Dakota Building

Dakota Building
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Name	Dakota Building
Caption	The Dakota on Central Park West
Location	1 West 72nd Street, Manhattan, New York City
Coordinates	40, 46, 36, N...
Start date	1880
Completion date	1884
Architect	Henry Janeway Hardenbergh
Architectural style	German Renaissance
Designation1	New York City Landmark
Designation1 date	February 11, 1969
Designation1 number	0208

Dakota Building. Located at the corner of Central Park West and 72nd Street in Manhattan, this iconic residential cooperative is one of the most famous apartment buildings in New York City. Completed in 1884, it was a pioneering venture in upscale urban living far north of the city's then-established elite neighborhoods. Its imposing German Renaissance design and storied history have cemented its status as a cultural landmark and a symbol of Gilded Age opulence.

History

The Dakota was commissioned by Edward Clark, the head of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, who envisioned a luxurious residential enclave. Architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh was selected to design the building, with construction beginning in 1880 and finishing four years later. Its remote location on the then-sparsely populated Upper West Side led to skepticism, with some dubbing it "Clark's Folly," as it was said to be as far away as the Dakota Territory. The building's success, however, helped spur the development of the entire surrounding area. It became a cooperative in 1961 and was declared a New York City Landmark in 1969, ensuring its preservation. The building has been managed by the same firm, Douglas Elliman, for over a century, a testament to its enduring prestige and stability.

Architecture

Designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, who later created the Plaza Hotel, the Dakota is a prime example of German Renaissance revival style. The structure is noted for its steeply pitched roofs, decorative gables, terracotta spandrels, and ornate ironwork, including the iconic wrought-iron gate and courtyard. Its plan forms a hollow square, creating a large, private interior courtyard that provides light and air to all apartments, an innovative design for its time. The building's formidable, fortress-like appearance, with its deep rustication and intricate details, was intended to convey permanence and grandeur, setting a standard for luxury apartment living that influenced subsequent developments like the Ansonia and the Berkshire House.

Notable residents

The Dakota has been home to an extraordinary array of celebrated figures from the arts, entertainment, and business worlds. Its most famous resident was musician John Lennon, who lived there with artist Yoko Ono from 1973 until his murder outside the building's archway in 1980. Other illustrious tenants have included actress Lauren Bacall, pianist and conductor Leonard Bernstein, and singer Roberta Flack. In earlier decades, it housed figures like Boris Karloff and Judy Garland. The building's board has long been known for its exclusivity and discretion, attracting residents such as Rudolf Nureyev, Gilda Radner, and Carson McCullers, maintaining its aura as a sanctuary for the cultural elite.

Cultural significance

The building's cultural significance is multifaceted, representing both the architectural ambitions of the late 19th century and the enduring allure of New York's artistic life. Its very existence catalyzed the transformation of the Upper West Side into a desirable residential district. The Dakota has served as a gathering place for intellectuals and artists, with salons and parties hosted by residents like Leonard Bernstein becoming legendary. The tragic 1980 assassination of John Lennon at its gates transformed the site into a place of pilgrimage and public mourning, with the adjacent section of Central Park being renamed Strawberry Fields in his honor. It remains a potent symbol of both creative genius and profound loss.

In popular culture

The Dakota's distinctive silhouette and mysterious aura have made it a frequent subject and setting in popular culture. It served as the primary filming location for the 1968 horror classic *Rosemary's Baby*, where it was depicted as the fictional Bramford. The building has been referenced in numerous songs, including Billy Joel's "Big Shot" and Steely Dan's "Everything You Did". It appears in episodes of television series like Mad Men and is often featured in documentaries about New York City or The Beatles. The building's association with John Lennon ensures its continual presence in music biographies and historical retrospectives, solidifying its iconic status in the global imagination.

Category:Residential buildings in Manhattan Category:New York City Landmarks Category:Henry Janeway Hardenbergh buildings