20 distinguished Manhattan co-op buildings
960 Fifth Avenue combines a substantial corner building with large prewar apartment plans at East 77th Street.
- Address
- 960 Fifth Avenue / 3 East 77th Street
- Location
- Fifth Avenue
- Ownership
- Cooperative
- Architect
- Warren & Wetmore and Rosario Candela
- Completed
- 1928
Architecture and building history
Completed in 1928, 960 Fifth Avenue was designed by Warren & Wetmore with Rosario Candela. The building occupies the former site of the William A. Clark mansion at the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue and East 77th Street.
The building's history reflects the transition from private mansions to large apartment houses along the park. It has long been associated with substantial entertaining spaces and separate bedroom and service areas. Those planning ideas are useful to assess against the apartment's present arrangement.
What to compare in the apartment
Follow the floor plan from the entry through the principal rooms before turning to the bedrooms. Compare the width and connection of entertaining spaces with the privacy and light of the sleeping areas.
Confirm the exact ownership and legal description of the offered residence. Buildings can contain different apartment types or interests over their history; the address alone does not establish the terms of a particular offering. Review current service arrangements and which charges are included in maintenance.
The location
East 77th Street gives the building a position between the southern Fifth Avenue addresses and the museum frontage. Examine both the park-facing rooms and the cross-street exposures when comparing it with 927 or 998 Fifth.
Services, maintenance and purchase requirements
Request the current service schedule and maintenance breakdown for the apartment. Establish which services are included, which carry separate charges and whether storage or other ancillary space transfers with the shares.
A co-op purchase involves shares in the building corporation and a proprietary lease. Have your attorney review the financial statements, minutes, insurance and any assessment notices. Confirm the current requirements for financing, liquidity, intended occupancy, ownership structure, subletting and renovations with the managing agent. Published summaries can lag the governing documents.
Compare the complete cost of ownership with the apartment’s condition and the work you intend to do. A recognizable address does not establish the condition of the home or the co-op’s finances.
Where it fits on a shortlist
Entertaining-room proportions, the offered ownership interest and current service and maintenance arrangements.
Compare this building with 927 Fifth Avenue, 990 Fifth Avenue. The top-20 co-op guide explains the wider selection.
For purchase steps, read buying an apartment in NYC and the co-op versus condo guide. For market-wide inventory, use the 100 newest Manhattan co-op listings.
Discuss an apartment in this building
Tell us the space you need, your timing and how you intend to use the home. We can help assess relevant availability and compare the building with other co-ops on your shortlist.
Architecture and image sources
Image author and license are credited with the photograph. Building descriptions cover architecture and purchase considerations; current availability and co-op policies require individual confirmation.