The Dakota

93 units with unique layouts and period details

When The Dakota was first built, it had just 54 apartments, each with its own unique floor plan — some encompassing as many as 20 rooms. The number of units has grown over the decades and now stands at 93, ranging from one-bedrooms to five-bedrooms. This is a result of numerous larger apartments being divided, as well as high-floor common spaces being converted into residences; no physical expansion of the building has taken place. Today, on the rare occasion that units come up for sale, prices for the smallest ones start above $1 million, with a pair of one-bedroom homes selling in 2020 for $1.15 million and $2.2 million. At the top end, a 6,000-square-foot apartment with five bedrooms and nine bathrooms hit the market in 2024 for $19 million, while Lauren Bacall’s former fourth-floor unit with three bedrooms sold for $21 million in 2015. Although the layouts differ, the residences are known for their generous proportions and ornate period elements — among them arched doorways and wood-burning fireplaces. “Walking through The Dakota, you’re struck by the craftsmanship — details like hand-carved woodwork, intricate tile work and high ceilings aren’t fully captured online,” says Dixon. “There’s a sense of stepping back in time, while still enjoying the amenities expected in a luxury residence today. Just passing through The Dakota’s courtyard, especially at night, is a pleasure.”

Tight security and an updated fitness center

Security is not taken lightly at The Dakota. Case in point: “The minute visitors walk toward the entrance, they’re approached by a friendly doorman asking who they’re seeing and escorted to the concierge office,” explains Daniela Kunen, a Douglas Elliman broker who recently listed a four-bedroom home in the building for $6.2 million. “It’s a double checkpoint.” It’s not uncommon for tourists to stop by to admire The Dakota’s architecture, pay homage to John Lennon (Yoko Ono still owns an apartment in the building) or check out the filming location of “Rosemary’s Baby,” the 1968 Roman Polanski film starring Mia Farrow. The property is also committed to retaining its historical charm through ongoing preservation efforts, which are tightly regulated due to the building’s landmark status. “Recent updates have included careful restorations to the common areas, ensuring they maintain the classic elegance while meeting modern standards,” says Dixon.

The basement gym, added in 2018, ensures residents don’t need to leave the premises to work out, and there’s a policy in place that prevents agents from entering the fitness center with prospective buyers when a resident is present. Featuring exposed brick walls, the two-room gym features machines for rowing and running, plus weight training and Pilates equipment. There’s also a private rooftop space exclusive to residents, as well as storage rooms. “However, most residents don’t need them because there’s ample closet space,” says Kunen. Notably, financing and pied-a-terres are both permitted, assuming that buyers can make it past the notoriously stringent co-op board, which has reportedly rejected a slew of celebrities such as Cher, Madonna and Billy Joel.

Steps to Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History

The Dakota graces one of the most prominent corners of the Upper West Side, directly across the street from Central Park and a few blocks from the American Museum of Natural History. A number of other cultural institutions, among them Lincoln Center and the New-York Historical Society, are also nearby. The neighborhood is known for its family-friendly vibe and plethora of restaurants and shopping. Within walking distance are grocery stores including Pioneer Supermarket, H Mart, Trader Joe’s, Fairway, Morton Williams and specialty food store Citarella. There’s a cluster of restaurants on Columbus Avenue, with popular spots being Mediterranean tapas bar Ella Social and New American eatery Harvest Kitchen. The Ribbon, an uptown restaurant from the Blue Ribbon sushi team, is even closer to The Dakota, located right on 72nd Street. Those with a sweet tooth are in luck, as the area is also home to an array of acclaimed bakeshops, including an outpost of Magnolia Bakery as well as the original location of legendary cookie seller Levain Bakery.

Located above the B and C trains

It doesn’t get much more convenient for straphangers than The Dakota’s location, directly atop two subway lines, the B and the C, at 72nd Street. (One entrance even features decorative ironwork consistent with the rest of the building.) Less than 10 minutes away are three additional trains — the 1, 2 and 3 — which stop at 72nd Street and Broadway. There’s also crosstown bus service via the M72, which stops right in front of the building. Drivers can be on the West Side Highway in under 10 minutes as well.