As of April 15, 2007, the building, which is known now as Avonova, had 17 vacant apartments, 20 “free-market” apartments, 61 rent-stabilized apartments and 19 rent-controlled apartments.

The offering plan has a total price for outsiders for its 117 units of $193,475,000.

Prices range from about $735,000 to about $2,815,000.

The sponsor is 219 West 81st LLC of which Edward Gellert and Brad A. Cohen are principals. Mr. Cohen is executive director of U.S. commercial real estate investing of UBS AG.

An article by Vivian Marino in the December 11, 2010 edition of The New York Times said that the building had been acquired from the developers by Aby Rosen, who owns numerous major properties in the city including the Lever House and the Seagrams Building on Park Avenue.

The building was erected in 1912 and was designed by Gaetano Ajello, who was the architect also for 473, 505, 575, 645 West End Avenue, the Rexor Apartments on Broadway at 116th Street, the Luxor Apartments on Broadway at 115th Street and 17 East 89th Street.

The building has a three-story limestone base and its mid-block, 3-step-up entrance is in a deep light court, one of five at the building. The entrance is landscaped and well-lit with wall sconces.

The building s façade has recently been restored and new windows have been installed as well as new plumbing, elevator and mechanical systems. In addition, the building now has a lower level amenity center designed by Allen + Killcoyne with a fitness center, a clubroom and catering kitchen, a children’s playcenter, and storage units.

The beige brick building has arched windows at the top floor and delightful putti holding escutcheons above some fifth floor windows.

It has a landscaped roofdeck, an exposed rooftop watertank and some protruding air-conditioners. It has a concierge but no garage.

Gruzen Samton was the architectural firm for the conversion.

Apartments have crown moldings and Bosch laundry appliances. Kitchens have Viking appliances, pearlescent lacquer cabinetry with frosted glass accents, Caesar stone countertops and under-cabinet lighting. Master baths have Crema Calacatta marble flooring, shower and bath enclosures in Thassos marble, vessel sinks and Zuma soaking tubs.

It is very close to Zabar’s one block south on Broadway and there is a subway station at 79th Street.

The building is just to the west of the Barrington apartment building at 203 West 81st Street, a smaller but similar building with a deep light court that is two steps down from the building line.