The Dakota: Counting Rooms or Counting Celebrities?
The Dakota, that grand dame of Upper West Side apartment buildings, has housed its fair share of legends: John Lennon, Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall – you name a Hollywood heavyweight and there's a good chance their beret has brushed the Dakota's awning. But beyond the glitz and the gossip, a question lingers for us mere mortals: just how many apartments are there in this architectural enigma?
From Opulent Suites to Cozy Coops: A Shifting Landscape
Back in the day, when the Dakota first waltzed onto the scene in 1884, things were palatial. We're talking 65 grand suites, each one more luxurious than the last. Think marble floors that would make Michelangelo weep and enough mahogany to build a fleet of yachts. These weren't your shoebox studios – these were apartments with enough elbow room to house a small royal family (emphasis on the elbow room).
But times change, and so did the Dakota. Some of those original suites got chopped up into more manageable 93 units, according to StreetEasy (those guys with their fancy real estate maps). Imagine a game of apartment Tetris, where the prize is a balcony overlooking Central Park.
The Ever-Evolving Apartment Count: A Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma
Now, here's where things get interesting. Some sources whisper of 94 units lurking within the Dakota's terracotta walls. Is this a case of a rogue apartment multiplying in the dead of night? Perhaps a secret pied-à-terre for a billionaire who collects exotic houseplants? The truth, like a good cup of chamomile tea for after a long day of apartment hunting, remains elusive.
Who Needs an Exact Number When You've Got History?
Let's face it, folks, the Dakota isn't about the number of apartments, it's about the panache. It's about brushing shoulders with ghosts (both metaphorical and the occasional celebrity who might not have gotten along with the co-op board). It's about living in a building that's seen more history than your grandpa's pocket watch.
So, the next time you find yourself strolling past the Dakota, take a moment to appreciate its grandeur. Who knows, maybe you'll even catch a glimpse of a Hollywood A-lister wrestling with an overstuffed Ikea bag (hey, even legends gotta decorate!).
