Walk down 12th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues on a crisp October afternoon and you’ll feel it. That specific, quiet gravity. It isn’t loud like the glass towers in Hudson Yards. It’s better. It’s 59 West 12th Street. Designed by the legendary Emery Roth and completed in 1931, this building basically defines what people mean when they say "Pre-war Bing & Bing."
If you’re looking for a flashy lobby with neon lights and a "vibe manager," keep walking. This place is for people who want 10-foot ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces that actually work, and walls thick enough to keep your business your own. Honestly, the Gold Coast of Greenwich Village is littered with beautiful buildings, but 59 West 12th Street has a sort of effortless cool that’s hard to replicate. It’s the architectural equivalent of a perfectly tailored vintage blazer.
What Makes a Bing & Bing Building Actually Different?
People throw around the name "Bing & Bing" in New York real estate circles like it’s a religious incantation. For the uninitiated, Leo and Alexander Bing were developers who partnered with architects like Emery Roth to build some of the most sought-after apartment houses in the city during the late 1920s and early 30s.
What does that mean for you? Space.
Most modern "luxury" condos feel like high-end Tupperware—slick, but cramped. In 59 West 12th Street, the layouts were designed for living, not just for squeezing the maximum number of units onto a floor plate. You get these massive entry galleries that act as the heart of the home. You’ve got sunken living rooms—a signature Roth move—that create a subtle but distinct sense of "arrival" when you walk down those two little steps. It’s theater, but for your daily life.
The craftsmanship is just... better. We’re talking about solid oak floors, casement windows that frame the Village skyline like a painting, and those aforementioned wood-burning fireplaces. In a city where most buildings have "decorative" mantels or electric inserts that look like a screensaver, having a real hearth is a massive flex.
📖 Related: Kiko Japanese Restaurant Plantation: Why This Local Spot Still Wins the Sushi Game
Living on the Gold Coast: The 59 West 12th Street Experience
Location is a cliché, but here, it’s everything. You are right in the middle of the Greenwich Village Historic District.
Being on 12th Street means you’re shielded from the frantic energy of 14th Street and the tourist swarm of Washington Square Park, yet you can walk to both in under five minutes. It’s a neighborhood of brownstones, mature trees, and hidden gardens. You’ve got the Butterfield Market nearby for your $18 chicken salad and Gotham Restaurant for when you want to feel like a sophisticated New Yorker from a 90s movie.
The building itself is a full-service condominium. That’s a rarity for this vintage. Most buildings this old and this nice are co-ops, which means you have to endure a board interview that feels like a deposition and reveal your third-grade report cards just to buy a studio. Since 59 West 12th Street is a condo, the process is smoother, and the investment value is generally higher because it's easier to rent out or buy through an LLC.
The Amenities (The Ones That Actually Matter)
You won’t find a rock-climbing wall here. Thank god. Instead, you get:
- A 24-hour doorman who actually knows your name and doesn't just stare at a phone.
- A live-in resident manager.
- A private storage area (though there's usually a waitlist).
- A laundry room that’s clean, functional, and surprisingly social.
- Bike storage for your Brompton or vintage Schwinn.
- A children's playroom that isn't just a sad corner with a plastic slide.
One thing to note: the building is incredibly pet-friendly. You’ll see plenty of well-bred Frenchies and Golden Retrievers in the lobby. It’s that kind of place.
👉 See also: Green Emerald Day Massage: Why Your Body Actually Needs This Specific Therapy
Why Investors and Locals Keep Fighting Over Units Here
Market data from the last few years shows that 59 West 12th Street holds its value better than almost any other block in the Village. When a "C" or "E" line apartment hits the market—those are the ones with the best light and layouts—they usually go into contract within weeks.
Prices aren't cheap. You’re looking at a serious premium per square foot compared to buildings just a few blocks south or west. But you’re paying for the Emery Roth pedigree. You’re paying for the fact that these buildings were built with a level of structural integrity that modern builds can't touch. There’s a reason why, nearly a century later, the facade still looks pristine and the elevators don’t break down every Tuesday.
The apartments range from cozy one-bedrooms to sprawling three-bedroom residences that feel like suburban houses transplanted into the sky. The higher floors get incredible light, especially those facing south with views toward One World Trade.
A Few Reality Checks
It’s not all sunshine and sunken living rooms.
Because it’s a historic building, renovations can be a nightmare. You can’t just go knocking down walls or moving plumbing without jumping through a dozen hoops with the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the building's own engineers. If you buy a "fixer-upper" here, expect the renovation to take twice as long and cost 30% more than you budgeted.
✨ Don't miss: The Recipe Marble Pound Cake Secrets Professional Bakers Don't Usually Share
Also, the common charges and taxes at 59 West 12th Street reflect its status. You’re paying for the staff, the maintenance of a 90-plus-year-old brick facade, and the prestige of the address. It’s an expensive lifestyle.
The Architectural Nuance of Emery Roth
Roth was a master of the "setback." Because of the 1916 Zoning Resolution, buildings had to step back as they got taller to allow light to reach the street. Roth used this constraint to create stunning terraces and "wedding cake" silhouettes. At 59 West 12th Street, this results in some units having truly spectacular outdoor spaces that wrap around the building.
These terraces aren't just narrow balconies. They’re outdoor rooms. Imagine having a dinner party outside while looking over the rooftops of 19th-century townhomes. It’s the New York dream, basically.
The lobby is another masterclass in restraint. It’s elegant but not gaudy. It uses marble and wood in a way that feels warm. It doesn't scream "look at me," which is exactly why the people who live here love it. They don't need to scream.
Actionable Advice for Potential Buyers
If you’re serious about 59 West 12th Street, don’t just wait for a Zillow alert.
- Get a local broker who specializes in the Gold Coast. A lot of these units trade "off-market" or are whispered about before the listing goes live.
- Check the windows. While the building has standards, some units have older casement windows that might need restoration. It’s a specific skill set and a specific cost.
- Look at the floor plan "bones." Don’t be distracted by a previous owner’s questionable taste in wallpaper. Look at where the wet columns are and where the load-bearing walls sit.
- Visit the block at different times. 12th Street is quiet, but it’s a major artery for people walking to the PATH train or the subway. See if the "hum" of the neighborhood fits your vibe on a Tuesday night versus a Sunday morning.
Ultimately, 59 West 12th Street is for the long-termist. It’s for the person who appreciates that a home should have a soul, a history, and a fireplace that actually smells like burning wood in the winter. It’s a piece of New York history that you can actually own.
To move forward, your next step should be reviewing the last 24 months of comparable sales specifically within the Bing & Bing portfolio—look at 299 West 12th and 2 Horatio Street to see how 59 West 12th’s price-per-square-foot holds up against its "siblings." This will give you the leverage you need when it's time to make an offer.