685 West End Avenue
685 West End Avenue, New York, NY 10025
BBL 1012520050 · BIN 1034135
- Year built
- 1928
- Type
- Cooperative
- Units
- 96
- Landmark status
- Not an individual landmark; in the Riverside-West End Historic District
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission records, updated February 2026
- Subletting by shareholders
- Permitted
- Pied-à-terre
- Not permitted
- Pets
- Pets permitted with conditions; species not stated
- Washer/dryer
- Permitted
- Maximum financing
- 75% of the purchase price
- Flip tax
- 1% of the purchase price, paid by the seller
- Doorman
- Full-time doorman
Every recorded sale at this building, 2004–2026
Bedroom-by-bedroom medians, the full transfer record, and how units trade against ask.
- 2BR median, 2023–2026
- $1.4M
- 2 qualifying sales
- Recent range
- $525K – $2.6M
- Listing discount
- 0.0%
- Recorded transfers
- 75
Own an apartment here? See what it would sell for.
A Private Pricing Opinion — what your apartment at 685 West End Avenue 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.
685 West End Avenue is one of the larger apartment houses built on upper West End Avenue in the great 1928 building season, and it has never lost the qualities that made it desirable then. Designed by Sugarman & Berger — a firm responsible for a wide range of New York apartment and commercial buildings in the 1920s — it rose fifteen stories at a moment when West End Avenue, with its proximity to Riverside Park and the new transit along the West Side, was drawing the city's most sought-after tenants. When it opened that October, more than half of its ninety original apartments had already been spoken for; the building has held that pre-war prestige across nearly a century.
What distinguishes it today is the combination of generous pre-war layouts, a quiet residential block near 93rd Street, and a full-service operation that punches above the building's size. The lobby has been restored and renovated, and the roof deck — furnished and landscaped, with open views that reach to the Hudson — is the kind of shared amenity that turns a co-op into a community. For buyers who want classic West End Avenue scale without the price of the avenue's marquee names, 685 is a serious, livable address.
Architecture and unit composition
The building reads as a confident piece of late-1920s West End Avenue masonry: a fifteen-story brick-and-stone façade, a deep lobby, and the proportioned windows and high ceilings of the pre-war era. Apartments were originally laid out from three to six rooms and have evolved into a mix of one-, two-, and larger family-sized homes, many retaining the entry foyers, separate dining rooms, and detailed ceilings that define the period. Upper-floor lines on the western flank capture light and partial Hudson outlook to the west.
At 96 apartments across fifteen floors, the building is intimate enough to feel managed and personal, yet large enough to support a real staff and a full amenity package — a balance pre-war buyers consistently prize.
Building operations
685 West End Avenue runs as a full-service cooperative with a full-time doorman and a live-in superintendent. The renovated lobby, central laundry, and landscaped rooftop deck round out the resident experience. Pets are permitted under the building's house rules. In-unit washers and dryers are allowed. Subletting is permitted with board approval; the cooperative charges a sublet surcharge equal to 30% of monthly maintenance for the duration of a sublease, with a partial rebate when the shareholder returns. Pied-à-terre purchases are not permitted — this is an owner-occupied building, and parents-buying and corporate purchases are not allowed.
Application and transaction fees
Fees below are from building management's published schedule, as of July 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
- Equal to 1% of the gross sale price
- Rate
- 1% of the purchase price
- Paid by
- Seller
Source: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
Purchase
9 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $725 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Building Application FeePaid to the building | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Compliance FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Not stated |
| Credit/Background Check FeePer applicantPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $150 per applicant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Document Re-Submission FeeConditionalConditions: If ApplicablePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $100, For all applications that are submitted dramatically incomplete. | Refundable Non-refundable |
| New York State Stamp TaxPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount Equal to $0.05/share | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Power of Attorney Review FeeConditionalConditions: If ApplicablePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $150 (If applicable) | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Recognition Agreement FeeConditionalConditions: If FinancingPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $325 (if applicable) | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Closing FeePaid to management | Paid by Shareholder | When At closing | Amount $775 | Refundable Non-refundable |
Sublet
5 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporation's Sublet FeeConditional · RecurringPaid to the building | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount Equal to 30% of the monthly maintenance will be billed as a surcharge on the shareholder's regular monthly maintenance bill for the duration of the sublease agreement. There will be a rebate of 15% if the shareholder returns at the end of the sublet period | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Additional Co-Applicant FeePaid to management | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $200 for any application that has more than one (1) Co-Applicant or more than one (1) Financial Statement Form | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Application Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $700 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit/Background Check FeePer applicantPaid to management | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $150 per applicant | Refundable Non-refundable |
Sublet renewal
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $225 | Refundable Non-refundable |
Refinance
5 items
Management's “less refinance” schedule
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $400 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Building Application FeePaid to the building | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $100 | Refundable Non-refundable |
Management's “more refinance” schedule
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Building Application FeePaid to the building | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $250 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit/Background Check FeePer applicantPaid to management | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $150 per applicant | Refundable Non-refundable |
Ownership transfer
13 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $725 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Compliance FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Not stated |
| Credit Report FeePer applicantPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $150 per applicant | Refundable Not stated |
| Recognition Agreement FeeConditionalConditions: If financingPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $325 | Refundable Not stated |
| Closing FeePaid to management | Paid by Shareholder | When At closing | Amount $775 | Refundable Not stated |
Transfer: trust
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Compliance FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Not stated |
| Closing FeePaid to management | Paid by Shareholder | When At closing | Amount $500 | Refundable Non-refundable |
Transfer: estate
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $725 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Compliance FeePaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Not stated |
| Credit Report FeePer applicantPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $150 per applicant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Recognition Agreement FeeConditionalConditions: If financingPaid to management | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $325 | Refundable Not stated |
| Closing FeePaid to management | Paid by Shareholder | When At closing | Amount $775 | Refundable Non-refundable |
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
- 75% of the purchase priceSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
- Guarantors
- Permitted with conditionsCase by caseSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
- Parent buying for an employed child
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
- Parent buying for a student child
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
- Purchase or lease by a corporation
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 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
- PermittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
- Pied-à-terre ownership
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
- Short-term rentals
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 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 with conditions; species not statedRefers to house rulesSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
- In-unit washer/dryer
- PermittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
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
- $646 per room a monthMedian of 4 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.
Building staffing and amenities
- Doorman
- Full-time doormanSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
- Live-in superintendent
- YesSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
- Elevator
- YesSource: NYC Department of City Planning records (PLUTO)
- Amenities noted
- Roof deck, laundry roomSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
Staffing and amenities as our building profile and recent listing records describe them. A feature not listed is not confirmed absent. Outdoor space, parking and some facilities can belong to particular apartments or to a separate owner; confirm access for the specific apartment.
Local Law 97
- 2024–2029 annual penalty
- $0 (under cap)
- 2030–2034 annual penalty
- $47,897/yr
- Per unit / month range
- $0 – $42
- Modeled exposure split equally across 96 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).
Source: NYC DOB facade filings (FISP) · The Roebling Research Library. City data last refreshed October 2026.
Management & transfer contacts
- Flip tax
- 1% of gross sale price
- Sublet policy
- Allowed; sublet fee 30% of monthly maintenance surcharge (15% rebate if shareholder returns)
- Pied-à-terre
- Not allowed
- Policies and fees
- Co-op. Max financing 75%. App processing $725 + building app $500; credit $150/applicant; closing $775; recognition $325; refinance $400-$500. No corporate/secondary residence
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2026 | 3C | 2 BR · 1.5 BA · 1,300 sf | $1,250,000 | $962/sf | -5.7% |
| Jul 14, 2025 | 14F | 1 BR · 1.5 BA · 850 sf | $875,000 | $1,029/sf | -2.8% |
| Apr 21, 2025 | 10E | 1 BR · 1 BA | $525,000 | -34.0% | |
| Mar 13, 2025 | 8B | 3 BR · 2.5 BA · 2,100 sf | $2,600,000 | $1,238/sf | +0.0% |
| Mar 7, 2025 | 8F | 1 BR · 1.5 BA | $760,000 | +8.6% | |
| Sep 21, 2023 | 6C | 2 BR · 2 BA | $1,550,000 | +0.0% | |
| Mar 22, 2023 | 10F | 1 BR · 1.5 BA | $900,000 | +4.0% | |
| May 20, 2022 | 2A | 4 BR · 3 BA · 2,200 sf | $3,200,000 | $1,455/sf | +3.4% |
Market read. Most recent trades (2026 to date) cleared a median $1,089/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 0.0% from the last ask.
The retrade record
Lines that have traded more than once in the public record — the building’s appreciation arc, apartment by apartment.
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 1-01252-0050). 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 685 West End Avenue and nearby.
At the recent median sale of $875K (5 transfers in the past 24 months, since October 31, 2024), a buyer putting 25% down would pay about $11,831 to close, or 1.4% of the price.
- Mansion tax: $0
- No mortgage recording tax or title insurance on a co-op purchase
- Attorneys, lender, building fees and filings: $11,831
Assumes a resale (the seller pays transfer taxes), a $4,500 attorney fee and a mortgage on the rest.
Keep up with 685 West End Avenue and its market
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What to know if you’re buying
This is a board-approval cooperative, and a complete, well-documented purchase application is essential. Financing is capped at 75% of the purchase price, so buyers should plan for at least 25% down plus the post-closing reserves the board expects to see. A 1% flip tax, paid by the seller, applies on resale — useful to factor into your offer strategy because it shapes how sellers price their net. Pets and in-unit laundry are both allowed, which widens the buyer pool; pied-à-terre purchases are not permitted. We help buyers assess the line and exposure, read the financials, and prepare a complete board package.
What to know if you’re selling
The selling case is the full-service, pre-war, park-adjacent package: a doorman building with a restored lobby and a landscaped roof deck, on a quiet upper-West-End block two blocks from Riverside Park. Buyers pay for that combination. Price to the building's own comparable set — recent closings in similar lines and floors here and at the neighboring pre-war co-ops — and lead with what's scarce: light, ceiling height, original detail, and the quality of any renovation. The 1% seller flip tax should be built into your net-proceeds expectations from the start; our Seller Closing Cost Calculator below makes that straightforward.
Comparable buildings
If you're evaluating 685 West End Avenue, also look at these nearby Upper West Side buildings:
- 680 West End Avenue — neighboring pre-war elevator building at 93rd Street
- 670 West End Avenue — 1927 West End pre-war peer
- 790 West End Avenue — full-service West End Avenue co-op to the north
- 565 West End Avenue — Art Deco West End Avenue cooperative
- 300 Riverside Drive — pre-war Riverside Drive co-op farther north
More West End Avenue buildings
- 670 West End Avenue — 1926 co-op by George and Edward Blum
- 675 West End Avenue — 1925 co-op by George F. Pelham
- 680 West End Avenue — 1918 by W. K. Rouse & L. A. Goldstone
- 710 West End Avenue — 1928 co-op by George F. Pelham
- 720 West End Avenue — 1927 condominium by Emery Roth
- 732 West End Avenue — condominium
The neighborhood
For the full corridor — architecture, transit, and pricing across West End Avenue — read The Roebling Team Guide to West End Avenue.
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 685 West End Avenue?
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