A white-glove Rosario Candela co-op near Central Park
The Wellston usually isn’t mentioned in the same breath as architect Rosario Candela’s sublime buildings along Park and Fifth avenues, yet the landmark building exemplifies the same qualities Candela made famous in the 1920s. “These buildings reek with good taste, better proportions, lavish expanses of limestone on the exterior, and considerable square footage inside the apartments,” architecture critic Carter Horsley told CityRealty. Completed midway through Candela’s streak in 1925, the 15-story co-op is a bit different as it takes up an entire city block and started as two separate apartments known as the Wellston Buildings. Fun fact: Original newspaper ads for the building touted it as being fireproof and that the kitchens contained cabinets for ironing boards. The ads also targeted doctors for the 1,600-square-foot suites on the ground floor. Not least, the units were advertised as 4, 5 and 6 rooms, and many of those layouts still exist.
Surviving pre-war details remain in many units
In today’s terms, the 132 apartments range from two bedrooms with dedicated living and dining rooms to four bedrooms with a smaller bedroom off of the kitchen that used to be for the help. Some units have also been combined over the years. Even so, the max is four per floor with three elevator banks, which makes the building feel smaller than it is. Regardless of a unit’s size, coveted pre-war details remain throughout, like generously sized rooms, arched doorways, crown molding, formal foyers and dining rooms, nine-foot ceilings, large windows, en suite bathrooms, original oak hardwood and tile floors and plentiful closet space. Thick walls are another Candela signature, which reduces the odds of hearing one’s neighbors. Galley kitchens with windows are original since they were designed for function over form and meant for staff, but some have been converted to open chef’s kitchens.
Then there are pre-war building quirks, like faucets placed in the middle of bathtubs and radiators that eat up wall space. Still, many units have been modernized to address those issues that can be updated, like adding washers and dryers, wine coolers and through-wall air conditioning. The higher floors take in city views like Billionaire’s Row. Two bedrooms start around 1,000 square feet with one or two bathrooms, with a recent sale closing for almost $1.5 million. Three bedrooms start at a minimum of 1,300 square feet with 2.5 or three bathrooms, with prices jumping well into the $2 million range. Four bedrooms cover at least 2,000 square feet with at least three bathrooms and start in the $3 million range; the most expensive recorded sale involved a 3,600-square-foot combined apartment for almost $6 million in 2017. Units don’t come on the market too frequently, and potential buyers must be approved by the board, who are said to be more accommodating than other Upper West buildings.
Attractive roof deck with recent updates
Uniformed attendants maintain security for residents, who enter a recently refreshed but underwhelming lobby. The spacious rooftop is the main attraction here; it’s been updated with new furniture and also includes an attractive wood pergola and numerous potted plants. The basement contains the remaining amenities, consisting of a laundry room, bike room and storage units, for which there’s a long waitlist. However, pets are allowed, and are likely to appreciate the proximity of both Central and Riverside parks.
Close to Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History
The Wellston’s location on 75th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues combines an established residential neighborhood lined with historic townhomes with a myriad of conveniences and activities. The area is ideal for families, with Central Park, Riverside Park and The American Museum of Natural History merely two blocks away. A very popular Shake Shack, Tecumseh Playground, Levain Bakery and its legendary chocolate chip cookies and the year-round Grand Bazaar flea market are also within blocks of the co-op. Specialty supermarket Zabar’s is a bit further at 80th Street, but it’s been in business since 1934 and many shoppers travel from further afield for its Jewish deli and bakery options. However, Fairway Market with its amazing sideway produce is a block away for ultimate convenience, and gourmet supermarket Citeralla is right next door to it. It doesn’t hurt that the Beacon Theatre is a block away too, an intimate landmark theater for A-list performers. Beyond these notables, shopping and dining abound along 72nd Street, including Trader Joe’s, and Columbus, Amsterdam and Broadway as well as the side streets. However, this area is less about destination dining and more about local favorites like Nice Matin, a casual French stalwart.
Five train options
Residents are just a few blocks from the 1, 2 and 3 trains at 72nd Street and Broadway, while crosstown buses continually pick up and deposit passengers along 72nd Street. However, only 65th and 81st streets provide access to the Upper East Side through Central Park. There’s also a stop for the B and C trains at 72nd Street and Central Park West.
Facade updates are a temporary nuisance
Some facade improvements are currently underway, so scaffolding temporarily obscures views while construction noise is a daytime nuisance.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
90/ 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
Tecumseh Playground
1 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Verdi Square
2 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
South Lawn
6 min walk
Henry Neufeld Playground
7 min walk
Playground
Parking Lot
Theodore Roosevelt Park
7 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Matthew P. Sapolin Playground
7 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Trails
Riverside Park
8 min walk
Richard Tucker Park
10 min walk
Picnic Area
Events
Hippo Playground
12 min walk
Playground
Schools
Source:
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