The Braender,
418 Central Park West

Overview of The Braender at 418 Central Park West

The Braender (pronounced to rhyme with 'gander') is a distinctive pre-war condominium located at 418 Central Park West. Built in 1902 by Philip Braender, a builder and tire company owner, this 10-story building was designed by Frederick C. Browne and features an eclectic mix of French Renaissance, Spanish, and Baroque architectural styles.

The building's most notable architectural features include four large curved bays facing Central Park West, a dramatic Moorish-style entrance court with an 11-scalloped arch and double columns, and a tempietto at the rear of the light court. The elegant lobby showcases white marble with gray-blue veining, complemented by marble with swirls of gray and brown, and features a unique coffered ceiling with six-pointed star patterns.

Originally containing large apartments with notably long corridors (some stretching 60 feet), the building underwent significant changes when most units were subdivided in the mid-1900s. It was converted to condominiums in the 1980s, during which time extensive renovations addressed years of deterioration. The building's distinctive six-foot-wide terra-cotta griffins, which once supported the balconies, were recreated for the entrance court after the originals were removed for safety.

Today, The Braender houses 88 units, featuring apartments with 10-foot ceilings, many with curved bay windows offering Central Park views. The building maintains its pre-war character while providing modern amenities including a 24-hour doorman, live-in superintendent, laundry facilities, bicycle storage, and additional storage available for rent.

The building's location at the southwest corner of 102nd Street and Central Park West offers convenient access to public transportation, with the B/C trains one block away. The neighborhood provides easy access to popular amenities including Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and numerous restaurants.

The Braender was notably featured in Christopher Gray's 'Streetscapes' column in The New York Times in 2006, titled 'The Ungainly Duckling That Alighted Along the Park,' which detailed its architectural evolution and historical significance in the context of Central Park West's development.