1001 Fifth Avenue

Overview of 1001 Fifth Avenue

1001 Fifth Avenue stands as one of New York's most architecturally significant and controversial post war cooperatives. Designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson with Philip Birnbaum as associate architect, this 23 story limestone clad building was completed in 1979 by developer Peter Kalikow. Located directly across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the building gained notoriety for its distinctive "false front" mansard roof design that mirrors the genuine mansard roof of the neighboring Benjamin N. Duke mansion. While widely criticized by architectural critics as "architectural conceit raised to new heights," the building's contextual approach marked a significant shift toward traditional architectural language in post war construction.

The building's 76 unit cooperative offers residents a rare luxury on Fifth Avenue: bay windows facing Central Park, which provide spectacular unobstructed views of the park, reservoir, and Metropolitan Museum. Apartments typically feature spacious living and dining rooms, with some units having fireplaces. Higher floor residences command particularly impressive vistas. The building's limestone façade on the avenue side contrasts with buff brick on the remaining elevations, while dark gray bay windows and metal spandrels create strong vertical elements throughout the structure.

As a white glove full service building, 1001 Fifth Avenue provides residents with comprehensive amenities including a 24 hour doorman and concierge, live-in superintendent, fitness center on the second floor, bike storage, and laundry facilities. The co-op is both pet friendly and welcomes pied-à-terre ownership, with a standard 2% flip tax paid by buyers. The building's prime location offers immediate access to Central Park, and Madison Avenue shopping, making it one of the Upper East Side's most coveted addresses despite its polarizing architectural legacy.