What is The Beresford known for?

The Beresford is one of the most iconic and prestigious residential cooperative apartment buildings in New York City. It is a designated New York City landmark and a contributing property to the National Register of Historic Places–listed Central Park West Historic District.

Where is The Beresford located?

It is located at 211 Central Park West, between 81st and 82nd Streets on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, directly across from the American Museum of Natural History.

When was The Beresford built?

The Beresford was constructed between 1928 and 1929 and was designed by architect Emery Roth.

Does the building have modern amenities or updates?

Residents have access to a state-of-the-art fitness center, a resident manager, and full-time concierge and doorman services. Additionally, the building recently received a geothermal retrofit using an air-source heat pump system to reduce its carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

The Beresford in New York City

What are the architectural features of the building?

Designed by Emery Roth in a Renaissance Revival style, the 22-story building features three octagonal towers on its corners, each containing one penthouse apartment. The exterior consists of rugged limestone blocks on the first three stories, transitioning to light brick with terracotta accents and a rare Renaissance sculptural program.

What to know

The Beresford is a cooperative apartment building located at 211 Central Park West, situated between 81st and 82nd Streets on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Completed in 1929, the building was designed by the renowned architect Emery Roth, who was then at the pinnacle of his career as a specialist in apartment house design. It stands as one of the largest and grandest residential structures along the Central Park West corridor. Architecturally, the building features a Renaissance Revival-style design. The first three stories are constructed from rugged limestone blocks, while the upper facade transitions to light brick with delicate terracotta accents. The structure is 22 stories tall and is topped by three octagonal towers on its northeast, southwest, and southeast corners. Each of these towers is adorned with arches and finials and houses a single penthouse apartment. As a New York City designated landmark and a contributing property to the Central Park West Historic District, the building is recognized for its special historical and aesthetic interest. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Beyond its historic facade, the building has recently integrated modern sustainability efforts, including a geothermal retrofit by Brightcore Energy to reduce its carbon footprint. Residents of the building benefit from full-time doorman and concierge services, a resident manager, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. The building is pet-friendly and maintains a high level of prestige, often cited as one of the most iconic residential buildings in the city.

Visitor tips

Look up at the octagonal towers to see the arches and finials that crown the building.
Compare the rugged limestone of the first three stories with the light brick and terracotta of the upper floors.
Visit the building directly across from the American Museum of Natural History for a great perspective of the neighborhood's scale.

Nearby context

The Beresford is located on Central Park West, java-lined with prestigious residential buildings. It is situated directly across from the American Museum of Natural History, making it a combined stop for those exploring the Upper West Side's historic architecture.

Quick facts