165 W 91st St

Mirabeau Apartments

Many home buyers flock to the Upper West Side hoping to find some combination of historical charm, sturdy prewar construction, relative peace and quiet, proximity to green space and some sense of community — be it through their neighbors or usual haunts. Mirabeau offers it all but with a modern twist, perhaps surprising to find in a century-old building. The 1926 condominium was meticulously redesigned in 2013 when it was converted from rentals to condos. “Being on the Upper West Side, Mirabeau is surrounded by many beautiful prewar buildings, however most of these co-ops and condos converted many years ago, so they do not offer the amenities and upgraded finishes that Mirabeau offers,” says Kathy Murray, an associate real estate broker with Douglas Elliman. The design brief followed by architecture and design firm Kinlin Rutherfurd was simple: maintain the building’s original character while modernizing the units for the discerning buyer. As Murray puts it, “seeing the units, I think they really honored the time period of the building and kept with the prewar look and feel, while offering homeowners all the modern finishes and luxuries that one would want in a brand-new home. It's the best of both worlds.” The 2013 conversion relied on the type of finishes and features one might find in a well-preserved, historical home: dark wood floors set in intricate patterns, wide door casings, elegant millwork across the ceilings and understated shaker cabinetry. The bones of each residence are so distinctly classic that even the modern-day upgrades blend into the background. Take, for instance, the gourmet kitchen: The galley layout is emblematic of the prewar period, yet it’s outfitted with luxury appliances, like a Bertazzoni range and Miele refrigerator with custom integrated paneling. Or, the bathrooms, where the white tile and singular black stripe evoke an Art Deco aesthetic, while the sleek vanities — very unlike the metal pedestal sinks that were popular in the ’20s — offer plenty of storage. Non-aesthetic but vital upgrades were made as well, including the addition of central air conditioning. Many of the floorplans throughout the building are one of a kind, but each follows a pattern: closed layouts with spacious bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, nine-foot ceilings, foyers and large closets throughout. Mirabeau’s 95 condos are almost equally divided among one- to four-bedroom residences. “The architecture firm kept really spacious rooms instead of trying to squeeze in as many bedrooms as possible, which is nice,” Murray notes. One-bedroom units are between 750 and 1,100 square feet and were recently priced between $792,000 and $1.3 million. In the last few years, two-bedrooms, sized between 1,000 and 1,600 square feet, have sold for $1.2 million to $2.66 million. Three-bedroom residences cover anywhere from 1,500 to 2,350 square feet and typically cost between $2.6 million and $3.5 million. Four-bedrooms rarely become available, but they can cover up to 3,500 square feet and prices have reached as high as $6.8 million. “The other condos in the neighborhood are luxury new builds, which have very high carrying costs,” Murray says. “Since this is a prewar conversion, the building offers homeowners significantly lower carrying costs.” A 24-hour doorperson welcomes residents into the minimalist lobby, whose marbled floor, wall moldings and coffered ceiling were restored by the Kinlin Rutherfurd team. Owners benefit from a live-in resident manager, as well as a small gym, children’s playroom and bike storage. There is a communal laundry room, however, each unit is already equipped with a washer and dryer from either Bosch or Frigidaire. The main amenity is the large, landscaped rooftop. “The roof deck runs almost the full extent of the building, so it offers a lot of space for residents to enjoy the seating and incredible views. It’s really a quiet oasis,” Murray says. Though the rooftop is nice and private, many residents would be tempted to indulge in the neighborhood’s attractions in their free time. Situated at the corner of West 91st Street and Amsterdam Avenue, Mirabeau is equidistant to Riverside Park and Central Park. Though both are expansive, the portions near West 91st offer unique amenities: in the former, Hippo Playground, a beautifully landscaped community garden and a landmarked monument; in the latter, direct access to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and surrounding scenic paths. Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway are lined with treasured eateries, including Lucciola for Italian and Bodrum Mediterranean Restaurant. Locals can do their weekly food shopping at nearby chains like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods or Key Food — all within a four-block radius — or small grocers like Mani Market Place or The Kosher Marketplace. To catch the 1, 2 or 3 trains at the 96th Street station, Mirabeau residents can access stairs between 93rd and 94th Streets along Broadway. The A, B and C trains are also available 0.6 miles away along Central Park West. Alternatively, two bus routes are available right outside the condominium on Amsterdam Avenue. There is no garage within the building, but several in the surrounding blocks offer leased spaces for those with cars.