What is The Dorilton known for?

The Dorilton is a French Beaux-Arts style apartment house known as one of the finest Beaux-Arts buildings in Manhattan with exceptionally handsome detail, including unusually striking entrance gates and an arch.

Where is The Dorilton located?

It is located at 171 West 71st Street, at the northeast corner with Broadway, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City.

When was The Dorilton built and who designed it?

The building was designed by the architectural firm of Janes & Leo and was built between 1900 and 1902 for real estate developer Hamilton M. Weed.

Is The Dorilton a historic landmark?

Yes, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and is recognized by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission for its special historical and aesthetic value.

What should I check before going?

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

The Dorilton in New York City

The Dorilton

A masterpiece of French Beaux-Arts architecture, The Dorilton is a luxury residential landmark on the Upper West Side, celebrated for its striking entrance and historic significance in Manhattan's urban development.

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What to know

The Dorilton is a premier example of French Beaux-Arts style architecture, located at 171 West 71st Street at the northeast corner of Broadway. Erected between 1900 and 1902 by builder Hamilton Weed, the building was designed by the architectural firm of Janes & Leo. Standing as a luxury residential cooperative, it is recognized for its exceptionally handsome detail and has been described as one of the finest Beaux-Arts buildings in all of New York. The structure's history is tied to the evolution of the Upper West Side. Long before the building's construction, the site was part of Harsenville, an 18th-century farming community that transitioned into a residential neighborhood by the 1880s. The eventual rise of high-rise apartments like The Dorilton was spurred by the construction of the subway, with the landmarked 72nd Street station serving its residents starting in 1904. Architecturally, the building is noted for its unique and sometimes controversial design, which has drawn both praise and sharp criticism since its completion. However, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission highlighted its special aesthetic value, specifically noting that the entrance gates and the arch above them are unusually striking features. The building is also recognized for complementing the nearby Ansonia, enhancing the overall quality of the neighborhood. Due to its cultural and architectural importance, The Dorilton was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. While different records list it as either 12 or 13 stories with between 52 and 57 units, it remains a cornerstone of the Lincoln Square area, maintaining a refurbished exterior façade that preserves its turn-of-the-century grandeur.

Visitor tips

Focus your attention on the entrance gates and the arch above them, which are among the building's most striking features.
Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the intricate Beaux-Arts details of the refurbished exterior façade.
Combine this stop with a visit to the nearby Ansonia to see how these two landmarked buildings complement each other.

Nearby context

The Dorilton is situated in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of the Upper West Side, positioned prominently at the corner of Broadway and West 71st Street. It exists as part of a cluster of landmarked apartment buildings that were developed alongside the Broadway Malls and the 72nd Street subway station.