Be sure to watch the video for additional context. The Dakota is the crown jewel among the most extraordinary residences of Central Park West. It is the most storied residential building in New York's long history. The late 1870s was a time of burgeoning prosperity. A post-war boom saw the proliferation of mansion and townhouse living for the affluent; it was a representation of status. It was then that Edward Cabot Clark, architect of the Singer Sewing Machine Company fortune, conceived of an apartment house to be built, as an alternative, for precisely those affluent who preferred not to manage the responsibilities of caring for a house. His vision was to preserve the aspirational and distinctive way of life characterized by sophistication, exquisite taste, privacy, pleasure and service for those accustomed. This was to be a house of a different kind. Clark commissioned Henry Janeway Hardenbergh to design what would become the most magnificent residence in all of Manhattan. A "genteel fortress," as it was once described, monumental in scale yet with the intimacy of home. A fortress in that it was built with nearly four-foot thick walls at its base, tapering to approximately two feet at the roof line. The breadth of the floors, made of thick layers of massive timber, earth and mortar provide an energy of stillness and peace. The facade possesses an eclectic mix of steep gables, oriel windows, dormers, cupolas, finials and nostalgic gas lanterns. As you pass through the elaborate iron gates you are transported to a private open air garden court. Together this remarkable assemblage of features has made it difficult to pinpoint an exact style which has been described in prior writings as a mix between German and French Renaissance styles, even as Victorian Chateau, Victorian Kremlin, Brewery Brick, Pseudo-Gothic and Middle European Post Office. No two apartments are structurally the same.Within we find residence fifty-six; at approximately four thousand five hundred square feet it is one of the largest natural layouts within the entire house. Upon entering the home not only do you see the grandeur of Hardenbergh's unique design you feel it. You feel the elegance, the history, the stories. You observe the artisanship and elegance from a past architectural time. You are struck by twelve-point-five-foot ceilings balanced by a scale and proportion that must be experienced; ten-foot mahogany doors and seductive passage ways; stately corner living room which is adjoined by a warm and inviting parlour. Together they comprise a forty-six-foot living expanse; you can just imagine imagine social gatherings and events. Rivaling this living room is grand dining room quite unlike anything you see today. This home further provides four to five voluminous bedrooms and additional chambers that can be used as a library media room game room whatever your needs require.The residence showcases exquisite handcrafted woodwork custom paneling refined crown moldings that frame rooms with quiet grandeur.Expansive light-filled windows bordered by classic shutters enhance sense space grace.Discreetly placed sliding pocket doors preserve both flow privacy while gracefully appointed functioning fireplaces serve warm focal points.Ample closets generous built-in storage reflect thoughtful nineteenth-century practicality while spacious eat-in kitchen lends tradition comfort hospitality defines this enduringly elegant home.Constructed between eighteen eighty-eight-fourteen eight-four,the loreofTheDakota captivates allof us.Atthistimewiththecenterofthecity’sactivitysomefiftyblocks south Clarke’s conceptwasconsideredboldandriskyas opposedtopioneering.Clarkprovedeveryonewrongandthebuildingwasanimmediateandeminentsuccess.Each generation experiences sense pride intheirpreservation stewardship.Likeno otherTheDakota established itselfamongmostrenownedandrecognizableresidencesintheworld.Itisunrivaledinits singularityrichhistorycelebratedoccupantsarchitecturalsignificancewhichremainsforthisday.Itwasbuiltto last...timeless.This isa homethattrulycaptureseverythingyouhadimagined.Itlivesup toitlegend.Clarkwhoseownapartmentwassaidto havebeendesignedwithsterlingsilverinlaidfloorspassedin1882twoyearspriortoitscompletion.Hardenberghwouldgo onto designThePlazaHotel.The Dakota offers full-time doormen concierge service fitness center private storage.Thereisa three percent flip taxpaidbythebuyer.