Dorchester Towers, 155 W 68th

Hi Thomas: These type of bldgs, which are steel and concrete, are very solid...but not sound proof. They are far superior than a lot of more contemporary construction that only uses galvanized steel framework and sheetrock. Very hollow sounding and LOUD. There are lots of musicians in this building (Lincoln Center, Juliard, etc.)and I am reasonably certain that with a few modifications, and a little common courtesy, that sound is not an issue. You can hear more in the halls than next door and that is frequently what sound travels through. Ceilings are right at 8.2 feet. HVAC: Heating and cooling comes from the basement but there are thermostats in the apts to keep the temperatures controled. Seperate thermostat for each unit. The Apartments are vented in the kitchens and baths and there are giant fans on the roof that pull the air up through the vents. No controls for those but I will tell you a secret, the higher up you go the better the venting works. It works all though the building but just better on the higher floors. Hope that helps. I am the building specialist with Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy and you can reach me with questions at my e-mail address. hdavis@cbpreviewsnyc.com thanks, Henry Davis

I lived here before. Ceilings are about 8.5 feet high, I think. There are individual thermostats, but you still don't get very good control of the temperature because the building controls the seasonal switch over from heat/cool air. And the draft coming through from under the AC units is quite horrible. SOund can be an issue. I used to hear marbles on the floor upstairs, a singer on the same floor, etc. But the worst part of this building is the water. For some reason, they had to shut off hot water from 9am-5pm at least once a month. And water seaps throughs the walls when there's heavy rain outside.

ooo. that shmarts. cbppreviews das kaput. no?

Used to lived in this building as well (12th floor). Instrumental/classical music came through the wall easily -- although my neighbor was old so maybe he had bad hearing and was playing it loudly. As for the HVAC units, you can not set the temperature. You turn them on or off and that's it.

I also had issues with my water. I often needed to wait at least 5 minutes before the shower was hot/warm enough to get in.

I checked out an open house here today. I like the location b/c you can walk 5 block to the express train on 72nd or just go right outside your door and take the 1 on 66th. I'm not sure about the building itself though, the apartment had low ceilings and really needed updating & I don't think I would like hearing music being played all the time. Once in awhile maybe but everyday, that could get old fast.

Thanks for that info about the water and HVAC. Another is that it was built in 1964. Many of these buildings with white brick need to undergo costly rebricking due to a state/city ordinance. Does anyone know about this building Is this required here?

Also, in general is it a good buidling?

I did more research and spoke to some people living in the building and apparently there are issues with the water and noise. Also, many are unhappy because they stopped allowing dogs. They say this building isn't what it used to be.

I have lived here for four years. Noise from neighboring apartments is de minimis BUT, the noise from above (furniture, marbles) is very clear (but not a frequent occurrence for us). The draft under the HVAC unit is dramatic and requires us to stuff an entire pillow or blanket in there in the winter. But that's it - the building is absolutely amazing in every other regard. A massive 4000 sf roof deck that literally NOBODY uses - what a treat! The doormen are best in class, friendly, respectful and truly caring with us, kids and elderly alike. We feel so at home in this building that it's easy to forget that over 1,000 people live there.

Oh - and I don't know about the pets rule - there are plenty of neighbors with dogs. The building has only got better since we moved here. The landscaping (front and roof) are tremendous, some really beautiful choices of flora. The maintenance (paint, polish) is constant and like I said above, the staff take excellent care with all residents and their guests.

I've lived in the building for several decades. Water is a constant problem with constant water leakage in the garage and brown water from the taps on numerous occasions. The water is constantly being shut off for several hours at a time. While the building is a condo a good many apartments are still owned by a friend of the sponsor, the Milstein family, and they are not up for sale but rather are rentals on a revolving door basis. Consequently you have a load of renters and many condo owners who likewise rent their apartments out. Due to the size of the building and it's proximity to Fordham Law School the place feels more like a hotel or dormitory with revolving residents than a high class New York building. Many of the apartments have been illegally subdivided to create multiple rooms for college students, etc.

Does this building have new windows? And if not, will the building allow buyers to install new windows?

Can someone confirm that this building doesn't allow dogs?

@ Interested_buyer - the building DOES allow dogs of all sizes, but they ask that they only use the service elevators and exits.

you can have dogs but you need to bring them in through the service entrance. Dogs CAN be brought in through the main lobby from 11PM -7AM (approx.) What is your price range? I am a broker and have an owner considering to sell but currently not on the market....you can email me particulars at nn@vepworldwide.com

I've decided I do like the building. Has anyone had any experience with Ogden Cap?

I should add: as a leasing agent/landlord.