A convenient location and accessible pricing help many buyers enter a coveted section of Manhattan
127 W 96th St is a 17-story residential building that sits on the border of Manhattan Valley and the Upper West Side. Constructed in 1927, the 146-unit structure survived the blight that took over the neighborhood from the 1960s through the 1980s. The neighborhood itself has recovered well, thanks to many community and business groups and today is an in-demand place to live. “I think historically, 96th Street felt a little far for a lot of people,” says Wendy Tsang, a Compass real estate salesperson who has sold in the neighborhood and the building. “But we've definitely seen over the years that people have taken to it a lot more. I think a big part of that is you have excellent express trains running from 96th Street. You've got the Crosstown bus right there. I think also, for those who perhaps felt a little priced out of the 80s and 70s of the Upper West Side, this is actually a really nice option for them. It gives them an opportunity to get into the Upper West Side without necessarily the same price tag.” Tsang is spot on as studios here can start in the high 200-thousands (albeit, those in need of some TLC will cost a bit less than their renovated counterparts), an accessible entry point for many buyers. Boak and Paris, both former employees of renowned architect Emery Roth, designed this pre-war building with a slightly different audience in mind, compared to their grander commissions west of Broadway. Though unit scale here is a bit more moderate, the building’s design is still attractive and thoughtful. The red-brick facade is punctuated by a Romanesque cast stone archway at its canopied entrance, with a scaled-down version of the arch framing windows on the 3rd and 14th floors. Arched doorways inside apartments are topped by a soft point at the center, a result of the architects’ attempt to infuse Art Deco with Art Moderne, according to Compass agent, Brian K. Lewis. Even with all of its great selling points, there is a major deciding factor for many people buying into the building: “This building is very attractive to a lot of buyers because they have very reasonable maintenance charges compared to some of its peers in the area.”
Studios to two-bedroom apartments, most with their original design features
Original layouts at 127 W 96th St are mostly one- and two-bedroom units and include studios but to a lesser degree. Units above the two-bedroom mark are due to combinations like 4HJ, the studio and two-bedroom combo Tsang and her team sold for $1.695 million in February of 2025. Beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, original built-in shelving, crown and base molding, windowed galley kitchens and foyers are some of the original common finishes found in these homes. But, unlike many of the buildings closer to Riverside Drive, there are no designated dining rooms, and bedrooms although comfortably sized, tend to be a little smaller. There are at least two apartments on the ground floor with private street entrances, one of them being a duplex. Most homes coming to market have kept their original features even while sporting a contemporary aesthetic.
Apartment prices start at $285,000
Many studios in the building are essentially junior one-bedrooms so owners may have a cozy alcove or separate sleeping room altogether (although the space in these rooms will be extremely tight). Prices in the recent past have ranged from $285,000 up to $625,000 which is what unit 10C sold for in the spring of 2024. One-bedrooms range in price from $555,000 up to $835,000 which was the price of the terraced PHA, sold during the winter of 2024. Two-bedrooms fetch anywhere between $790,000 and $1.635 million.
An investor-friendly building with a koi-pond and fountain in the back
127 W 96th St is a pet-friendly building with a full-time doorman, live-in super, a central laundry room, a bicycle room and unit storage. The building also has a furnished backyard garden space with planters, a koi-pond and fountain. Sub-leasing is allowed.
A central location places residents in the heart of Manhattan’s uptown area
Sitting on a major thoroughfare on the border of Manhattan Valley and the Upper West Side places residents of 127 W 96th St in an enviable central position. A five-minute drive north gets folks to Columbia University’s main campus; but before arriving to the campus, Broadway invites pedestrians to stop at the many restaurants and cafes along the way. Riverside Park is only an eight-minute walk from the building, with direct access to the Dinosaur Playground and the 96th Street Clay Tennis Courts. Residents are only a block-and-a-half from Central Park’s 96th Street “Gate of All Saints”, one of the greenspace’s 20-plus special entrances. “That’s a really nice part of Central Park,” Tsang says. You're not far from the reservoir. If you go further south, it's pretty hectic. The tourists aren't going up to the 90s.”
Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues, plus Broadway are also short walks from the building so residents never really have to leave uptown if they don't want to. Symphony Space hosts a full roster of arts and cultural programming all year round and it’s right on 95th and Broadway. There is a Whole Foods on 97th and Columbus and a Trader Joe’s down on 93rd. Westside Market is over on Broadway. Kosher cafe, Effy’s is right on the corner, while Amsterdam is home to even more eateries like area favorite Gennaro for Italian fare and Gyu-Kaku for Japanese BBQ. Every other kind of retail from big box stores like Home Goods and Target to local businesses like pharmacies, barber shops and bakeries can be found on any of the three commercial corridors.
Quick and convenient access to many modes of transportation
127 W 96th Street’s mid-block position places residents only a short distance from several transportation options. For bus access, residents can choose to walk to either end of their block at Columbus or Amsterdam avenues to catch the M7, M11 or the M104. The M96 and M103 also stop at block corners and take riders across Central Park. The 96th Street subway is about a block-and-a-half away with the 1, 2 and 3 trains stopping there, offering both local and express train access. The C and B trains are at the end of 96th Street and Central Park. Ninety-sixth Street empties directly onto the West Side Highway and can be reached in under 10m minutes. A Citi bike docking station sits at 97th and Central Park West.
Collateral AnalyticsCollateral Analytics
Collateral Analytics AVMs (Automated Valuation Model) employ a number of statistical approaches combined with neighborhood-specific comparable selection guarantees the most up-to-date and precise valuations.
Black Knight®Black Knight
Black Knight’s AVM (Automated Valuation Model) is a state-of-the-art online residential property valuation tool that provides a quick and accurate estimate of the value of almost any home in the U.S.
First AmericanFirst American
First American Data & Analytics’ next-generation AVM combines unrivaled data assets with a blended ensemble of valuation models to produce highly accurate, reliable valuations you can trust.
Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
85/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
100/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Frederick Douglass Playground
6 min walk
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Sol Bloom Playground
7 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Dinosaur Playground
8 min walk
St Gregory's Playground
8 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Playground Eighty Nine LXXXIX
9 min walk
Playground
Joan of Arc Park
9 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Crab Apple Grove
10 min walk
West 104th Street Garden
11 min walk
W 87th Street Park & Garden
11 min walk
Picnic Area
Playground
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Disclaimer: Please note that this building may not be in these schools' attendance zones.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
