Top Prewar Condos

The 1915 masonry tower at 90 Franklin Street in TriBeCa was converted from office space into 25 apartments in 2001.

Rising without setbacks, Franklin Tower has one unit on its 11th through 16th floors; each lower floor contains two apartments. Residences range from 1,900-square-foot one-bedrooms and 2,600-square-foot two- to four-bedrooms, to 5,000-square-foot floor-through lofts with four exposures. Full-floor apartments have 23-by-33-foot living rooms that open onto 23-by-13-foot libraries with fireplaces and four bedrooms. Maid's quarters have a separate entrance.

Interiors boast 10-foot ceilings with recessed lighting, oversized banks of thermal pane windows, double and quadruple exposures and good city or river views. Stainless steel kitchens feature imported cabinetry and are outfitted with center islands topped in polished stone. Bathrooms have Waterworks fixtures and oversized glass steam showers and deep soaking tubs. Residences also have washers and dryers.

Amenities include a 24-hour doorman, concierge service, a rooftop deck with expansive views and a fitness center. It is also close to public transportation, restaurants and the Hudson River, which has running and biking paths.

The Sugar Warehouse at 79 Laight Street was built in 1853 by the Grocers Steam Sugar Refining Company and later sold to the United States Sugar Refining Company. At 10 stories, it was one of the tallest buildings in New York City when constructed. In 2000, the landmarked structure was acquired by Alex Forkosh of Forkosh Construction and converted into a 34 unit condominium by architect Joseph Pell Lombardi, who described it as "one of the more complex" conversions he had undertaken due to the building's varying heights—10 stories in the core but only five or six stories in other sections. The 2002 restoration preserved the building's distinctive red brick façade, black metal window shutters on the lower floors, and the painted white signage displaying the building's name and address.

The building's conversion required installing an entirely new structural system behind the historic façade to accommodate modern split level and duplex layouts. Two interior courtyards were created to bring natural light into the building. The slightly arched windows and charming exterior details, carefully restored to meet Landmarks Preservation Commission requirements, give the building significant street presence along its lengthy façade extending to West Street. The building sits on cobblestone Laight Street at the corner of West Street in prime North TriBeCa.

All 34 residences are configured as two or three bedroom apartments, with most featuring split level or duplex layouts. Units range from approximately 2,000 to 4,000 square feet, with ceiling heights reaching 14 to 16 feet in many apartments. Several penthouses include skylights and private roof deck access. Common features across units include spacious great rooms, open kitchens with high end appliances from brands like Miele, Sub Zero, Viking, and Gaggenau, marble bathrooms, custom millwork and closets, and vented washer/dryers. Many apartments offer Hudson River views through the building's signature arched windows, and select units feature wood burning fireplaces and private keyed elevator access.

The Sugar Warehouse offers full service amenities including a 24 hour doorman, live-in superintendent, fitness center, two common rooftop decks, children's playroom, bicycle storage, conference room, and private storage units for each residence. The building is pet friendly and zoned for PS 234. There is no parking garage on site. The building has undergone major capital improvements including waterproofing, fireproofing, lobby renovation, and playroom updates.

The location directly across from Hudson River Park and Piers 25 and 26 provides immediate access to waterfront recreation. The building sits in one of TriBeCa's most desirable blocks, with close proximity to the dining and shopping of TriBeCa, SoHo, and the West Village. The cobblestone streets and historic warehouse architecture define the neighborhood's character, which transformed from the former Washington Market produce district into one of Manhattan's most sought after residential areas.

The Sugar Warehouse stands as one of only three historic condominium buildings on the entire TriBeCa waterfront and represents one of the neighborhood's most significant conversion projects from the early 2000s. The building's industrial heritage, combined with its landmarked status and full service amenities, has made it a cornerstone property in the area. The conversion preserved an important piece of New York's 19th century commercial architecture while creating distinctive loft style residences that blend prewar character with modern luxury.

The Spears Building, located at 525 West 22nd Street, was originally constructed in 1880 as a factory and transformed into a boutique condominium in 1996. This six-story building features 30 loft apartments, characterized by high ceilings, exposed brick, and original industrial details. Residents enjoy amenities such as a part-time doorman, a furnished rooftop deck with views of the Hudson River, and available storage units. Its prime location in West Chelsea places it near the High Line, renowned art galleries, and top dining options.

Notable apartments within the building include expansive lofts and penthouses that showcase unique architectural features. For instance, a sprawling 4,022-square-foot penthouse offers 2,500 square feet of private outdoor space, while a nearly 6,000-square-foot combined unit boasts five bedrooms and multiple flexible spaces. Many residences highlight original elements like wood beams and large windows, providing abundant natural light and a connection to the building's rich history.

The Spears Building has attracted notable residents, including Linda Evangelista and Keanu Reeves, adding to its allure. The building's design and amenities cater to a lifestyle that balances artistic inspiration with modern living, making it a sought-after address in the vibrant West Chelsea arts district.

21 Astor Place is a city landmark that was converted into apartments in 2003.

It is 11 stories and features 50 residences, half of which have different layouts. Thirty-nine units, including 10 duplexes, have either one or two bedrooms. There are also eight, three-bedroom simplexes, a three-bedroom duplex and a four-bedroom duplex. The top floor is a vast space of 7,278 square feet with a 3,094-square-foot wraparound terrace.

Apartments have a loft-style feel with large living areas, 13-foot-high ceilings and many windows. Interiors include sliding room dividers, closets made of semi-opaque glass and staircases angled out of walls to appear as if they are floating. In keeping with such an aesthetic, toilets are also set in bathroom walls.

Apartments have relatively low monthly common charges, even with such amenities as a 24-hour doorman and a health club. With Astor Place and Cooper Union nearby, it is also located close to public transportation and shops.

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 Silk Building stands as one of NoHo's most culturally significant residential landmarks, originally constructed in 1908 as a silk garment factory in the Italian Renaissance palazzo style by Clinton & Russell Architects. The 12 story building was converted to a luxury condominium in the early 1980s, retaining beautiful historic friezes in its lobby that pay homage to its industrial origins. The building gained legendary status when Tower Records occupied its entire ground floor retail space from 1983 until the company's eventual closure, becoming a cultural epicenter during the height of MTV's influence and helping establish this stretch of Broadway as a destination for music lovers worldwide.

The Silk Building has attracted an impressive roster of celebrity residents, most notably in Penthouse 1109, a spectacular quadruplex that was owned successively by Russell Simmons, Keith Richards and Britney Spears. This penthouse featured a 54 foot wide living room, private terraces, and multiple levels spanning floors 10 through 12. Other notable residents have included Cher and fashion designer Charlotte Ronson, cementing the building's reputation as a magnet for entertainment industry figures and cultural tastemakers.

The building's 56 apartments showcase distinctive loft style layouts, with many units configured as duplexes and triplexes featuring soaring 10 to 12 foot ceilings, oversized windows, and wood burning fireplaces. Kitchens typically include premium appliances from Sub-Zero, Wolf, Viking, and Miele, while hardwood floors and open concept designs emphasize the building's industrial heritage. Many units offer both north and south exposures, with some penthouses featuring private terraces and panoramic city views.

Located at 14 East 4th Street, the full service building offers 24 hour doorman service, a live-in superintendent, laundry facilities on every floor, and a landscaped roof deck with sweeping skyline views. The prime NoHo location sits at the crossroads of Greenwich Village, SoHo, Union Square, and the East Village, providing residents with easy access to multiple subway lines, New York University, Washington Square Park, and some of downtown Manhattan's finest dining and shopping destinations.

The Carl Fischer Building at 62 Cooper Square faces Cooper Square, a green plaza and promenade at the confluence of some of Manhattan’s most exciting neighborhoods - NoHo, the Bowery, East Village, Greenwich Village and Union Square. The property consists of three pre-war buildings - a 12-story loft and two four-story buildings next door. The loft holds a shared roof deck with dramatic skyline views, with a private penthouse with a hot tub taking up the roof of one of the smaller buildings.

The Carl Fisher Building offers a 24-hour doorman/concierge, an on-site superintendent, and resident storage. A Life Time Fitness gym is located in the base of the building. Some of the city’s liveliest dining and nightlife abounds on the surrounding blocks; the campus of Cooper Union, one of the country’s most prestigious art and architecture universities, sits next door and across the square; up the block, the Astor Place station of the 6 train puts both Downtown and Midtown within a ten-minute commute.

Trump Park Avenue, the distinctive 32-story tower at 502 Park Avenue and 59th Street, was designed by Goldner & Goldner and constructed in 1929. Originally opened as the Viceroy Hotel, it later became the Cromwell Arms and then the famous Delmonico's. The building has served various purposes throughout its history, including hosting notable guests like The Beatles in 1964, before being acquired by Donald Trump in 2002 for $115 million.

The pre-war building features a three-story limestone base, brown-brick façade, and pitched red-tile roof, marking the northern end of Park Avenue's commercial section. In 2005, the property underwent an $80 million conversion to luxury condominiums, designed by architect Costas Kondylis. The renovation included glass-clad additions to several tower floors on the north and west sides.

The building contains approximately 120 residences, ranging from one to seven bedrooms. Notable configurations include former hotel ballrooms on the third and fourth floors with 15-foot ceilings, full-floor residences starting on the 20th floor spanning 4,000 to 7,000 square feet, and a spectacular penthouse duplex on the 31st and 32nd floors featuring 17-foot vaulted ceilings and 42 arched windows.

Residents enjoy comprehensive white-glove services including 24-hour doorman and concierge, valet parking, daily maid service, laundry service, and a fitness center. The building's location at Park Avenue and 59th Street provides convenient access to Central Park, Madison Avenue shopping, and various cultural attractions, though its position near the Queensborough Bridge means considerable traffic in the immediate area.

Barbizon/63 is a full-service Romanesque-style building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It first opened as a residential house for women in 1927 and was subsequently converted into apartments in 2005. Barbizon 63 – formerly known as the Barbizon Hotel for Women – contains 65 residences that range from one-bedroom condominiums to duplex penthouse units, with the latter offering residents more than 5,300 square feet of living space. Apartments feature rosewood floors, crown moldings and French casement windows; some units boast private outdoor space.

Residents have access to a wide array of amenities including a 24-hour doorman and concierge, live-in resident manager, residential lounge and dining room, catering kitchen, library, 20-seat screening room and conference room, not to mention a private residential entrance to Equinox Gym & Spa (with original Barbizon indoor pool) on Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street.

It is situated on a tree-lined townhouse block between Third and Lexington Avenues and is close to Central Park, the many shops and restaurants in the Upper East Side, and the recently remodeled F and Q train station. Liza Minnelli, Joan Crawford and Sylvia Plath are among the famous personalities who have resided at 140 East 63rd Street.

Liberty Lofts at 43 West 64th Street began its life as the Liberty Storage Warehouse in 1891, distinguished by a 37-foot copper Statue of Liberty replica that adorned its roof from 1902 until 2002, when it was relocated to the Brooklyn Museum of Art. In 2003, the Athena Group, led by Louis Dubin, transformed the building into a boutique luxury condominium, adding four floors to the original eight-story structure under the direction of renowned architect Costas Kondylis.

The conversion created 32 luxury residences ranging from 1,600 to 6,151 square feet, featuring loft-style layouts with high ceilings, Brazilian hardwood floors, and private keyed elevator access. The building's original industrial architecture provides exceptional soundproofing, while modern amenities include a full-time doorman, concierge, live-in superintendent, and a private gated porte-cochere for convenient loading and unloading.

Notable initial residents included CBS Early Show host Gretchen Carlson, IMG Baseball division head Casey Close, and the daughters of both Barry Schwartz (former Calvin Klein owner) and Sol Kerzner (Ocean Club and Atlantis resorts owner). The building's prestigious location between Lincoln Center and Central Park has made it particularly attractive to prominent figures.

The building's historical significance is enhanced by its statue's interesting past. Installed by immigrant warehouse owner William H. Flattau, the replica initially featured a circular interior stairway accessible to the public until 1912. The statue, cast in Akron, Ohio, was visible from Lincoln Center's plaza across Broadway until its removal.

Residences feature thoughtfully designed layouts with generous proportions, chef's kitchens often equipped with Viking appliances and Poggenpohl cabinetry, and luxurious finishes throughout. Many units offer impressive views, and some include private outdoor spaces.

The location offers residents immediate access to world-class cultural institutions, with Lincoln Center and Central Park just steps away. The area is rich with fine dining establishments, high-end shopping at nearby Columbus Circle, and excellent transportation options.