The Dakota

The Dakota: A Timeless Gem on Central Park West

Imagine stepping into the grandeur of The Dakota, an iconic apartment building that has stood as a beacon of luxury and history for over 140 years. Nestled at 1 West 72nd Street in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, this architectural marvel was designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh for businessman Edward Cabot Clark. But what makes The Dakota so special? Let’s dive into its rich history and unique features.

The Architectural Marvel

When you first lay eyes on the Dakota, you can’t help but be struck by its German Renaissance style facade. Composed of brick with sandstone trim and terracotta detailing, it’s a sight to behold. The main entrance is a double-height archway that invites you in, much like an open invitation to step into a world of elegance and privacy.

But the Dakota isn’t just about its exterior; it’s also a marvel of interior design. Each apartment has a unique layout with four to twenty rooms, offering residents a level of personalization that few other buildings can match. The building was fully rented upon completion in 1884 and has since been home to many artists, actors, and musicians.

A Unique Layout

One of the most fascinating aspects of The Dakota is its central H-shaped courtyard. This light court provides access to all apartments and doubles as a play area for children, though some observers thought it might attract too much attention. The courtyard also served practical purposes, such as housing two fountains that acted as skylights for the basement.

Each apartment has four passageways, one from each corner of the courtyard, which functioned as meeting areas due to their ‘utmost personal privacy’ design. A glass breezeway was installed in the 1920s to protect residents from weather and rebuilt in 2004 with bluestone pavers up to 6 ft long.

Historical Significance

The Dakota is not just a building; it’s a piece of history. It was managed by the Clark family for eight decades before being converted into a housing cooperative in 1961. The building remained a cooperative until the 21st century and is now a National Historic Landmark, a city landmark, and a contributing property to the Central Park West Historic District.

Its construction was part of Clark’s larger plan for a cohesive neighborhood on Central Park West. The Dakota features a central H-shaped courtyard measuring 90 ft x 55 ft, which provides entry to all apartments and doubles as a light court for each apartment’s interior. The writer suggested that children could play in the courtyard but unidentified observers thought it would attract attention.

Structural Features

The building is topped by gables at each corner, with a central gable above the entrance. The roof features slate tiles covering the roof, dormer windows arranged in two to four levels with either stone or copper frames, and corbeled brick chimneys protruding from the roof.

Structurally, the Dakota has a fireproof foundation made of bluestone blocks, rolled steel beams on each floor spaced every 3 to 4 ft, brick or terracotta arches between the rolled beams, thick walls, floor slabs, and partitions providing noise insulation and structural strength. The basement had a coal bunker with a capacity of 1,000 short tons and was equipped with electric communication systems, including electric bells and lights.

Interior Splendor

The apartments in the Dakota are unique, containing four to twenty rooms. Typical layouts include a reception area, drawing room, library, kitchen, pantry, bath, four bedrooms, and butlers’ quarters. Larger apartments may have up to nine bedrooms and additional spaces like a billiards room or boudoir.

Apartment fixtures and materials are similar to brownstone row houses with modern fixtures in kitchens and bathrooms. Parqueted floors made from mahogany, oak, and cherry, wainscoting in oak, mahogany, and other woods, marble wainscoting and Minton tile in kitchens, porcelain bathtubs in bathrooms, wood-burning fireplaces with tiled hearths, brass fixtures, carved mirrors and mantels, and plaster ceilings in some apartments are just a few of the luxurious touches.

A Legacy of Luxury

The Dakota’s construction began in October 1880 and was initially estimated to take 18 months. The building’s name ‘Dakota’ was likely chosen because it was associated with the Western United States and its states or territories. Clark died in 1882, bequeathing the apartment complex to his grandson Edward Severin Clark.

The Dakota has been ranked among the top buildings in the US, with numerous articles, illustrations, and merchandise created to celebrate its design and legacy. The building was featured in popular media works such as Roman Polanski’s film Rosemary’s Baby, Jack Finney’s novel Time and Again, and appeared in several films and novels.

The Dakota has a rich history of notable residents including John Lennon, Gene Simmons, Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Madonna, Cher, Alex Rodriguez, Judd Apatow, and Albert Maysles. The co-op board is selective and has high standards for its residents, ensuring that only the best can call this iconic building home.

The Dakota is more than just a building; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of luxury and history. From its unique architectural design to its storied past, this iconic apartment building continues to captivate those who call it home and those who simply admire its grandeur from afar.