Building: The Grinnell

The Grinnell Coop, often called “The Dakota of the North”, on Upper Riverside Drive was completed in 1910. This unique triangular-shaped building has a lovely porte-cochere entrance and interior courtyard. The Grinnell possesses ample majesty, her nine stories rise like an imposing fortress, towers on each corner extending her height another two stories. Instead of a moat, three surrounding streets distinguish her from the rest of the neighborhood.

When new, the Grinnell featured many of the standard amenities, with layouts “designed to meet the requirements of those accustomed to private houses” and “rentals 30% less that the Middle West Side. And every apartment has exterior views”.

Until World War II, the Grinnell had uniformed staff, twenty-four hour elevator service, and mail delivery to apartment doors – twice a day. Every apartment had a dumbwaiter so that deliveries could be made through the rear entrance and basement. See more history about The Grinnell and Audubon Park Historic District at www.audubonparkny.com and www.thegrinnellat100.com

Homes in The Grinnell are exceptionally quiet due to the superior, fire-proof, pre-war construction. It’s very well managed and maintained, with it’s own fitness center, roof deck, bike room, laundry, live-in Superintendent and lobby/security attendant.

Located in the “Audubon Park Historic District,” in southernmost Washington Heights, impressive early 20th Century apartment houses, curving streets, and dramatic vistas all contribute to Audubon Park’s unique sense of place. The area’s namesake, naturalist and illustrator John James Audubon (1785-1851) purchased a farm here in 1841. The arrival of the IRT subway line ion 1904 spurred the construction of new apartment houses, which were marketed as modern and elegant addresses in the tradition of the grand apartment houses to the south. Buildings were exuberantly designed in the popular resident styles of the period, including Beaux-Arts, Renaissance and Medieval Revival, and Arts & Crafts. Well-known and local architecture firms created distinctive designed for buildings with names that recall the area’s history of imparted a sense of romance or stature, such as Grinnell, Riviera, Cragmoor, Rhinecliff and Hispanic Hall.

800 Riverside Drive is very convenient to #1/C Trains, Buses and auto access to major travel arteries.
Description provided by Bruce Robertson