927 Fifth Avenue at 74th Street

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Circa 1917  //  ARCHITECT: Warren & Wetmore  //  BULIDER: Harry Fischel

This 12-story cooperative building is somewhat typical of very restrained architecture that graces Fifth Avenue. As is quite well known, Fifth Avenue has been the address of choice of the city’s elite since the Gilded Age. Of course, the type of residence evolved over time from private home to apartment, but the gilded character of the locale has never diminished.

927 Fifth, built by the blue-blood firm of Warren & Wetmore, is all stone with a rusticated three-story base and smooth cut stone above. There is limited use of detail, but it is classically inspired. One of the most prestigious residences in the city, the architecture accomplishes the goal of quietly blending in without drawing too much attention.

That said, the interior arrangements are quite elegant. The typical apartment, many of which are still intact, occupies an entire floor, originally conceived of 14 rooms spanning (about) 6,000 square feet. The Living and Dining Rooms face Central Park, and the Library is adjacent to the Living Room. There are four additional family bedrooms, all of very large size. The Master Bedroom is particularly grand, measuring 24 feet by almost 17 feet, with a fireplace (one of four) and a very large adjacent bathroom. The Kitchen and Butler’s Pantry are both good size and there is a collection of five servant’s rooms and a Servant’s Hall that could easily be converted to a Family or Media Room.

Paula Zahn is a resident, and Mary Tyler Moore once resided here. The building received some less desirable notoriety as the feathery perch of Pale Male, a hawk who was nesting on the 12th floor railing. The Board decided in 2004 to evict him, which caused a backlash.

More on 927 Fifth Avenue from New York Observer:
“Zeckendorf Closes on $29 M. Buy at 927 Fifth”

WHAT A BUYER CAN EXPECT TO PAY: A high floor unit will cost $35M plus and the monthly maintenance will run in excess of $14,000.