According to NY Division of Housing and Community Renewal this is a rent controlled building. 8500 for a classic 6 seems high. Any thoughts?

There's no such thing as a "rent controlled building."

A large nice classic six in a good UES location could be $8500

Your title is misleading

We have close friends in the building. Basically an old nyc building with the associated charms and pitfalls. Rambling traditional apartments with antiquated steam heat. No doorman. A manual elevator that is often out of service. Rent control tenants that are slowly being replaced with market rent ones. The top floor- right below the penthouses- has a known leaking roof problem. Old school in house super requires greasing of palms.

Took a look at apt 11A and confirmed with neighbors that the unit has a long history of leaks in at least 3 main rooms. The ceilings look fine now but apparently the landlord sends a crew every few weeks to scrape and replaster. The rent control neighbors directly above are apparently a real menace as well- leaving threatening notes and banging on the ceilings. A real pity because the apartment seems spacious and bright.

I looked at this building few years ago. Got impression was in general state of underrepair. Just looking at building from outside even, windows etc gives one feeling that very little investment goes into maintaining the property. Some apartments have not beeen renovated in years, so the appliances and windows and fittings differ markedly from apartment to apartment. I would look at more than one apartment just to get a feel as to what is different.

The elevator is really old and has an apparent 24 hour operator. Not my idea to share a small elevator with this man every time I go into my apartment at 2 am, especially where no doorman. And we are not talking of a luxury park avenue manned elevator type but old cranking type. Also wasnt that convinced on security as seemed anyone can walk in if elevator man is on higher floor, though may not be the case. That said building is in relatively good location and has large rooms. Also family and pet friendly.