15 W 81st Street 13F
$3,695,000
MLS# RLS20125912 · Upper West Side
Listed November 9, 2026 · New today
3 Beds 3 Baths 2,400 Sq.Ft.
About This Property
A Rare Emery Roth Masterpiece at 15 West 81st Street
Some apartments are renovated. Others are restored. And then there are those exceedingly rare homes where the architectural vision of the original designer has been preserved with such extraordinary care that the result is nothing short of remarkable.
Welcome to Apartment 13F at 15 West 81st Street, a magnificent high-floor, grand-scale classic six-room residence in one of the Upper West Side's most distinguished Emery Roth cooperatives. With extraordinarily open northern exposures, exceptional natural light, and beautifully proportioned rooms, this one-of-a-kind home represents the very best of prewar Manhattan living.
From the moment you enter through the elegant vestibule into the gracious 10' x 12' square center hall, the home's remarkable scale, sunlight, and architectural integrity are immediately apparent. The magnificent 27' x 16' living room, with three oversized windows overlooking the quintessential Upper West Side skyline to the north, provides an extraordinary setting for both elegant entertaining and everyday living. An equally impressive 16' x 17' formal dining room, flooded with natural light, offers exceptional versatility as a sophisticated dining space, library, media room, or a combination of them.
The separate bedroom wing offers a wonderful sense of privacy. The expansive 19' x 18' primary bedroom features three large windows with open northern exposures, two oversized closets, and a truly exceptional windowed bathroom. Here, the original tilework, fixtures, and flooring have been meticulously preserved, including a magnificent deep cast iron soaking tub positioned beneath a window overlooking the open sky. It is a rare and beautiful example of the timeless craftsmanship that distinguished Emery Roth's original designs. The generously proportioned second bedroom enjoys sunny southern exposures, and double closets. The second full bath, also in incomparable original condition, is accessible from the hallway which is super convenient for guests.
The sun-filled, windowed eat-in kitchen is equally extraordinary. Its pristine original St. Charles metal cabinetry has been lovingly restored and maintained, retaining the authenticity and character of the original design while providing exceptional functionality. Abundant stone countertops and a thoughtfully incorporated center island create a welcoming setting for casual dining and entertaining. Just beyond the kitchen is a sunny and versatile staff room or home office, complete with a renovated windowed bathroom and laundry.
Throughout the residence, exquisite architectural details reflect an extraordinary commitment to preserving the integrity of this historic home. Beautiful quarter-sawn wood floors, new solid wood windows, generous, outfitted closets, and through-the-wall air conditioning complement the apartment's exceptional proportions and timeless elegance.
What truly distinguishes this residence is the remarkable marriage of preservation and modern comfort. At a time when so many prewar apartments have been extensively reimagined, Apartment 13F remains a rare celebration of the original architecture, craftsmanship, and design that made these homes so extraordinary nearly a century ago.
15 West 81st Street is a distinguished, long-established white-glove cooperative, celebrated for its exceptional service and premier Upper West Side location just off Central Park West, directly across from the American Museum of Natural History and the Hayden Planetarium. Residents enjoy a state-of-the-art fitness center, children's playroom, bicycle room, and private storage.
With Central Park just moments from your front door, and the neighborhood's celebrated restaurants, boutiques, cultural institutions, and conveniences all close at hand, this is quintessential Upper West Side living at its finest.
A truly exceptional residence for those who appreciate the beauty, craftsmanship, and architectural legac

Curtis Bain
Brown Harris Stevens
Property Features
Policies
- Cats and dogs allowed
Home features
- Washer/dryer in unit
- Decorative fireplace
- Hardwood floors
- City view
- Entrance foyer
- Eat-in kitchen
- Kitchen island
- Walk-in closets
- Private outdoor space (under 60 sq ft)
Building amenities
Services and facilities
- Bike room
- Elevator
- Laundry in building
Wellness and recreation
- Children's playroom
- Gym
Estimate
Monthly Cost & Closing Costs
The rate is a placeholder, not a quote. Enter the one your lender gives you.
$24,899 / month
- Principal and interest$18,684
- Maintenance$6,215
Due at closing
- Down payment (20%)$739,000
- NYS “mansion tax” (1.5%)$55,425
Co-op share loans aren't subject to mortgage recording tax. Not included: attorney, title insurance, lender and appraisal fees, board application and move-in fees, flip tax and prepaid items. Estimates only, based on the published New York State rates. Your attorney and lender will confirm the real figures.
Location & Nearby
Map
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15 W 81st Street 13F
Subway
- BC81 St-Museum of Natural HistoryAbout 3 min walk
- BC86 StAbout 7 min walk
- 179 StAbout 10 min walk
- 186 StAbout 12 min walk
Parks
- Theodore Roosevelt ParkAbout 1 min walk
- Central ParkAbout 2 min walk
Public schools · Elementary schools
- P.S. 9 Sarah AndersonAbout 5 min walk
- Success Academy Charter School - Upper West · CharterAbout 6 min walk
- P.S. 87 William ShermanAbout 8 min walk
Middle schools
- M.S. 243 Center SchoolAbout 5 min walk
- M.S. M245 The Computer SchoolAbout 8 min walk
High schools
- The Global Learning CollaborativeAbout 6 min walk
- Innovation Diploma PlusAbout 6 min walk
Colleges & universities
- Bard Graduate CenterAbout 6 min walk
- The Juilliard SchoolAbout 22 min walk
Museums
- American Museum of Natural HistoryAbout 3 min walk
- Children's Museum of ManhattanAbout 9 min walk
- The Metropolitan Museum of ArtAbout 14 min walk
- Solomon R. Guggenheim MuseumAbout 18 min walk
Walking times are estimates. Schools shown are the nearest public and charter schools and are not zone assignments; a nearby school is not necessarily the one an address is zoned for. Confirm zoning with the NYC Department of Education. Sources: MTA, NYC Parks and NYC Department of City Planning open data.
The Neighborhood
About Upper West Side
Grand prewar residences flanked by two iconic parks and world-renowned cultural institutions.
Walkability
9/10
Public transit
9/10
Schools
10/10
Dining
9/10
Groceries & parks
9/10
Schools in Upper West Side
Strong public schools like PS 87 and PS 199, top progressive private schools, and many students who transition into elite NYC high schools.
Private schools in the area include Collegiate School, Trinity School, Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School, The Calhoun School.
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Gallery
Property Photos
Listing Courtesy of Compass
This information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. ©2026 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., All rights reserved.