Modeled after the Pitti Palace in Florence and brought to life by William Waldorf Astor, The Apthorp looks a bit like a modern-day castle. Built in 1908, The Apthorp was, at its inception, the largest residential building in the world. It has long since been surpassed in size by condominium buildings around the city, but its prestige remains. Today, The Apthorp is a luxury real estate jewel that hearkens back to the city’s gilded age while placing its feet firmly in the future with a variety of state of the art residence features and modern amenities. Every floor plan at The Apthorp is unique, no two homes are alike.

Units and Pricing

There are currently fifteen active listings at The Apthorp, ranging from two to five bedrooms. Two bedroom units start at $3M and go up to $4.95M. A three-bedroom unit is listed at $7.5M, while a four bedroom is listed for $5.9M. A 4,035 square foot five bedroom residence is on the market for $12.2M. Of the active listings, the current average price per square foot is $2,188.

Features and Amenities

Homes at The Apthorp range from four to twelve rooms, and are characterized by their oversized layouts, grand entry foyers, and ceilings that soar from 11 to 12 feet high; as well as unique architectural details such as herringbone wood floors, hand-carved fireplace mantels, original mosaic tile flooring and perfectly restored historical light fixtures.

Buyers at The Apthorp choose their interior finishes and features, particularly in the kitchens and bathrooms, so as to ensure that every residence in the building is entirely unique. Kitchens are outfitted with state of the art appliances including Wolf convection ovens, Sub-Zero refrigerators, Miele dishwashers, as well as wine coolers, plate warmers and coffee/cappuccino makers.

The lobby at The Apthorp has been historically restored while the amenities have been brought firmly into the future. These include a spa with sauna, hot tub and massage rooms, a gym, large conference room, children’s playroom, storage facilities, central laundry room and a fully fitted refrigerator storage room with walk in freezer. Staff at The Apthorp includes a gatekeeper, 24-hour doorman, concierge, elevator attendants and valet service at the garage.

The architectural detail present at The Apthorp can’t be found in new construction. The sun-drenched residences at The Apthorp have been well restored, revealing the kind of quality that can’t be found anywhere else. Ornate moldings, 10-foot seamless pieces of granite – this kind of thing isn’t present in new construction.

Location

The Apthorp is located on West End Avenue on the Upper West Side, and the location couldn’t be better. It’s a hop, skip and a jump to some of the city’s best schools, including The Calhoun School, the Trinity School and Columbia Preparatory. The neighborhood boasts cultural institutions like the American Museum of Natural history and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, and shopping destinations that range from Citarella to Zabars to Fairway Market. The Upper West Side is the perfect place to raise a Manhattan family, what with its great schools, close proximity to Central Park, and great public transportation options.

Investment Potential

The Apthorp is a nice building for buyers looking for a home in an established neighborhood that has history and legacy. There has been a lot of talk about the building over the last few months and even some mentions of potential celebrity buyers. The homes are elegant, spacious and the neighborhood is great. B+