An early 20th-century co-op offering community and convenience on the Upper West Side
Located on the southeast corner of 103rd Street, 885 West End Avenue sits well within the quiet, residential enclave of Manhattan Valley, a neighborhood known as one of the borough’s more picturesque and architecturally rich residential pockets. The area has a community feel, attracting many families because of its serene streets and proximity to Riverside Park. According to Keller Williams agent Melissa Leifer, that community vibe extends inside the building, which she describes as “very neighborly. “Residents all get along with each other, and the staff have all been there for a long time,” the Upper West Side expert says. Busy Broadway is one block east, allowing residents to be close to an active commercial strip while still being tucked away. Converted to a co-op in 1988, the full-service building has 55 apartments, most of which have retained their original gracious layouts or, as in many cases, have increased in size. For buyers looking for spacious units in a quiet, community-minded part of town that still affords quick access to the conveniences of urban living, 885 West End Avenue may be of interest.
Large, classically beautiful units have unique layouts but no studios or one-bedrooms offered
The building’s simple beauty, both inside and out, is just what one would expect from a classic Upper West Side residential building. Designed in 1915 by architect Gaetan Ajello — whose prolific work in the area prompted The New York Times to describe him as “an Architect who Shaped the West Side” — the 13-story building’s facade features light-beige brick and subtle neo-classical decorative elements. Unit interiors are equally as elegant with high ceilings, wainscoting, crown molding and chevron-patterned hardwood floors. The lobby retains Ajello’s signature layout where, upon entering, residents are greeted by the doorman behind the desk and a winding marble staircase, all before laying eyes on the elevators. Ajello's thoughtful lobby layout was deliberately engineered to evoke the warmth and ambiance of a single-family residence.
Whether due to original layouts or combinations, apartment sizes start at two-bedrooms and go up from there; there are no studios or one-bedrooms in the building. Units here rarely come to market, and when they do, they tend to go quickly. In the fall of 2024, a classic six in need of a kitchen update went for $2.1 million. A four-bedroom, three-bathroom with 1,814 square feet of space was asking $2.2 million. And a light-filled five-bedroom, three-plus-bathroom (that’s 11 rooms altogether) was priced at $6.5 million. Due to merging of apartments, no two units have the same layout. Still, kitchens tend to be separate from living areas (except where walls have been broken down to adjoin the spaces), bedrooms are generously sized, laundry is in-unit and, to add to the charm, there is an original wood-burning fireplace in the living area of every unit, many of them operable. According to Leifer, residents should note that the building currently has two assessments in addition to standard maintenance fees, one of which covers the facade safety law local law 11.
Full-service staff building with a gym and large-item laundry room
A full-service staff with a 24-hour doorman, a live-in super and two porters are on offer at 885 West End Avenue. Leifer mentions that the building is always clean and is very well maintained. There is a laundry room in the basement specifically for washing bulky items. A gym and bicycle and unit storage are also available, plus the building is pet friendly.
Scenic strolls, a treasured park, a commercial corridor and transportation just beyond the doorstep
For admirers of historic architecture, a stroll down West End Avenue or any of the tree-lined streets in the area is a veritable trove. The surrounding area is brimming with turn-of-the-century apartment houses, brownstones and townhouses that make up one of Manhattan’s most picturesque residential pockets.
Just half a block away, the beloved Riverside Park — designed by master landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who was also behind Central and Prospect parks — offers residents a verdant oasis along the Hudson River. The designated landmark boasts ball courts, baseball fields, seasonal riverside cafes and several indoor community gathering spaces, as well as bike trails lining its waterfront and Riverside Drive border. Central Park is about five blocks away, offering another 843 acres of green space.
Meanwhile, bustling Broadway runs along the building’s eastern flank, providing residents with easy access to several local restaurants, shops and essential services. “Ollie’s is a good one,” says Leifer of the Chinese noodle shop that’s been a neighborhood staple for more than 30 years. A Gristedes supermarket sits just across the avenue, while the classic Schatzie Prime Meats butcher is conveniently located just a block and a half south.
The 1 train stops at 103rd Street and Broadway; to cross Central Park, walk straight up the commercial corridor to catch the M4 at 110th. Riverside Drive is just one block away and it takes four minutes to get to Hudson Parkway.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
84/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
88/ 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
Straus Park
3 min walk
Trails
Central Park 4 Mile Loop
4 min walk
Frederick Douglass Playground
6 min walk
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
West 105th Street Dog Run
7 min walk
West 104th Street Garden
9 min walk
Booker T Washington Playground
9 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Soccer
Dinosaur Playground
9 min walk
Hudson River Greenway
10 min walk
Bike Trails
Trails
Julia Gabriel People's Garden
11 min walk
Trails
Schools
Source:
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