233 West 99th St. #17D

Open the door. The herringbone hardwood floors of this Pre-War apartment point you towards the picture windows, and bingo! There it is. An iconic view that never ceases to impress, no matter how many times you see it or when: sun-drenched during the day, dramatic sunsets give way to the stunning NYC skyline at night, crowned by the whimsical ever-changing lights of the Empire State Bldg. Only then does it dawn on you that you’ve passed through a foyer with a large coat closet, crossed a comfortable eating area and [traversed] the large living room, large enough to accommodate a desk and sizable sectional sofas. Looking out over Midtown frees you from your thoughts of the day, and you begin to unwind. Tracing your way back through the living room, you enter a [small chamber]. What is it for? Whatever you like! An office space, professional baker’s table, a podcasting studio, a little library nook… the stuff of your dreams. Off the chamber to the left is a well-designed European style galley kitchen done up in white and neutral tones with a new compact dishwasher that can easily handle dinner for 6. The large window bounces light throughout the room, and there again is that view. Off the chamber to the right is the quirky deco bathroom, featuring the original 1930 tiles in a stunning glaze. They don’t make them like that anymore. But what you really wanted was a little down-time, a little break away from the grind. And so you pass through the chamber and enter the bedroom, large enough to accommodate a king-size bed. You open one of two built-in closets to grab a throw and edge yourself over to yet another picture window with its own views of the Empire State building and a long stretch of tree-lined Broadway, from the 24 hr gourmet grocer with its bright produce to 96th street to Symphony Space, the renown UWS performing arts forum.

You really don’t need a throw -- radiator heat is conveniently and comfortably controlled by Danfoss valves-- but it’s a habit that’s hard to break. Yet something in this spacious 1-bedroom is missing. Something major. Then you get it: the lack of noise. Zen-like peace envelops you as the new windows, installed in 2019, filter out much of what is jarring in the middle of the workday or sleeping at night.

What do the current owners love about this home? There is plenty of room to entertain, work from home and cook extraordinary meals. They love being midway between Central Park and Riverside Park, 15 min to the East Side by bike, 3 blocks to the subway stop at 96 St, and mere minutes—3 stops— by express train to Midtown. The convenience shopping of Broadway just outside the front door, and Whole Foods nearby. They appreciate the building staff (part-time doormen, live-in super, porter), laundry, and secure bike room. When first arriving, they didn’t have a pet, but looked forward to getting a dog, since they had met several sweet ones in the bldg.

It was the perfect home full of treasured memories, until they outgrew it. With heavy hearts, it is time to move on. Bring your vision and your inspiration. With so much potential, this apartment is so close to being the home of your dreams.
*Utilities included in maintenance.