15 West 81st Street - Upper West Side
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15 West 81st Street stands as one of Manhattan's most distinguished pre-war cooperatives, designed by renowned architect Emery Roth and completed in 1930. This 16-story beige-brick building houses 119 apartments and occupies an enviable position directly across from the American Museum of Natural History and the Rose Planetarium, with its broad frontage extending through the entire block from 81st to 82nd Street. The building's Italian Renaissance-style lobby stretches through the entire block, creating one of the city's most impressive residential entrances.
The apartments at 15 West 81st Street are renowned for their grand proportions and classic pre-war layouts. Most residences feature expansive formal galleries (often 24 feet long), generous living rooms, and substantial master bedrooms. Many units retain original Emery Roth bathroom tiles and fixtures, considered a hallmark of only select Upper West Side buildings, alongside restored herringbone floors, high beamed ceilings, and solid wood doors with original hardware. The building's southern-facing apartments offer coveted views of the Museum of Natural History and Rose Planetarium, while northern exposures overlook historic brownstones.
As a white-glove cooperative, the building provides exceptional service with two full-time doormen, a resident manager, and a full professional staff. Modern amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, children's playroom, bike room, and individual storage units for residents. The building permits 50% financing and requires a 2% flip tax paid by the purchaser. Notable residents have included Rita Schrager, ex-wife of hotelier Ian Schrager, reflecting the building's appeal to prominent New Yorkers seeking both luxury and the cultural richness of the Upper West Side's museum district.
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For some co-ops, instead of price per square foot, we use an estimate of the number of rooms for each sold apartment to chart price changes over time. This is because many co-op listings do not include square footage information, and this makes it challenging to calculate accurate square-foot averages.
By displaying the price per estimated room count, we are able to provide a more reliable and consistent metric for comparing sales in the building. While we hope that this gives you a clearer sense of price trends in the building, all data should be independently verified. All data provided are only estimates and should not be used to make any purchase or sale decision.
Notable past and present residents at 15 West 81st Street
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