Top Prewar Condos

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.

The O'Neill Building, an architectural landmark at 655 Sixth Avenue between West 20th and 21st Streets, was originally constructed in 1887 as Hugh O'Neill's Dry Goods Building. Designed by Mortimer C. Merritt, it stands as the oldest and most distinguished of the major department stores that once lined Ladies' Mile, the historic retail district along Sixth Avenue. The building's distinctive cast-iron façade features Corinthian columns, ornate architectural details, and its signature beehive-style domes atop almost cylindrical towers at both corners.

The structure's history reflects the evolution of the neighborhood - from retail glory to manufacturing use by the 1920s. The original four-story building received a fifth-floor addition in 1895, and the iconic domes were removed in the early 20th century. In 2003, Elad Properties acquired the property for $37 million and undertook an ambitious conversion project.

Completed in 2007, the conversion by developer Miki Naftali and architects Cetra/Ruddy transformed the historic structure into 49 luxury condominiums while restoring the building's distinctive domes. The renovation included a two-story rooftop addition, made possible through an agreement with the Congregation of Shearith Israel, owners of the adjacent cemetery.

Today, the seven-story luxury condominium offers full-service amenities including 24-hour doorman service, concierge, and a 4,000-square-foot landscaped roof deck with outdoor kitchen and dining areas. The building's prewar character is preserved in its soaring ceiling heights, oversized windows, and architectural details, while residences feature modern luxury finishes.

The building's location in Chelsea places it at the intersection of several desirable neighborhoods including the Flatiron District and Greenwich Village. Residents enjoy proximity to numerous restaurants, shopping options including Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, and excellent public transportation access.

The O'Neill Building falls within the Ladies' Mile Historic District, designated in 1989, and stands across from the landmarked Church of the Holy Communion complex. Its historic façade was painted white to resemble stone, and the building's name remains emblazoned in relief on its pediment, serving as a reminder of its significant role in New York City's commercial history.

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.

Built in 1924, the Atalanta at 25 North Moore Street in TriBeCa is a 17-story former warehouse for butter, cheese and eggs that was converted into loft apartments in 2001.

It has three lofts on each floor that range in size from 1,914 to 2,926 square feet. Atop the Atalanta are two terraced, duplex penthouses of 4,500 square feet and 5,200 square feet, one of which has outdoor space in the form of an addition on top of the building. Units were sold as raw space, allowing the owners to get creative with the interior design and layout.

Amenities at the Atalanta include a 24-hour doorman, resident manager, state-of-the-art wiring, and a sundeck with gas grill and panoramic city views. 25 North Moore Street is situated close to restaurants and shops, as well as Washington Market, Hudson River Park, and the 1/2/3/A/C/E trains.

The J.W. Marriott Essex House at 160 Central Park South is a distinguished 43-story Art Deco tower designed by Frank Grad that opened in 1931. Originally called Park Tower and later Seville Towers, this iconic building is instantly recognizable by its six-story-high red neon rooftop sign that has crowned the structure since 1932. The beige brick tower features numerous setbacks and attractive Art Deco decorative elements at its base, along with an impressive lobby that extends through to 58th Street, complete with distinctive black marble columns and handsome Art Deco elevator cab doors.

The building operates as both a luxury hotel and residential condominium, housing approximately 247 residential units on floors 19-39 and 509 hotel rooms. Notably, it became the first condo hotel tower in NYC in 1974 during its initial conversion. The property has changed hands multiple times, with Strategic Hotels and Resorts currently owning it and contracting Marriott International to operate the hotel portion. Over the years, the Essex House has attracted notable residents including George Burns, Bing Crosby, David Bowie, Iman, and Liam Gallagher, with one legendary recording artist finding inspiration in the spectacular park views.

Residential apartments at the Essex House are known for their generous room sizes and unique layouts, with no two units being identical. Many feature expansive living spaces, with some boasting 28-foot-long dining rooms, 27-foot-long living rooms, and impressive terraces up to 48 feet long. Higher-floor units offer unobstructed Central Park views through floor-to-ceiling windows, while several apartments include distinctive features like solariums, bay windows, and private terraces. The building's apartments range from one-bedroom units to expansive three-bedroom homes spanning over 2,300 square feet, many with multiple bathrooms and sophisticated finishes including marble countertops, custom cabinetry, and high-end appliances.

Residents enjoy full access to five-star hotel services, including 24-hour room service, concierge service, housekeeping, a spa and fitness center, valet parking, and the award-winning Southgate restaurant. The building permits short-term rentals with a 30-day minimum, making it attractive to investors and pied-à-terre owners. Located in one of Manhattan's most prestigious blocks between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, the Essex House offers proximity to Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Fifth Avenue shopping, and the Time Warner Center, with utilities typically included in common charges.

737 Park Avenue is a distinguished 20 story prewar condominium built in 1940 and designed by Sylvan Bien for Samuel Minskoff. Positioned on the prestigious northeast corner of Park Avenue and 71st Street, the building sits directly across from the legendary 740 Park Avenue in the heart of Manhattan's most coveted residential district. The red brick structure features a sophisticated four story stone base and elegant architectural details, including attractive pediments on the top floor and a distinctive circular rooftop water tank enclosure. Harry Macklowe converted the building to condominium ownership in 2014, reducing the original 100+ apartments to 60 larger, more luxurious residences.

The building offers white glove service with a 24 hour doorman, elevator attendants, and a resident manager. Amenities include a skylit fitness center, children's playroom, and a unique garden room with catering kitchen adjacent to a landscaped courtyard. The attractive lobby features burled wood paneling and white terrazzo floors, setting an elegant tone for residents and guests. Additional conveniences include private storage, bicycle storage, and various entertaining spaces.

Apartments throughout the building showcase consistent high end finishes, including Varenna kitchens with marble floors, countertops, and backsplash, complemented by Miele stainless steel appliances and glass and aluminum cabinetry. Bathrooms feature heated floors, statuary Italian marble, custom Varenna vanities, and Dornbracht polished chrome fixtures. Most units include rift and quartered solid oak flooring, custom casement windows, and central air conditioning systems.

The residences range dramatically in size, from approximately 1,552 square feet to the spectacular penthouse with 6,003 square feet of interior space plus 2,271 square feet of wraparound terraces. Many of the larger apartments feature wood burning fireplaces, and corner units boast extensive Park Avenue frontage with multiple exposures. Several units offer particularly impressive layouts, such as Residence 12A with its 51 foot long living room and 22 foot long kitchen, demonstrating the grand scale typical of prewar Park Avenue living.

The top 12 floors of the 20-story pre-war office building known as 15 Madison Square North have been converted to one-to-four-bedroom luxury condominium apartments overlooking Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building in one of the city’s hottest residential neighborhoods. The building, erected in 1910, begins with a 24-hour attended lobby. Residents also get a 24-hour doorman and concierge, a landscaped roof deck, a state of the art fitness center, a wine storage and tasting room and a children's playroom. In addition to being within steps from nearly every subway line in the city, the surrounding neighborhood is home to a bustling interior design district and popular destinations like Dover Street Market, ABC Kitchen and Gramercy Tavern.

One Hundred Barclay Tribeca, completed in 1927, stands as one of New York City's first Art Deco skyscrapers. Designed by Ralph Walker, who was dubbed 'Architect of the Century' by the American Institute of Architects, the building originally served as the New York Telephone Company headquarters. The landmark structure features an opulent Jazz Age lobby with remarkable ceiling murals depicting the history of human communication, intricate ornamental details, and distinctive architectural elements including carved limestone, brick piers, and elaborate setbacks.

In 2014, the building's upper 22 floors were acquired by Magnum Realty and CIM Group for $274 million and subsequently converted into luxury residences. The conversion, designed by Ismael Leyva and DXA Studio, created sprawling loft-style homes that begin 170 feet above street level, featuring high ceilings, custom details, and views spanning from the Hudson River to the Midtown skyline.

The building offers over 40,000 square feet of amenities, including a fitness center by The Wright Fit, an 82-foot lap pool with adjacent children's pool, spa facilities, and extensive club level features on the 18th floor. The club level houses a billiards room, club lounge with bar and dining room, four outdoor terraces, children's playroom, teen lounge, media lounge, wine tasting room, and music practice rooms.

Located at the intersection of the Financial District, Tribeca, and Battery Park City, the building provides convenient access to Westfield World Trade Center, Fulton Center, and Brookfield Place, as well as the waterfront promenade at Battery Park City. The building maintains its historic status while functioning as a modern luxury residence, with Verizon retaining office space on the lower floors.

The Fischer Mills Building at 393-397 Greenwich Street is a historic pre-war structure dating back to 1860, originally serving as a coffee, tea, and spice warehouse. Located in the Tribeca West Historic District, the building artfully combines three distinct historic buildings into a single residential condominium, converted under the direction of developer Arthur Fefferman with BKSK Architects' Harry Kendall.

The building's distinctive architectural character is preserved through its exposed structural elements, including cast-iron columns, enormous rough-hewn timber beams with hand-chiseled joinery, and graceful brick archways. These industrial elements are complemented by modern finishes such as maple flooring and Thermopane windows throughout the residences.

Comprising 35 units, the building offers homes ranging from 1,400 to 4,300 square feet, with 24 units featuring private outdoor spaces. Two notable townhouse-style apartments boast soaring 15-foot ceilings, private gardens, and direct street access. The residences feature high-end finishes including stone countertops, oversized French farm sinks in kitchens, and bathrooms with radiant heated stone floors and six-foot cast-iron tubs.

As a full-service condominium, the Fischer Mills Building provides residents with full-time door attendants, a live-in superintendent, bicycle storage, private storage facilities, and a shared roof deck. While the building lacks a garage, it benefits from its proximity to the Hudson River Greenway, Pier 25, and various transportation options in the heart of Tribeca.

The Apthorp, built in 1908 by William Waldorf Astor, is one of New York City's most prestigious landmark buildings, occupying an entire block between 78th and 79th Streets on the Upper West Side. This Italian Renaissance Revival masterpiece, designed by architects Clinton & Russell, is distinguished by its limestone façade, iconic wrought-iron gates, and magnificent central courtyard with fountains and landscaped gardens.

The 12-story building contains 163 residences, accessed through four separate attended lobbies. Apartments feature soaring 11-foot ceilings, many with original architectural details including mosaic-tiled entry galleries, glass-paneled French doors, decorative fireplaces, and intricate crown moldings. Units range from one to six bedrooms, with many offering formal dining rooms and grand entertaining spaces.

The building was converted to condominiums in 2008 and now offers extensive amenities including a 6,500-square-foot suite with spa, fitness center, yoga studio, entertainment space with catering kitchen, children's playroom, and private storage. The building provides white-glove service with 24-hour doormen, hand-delivered mail, and on-site parking. Located between Central Park and Riverside Park, The Apthorp offers convenient access to the Upper West Side's cultural institutions, dining, shopping, and transportation.