Buying from my landlord?

Have been thinking about buying for 9 years however have not been able to find a similar building to buy. We have pretty much decided to continue to stay in our current building as a renter since the unique combination of the location and amenities. We are not US citizens and financially comfortable, as a renter. Recently we received some amount of monetary gift and really want to put it in real estate but we do not want throw money in any properties in Manhattan but only the building we currently live in UES. Questions are: is it possible? Should we approach the landlord (it is a big rental company)? Thanks.