A history of the Manhattan building and its famous tenants, from Lauren Bacall to John Lennon, by the New York Times–bestselling author of “Our Crowd”. When Singer sewing machine tycoon Edward Clark built a luxury apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side in the late 1800s, it was derisively dubbed “the Dakota” for being as far from the center of the downtown action as its namesake … downtown action as its namesake territory on the nation’s western frontier. Despite its remote location, the quirky German Renaissance–style castle, with its intricate façade, peculiar interior design, and gargoyle guardians peering down on Central Park, was an immediate hit, particularly among the city’s well-heeled intellectuals and artists.
Over the next century it would become home to an eclectic cast of celebrity residents—including Boris Karloff, Lauren Bacall, Leonard Bernstein, singer Roberta Flack (the Dakota’s first African-American resident), and John Lennon and Yoko Ono—who were charmed by its labyrinthine interior and secret passageways, its mysterious past, and its ghosts. Stephen Birmingham, author of the New York society classic “Our Crowd”, has written an engrossing history of the first hundred years of one of the most storied residential addresses in Manhattan and the legendary lives lived within its walls.
more
As a New Yorker, I loved reading this gossipy history of the Dakota.
Ok..but, very out of date.
This was very entertaining for those who love New York. I only wish it could be updated; lots has happened since 1979.
can’t rate it as won’t open my tablet very annoying if it ever opens up i’ll review it again
A very interesting story behind a lingering legend.The future isn’t assured for any of us, but change is.
i thoroughly enjoyed this book. Love to hear stories about “old New York” and this made me want to read some of his other works. Great insight into human nature and history.
I love all of Stephen Birmingham books about New York! I couldn’t put this one down. Lots of gossip and real estate porn! I loved it!
What a wonderful history lesson on the Dakota itself, but also New York and attitudes that shaped the building of the same!
Drags on too much