A 19-story residential cooperative on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, designed by Schwartz & Gross in 1929, this Art Deco landmark gained cultural prominence through its starring role in the 1984 film Ghostbusters.
At a glance
An iconic housing cooperative rising 19 floors above Central Park West, this building represents interwar residential architecture at its finest. Listed as a contributing property within the Central Park West Historic District, it remains one of Manhattan’s most recognizable addresses.
History
Completed in 1929, the building was designed by the architectural firm Schwartz & Gross during the height of Manhattan’s Art Deco period. The timing placed it at the cusp of the stock market crash, yet the building became a fixture of Upper West Side prestige. Decades later, the structure achieved unexpected fame when it was featured prominently in the 1984 supernatural comedy Ghostbusters, whose plot centers on paranormal activity within and around the building.
What you see
The building exemplifies the restrained elegance of 1920s residential design. Its 19-story Art Deco façade commands the streetscape along Central Park West, reflecting the period’s sophisticated approach to cooperative housing. Schwartz & Gross employed refined geometric detailing and proportional discipline characteristic of their prolific practice.
Cultural significance
Ghostbusters transformed this building into a globally recognized cultural icon, introducing millions to its distinctive silhouette. The film’s fictional narrative—ghostly activity plaguing the structure—created lasting associations between the architecture and supernatural cinema. Beyond cinema, the building represents the cooperative housing movement that defined Manhattan’s residential landscape.
Key facts
- Built: 1929
- Architects: Schwartz & Gross
- Stories: 19
- Type: Housing cooperative
- Location: Upper West Side, Manhattan
- Historic designation: Contributing property, Central Park West Historic District (NRHP)
- Coordinates: 40.77223447, −73.9791438
Practical information & getting there
The building is located at 55 Central Park West on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, easily accessible via subway and local transit. As a private residential cooperative, interior access is restricted to residents and authorized visitors. The exterior can be viewed and photographed from the street and nearby Central Park.
Sources & resources
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