The Century
An Art Deco masterpiece rising from Central Park West, The Century combines a 19-story base surrounding an interior courtyard with twin towers that define the Manhattan skyline. Completed in 1931, this landmark residential building exemplifies the ambition and elegance of Depression-era luxury architecture.
At a glance
The Century stands at 25 Central Park West, between 62nd and 63rd Streets, adjacent to Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. This 30-story Art Deco apartment building was designed by Irwin S. Chanin and constructed from 1930 to 1931 at a cost of $6.5 million. Upon opening, it contained 417 apartments and 1,688 rooms and operated with hotel-like amenities including housekeeping and catering services.
History
Construction concluded at the end of December 1931, marking the completion of one of New York’s most ambitious residential projects during the Great Depression. The building became home to numerous entertainment and business figures, and architect Irwin Chanin himself resided here for more than fifty years. In 1982, a consortium purchased The Century and proposed converting it to a housing cooperative, though the plan was withdrawn following tenant–landlord disputes. Most of the building was converted to condominiums in 1989.
What you see
The composition divides clearly: a 19-story base wraps around an interior courtyard to the west, while two towers rise from the eastern portion above this podium. The ground and much of the second story feature ochre-colored stone with a pink granite water table, while the remainder is largely tan brick with multi-paned windows and selective brown-brick cladding. Shallow bow windows line Central Park West, and enclosed solariums occupy the northeast and southeast corners. Cantilevered terraces with Art Deco balustrades punctuate the facade, characteristic of Chanin’s geometric vocabulary.
Cultural significance
The Century is a contributing property to the Central Park West Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and designated a New York City landmark. The building represents a pivotal moment in residential design when Art Deco principles were applied to large-scale apartment living, creating a model that balanced private luxury with communal amenities and urban context.
Key facts
- Location: 25 Central Park West, Manhattan, New York City
- Coordinates: 40.77055556, −73.98083333
- Height: 30 stories with twin towers rising from a 19-story base
- Completed: December 1931
- Architect: Irwin S. Chanin
- Style: Art Deco
- Original capacity: 417 apartments, 1,688 rooms
- Status: NYC designated landmark; contributing property to Central Park West Historic District (NRHP-listed)
Practical information & getting there
The Century is located between 62nd and 63rd Streets on the Upper West Side, directly adjacent to Central Park. Access to the neighborhood is provided by multiple subway lines serving central Manhattan. The building remains a private residential property and is not open for public interior tours, though its facade is fully visible from Central Park West and the surrounding streets.
Sources & resources
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