520 East 86th Street: Review and Ratings

Review of 520 East 86th Street by Carter Horsley

There are surprisingly few "twin" buildings in the city.

This very handsome and dignified apartment building was erected in 1927 and is almost an identical twin of the adjoining building to the east, No. 530, which was erected one year later.

Both mid-block buildings were converted to cooperatives in 1950. This building has 46 apartments, one less than No. 530.

It  and 530 were developed by Vincent Astor and designed by Charles Platt.

The buildings both have limestone bases that are rusticated around the entrances. The entrances are slightly different: 520 has a rectilinear entrance and 530 has an arched entrance, which is a bit more impressive. Both buildings have red-brick façades interrupted by broad bandcourses and they permit protruding air-conditioners.

The building has consistent multi-paned fenestration with the unfortunate exception of one apartment at the west end of the top floor.

This building has very handsome and large bay windows on its east façade, which faces a wide, handsomely gated alley between the two buildings.

Both buildings are very close to Carl Schurz Park, whose entrance is at the East End Avenue comer of this street and they are across 86th Street from the charming townhouses along Henderson Place, one of the city's few small mid-block mini-streets.

Although neither building has sidewalk landscaping, both are among the most desirable in this area that is popular with families because of the park and excellent private schools in the neighborhood.

There is excellent crosstown bus service, but the express subway station at Lexington Avenue is quite far away.