The Majestic: Inside 115 Central Park West’s $20 Million Apartments, Art Deco History, And Shocking Mobster Past
Standing as one of the most prestigious and architecturally significant buildings in New York City, 115 Central Park West, known as "The Majestic," continues to dominate headlines in the ultra-luxury real estate market. As of late 2025, this iconic Art Deco cooperative is seeing multi-million dollar transactions, cementing its status as a timeless address for the world's elite. Beyond the staggering price tags—including a recent unit sale topping $20.5 million—The Majestic holds a fascinating and sometimes scandalous history, a blend of Hollywood glamour, architectural innovation, and a shocking connection to organized crime that sets it apart from its stately neighbors.
Positioned prominently on the Upper West Side, directly across from Central Park between 71st and 72nd Streets, the building’s twin-towered silhouette is instantly recognizable. Its enduring appeal is a testament to its visionary design and the exclusive lifestyle it offers, attracting a clientele that values privacy, white-glove service, and a residence steeped in New York lore.
The Majestic: A Biography of 115 Central Park West
The story of 115 Central Park West is one of transformation, rising from the ashes of a grand hotel to become a monument to modern luxury.
- Official Name: The Majestic Apartments (often simply "The Majestic")
- Address: 115 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023
- Neighborhood: Upper West Side (UWS), Manhattan
- Cross Streets: Between West 71st and West 72nd Streets
- Architectural Style: Art Deco
- Architects: Irwin S. Chanin and Jacques Delamarre
- Construction Dates: 1930–1931
- Building Type: Cooperative Apartment Building (Co-op)
- Height: 30 Stories (305 feet / 93 meters)
- Distinguishing Features: Two 19-story towers atop a 13-story base, providing a distinctive twin-towered skyline presence.
- Former Site: The original Hotel Majestic (a 12-story Renaissance Revival hotel)
- Historical Designation: Part of the Central Park West Historic District.
The Art Deco Masterpiece by Irwin Chanin
The Majestic is not just a building; it is a definitive statement of New York’s Art Deco movement in residential architecture. Designed by the visionary developer and architect Irwin S. Chanin, with associate Jacques Delamarre, the structure was completed in 1931, immediately following the 1929 stock market crash.
Chanin’s design was a deliberate move away from the ornate, pre-war styles of the past. The building features clean, vertical lines, geometric ornamentation, and a lack of the traditional decorative cornices and stone carvings found on older buildings like The Dakota across the street.
- Twin Towers: The Majestic was one of the first buildings to utilize the 1929 zoning law change, which allowed the upper floors to be built as towers, maximizing light, air, and, crucially, Central Park views for more residents.
- White-Glove Service: From its inception, The Majestic has been known for its exceptional full-service, white-glove cooperative experience, offering amenities like a fitness center, rooftop terrace, and private storage.
The Notorious History: Mobsters and Celebrities at 115 CPW
What truly sets The Majestic apart from other luxury cooperatives is its colorful and often dark history. While it has always been a magnet for legitimate celebrities and wealthy business figures, it also served as an unlikely sanctuary for some of America's most powerful organized crime figures during the mid-20th century. This juxtaposition of high society and the underworld is a major source of the building's enduring mystique.
The Mobster Haven
During the 1930s and 1940s, the building’s exclusive nature and high-security cooperative structure inadvertently made it an ideal, discreet residence for mob leaders. The most famous residents with ties to organized crime included:
- Frank Costello: A powerful mobster and head of the Genovese crime family, Costello was a long-time resident of The Majestic. His life at 115 Central Park West came to a dramatic head in 1957 when he was shot in the lobby by an associate of rival mobster Vincent "The Chin" Gigante.
- Meyer Lansky: Known as the "Mob's Accountant," Lansky also maintained a residence in the building, further solidifying its reputation as a preferred address for the underworld elite.
- Charles "Lucky" Luciano: Often dubbed the father of modern organized crime, Luciano was also a resident, linking The Majestic to the very foundation of the Genovese family structure.
The shooting of Frank Costello in 1957, while not fatal, became one of the most sensational crime stories in New York history, forever intertwining 115 Central Park West with the lore of the American Mafia.
Hollywood and High Society Residents
Despite its criminal connections, The Majestic has consistently attracted a roster of legitimate stars from the worlds of entertainment and finance. These illustrious residents further contribute to the building's topical authority and glamour:
- Fred Astaire: The legendary dancer and actor was a well-known resident.
- Jimmy Durante: The famed comedian and actor signed a lease in the building in 1933.
- Susan Weber: The art historian and ex-wife of financier George Soros, whose recent sale of her apartment made news.
- Additional Entities: The building's previous incarnation, the Hotel Majestic, hosted figures like composer Gustav Mahler, actress Sarah Bernhardt, operatic tenor Enrico Caruso, and novelist Edna Ferber, adding layers of cultural history to the site.
The Current State of 115 Central Park West Real Estate
In the current market of late 2025, The Majestic remains one of the most coveted cooperative buildings in Manhattan. Its location, architectural pedigree, and exclusivity ensure that units command premium prices, often entering the eight-figure range.
Recent High-Profile Sales and Listings
The building’s cooperative board is famously rigorous, maintaining the building's elite status. Recent real estate activity demonstrates the enduring value of a Central Park West address:
- $20.5 Million Sale: A recent notable transaction involved the sale of a unit (19EF), which closed for $20.5 million. This figure, though below the original asking price, highlights the building's place in the top tier of luxury properties.
- $13 Million Pending Sale: Another large unit (7C), a four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath apartment spanning 4,000 square feet, was recently listed and is pending sale with a list price of $13 million.
- Active Listings: Smaller, yet still luxurious, units continue to hit the market, such as a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment (Unit 11J) listed for $2.55 million, offering a rare entry point into this exclusive address.
These transactions underscore the strong demand for pre-war, full-service cooperatives on Central Park West, particularly those with the historical gravitas and architectural significance of The Majestic. The building’s low-key, discreet nature continues to appeal to high-net-worth individuals seeking privacy away from the more ostentatious, newer developments.
Why The Majestic Endures
The enduring allure of 115 Central Park West is a confluence of factors that few other buildings can match. It is a historical landmark that perfectly captures the spirit of the Jazz Age through its Art Deco design, yet it offers the modern amenities and security expected by today’s billionaires. Its twin towers not only provide spectacular views but also create a unique visual identity that is instantly recognizable on the Manhattan skyline.
From the mobsters who sought its discreet luxury to the movie stars who graced its halls, The Majestic at 115 Central Park West is more than just an apartment building—it is a living museum of New York City's most dramatic and glamorous history, a true icon that continues to set the benchmark for luxury cooperative living.
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