Top Prewar Condos

443 Greenwich Street stands as one of Tribeca's most prestigious residential conversions, transforming a 1880s book bindery warehouse into 53 luxury condominiums in 2014. The landmarked red-brick building was meticulously restored by CetraRuddy Architects, who preserved its historic façade complete with large arched windows and distinctive stringcourses while adding modern luxury throughout. The building's most striking feature is its 4,000-square-foot landscaped interior courtyard designed by landscape architect Hank White, surrounded by 600 windows with restored shutters—a detail that required landmark commission approval.

The building has become a celebrity magnet, attracting high-profile residents including Jake Gyllenhaal, Meg Ryan, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Lawrence, and Harry Styles. Its prime north Tribeca location between Desbrosses and Vestry streets, combined with the rare luxury of an underground parking garage with electric charging stations, offers the privacy and convenience that draws A-list residents to this cobblestone block just two blocks from Hudson River Park.

The apartments seamlessly blend historic character with contemporary luxury, featuring restored 1882 Carolina yellow pine beams and columns, soaring 11-foot ceilings, and 8-inch wide white oak flooring throughout. Kitchens are designed by Christopher Peacock with Calacatta marble islands and countertops, complemented by top-tier appliances including Wolf ranges, Sub-Zero refrigerators, and dual Miele dishwashers. Many units feature private elevator access, and bathrooms showcase full-slab marble walls, steam showers, freestanding sculptural tubs, and radiant heated floors. Residences range from approximately 1,400 square feet to over 5,000 square feet for the penthouses, with some featuring private terraces and duplex or triplex layouts.

The building's amenities rival those of a luxury resort, anchored by a 71-foot indoor swimming pool and a 5,000-square-foot landscaped roof terrace. Additional offerings include a state-of-the-art fitness center operated by The Wright Fit with private yoga studios, men's and women's locker rooms with an adjacent Turkish bath (Hamam), temperature-controlled wine storage, children's playroom, and comprehensive concierge services with 24-hour doorman and live-in resident manager. The LEED-certified building represents the pinnacle of luxury living in one of Manhattan's most coveted neighborhoods.

Walker Tower, standing 22 stories tall at 212 West 18th Street in Chelsea, represents a masterful blend of historic preservation and modern luxury. The building takes its name from Ralph Walker, the architect who designed the original 1929 telephone switching building that forms its lower floors.

The architectural firm Cetra/Ruddy undertook the building's transformation, carefully preserving and expanding upon the original Art Deco design elements while adapting the structure for contemporary residential use. Their work maintained the building's distinctive Gotham style while elevating it to meet 21st-century standards.

The building offers an extensive suite of amenities including a 24-hour doorman, concierge service, and a fully-equipped fitness center with a dedicated yoga room. Residents also enjoy access to refrigerated storage, a children's playroom, bike storage, and a sauna.

One of Walker Tower's most notable features is its library lounge, complete with a pantry and bar. The building is crowned with a landscaped roof deck that includes a dining area, sun lawn, and covered cabana space, providing residents with exceptional outdoor living options.

The building's Chelsea location places it within easy reach of several New York landmarks and conveniences, including the High Line park, numerous acclaimed restaurants, and vibrant nightlife destinations. Transportation is readily accessible via the 18th Street 1 train.

147 Waverly Place, designed by prominent architects Jardine, Kent and Hill and known as The Waverly Building, was originally constructed in 1912. The building's characteristic shape reflects the oblique angle of its prime corner site. Adapted as a boutique 20-unit condominium, The Waverly Building now includes a 24-hour doorman, 24-hour concierge service, a full time superintendent, a beautiful roof terrace with Village, Empire State Building and skyline views, and basement storage. The building is steps from Washington Square Park, gourmet grocery stores, amazing restaurants, and public transportation.

The Mayfair at 610 Park Avenue stands as one of Manhattan's most distinguished prewar condominiums, with a storied history that reflects the evolution of luxury living on the Upper East Side. Built in 1925 by renowned architect J.E.R. Carpenter, the building originally opened as the 450-room Mayfair House hotel and gained significant social cachet when Le Cirque restaurant opened on its ground floor in 1974, quickly becoming one of the city's most prestigious dining destinations. The building's conversion to a 68-unit condominium in 1997-1998 was remarkably successful, with units selling out based solely on floor plans before buyers could even enter the building. The conversion also brought Daniel Boulud's Michelin-starred Restaurant Daniel to replace Le Cirque, maintaining the building's reputation as a culinary destination.

The 15-story brown brick building with limestone base offers white-glove service including a 24-hour doorman, concierge, live-in resident manager, and valet parking. Residents enjoy access to a fitness center, optional maid service, and the unique amenity of room service from Restaurant Daniel, which caters exclusively to building residents. The building is pet-friendly, allowing up to two dogs of 20 pounds each, and maintains an intimate feel with fewer than 70 residences. Former New York City Mayor Jimmy Walker was among the building's notable residents.

Apartments at The Mayfair showcase classic prewar elegance with coffered 9-foot ceilings, seven-inch base moldings, and wood-burning fireplaces found in many units. The residences range from approximately 2,000 square feet to over 4,400 square feet, with larger units featuring multiple exposures and sweeping Park Avenue frontage. Common features include herringbone hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, custom built-ins and cabinetry, in-unit washer/dryers, and temperature-controlled wine storage. Many apartments boast chef's kitchens with top-tier appliances, formal dining rooms, libraries that can serve as additional bedrooms, and some units include private terraces.

Perfectly positioned at the corner of Park Avenue and 65th Street, The Mayfair offers residents proximity to Central Park, Madison Avenue's luxury boutiques, world-class museums, and easy access to multiple subway lines. The building's elegant sidestreet marquee, originally created in 1934, now serves as the entrance to Restaurant Daniel, while residents enter through a discrete Park Avenue entrance. This combination of architectural distinction, culinary prestige, and prime location has established The Mayfair as one of Park Avenue's most coveted addresses.

Grand Madison at 225 Fifth Avenue is a Renaissance Revival landmark building that occupies an entire blockfront between 25th and 26th streets, directly overlooking Madison Square Park. Originally constructed in 1906 as the Brunswick Hotel by architects Francis H. Kimball and Harry E. Donnell, the red-brick building with limestone base later served as elegant showrooms for the gift industry before Elad Properties acquired it for approximately $125 million in 2004 and converted it into 190-192 condominium apartments.

The building's apartments typically feature 10-foot ceilings, Poggenpohl kitchens with Viking and Bosch appliances, wide plank oak hardwood floors, and marble bathrooms, often in Carrara marble. Units range from spacious one-bedrooms to impressive duplex penthouses, with the latter offering multiple terraces up to 252 square feet and views of iconic buildings like the Empire State Building and Flatiron Building. Many apartments showcase the building's showroom heritage with exceptionally long entrance galleries - some stretching up to 33 feet - and expansive living spaces that can accommodate both living and formal dining areas.

Grand Madison provides white-glove service with 24-hour doorman and concierge, a fitness center, landscaped courtyard, and roof deck. The building notably housed the first Derek Jeter-branded gym in 2008, a 28,000-square-foot facility that was part of the 24 Hour Fitness chain. Additional services include in-house dry cleaning, daily housekeeping, and a live-in superintendent, though the building lacks a parking garage.

The location places residents at the heart of the revitalized NoMad district, with Eataly directly across the street and Madison Square Park's original Shake Shack steps away. Notable residents have included news anchor Lester Holt. The building's prime position offers easy access to the dining and cultural attractions of both the Flatiron District and Chelsea, while multiple subway lines provide convenient transportation throughout the city.

The Westbury stands as a distinguished prewar condominium at 15 East 69th Street, occupying a prime corner location on Madison Avenue just one block from Central Park. Originally constructed in 1927 as the Westbury Hotel and operated by Trust House Forte, this 18-story red brick building with limestone base was thoughtfully converted to just 47 luxury condominiums in 1999, maintaining only four residences per floor to ensure exclusivity and privacy.

The building's conversion preserved its hotel-caliber service standards, offering residents 24-hour concierge and doorman services, along with amenities including a fitness center, wine cellar with individual storage units, bicycle room, and optional maid service. The double-height lobby retains the elegance of its hotel origins, while the ground-floor retail spaces have housed prestigious tenants including Sulka, Alfred Dunhill, and Gucci, reflecting the building's position along one of Manhattan's most exclusive shopping corridors.

Residences at The Westbury typically feature elaborate entrance galleries, wood-burning fireplaces, and custom millwork that showcase classic prewar craftsmanship. Apartments range from approximately 1,600 to over 3,000 square feet, with many offering coffered ceilings, marble bathrooms, and custom closet systems. The crown jewel is a duplex penthouse with over 2,000 square feet of terraces providing panoramic city and skyline views. The building's location provides immediate access to Central Park, the Frick Collection, Madison Avenue's luxury boutiques, and some of the city's finest restaurants, while welcoming both pets and pied-à-terre ownership.

10 Madison Square West is a 22-story luxury condominium conversion of the historic International Toy Center building at 1107 Broadway, originally designed in 1915 by William Van Alen, architect of the Chrysler Building. Developed by the Witkoff Group and Vector Group Ltd and completed in 2015, the building houses 125 residences ranging from one to five bedrooms, with interiors designed by Alan Wanzenberg. The conversion involved demolishing a 40,000-square-foot section to add height to the structure, transforming the former commercial space into one of Manhattan's premier residential addresses. Notable residents include Fredrik Eklund from "Million Dollar Listing."

The building's apartments showcase consistent luxury finishes throughout, including wide-plank white oak floors, beamed ceilings soaring over 11 feet in the tower residences (floors 18-21), and floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views of Madison Square Park. Kitchens feature SieMatic cabinetry with Bianco Carrara marble countertops and top-tier appliances from Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Miele. Bathrooms are appointed with Carrara marble, radiant heated floors, and Dornbracht fixtures. The 22nd-floor penthouse spans 6,500 square feet with 1,700 square feet of private terraces, while many units offer flexible layouts and in-unit washer/dryers.

Residents enjoy an impressive 10,000-square-foot amenity club managed by The Wright Fit, featuring a 60-foot heated lap pool, hot tub, yoga and Pilates studios, spa treatment rooms, and comprehensive fitness facilities with sauna and steam rooms. Additional amenities include a children's playroom, 5,100-square-foot private courtyard garden designed by Signe Nielsen, bike storage, and white-glove service with 24-hour doorman, concierge, and live-in resident manager.

Perfectly positioned directly across from Madison Square Park in the vibrant Flatiron District, the building sits one block from Eataly and within walking distance of numerous Michelin-rated restaurants, shopping along Ladies Mile, and multiple subway lines. The location places residents at the crossroads of NoMad, Flatiron, Chelsea, and Union Square, offering easy access to Manhattan's finest dining, cultural attractions, and transportation options.

The Plaza Hotel and Residences, located at 768 Fifth Avenue and 1 Central Park South, is an iconic blend of luxury hospitality and upscale living. Designed in French Renaissance chateau style by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh in 1907, The Plaza offers an unmatched New York experience, steps from Central Park, Pulitzer Fountain, and renowned landmarks like Carnegie Hall, MoMA, and the Wollman Rink.

The building’s distinctive exterior features a white marble base, turreted corners, and a mansard roof adorned with finials and flagpoles, adding to its Old World charm. The Plaza’s interior includes 282 hotel rooms and 181 private residences, with the latter housed in the building's north and east wings. The residences feature high ceilings, period moldings, walnut-bordered herringbone parquet floors, and kitchens equipped with stone countertops and mosaic marble backsplashes. Many units boast views of Central Park, Fifth Avenue, and the surrounding cityscape, with some offering terraces and unique turreted windows.

Residents enjoy exclusive access to hotel amenities, including the famed Palm Court restaurant, Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, Warren-Tricomi Salon, and a state-of-the-art La Palestra fitness center. A dedicated staff provides round-the-clock concierge, doorman, butler, and nanny services, along with housekeeping, turn-down service, and limousine arrangements. Additionally, residents have access to a private European-style garden with cascading water features, a rooftop deck, and pet-friendly policies.

Situated on the doorstep of Central Park, The Plaza is encircled by premier shopping and dining options and is conveniently close to several subway lines, making it easily accessible from all parts of Manhattan. The lively surroundings of the Meatpacking District, Lincoln Center, and high-end boutiques along Fifth Avenue cater to a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Throughout its history, The Plaza has hosted distinguished guests and memorable events, such as Truman Capote's Black-and-White Ball. Celebrities and public figures have frequented the Oak Bar, a setting famously depicted in "North by Northwest." The building was partially converted to condominiums in 2008 under El Ad Properties, preserving its landmarked exterior and spectacular interiors. Managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the hotel offers a mix of private residences, transient hotel rooms, and 152 "hotel-condos" that generate income for owners through a revenue-sharing program.

The Plaza has long been celebrated in popular culture, from Neil Simon's “Plaza Suite” to films like "Scent of a Woman" and "Home Alone 2." Its Persian Room nightclub attracted icons like Peggy Lee and Liza Minnelli, and its storied ambiance continues to define New York glamour.

40 East 66th Street is a distinguished pre-war condominium designed by renowned architect Rosario Candela in 1929 and converted from rental units in 2008 by Vornado Realty Trust. The 13-story red-brick building, featuring a limestone base and decorative architectural details, houses 33 luxury residences in one of Manhattan's most coveted locations, just one block from Central Park.

The residences are characterized by generous proportions and classic Candela layouts, featuring wood-burning fireplaces, high-end appliances from Viking, SubZero, and Miele, and thoughtfully designed living spaces. Many units offer unique architectural elements typical of Candela's sophisticated design approach, including well-proportioned rooms and elegant flow between public and private spaces.

This white-glove building offers comprehensive amenities including 24-hour doorman and concierge service, a fitness room, children's playroom, bike room, central laundry, and private storage. Its prime Upper East Side location provides immediate access to Madison Avenue's luxury boutiques, fine dining establishments, art galleries, and cultural attractions, embodying the essence of sophisticated Manhattan living.

15 Union Square West is a boutique condominium located at the west side of Union Square at 15th Street.

Residences boast varied and open floor plans filled with natural light. They also have high ceilings and were custom designed by Vicente Wolf to mimic the feel of a townhome; apartments in the upper floors have fireplaces and offer views of the nearby park. Open kitchens are equipped with oversized islands, energy efficient LED lighting and stainless steel appliances; large master bathrooms have stone floors and walls and double sink vanities. Some units have touches like glass staircases and powder rooms with additional laundry rooms.

15 Union Square West has a 24-hour doorman on staff and concierge service from Luxury Attache, and amenities include a spa with a 50-foot-long lap pool and oversized Jacuzzi; a massage and spa treatment room; and a gym with a yoga/Pilates studio and boxing room. Many shops, restaurants, movie theaters and bars are nearby.