The Majestic (New York City)

Description

The Majestic is a twin-towered housing cooperative skyscraper located at 115 Central Park West between 71st Street and 72nd Street in Manhattan, New York City. The steel framed building was constructed in 1930-1931 and designed in the Art Deco style by architect and real estate developer Irwin S. Chanin with the assistance of his French associate, Jacques Delamarre. The futuristic sculptures on the building's facade are by Rene Chambellan.BackgroundThe building was originally planned to be a 45-story hotel, but the plans were changed midway through construction due to the Great Depression and the passing of the Multiple Dwelling Act, which restricted a building's height immediately above the street, but allowed tall towers if the property was sufficiently large. The Majestic replaced the Hotel Majestic, designed by Alfred Zucker in 1894 at the same site, which had been home to Gustav Mahler and Edna Ferber, among others.The Majestic has 238 apartments in 29 stories, and is one of four buildings on Central Park West which feature two towers, the others being: The San Remo, The Century - also designed and built by Chanin - and The Eldorado.