You’ve likely walked past it. If you’ve ever spent a Saturday afternoon wandering near the edge of Central Park West, you’ve definitely seen those massive, double-height windows. They look like something out of a Victorian novel or a high-end film set. Honestly, that’s because they basically are. 1 West 67th Street New York, better known to the locals and architecture nerds as the Hotel des Artistes, isn't actually a hotel anymore. It hasn't been for a long time. It’s a cooperative apartment building that holds more secrets, scandals, and artistic history than almost any other block in Manhattan.
Walking into the lobby feels like stepping into a different century. The wood is dark. The air feels heavy with the ghost of expensive cigars and oil paint. It was built back in 1917, a time when "starving artists" actually had a shot at living in luxury if they were talented enough. The architect, George Mort Pollard, had this wild idea to create a live-work space specifically for the creative elite. He succeeded. But today, the "starving" part is long gone. Now, you need a massive bank account just to get past the board.
The Design Quirk That Everyone Gets Wrong
People see those giant windows and think, "Oh, nice view." It’s way more intentional than that. Every single one of those north-facing windows at 1 West 67th Street New York was designed to capture the specific, steady light that painters crave. South light changes too much throughout the day. North light is consistent. It’s flat. It doesn’t create weird shadows on a canvas at 3:00 PM that weren't there at noon.
The apartments themselves are mostly duplexes. You get these soaring 18-foot ceilings in the "studio" part of the unit, while the sleeping quarters are tucked away on a mezzanine. It’s a layout that feels incredibly modern, yet it’s over a hundred years old. Most people assume these were always meant to be multi-million dollar penthouses. Nope. They were utilitarian workspaces for people who happened to be very good at painting portraits of the Vanderbilts.
Life Inside the Hotel des Artistes
It’s not just about the rooms. The building was designed with a communal philosophy that feels kinda socialist if you ignore the price tag. Back in the day, the apartments didn't even have full kitchens. Why? Because the building had a massive central kitchen. You’d just call down, and they’d send up a five-course meal via a dumbwaiter. Or you’d head downstairs to the legendary Cafe des Artistes.
That restaurant was the soul of the building for decades. It was famous for the Howard Chandler Christy murals—lush, slightly scandalous paintings of wood nymphs that covered the walls. It closed in 2009, which felt like the end of an era for the Upper West Side. But then the Leopard at des Artistes took its place, keeping the murals and the vibe alive. If you go there today, you can still sit among those nymphs, but the menu is high-end Italian now.
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The People Who Made 1 West 67th Street New York Iconic
The list of former residents reads like a Who’s Who of 20th-century culture. Norman Rockwell lived here. So did Isadora Duncan. Rudolph Valentino, the silent film heartthrob, had a place here. Even Joel Grey and Itzhak Perlman called it home.
Imagine that elevator ride.
You’re standing there with a bag of groceries, and Norman Rockwell is complaining about the humidity. That’s the magic of this specific spot. It wasn't just a place to sleep; it was a hub. But don’t think it was all high-brow philosophy and painting. The building has seen its share of drama. Co-op boards in New York are notoriously picky, and the board at 1 West 67th Street is no exception. They’ve turned down plenty of famous faces because they didn’t think they "fit the character" of the building.
Why This Block is Different
The 67th Street Artists' Colony consists of several buildings, but number one is the crown jewel. It’s the anchor. When you stand on the sidewalk, you notice the Gothic Revival details. The gargoyles. The intricate stonework. It’s a stark contrast to the glass towers rising up in Midtown.
There’s a specific feeling of "Old New York" here that hasn't been scrubbed away by corporate renovations. The hallways are still narrow and a little dim. The elevators are old-school. It’s one of the few places left where the history doesn't feel like a marketing gimmick. It’s baked into the walls.
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Realities of Owning Here Today
If you’re looking to buy at 1 West 67th Street New York, bring your checkbook and your patience.
- The Price of Admission: Expect to pay anywhere from $1.5 million for a "small" one-bedroom to well over $10 million for one of the grand duplexes with park views.
- Maintenance Fees: They are astronomical. You’re paying for a 24-hour doorman, an elevator operator, a pool (yes, there's a pool), a squash court, and a gym.
- The Board Interview: This is the stuff of nightmares. They want to know your financial history, your social standing, and basically what you ate for breakfast in 1994. They protect the building’s "artistic" legacy, even if most of the current residents are hedge fund managers rather than painters.
The Amenities Most People Don't Know About
You wouldn't expect a building from 1917 to have a swimming pool, but it does. It’s a beautiful, tiled lap pool that looks like it belongs in a Wes Anderson movie. There's also a squash court. These weren't afterthoughts; they were part of the original "lifestyle" package designed to keep artists healthy and social.
The rooftop is another hidden gem. While not every unit has private outdoor space, the views of Central Park from the upper floors are unparalleled. You’re looking directly over the Sheep Meadow. It’s one of the few spots where you can feel the energy of the city without being deafened by the honking of yellow cabs on 66th Street.
Is It Still an "Artists' Colony"?
Honestly? Not really. Not in the way it used to be.
New York has changed. The creative class has mostly been priced out of the Upper West Side and pushed into Brooklyn or Queens. The people living at 1 West 67th Street now are mostly successful professionals—lawyers, tech founders, and the occasional legacy resident who bought in the 70s for the price of a ham sandwich.
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But the spirit is still curated. The building still attracts people who value aesthetics over "smart home" gadgets. You won't find many Nest thermostats or motorized blinds here. You find original parquet floors and hand-carved mantels.
Common Misconceptions
People often confuse this building with the Dakota. While they both have that "haunted luxury" vibe, the Dakota is further north and much more fortress-like. 1 West 67th Street is more inviting, at least visually.
Another mistake: thinking it's still a hotel. I’ve seen tourists try to check in. The "Hotel" in the name is a vestige of the past. If you show up with a suitcase looking for a room, the doorman will politely (or not so politely) point you toward the nearest Marriott.
What to Do If You Want a Taste of the Life
Since you probably aren't about to drop $5 million on a duplex, the best way to experience 1 West 67th Street New York is through the food.
Book a table at The Leopard at des Artistes. Ask for a seat near the murals. Order the risotto. Look up at the ceiling and the woodwork. It’s the closest you’ll get to the Gilded Age without a time machine.
After dinner, walk around the corner to the park. Look back at the building when the lights are on in those 18-foot windows. You can see the massive chandeliers and the art-covered walls of the residents. It’s one of the best "window shopping" experiences in the city.
Actionable Steps for the Curious
- Visit the Murals: You don't need to live there to see the Howard Chandler Christy work. The restaurant is open to the public. Go for brunch if you want a more casual look.
- Architecture Walk: Start at 1 West 67th and walk east toward the park, then hit the other "Artist Colony" buildings on the block. Look for the differences in stonework between the 1903 and 1917 structures.
- Check the Listings: Even if you aren't buying, sites like StreetEasy often have high-res photos of the interiors. It’s the best way to see the mezzanine layouts and the north-facing studio windows without an invite.
- Research the History: If you’re a real nerd, look up the "67th Street Studio Building Association." It was the legal entity that started the whole co-op movement in New York, and it all began right here on this street.