A rendering of the rooftop addition proposed at the Apthorp.
The historic Apthorp on Broadway between 78th and 79th streets will soon get a new rooftop addition after winning approval on Tuesday from the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
After initially getting rejected, the owners slimmed down their proposal, reducing the height of the addition and turning one two-story section into a one-story section, according to Curbed. The new section will also include some copper and limestone touches that complement the building’s original design (take note, other rooftop apartment applicants!).
The proposal initially drew intense opposition because opponents said it would stand out too much and didn’t blend with the rest of the Italian Renaissance facade; building residents showed up at Tuesday’s hearing to reiterate their opposition.
The Apthorp, which occupies a full block and has a private courtyard, is one of the Upper West Side’s crown jewels. It was built between 1906 and 1908 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
To see more images of the addition, check out Curbed.
Image via Curbed.
Why was there no advance notice regarding this addition? Or was it a big secret? Knowing how the Apthorp operates after having lived facing its backside on WEA for almost 20 years, I wouldn’t be surprised. Although a full square block, The Apthorp cares only about the front of the building that faces Broadway. For years, they did not remove snow from the sidewalks on 78th and a portion of 79th St (except where their tenants rented office space and those entrances had to be cleared). Garbage dumpsters were left out for days, hogging valuable parking spaces. Dog excrement was not picked up. Complaint calls to sanitation accomplished nothing. Their annual Halloween party for tenants that was held outdoors in the courtyard was loud, noisy, and went on for hours past sunset. Calling the management office or speaking to the doormen were met with disdain and yelling (it was a lot worse but I am trying to be polite). The Apthorp were bad neighbors.
There’s definitely been a lot of public argument about it at CB7 and there’s an advocacy group fighting against it.
It’s possible that there’s not been very much press coverage, but it’s been publicly debated for quite a while.
Cyndi Lauper lives there.
not anymore. She lost her court case to keep her rent stabilized after it was proved that her primary residence is in CT.
Girls just wanna have fun! 🙂
Again to my point about the LPC (landmarks) , they have so much power (arguably too much?) on our physical city, while diagonally across the street, there is absolutely no say by anyone and anything can get built – the DSW site being built by Friedland and the Lestrand…
Webroot, you’re correct.
Al Pacino lived there.