The Dakota in New York City

A sloped mansard roof dotted with dormer windows. Gothic-inspired gables and Victorian balustrades meet reliefs and etched figures in peach sandstone and brick. These are just a few of the features that frame the impressive Dakota building. Few luxury apartment buildings in Manhattan are as famous. Located at 1 West 72nd Street, at the intersection of 72nd Street and Central Park West, The Dakota features an impressive German Renaissance-style structural design. Its interiors follow the French style. The spacious rooms connected by several corridors are ideal spaces for catered parties. High ceilings and large windows make these units a peaceful haven for their owners. Most apartment floor plans at The Dakota range from three to ten bedrooms. No two units on the Dakota are exactly alike.

CNBC has called the Dakota “the most exclusive building in New York.” Famous residents of The Dakota include actress Lauren Becall, author Harlan Coben, host Connie Chung, and actress Judy Garland. Dakota has been the setting for the book Time and Again and the movie Rosemary’s Baby. The Dakota is probably best known for being the site of the assassination of Beatle John Lennon by a crazed stalker in 1980. Lennon had lived with his wife Yoko Ono at The Dakota from 1973 to 1980, and Ono still lives there today. The Dakota is home to consummate notables and celebrities, but residents nonetheless find the white-gloved doorman and full-service building exude a sense of warmth. So say hi… It’s really a very friendly and relaxed building.” Dakota is an 87-unit luxury apartment co-op that also offers residency. It has a private courtyard and numerous building community events throughout the year. Recent sales in Dakota include a 3 bed/3 bath for $5.65 million and a 1 bed/1 bath for $2 million The Dakota building is currently priced at $2725/m2 football (November 2012).

The Dakota’s immaculate appearance may make it hard for some to believe that it was built in the late 1800s. The Dakota Construction, from 1880 to 1884, was the brainchild of Edward Clark, the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. The same architecture firm behind the Plaza Hotel, Henry Jane Hardenbergh, designed the Dakota Building. Since its completion, the Dakota Building struck a sense of wonder in the hearts and minds of all who saw it. It was the first truly luxurious apartment building on the Upper West Side, built at a time when the Upper West Side was still a nearly empty plain. It even had a garage for horse carriages, complete with elevators! The Dakota’s success cemented it as a trendsetter for future Manhattan luxury apartment buildings. Originally a 93 unit building, over the years some apartments have been combined so that The Dakota now houses 87 units. The Dakota was named a New York City Landmark in 1969. Seven years later, in 1976, the Dakota was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The Dakota continues to be in demand, and when units come on the market they are bought up fairly quickly.