Manhattan House
845 West End Ave
The Aldyn
15 Union Square West
The Rushmore Riverside
515 East 72
Overview
If you are watching Dirty Sexy Money, Ugly Betty, or Gossip Girls, and have an appreciation of fine real estate, you must be asking yourself, “Where are these magnificent apartments these people live in?” New York City is not known for being the home of expansive adobes nor, if it was, would it compare to the palatial estates of Brentwood or West Palm Beach. Well, there’s a new building in town that is going to flip and unsettle all preconceived notions – SPACE can be found in New York City.
The Apple Bank, an Upper West Side iconic building at Broadway and 73rd, is newly renovated and reconfigured to make room for 29 homes. Customers rest assured, banking business at this branch is uninterrupted; just the top 8 floors are receiving an overhaul. And it is quite an overhaul. Bank offices have been destroyed; their value too much to be used as just office space. In place of offices, these gems of residences put to shame any new residence in the area and can compete (some would say) with the high-quality luxury of buildings such as The Ansonia, The Apthorp, and The San Remo. The Apple Bank will join the ranks of the residential Upper West Side elite; even though it is a new construction.
Converting the old into the new is characteristic of a city running out of space. Why break ground on something new when you have so much to work with that is already there? That was the feeling and cause of much excitement when SLCE Architects took on the project. SLCE is no stranger to the neighborhood – their expertise in development is seen at 120 & 140 Riverside, 101 West End Avenue, and The Element on West 59th. Here they have blessed each apartment with a different layout – all with large galleries in the foyer, some are duplexes, and several have terraces – making the choice of a residence at The Apple Bank a personal one. Buyers will choose the apartment (read: layout, style, space) that best fits their needs and wants. The spatial constraints (or freedoms, if you are an optimist) gave design firm Beyer Blinder Belle a lot to work with. The Apple Bank, with its Florentine Palazzo construction, is a classic New York structure built in 1928. An updated and renovated lobby along with a restoration effort of the exterior was all that was needed to welcome the new residents. BBB are known for their historic restoration projects – the Grand Central Terminal, Apollo Theater and the South Street Seaport Museum make up their portfolio. As a team, SLCE and BBB have preserved the historic charm while adding modern comforts to make room for the residence The Apple Bank will now be known for.
Units and Pricing
At press time, only 7 of the original 29 units are left on the market. “Demand,” confirmed the sales associate, “is high.” One 2 Bedroom unit remains, the rest are 3 bedrooms, and all 4 bedroom units have sold.
The one 2 Bedroom unit which remains is 7F. A 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit that also has a powder room, and wait for it… a roof terrace! How this unit is still on the market, beats us. Is it the $5.8M price tag? At $1,781 a square foot (the unit is 3,256 feet), that is still a reasonable price per square foot–considering the outdoor space is included.
The 3-bed units range in size from 2200 square feet (6A) to 3,000 square feet. Unit 6G, a 3-bed, 3-bath with powder room and formal dining room, is offered at $6.65M. With 3,017 square feet, it is one of the more expensive units at $2,204 a square foot. As a corner unit, 6G offers incredible north and west views inside its expansive and generous floor plan.
Interiors
There are four words that describe the interiors: top-of-the-line. From ground to ceiling, wall-to-wall, these residences are in no need of tweaking once you move in. Residences are finished with thick-planked Indonesian wood flooring which lead to walls with enormous windows that perfectly frame their Upper West Side surroundings.
Kitchens are outfitted with Viking ranges, Sub Zero refrigerators, and Bosch dishwashers. White Kashmir granite countertops give the kitchen an airy and fresh feel while bathrooms are clean and homely. Master bathrooms come with double sinks, stand-in showers and deep soak tubs. Their marble white floors meet dark wood vanities emphasizing the contrast between light and dark.
Amenities
Although, each unit comes with its own washer and dryer, the building has a common industrial sized laundry facility. This, along with the other amenities makes The Apple Building one of comfort and accessibility. A state of the art gym, a dog grooming station, and a bicycle room are made available. The one amenity that we have not seen elsewhere – mail is delivered daily to each residence. If that isn’t a touch of suburbia, we don’t know what is.
The Residences’ lobby is attended 24 hours a day. Residents will enter into the restored lobby through the private entrance at 2112 Broadway.
Area
The Apple Bank building occupies the full block, or square, between Broadway and Amsterdam, and 73rd and 74th Street. This exclusive location places itself at the center of the Upper West Side. Just across the street is access to the 1,2, and 3 subway lines. The M72 bus stops just across the street – public transportation couldn’t be easier to access.
Some of the best shopping is just out the front door – Urban Outfitters at 72nd and Broadway, along with Barney’s, Theory, and Betsey Johnson are all within walking distance. The esteemed markets, Fairway (74th Street), Citarella (75th) and Zabars (80th), are also within walking distance. Friday nights, residents can find something to do at the cultural epicenters of Lincoln Center and Symphony Space or take in a movie at one of the theaters at either 66th or 68th Streets. A weekend wouldn’t be a weekend without a great bagel from H&H Bagels – located at 80th Street. And Central Park’s entrance is just east down 72nd Street while Riverside Park and the Hudson are just a small stroll to the west. With the easy access to both – on a Sunday morning a resident will have to choose which one to jog through.
Interesting Fact
People love to gawk over this building’s “Renaissance Palazzo” architecture, but do they really know what distinguishes “Renaissance Palazzo?” A “Renaissance Palazzo” structure is a combination of Gothic style with a strong Italian influence. Arches, arcades, balustrades, and a more flowing line of design helps define this predominately 16th century form of architecture. Obviously not constructed in the 16th Century, the firm York and Sawyer was heavily influenced by this movement when they constructed The Apple Bank Building (then the “Central Savings Bank”) in 1928. Where else can you see this type of building in the city? Check out 988 5th Avenue (at 80th Street) where architect J. E. R. Carpenter felt the same affinity for the Italian style.
Investment Potential
These are some very unique and luxurious residences. They’re also big enough for families in a neighborhood that tends to attract families. With 7 units left, if you are an investor, your time to strike would be now. It is a rarity to find this sort of luxury and opulence on the Upper West Side as a condo. With only 29 units, one could also argue that this building has a boutique feel. Even if the prices are eye-popping, they’re probably going up from here. We rate it a B+ for investment potential.
