Building: Hotel des Artistes

Built in 1917, the Hotel des Artistes is a majestic 18-story building with a Gothic-style facade featuring charming gargoyles of painters, sculptors and writers. Designed by the architect George Mort Pollard, the building has been home to many of the famed and illustrious, including Noel Coward, Isadora Duncan, writer Fannie Hurst, New York City Mayor John V. Lindsay, Alexander Woollcott, and Norman Rockwell. The building features duplexes, many with double-story 22 foot tall “ateliers” or artistes’ studios, soaring 19 foot windows, paneled living rooms, and carved oak staircases leading to balconies and 2nd floor bedrooms. Offering amenities not often available in a pre-war building, the des Artistes has a swimming pool, two workout rooms, and squash court as well as a high-walled roof garden. Twenty-four-hour door staff includes a concierge and elevator operator. Residents are also afforded discounted dining at Gianfranco and Paula Sorrentino’s restaurant, The Leopard at des Artistes, whose walls display the fanciful murals of frolicking nudes painted by Howard Chandler Christy, an early resident. The elite La Palestra fitness center is located in the building’s former ballrooms. The Hotel des Artistes is located on a lovely tree-lined block off Central Park, often referred to as “Artists Row,” because of the many ateliers and studios built especially for artists and musicians on West 67 Street.

Building Description Provided By Cheryl Daly