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.
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A real view into old New York. Its even better for native New Yorkers.
Lovely, detailed description of this building as it went up in 19th century New York. Insight into Victorian era customs….quite interesting.
The first half or 2/3 of the book was GREAT for historical insights about the growth of NY City, class distinctions, Central Park, etc. I didn’t finish the last third of the book. I lost interest in what was happening with the inhabitants after about the 1960’s. I read a lot of historical fiction that takes place circa 1870-1930, so this book fit in nicely to my understanding of the time period and growth of the country.
Great book for a New Yorker, okay for a Texan.
Interesting, odd history of mysterious building.
enjoyed the book, disappointed there were so few pictures or floor plans. They would have helpful and added to the book and story.
Very dated and repetitive.
It’s interesting to read about places which are historical. Sounds like some of the people who lived at the Dekota were quite famous.
A one of a kind building and fascinating inhabitants! How our world has changed!
The story of the Dakota’s beginnings, and the lives of the people who live/lived there are fascinating. I wish there were more photographs but we can find these online, right?
Just okay, but great for NYC history buffs.
Interesting account of high-rise building life in New York. A few interesting anecdotes related.
Fascinating history of this New York classic building.
I always wanted to know the history of this old apartment building in Central Park. If I were rich I would love to live there.
Fun to read history of a famous apartment building!
I loved this book so much! Sad it’s over!
If you know the Dakota buildong in NYC. It is a great book to read . It gives some actual facts while still wraving a great story.
Very readable history of this famous building; from its unlikely inception in the 1880’s to 1979. The builder defied conventional thinking by erecting a building north and west of the fashionable part of New York City. The story of this building mirrors the growth and change in the of the New York City population and lifestyle. Highly recommend for New York City buffs.
It started out good but then it began to drag about 3/4 of the way through the book.
Very interesting