27 West 67th Street

Overview of 27 West 67th Street

27 West 67th Street, built in 1903, holds the distinction of being the first artist studio cooperative building in New York City. Designed by Sturgis & Simonson in Gothic style, the 12-story building features distinctive red-and-black brick construction with an elaborate arched stone entrance and characteristic double-height studio windows on its north face.

The building originated through the vision of landscape painter Henry Ward Ranger, who convinced nine other artists including Childe Hassam and Frank Dumond to invest $350,000 in creating their own studio building. This pioneering venture proved successful, returning a 23% profit and establishing a model for subsequent artist cooperatives in the area.

The building is the cornerstone of the West 67th Street Artists' Colony Historic District, featuring sophisticated molded brick window enframements, multi-paned windows, and Gothic architectural details. Originally containing 14 studios plus rental apartments, it was converted to 32 cooperative units in 1973.

Notable residents have included folk singer Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary, who lived there for over 40 years, and Milton Glaser, the graphic designer who created the iconic 'I ❤ NY' logo. Many apartments retain original architectural elements including barrel-vaulted ceilings reaching 17 feet, wood-burning fireplaces, and stained glass windows.

The building maintains its historic character while offering modern amenities including 24-hour door staff with elevator operators, a landscaped roof deck with city views, and basement storage. Located between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, the cooperative is pet-friendly and allows pied-à-terres.

The structure's industrial Gothic exterior was intentionally understated compared to speculative buildings of the era, reflecting the original artists' preference for functionality over ornate decoration. The building's success led to the development of several other artist cooperatives in the neighborhood, establishing West 67th Street as a significant artistic center in early 20th century New York.