A $30 million capital improvement plan is underway to restore and modernize The Apthorp

Newly managed by Broadwall Management of Apthorp LLC, an affiliate of The Feil Organization, sales of the magnificent architectural masterpiece of "New York's Golden Age" - The Apthorp are now underway. Marketed by Prudential Douglas Elliman, 32 unique condominium homes are being offered at substantially reduced pricing. In addition, a $30 million capital improvement program is currently in progress that will not only restore the property to its turn-of-the-century splendor but also modernize it to 21st Century standards. Closings are expected to begin in the fall. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a part of New York's history at below market prices that will never be seen again - once we reach our conversion goal in September, prices will most certainly go up," said chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman, Howard Lorber. "When people talk about the deal that got away, or say 'If only I had bought there then,' this is the property you will always hear lamented." Stretching from West End Avenue to Broadway and 78th to 79th Sts., The Apthorp takes up a full city block in the heart of the Upper West Side and was the world's largest residential building at its creation in 1908. William Waldorf Astor and his architects Clinton & Russell modeled The Apthorp after the Pitti Palace in Florence in the Italian Renaissance style. The Apthorp is famously noted for its interior courtyard tucked away behind two majestic, vaulted entrances and spectacular residences, each with a unique layout and décor. The vast diversity of architectural detailing includes Elizabethan, Colonial and Louis XIV styles, to name a few. "These are one-of-a-kind residences that inspire awe with their spaciousness and spectacular design details," said Karen Mansour, director of sales and marketing at Prudential Douglas Elliman. Originally 10-room apartments with 6 bedrooms, today's Apthorp residences are still breathtaking in size, from 1,100 to 6,000 s/f, 4 to 12 rooms, with ceilings soaring 11 to 12 feet high, windows up to 8 feet tall and hallways 48 inches wide. Most homes feature a grand entry foyer with signature stone mosaic tile floors, ceiling medallions, intricate moldings and up to three fireplaces, the majority with hand-carved mantels. Architects Ingrid Birkhofer and Fernando Papale of BP Architects are employing an artful approach to the historic restoration and preservation of this landmarked wonder. The mission requires scores of European-style restoration artisans, working for up to seven months in each home. "At times," said Papale, "the artisans are scraping through 15 layers of paint to reveal long forgotten plaster ornaments, or probing the existing structural elements to discover a thick chestnut hand-carved door buried for 70 years in a tile wall which is then reinstalled in the unit in which it was found." Areas that cannot be restored to their original condition will be replicated, as is the case with some plaster details and herringbone floors where the intricate design was painstakingly recreated. BP Architects' ambition is also to modernize the property without disturbing the existing architectural ornamentation. "Our mission is to maintain the historic integrity and feeling of old-world charm of the homes while at the same time fully updating them to accommodate a modern lifestyle," said Birkhofer. To that end, wherever possible, kitchens, powder rooms and bathrooms are being enlarged. New residences will be equipped with sophisticated heating and cooling infrastructure, seamlessly integrated into the fully restored interior décor of the homes. Each residence will also be outfitted with its own Miele washer and dryer. Improvements to the common areas of The Apthorp include restoration work being done on the public foyers, lobbies and elevators. All original stone and marble floors, plaster ceilings and wall décor will be brought back to life by carefully reproducing, restoring, painting and glazing to reinstate the original grandeur. Outside, the 12,000 s/f courtyard garden is being rejuvenated with lush landscaping while its signature cobblestones, fountains and benches are also restored. Finally, a new gate house will be added on the West End Ave. side of the building, which will allow tenants and visitors to enter and exit on both Broadway and West End Aves. Buyers may choose among different high-end kitchen and bathroom finishes. Kitchens will include state-of-the-art Sub Zero, Miele, and Wolf appliances and exquisite cabinetry and details. Bathrooms will feature various natural stones such as Calacatta Gold, Nero Marquina and White Carrara marble. For a limited time, buyers also have the option to purchase a home 'as is' or partly renovated. Building amenities will comprise a fully renovated garage with valet service, storage space, a children's play room, a central laundry room, gym, sauna and massage rooms, and a conference meeting room. Staff will include the valet, a gatekeeper, and 24-hour doorman. Photographs courtesy of The Apthorp.