32 West 85th Street
Description
Rare Investment Opportunity in Central Park West Historic District
This magnificent 1897 Renaissance Revival townhouse presents an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of Upper West Side history while capitalizing on valuable development potential. Spanning 5,127 square feet with an additional 1,077 square feet in the cellar, this 17-foot-wide architectural masterpiece offers untapped air rights of approximately 800 sf for potential...HISTORIC RENAISSANCE REVIVAL TOWNHOUSE WITH DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
Rare Investment Opportunity in Central Park West Historic District
This magnificent 1897 Renaissance Revival townhouse presents an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of Upper West Side history while capitalizing on valuable development potential. Spanning 5,127 square feet with an additional 1,077 square feet in the cellar, this 17-foot-wide architectural masterpiece offers untapped air rights of approximately 800 sf for potential vertical expansion. Post expansion you'll have 7,000+ sf including the basement!
ARCHITECTURAL GRANDEUR
The grand parlour floor showcases impeccable period details with soaring 11'4" ceilings, including:
• Original woodwork and ornate fireplaces
• Elegant pocket doors with pristine detailing
• Stunning stained glass windows
• Gracious bay windows flooding the space with natural light
• Formal stair hall with original banister
• Butler's pantry
• Turn-of-the-century hand-painted ceiling in parlour room
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Designed by renowned architect George Frederick Pelham, this townhouse represents one of his final residential masterpieces before transitioning to iconic Upper West Side apartment buildings. The property's cultural significance is enhanced by its role as a filming location for "Boardwalk Empire" and includes a mirror from the legendary Studio 54.
INVESTMENT POTENTIAL
• Available air rights for vertical expansion
• Strong structural integrity ideal for renovation
• Neighboring property at 30 West 85th Street recently sold for $18.3M after renovation
• Prime location in Central Park West Historic District
• Advantageous lot dimensions: 17-ft x 102.17-ft
• Building dimensions: 17-ft x 55-ft
• Favorable tax structure
LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY
Perfectly positioned in the heart of the Upper West Side, offering:
• Steps from Central Park
• Premium dining and shopping
• Cultural attractions
• Crosstown bus on 86th Street
• B/C and 1 trains nearby
• Easy access to major transportation hubs
PROPERTY DETAILS
Price: $7.4M
Square Footage: 5,127 (plus 1,077 SF cellar)
Configuration: Multi-level townhouse
Year Built: 1897
Style: Renaissance Revival
Location: Central Park West Historic District
This rare offering combines historical prestige with significant development potential, presenting an exceptional opportunity for buyers seeking to create their dream residence in one of Manhattan's most coveted neighborhoods.
Amenities
- Private Yard
- Midrise
- Brownstone
Property Details for 32 West 85th Street
| Status | Temporarily Off Market |
|---|---|
| Days on Market | 68 |
| Taxes | $1,871 / month |
| Maintenance | - |
| Min. Down Pymt | - |
| Total Rooms | 14.0 |
| Compass Type | Single Family |
| MLS Type | - |
| Year Built | 1901 |
| Lot Size | 1,736 SF / 17' x 102' |
| County | New York County |
| Buyer's Agent Compensation | 1% |
| Compensation Remarks | Buyer broker's fee is negotiable. |
Building
32 W 85th St
Location
Virtual Tour
Building Information for 32 West 85th Street
Payment Calculator
$38,371 per month
30 year fixed, 6.15% Interest
$36,500
$1,871
$0
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1Property History for 32 West 85th Street
| Date | Event & Source | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 07/08/2025 | Temporarily Off Market Manual | — |
| 04/30/2025 | Listed (Active) Manual | $7,488,888 |
| 04/09/2020 | $7,500,000 | |
| 11/24/2019 | $7,500,000 |
For completeness, Compass often displays two records for one sale: the MLS record and the public record.
Public Records for 32 West 85th Street
Schools near 32 West 85th Street
Rating | School | Type | Grades | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public - | PK to 5 | |||
| Public - | 5 to 8 | |||
| Public - | 10 to 12 | |||
| Public - | 9 to 12 |
Rating | School | Distance |
|---|---|---|
PS 84 Lillian Weber PublicPK to 5 | ||
Ms 243 Center School Public5 to 8 | ||
Innovation Diploma Plus Public10 to 12 | ||
The Global Learning Collaborative Public9 to 12 |
School ratings and boundaries are provided by GreatSchools.org and Pitney Bowes. This information should only be used as a reference. Proximity or boundaries shown here are not a guarantee of enrollment. Please reach out to schools directly to verify all information and enrollment eligibility.
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