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119Units
15Stories
1924Year Built
Available Units
For Sale
For Rent
No Units Available
Highlights
Doorman
P.S. 87 William Sherman Rated A
Rooftop Deck
City View
Bike Room
3 min walk to Verdi Square
A classic prewar co-op on the Upper West Side with a storied past
Gazing up its unassuming facade, Majestic Towers may not immediately conjure up raucous images of the roaring 1920s or even provoke passersby to take notice, but to those in-the-know, this prewar co-op has a fascinating, albeit clandestine, history. But before jumping back in time, let’s start with today: Marie Tango, a long-time resident and former president of the board for over 20 years, has seen Majestic Towers change over the years, but said she was initially attracted to its sense of timelessness that comes with prewar design. “I’m very partial to older architecture — just the feel of it and the construction of the building itself,” Tango says of 215 West 75th Street, which was designed by the architectural firm Schwartz and Gross. Completed in 1924, the 15-story, brick-clad building originally consisted of apartments, before being converted to co-ops in the late 1980s. “When I went to buy, I wanted to concentrate on prewar and this fit the bill,” Tango adds, noting the unique layout, good-sized rooms and windowed bathrooms and kitchens. “These were all things I was looking for.”
And as with much of New York City real estate, the prime Upper West Side location also factored into her decision: “It was really beautifully located,” she recalls. “I wanted to be on Broadway because I was traveling a lot and coming in and out at all hours. I wanted to feel comfortable getting a cab at 3 a.m. When I came into the building, it had just begun changing to a co-op.” After moving in, she was not only pleased with her buy, but also with the burgeoning sense of community she found amongst her neighbors. Today, considering the various combinations over the years, there are around 110 units — primarily consisting of one-bedrooms with some studios and a few two-bedrooms — with two penthouse units built at the roof level, as well as a duplex. But what most don’t know at first sight is that the building holds several secrets within its uniquely designed layouts.
A look at Majestic Towers’ clandestine beginnings
According to Tango, the building once housed a well-known brothel back in the day: “When we were first putting together the co-op board, someone did a newsletter and dug up that there was a brothel operating out of the building in the early ‘20s, ‘30s and into the ‘40s,” she says. “I live in [one of] the apartments, and there’s a back staircase and the apartments have service doors, so it kind of lends itself to this whole idea of someone coming in and going out the other way.” Nowadays, rather than hide away these secrets, the building's community seems keen on sharing its bygone mystery. According to the 215 West 75th’s website, former resident Lisa Jacobs wrote about “multiple hidden stairways and secret doorways” in the building’s co-op newsletter, attributing much of their use to one notorious resident named Polly Adler. “Adler ran the most popular brothel in the ’20s from a succession of rented apartments on the Upper East and Upper West Sides. The full-fledged madam set up shop at 215 W. 75th Street in the late ’20s and ran a club-like business where the women were an attraction, but not always the main course,” Jacobs writes. The brothel attracted mobsters, mayors, famous writers and intellectuals, including Dorothy Parker, who used to attend parties in the building and lived nearby on 72nd Street. “During raids — often conducted by corrupt vice-squad policemen on the take — patrons could slip out through the hidden back doors and take one of the secret staircases escaping to the roof or basement,” Jacobs continues. Many of these secret passages, according to Jacobs, can still be seen today in the G and H apartment lines.
Today, the co-op is known for its community-centric vibe
The brothel and late-night escapades are no longer, but what remains is a tight-knit community amongst residents and staff. “We started holiday parties around Christmas, and I had renters come up and say they never knew who their neighbors were before and this gave them an opportunity to get to know them,” Tango says. “We have holiday parties to this day. The building staff hosts their own party for residents of the building. So, the staff is turning around and saying thanks to us.” Everyone enjoys a cup of cider, helps decorate the tree with ornaments, regardless of their religious affiliations, and knows each other's names. “I think, too, the idea of the staff throwing a holiday party and inviting the residents is lovely, as in ‘yes we appreciate you, too.’ Our staff maintains a very nice rapport with residents,” Tango says. “I’m sure this is done in other buildings, but it puts a smile on peoples’ faces. These holiday parties are what cement that feeling of community.”
Spacious prewar residences with a mix of old and new
The building primarily consists of studios and one-bedrooms, with prices for the former starting around $360,000 and the latter with prices ranging between $720,000 and $950,000. Two-bedrooms, although rare, go for just around $999,000. Units have largely been updated throughout the years by their shareholders, but generally, prospective residents can expect nine-foot-plus, beamed ceilings, walk-in closets and kitchens outfitted with Caesarstone quartz countertops, dishwashers and high-end appliances from Miele and others. “As we go on, everyone has done work to their apartments. The owner of my unit put in Brazilian hardwood, but the original floors were oak,” Tango says. In terms of layouts, Tango notes that the floor lines are the same, except for the ground floor and 12th floor where there are two-bedrooms. “A number of buildings that were erected in the early 20th century, [included] maids’ rooms at the top level,” Tango notes. “We had eight maids’ rooms and three communal bathrooms for maids. When that area was relinquished by the sponsor, we turned it into rooms that could be rented for owners, to turn it into office space or otherwise. Then it was opened to buyers for penthouses, so now we have two penthouses.”
A furnished roof deck and fully-serviced building
While there’s no gym or pool, residents can expect a full-time handyman, live-in super, porter and doormen who attend the entrance between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The rooftop deck was constructed about 30 years ago, though around half of it now belongs exclusively to the penthouses. “There’s a shaded area that gets a wonderful cross breeze and then an open-air, full sunshine part.” Residents can access two passenger elevators and a service elevator to enter their units from the lobby, which has a grand staircase with a brass railing and marble floors. “It’s very warm. It’s got a very nice beige, off-white marble. There’s a beamed ceiling with gold rosettes — just those old beautiful touches,” Tango adds. Depending on board approval, pets are welcome, as are pieds-a-terres, co-purchasing and subletting.
In the heart of the Upper West Side along Broadway
Residents of 215 West 75th Street are moments away from Central Park and Riverside Park, as well as cultural landmarks such as the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center and the Beacon Theater. Gourmet markets like Fairway and Citarella are just down the street, while Trader Joe's is just three blocks south. Residents can find dining establishments ranging from casual cafes like Daily Provisions to Mediterranean cuisine at Miriam and trendy Georgian food at Chama Mama. The 72nd Street subway station, which is just a three-block walk away, provides access to the 1, 2 and 3 lines.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
89/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99/ 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
Verdi Square
3 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Tecumseh Playground
3 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
South Lawn
5 min walk
Henry Neufeld Playground
6 min walk
Playground
Parking Lot
Riverside Park
7 min walk
Matthew P. Sapolin Playground
7 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Trails
Theodore Roosevelt Park
8 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Richard Tucker Park
10 min walk
Picnic Area
Events
Hippo Playground
11 min walk
Playground
Schools
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