The Austin,
130 West 79th Street

Overview of The Austin at 130 West 79th Street

The Austin is a 19-story red-brick condominium built in 1986 with 94 units, located on the highly coveted West 79th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenue. The building features a distinctive two-story granite base with attractive black-metal balconies that are flush with the façade and a large marquee entrance. Positioned on what's described as one of the city's nicest blocks, The Austin sits just half a block from the American Museum of Natural History and a block and a half from Central Park, with the east end of the quiet street facing Manhattan Square where the museum stands.

Residents enjoy comprehensive building amenities including 24-hour doorman service, a live-in superintendent, a fitness room with sauna, and central laundry facilities. The building is pet-friendly and permits both subletting and pied-à-terre arrangements, making it attractive for flexible living situations. A notable feature is the roof deck offering stunning city views, though the building lacks a garage and is one of the few on the block without sidewalk landscaping.

Apartments at The Austin commonly feature private balconies (with some units boasting dual north and south-facing balconies), marble bathrooms, hardwood floors, and open kitchen layouts. Many units offer open views over the double-wide West 79th Street or south-facing vistas of brownstone gardens and city skylines. The apartments range from studios to two-bedrooms, with generous closet space and abundant natural light being consistent features across units.

The location provides exceptional convenience with multiple subway lines nearby (A/C, B/D, 1/2/3) and the popular Sunday farmers market right on Columbus Avenue. Residents have easy access to renowned neighborhood establishments like Zabar's, Fairway, and Citarella, plus a diverse array of restaurants and cafes along Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. The building's proximity to Lincoln Center (about a dozen blocks south) and various cultural institutions makes it particularly appealing to those seeking the quintessential Upper West Side lifestyle.