story apartment building.
Many preservationist and neighbors are concerned about these church's plans to develop their properties including development plans from the Theological Seminary in Chelsea. Everyone wants to be in Real Estate.
Manhattan real estate in history/ today
A blog series by Mitchell Hall
Starchitect Skyline 19th - 21st homes
The Castle 455 Central Park West
Hi Carole, Thanks for the comments. I like those circular rooms too. The new restored building at 455 CPW was a hospital and the reason it has no corners is because back then corners were thought to breed germs. I left out some buildings, the former YMCA building in Chelsea is now lofts, the elevator still says pool, locker room.
My favorite NY building is the Chrysler Building I love art deco. I'm starting to really like the new all glass buildings too. I'm not afraid of heights but the first few times I went in them I was afraid to go near the floor to ceiling windows.
I don't know if the churches need all that money but they certainly want it. I guess it takes $50 million to feed the homeless.
Mitchell - great post! I love the pictures you included, and the links to your other posts. I just really enjoy seeing what's going on in other areas with regard to new uses for really interesting buildings. Thanks for sharing!
Ann Cummings
Maureen, Thanks I'll look for it.
Carole, It amazes me that during the Depression they built the greatest buildings. Everyone was poor yet they had maids rooms and formal dining rooms. Actually many of the art deco buildings were started during the roaring 20's. I think the 20's must have been really glamorous. Too bad I didn't know you last year, I had the perfect apartment for you. Statue of Liberty views from every room.
Ann, Thanks, I think a picture is worth a thousand words. I think this is a real estate trend all over the country. I was just reading about The Sears Tower in Minneapolis and The San Francisco Chronicle becoming apartment buildings.
Netta,
The Met Life Tower was built in 1909. It was the tallest building for only four years.
The Woolworth building became the tallest building in the world from 1913 until the construction of 40 Wall Street (and, shortly thereafter, the Chrysler Building) in 1930. Then came the Empire State Building a year later.
Woolworth no longer owns the building. It is still being used as an office building. NYU occupies a portion of the building.
The Pam Am building is now The Met Life building also.
Mitchell, thanks for the history and architectural lesson. The Salt Lake skyline has nowhere near the history and diversity of architecture as Manhattan.
Mitchell... very late to the party. I have always liked architecture. I actually went to college for Landscape Architecture and look now... mortgages of 14 years. I even went to Paris and Italy one year.... some amazing stuff out there.
In regards to your post. Some interesting information. I would love to have a place inside a historical site and such. But so expensive. And it amazes me how expensive that they are and that they are able to fill many of these buildings up....especially for those prices... wow... nice work.
Mitchell - What wonderful material you have to write about. I am still fairly new to AR. The only thing I miss about New York, is Manhattan. I adored it. I just went back through your many posts and find myself almost needing to get onto a plane and come back for a visit, for a fix. Great Stuff,
Thank You,
Laurie