Many fictional stories have been set in one of the most popular apartment buildings in New York City, the Dakota. However in this case, as in most cases the truth of the building is much more interesting than any works of fiction. Over the years, many famous people have lived and died in this architectural wonder which is situated just across the street from Central Park on 72nd Street. To this day, so many years later, fans of John Lennon still leave gifts and flowers along the walls of the building.
In the years during the construction, 1880-1884, the area was still quite vast and wide open, hence the name “The Dakota” as to many it seemed as remote and far away as the territory of the Dakotas. This was one of the first residential buildings of its kind, as the well to do in the city had been living previously in single family homes with servants. Many were not certain as to this new way of life, apartment building living, and were not sure that they cared to live so far out of the city, but within twenty years, the city of Manhattan had expanded and the Dakota was soon surrounded by other buildings and some of New York’s best hotels.
This had become quite the fashionable and desirable location. Many of the building that where constructed in the city at this time, where similar in architecture, drawing from French influences and the German Renaissance, but the Dakota is just a bit special and has been well maintained for almost one hundred years. There are 65 separate apartments in the building, ranging drastically in size from four rooms to twenty rooms.
Many celebrities have been attracted to this address over the years, such as the late John Lennon, Boris Karloff, Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall and Leonard Bernstein. And the building itself has made appearances in many films and television shows throughout the years. This is one of the many stunning bits of New York architecture, rich with the history of the city, and the history of those who have lived there. So when taking a walk through New York, be sure to head to Central Park West and catch a wonderful view of the marvelous Dakota Building.
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