55 Central Park West
55 Central Park West, New York, NY 10023
Lincoln Square, Upper West Side
BBL 1011180036 · BIN 1028166
- Year built
- 1930
- Type
- Cooperative
- Units
- About 102
- Floors
- 19
- Landmark status
- Not an individual landmark; in the Upper West Side / Central Park West Historic District
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission records, updated February 2026
- Subletting by shareholders
- Permitted with conditions
- Pied-à-terre
- Permitted
- Pets
- Pets permitted; species and limits not stated
- Maximum financing
- 60% of the purchase price
- Flip tax
- 2% of the purchase price, paid by the seller
Every recorded sale at this building, 2003–2026
Bedroom-by-bedroom medians, the full transfer record, and how units trade against ask.
- 2BR median, 2023–2025
- $1.9M
- 3 qualifying sales
- Recent range
- $1.3M – $7.9M
- Listing discount
- 5.4%
- Recorded transfers
- 85
Own an apartment here? See what it would sell for.
A Private Pricing Opinion — what your apartment at 55 CPW would likely sell for today, what it costs to sell, and what you’d walk away with — reviewed personally against condition, exposures, renovation quality, and the competition actually on the market.
55 Central Park West occupies a specific cultural niche on CPW: it is the building most casually known to non-New-Yorkers as "the Ghostbusters building" — its distinctive stepped roof and corner massing served as the principal exterior backdrop for the 1984 film. Beyond that pop-cultural fame, the building is a substantial pre-war cooperative completed in 1930 by Schwartz & Gross, a firm responsible for several other significant CPW and UES residential buildings of the same era.
The building's architectural character is Art Deco with restrained ornamentation — vertical brick and limestone composition, stepped massing at the upper floors, no twin-tower silhouette but a distinctive crowned corner. Its proximity to Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, and the southern edge of Central Park puts it in a similar daily-life ecosystem as the Century and Majestic, while its height and unit count are more modest.
For buyers who want a substantial pre-war CPW co-op with cultural visibility, southern CPW positioning, and the architectural seriousness of Schwartz & Gross's work, 55 CPW occupies its own position in the canon — adjacent to, but distinct from, the Art Deco twin-tower landmarks.
Architecture and unit composition
Apartments range from one-bedrooms (700–1,000 sf) to substantial three- and four-bedroom configurations (2,200–4,500 sf), with higher-floor and corner exposures to compare using actual dated sales. The 19-story height (no extending towers) means the highest floors are at altitudes the Art Deco twin-tower buildings exceed, but for buyers who don't need the very highest CPW altitudes, compare the actual price, condition, services and monthly costs with the alternatives.
Pre-war signatures throughout: 10–12 foot ceilings, formal entry galleries, library-living combinations, kitchens that have been renovated multiple times. Original architectural detail has been preserved in many apartments.
Park-facing apartments occupy the eastern flank — direct Central Park views from low to high floors, with the corner units (Park + 65th or 66th cross-street exposure) requiring a matched-sales comparison before assigning a premium.
Application and transaction fees
Fees below are from building management's published schedule, as of October 2026. They are shown as published, item by item; no total is added because the total depends on the transaction. Deposits are listed apart from nonrefundable charges.
- Terms
- 2% of the Gross Sales Price
- Rate
- 2% of the purchase price
- Paid by
- Seller
Source: building management's published schedule, as of October 2026
Purchase
13 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Applicant or Guarantor FeePer applicantPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $200 per applicant/guarantor | Refundable Not stated |
| Application Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $700 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit Report FeePer applicantPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $125 per applicant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit Rerun FeeConditionalPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount 125 (If applicable) | Refundable Not stated |
| Expedited FeeConditionalPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount 500 (If applicable) | Refundable Not stated |
| Financing FeeConditionalPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $400 if applicable | Refundable Not stated |
| Incomplete Application FeeConditionalPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount 150 (If applicable) | Refundable Not stated |
| LL58 Compliance FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Not stated |
| Monthly Maintenance Charge FeeConditionalConditions: If closing takes place after the 10th of the monthPaid to the building | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount Equal to common charges and Charges up to the time of closing | Refundable Not stated |
| Storage Bin Clean Out FeePaid to the building | Paid by Seller | When At closing | Amount $1,000 | Refundable Not stated |
| Transfer Agent FeeConditionalPaid to management | Paid by Seller | When At closing | Amount $850 or $1100 if closing remotely | Refundable Not stated |
Deposits
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move In DepositPaid to the building | Paid by Buyer | When At move-out and move-in | Amount $2,500 | Refundable Not stated |
| Move Out DepositPaid to the building | Paid by Seller | When At move-out and move-in | Amount $2,500 | Refundable Not stated |
Sublet
9 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Applicant or Guarantor FeePer applicantPaid to management | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $200 per applicant/guarantor | Refundable Not stated |
| Application Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $650 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit Report FeePer applicantPaid to management | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $125 per applicant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit Rerun FeePaid to management | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $125 | Refundable Not stated |
| Expedited FeePaid to management | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Not stated |
| Incomplete Application FeePaid to management | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $150 | Refundable Not stated |
| Sublet FeePaid to the building | Paid by Shareholder | When Upon approval | Amount Three (3) Months Maintenance | Refundable Not stated |
Deposits
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move-Out DepositPaid to the building | Paid by Shareholder | When At move-out and move-in | Amount $2,500 | Refundable Refundable |
| Move In DepositPaid to the building | Paid by Subtenant | When At move-out and move-in | Amount $2,500 | Refundable Not stated |
Alteration
5 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Upgrade FeePaid to the building | Paid by Resident | When With the application | Amount $20,000 for 200-amp | Refundable Not stated |
| Shutdown FeePaid to the building | Paid by Resident | When With the application | Amount $500 for the first day and $1000 for each subsequent day | Refundable Not stated |
| Work FeePaid to the building | Paid by Resident | When With the application | Amount $100 per day | Refundable Not stated |
| Alteration Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Resident | When Upon approval | Amount Decorative $250, Standard $1000, Major $2500 | Refundable Non-refundable |
Deposits
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alteration Security DepositPaid to the building | Paid by Resident | When With the application | Amount Decorative $500-$5000, Standard $10,000, Major 10% of the anticipated cost of the project, but not less than $25,000 or more than $200,000 | Refundable Refundable |
Ownership transfer
7 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Report FeePer applicantPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $125 per applicant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Estate TransferConditionalPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $250 if applicable | Refundable Not stated |
| LL58 Compliance FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Not stated |
| Name change/spouse add/removalConditionalPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $250 if applicable | Refundable Not stated |
| Transfer into a TrustConditionalPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 if applicable | Refundable Not stated |
| Transfer to a Family Member and a Third PartyConditionalPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 if applicable | Refundable Not stated |
| Closing Fee for all TransfersPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $850 | Refundable Not stated |
Management updates its schedule without a public filing. The date is when management last updated the page, not when a rule changed. Confirm the current schedule with management before you apply.
Considering an apartment here? Send Corey the listing to discuss the building's costs and purchase requirements.
Own an apartment here? Request an apartment-specific pricing review.
Financing and purchase requirements
- Maximum financing
- 60% of the purchase priceSource: building management's published schedule, as of October 2026
- Parent buying for an employed child
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of October 2026
- Purchase or lease by a corporation
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of October 2026
Sublet and pied-à-terre policy
A condominium owner leasing a unit and a co-op shareholder subletting are different rules, and a building-wide rule is different from a restriction on one apartment. This is the building's rule; confirm it for the specific apartment.
- Subletting by shareholders
- Permitted with conditionsSublets are permitted with Board approval and only if shareholder is away on business or temporary personal matters. The length of the sublet cannot be less than a year and no more than two years in a five year period.Source: building management's published schedule, as of October 2026
- Pied-à-terre ownership
- PermittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of October 2026
- Short-term rentals
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of October 2026
Considering an apartment here? Send Corey the listing to discuss the sublet and pied-à-terre rules for that apartment.
Pets and in-unit washer/dryer
- Pets
- Pets permitted; species and limits not statedSource: building management's published schedule, as of October 2026
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Not verified
Considering an apartment here? Send Corey the listing to confirm the pet and washer/dryer rules for that apartment.
Monthly carrying charges in recent sales
- Maintenance, per room
- $973 per room a monthMedian of 6 recorded sales since October 2023Source: recorded sales, refreshed October 2026
Maintenance as recorded with each sale. A co-op's maintenance already covers the building's real estate taxes and the building's own mortgage, if it has one; add your own loan payment for the monthly outlay. A summary of recorded sales, not a current bill; charges change.
Local Law 97
- 2024–2029 annual penalty
- $0 (under cap)
- 2030–2034 annual penalty
- $40,194/yr
- Per unit / month range
- $0 – $31
- Modeled exposure split equally across 109 units (the residential count on the city's lot record). Not an assessed amount; co-op shareholders are typically charged by share allocation.
Source: NYC LL84 benchmarking and PLUTO · The Roebling Research Library. City data last refreshed October 2026.
See full Local Law 97 analysis — emissions history, scenarios, methodology →Facade safety — Local Law 11
The latest available filing classified the facade as SWARMP — Safe With A Repair and Maintenance Program: the inspector (QEWI) identified conditions requiring monitoring or repair, with repairs due by the deadline stated in the filing. The scope, timeline, and how the building funds the work are building-specific — we review the filings and board materials for you.
How to read this, and where it comes from
QEWI = Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector — a licensed professional engineer or registered architect who meets DOB’s FISP qualifications and signs the report (the independent expert, not the managing agent).
Penalties shown are amounts DOB assessed against filings on record across 2005–10 to 2020–25. The FISP dataset does not record whether they were paid, contested or remain open, so treat the figure as history rather than a current balance and confirm the building’s standing with the managing agent.
Source: NYC DOB facade filings (FISP) · The Roebling Research Library. City data last refreshed October 2026.
Management & transfer contacts
- Sublet policy
- Allowed
- Pied-à-terre
- Allowed
Recent sales
Recent transfers at this building, from The Roebling Research Library. Prices are the transfer amounts recorded with the NYC Department of Finance; apartment-level detail is checked against the building’s own file in The Roebling Research Library before publishing.
| Date | Unit | Apartment | Price | PPSF | vs. Ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 17, 2026 | 6E | 3 BR · 3 BA · 2,000 sf | $2,725,000 | $1,363/sf | -22.0% |
| Nov 17, 2025 | 3G | 2 BR · 2 BA · 1,535 sf | $1,900,000 | $1,238/sf | -4.8% |
| Jul 24, 2025 | 5A | 2 BR · 2 BA · 1,335 sf | $2,250,000 | $1,685/sf | -2.2% |
| Jun 4, 2025 | 3F | 3 BR · 3 BA | $3,700,000 | -13.9% | |
| Jan 26, 2024 | 12B | 1 BR · 1 BA | $1,295,000 | +0.0% | |
| Oct 12, 2023 | 9C | 4 BR · 3.5 BA | $7,900,000 | -5.4% | |
| Oct 4, 2023 | 9A | 2 BR · 2.5 BA | $1,600,000 | -5.6% | |
| Jun 9, 2022 | 3G | 2 BR · 2 BA · 1,535 sf | $1,800,000 | $1,173/sf | -14.3% |
Market read. Most recent trades (2026 to date) cleared a median $1,251/sf (floor-adjusted) across 1 sale. Floor-adjusted means each sale is restated to a constant mix of floors, so the figure can differ from the plain median of the sales listed above. Median listing discount 2.9% from the last ask — a recurring negotiation gap worth pricing into any offer or listing strategy.
The retrade record
Lines that have traded more than once in the public record — the building’s appreciation arc, apartment by apartment.
Other recent transfers
| Date | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 3, 2005 | 18A | $1,500,000 |
| Oct 20, 2003 | 11F | $2,750,000 |
| Oct 15, 2003 | 4B | $925,000 |
Full closing history with price-per-square-foot over time, the complete retrade record, and every line that has traded.
Sales sourced from NYC Department of Finance recorded transfers (BBL 1-01118-0036). Apartment-level facts (line, condition, asking-price context) curated and cross-verified in The Roebling Research Library. Not all transactions cross-verify with ACRIS records — sponsor and LLC purchases sometimes record at stipulated values rather than market price; square footage on co-ops is not officially recorded, figures shown are approximate.
What would your apartment rent for?
Enter your apartment and I'll send you what it would rent for, from comparable closed leases at 55 CPW and nearby.
At the recent median sale of $2.49M (4 transfers in the past 24 months, since November 12, 2024), a buyer putting 40% down would pay about $45,644 to close, or 1.8% of the price.
- Mansion tax: $31,094
- No mortgage recording tax or title insurance on a co-op purchase
- Attorneys, lender, building fees and filings: $14,550
Assumes a resale (the seller pays transfer taxes), a $4,500 attorney fee and a mortgage at the building's 60% financing limit.
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What to know if you’re buying
Board approval is rigorous. 55 CPW's board reviews carefully but with somewhat less institutional formality than the most stringent tier-one boards. Strong financial profiles and primary-residence intent are advantageous.
Pied-à-terre approval is uncommon. The board generally prefers primary-residence buyers.
Renovation is constrained by historic district status and pre-war detail. Renovation that respects the building's architectural character is the expected path.
Position relative to amenity is similar to the Century and Majestic. Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, Time Warner Center, and the southern Park entrance are all within a few blocks. For buyers who use this corridor heavily, the location is a strong fit.
Views depend on position. Central Park at the eastern flank, residential streets surrounding; outlook varies by floor and exposure.
What to know if you’re selling
Pricing is competitive within southern CPW pre-war inventory. Apartments compete primarily with the Century, Majestic, and (for non-CPW alternatives) buildings on West End Avenue and the immediate side streets. Marketing benefits from the building's cultural visibility and architectural quality.
Buyer pool spans domestic primary-residence and limited international. Foreign buyer participation is constrained by board realities.
Mansion tax effects matter. Run pricing through the Mansion Tax Calculator.
Comparable buildings
If you're considering 55 Central Park West, also evaluate:
- The Century (25 CPW) — Art Deco twin-tower, immediately south
- The Majestic (115 CPW) — Art Deco twin-tower, several blocks north
- The Prasada (50 CPW) — pre-war co-op nearby (small unit count)
- 15 Central Park West — newer condo alternative, different price tier
- The Brentmore (88 Central Park West) — pre-war co-op, mid-CPW
More Central Park West buildings
- 34 West 72nd Street (The Bancroft) — 1926 co-op by Emery Roth
- 41 Central Park West (Harperley Hall) — 1909 co-op
- The Prasada (50 Central Park West) — 1907 co-op by Charles W. Romeyn & Henry R. Wynne
- 65 Central Park West — 1927 co-op by Emery Roth
- 75 Central Park West (The Chatham Court) — 1929 co-op by Rosario Candela
- The Brentmore (88 Central Park West) — 1910 co-op by Schwartz & Gross
The neighborhood
For the full corridor — architecture, transit, and pricing across Central Park West — read The Roebling Team Guide to Central Park West.
The full playbook — what goes in the package, how boards read your financials, the interview, and the timeline — plus sample cover, reference, and personal letters you can adapt.
How to read the facts on this page. Items attributed to an offering plan describe the building as it was offered at that filing — unit mix, square footage, the amenity program as planned. They are not a statement about how the building operates today. Tax and compliance figures are sourced separately to current City records and carry their own dates. House rules, staffing and fee policy can change by board resolution without any public filing: treat every policy line here as a starting point for diligence and confirm it with the managing agent. Where this page compares one building or neighborhood to another, that is our analysis of the recorded record — it names the measure, the period and the sample it rests on, and it is an observation about medians rather than a prediction about any particular apartment.
Considering a move at 55 CPW?
Request a private building brief with the relevant comparable sales, current and off-market availability, and an apartment-specific view of value.
646.939.7375 · c.cohen@compass.com