The El Dorado

The El Dorado Apartment Building:

The building: I love the El Dorado -- its art deco towers are like exclamation points over Central Park West -- and you can see them from almost every flight that takes off from La Guardia.

Pros and Cons:
>Noise: The El Dorado is situated on a relatively quiet stretch of Central Park West, several blocks away from both subway entrances and cross-town bus stops. And apartments are quiet as well -- those 1930s walls are effective!
>Transportation: Right near CPW bus stops and equi-distant between two subway stops. >Parks: Across the street from a winding entrance to Central Park, with the Reservoir and its jogging track esssentially outside your door.
>Ammenities: fireplaces; a gym with half-court basketball, a children's playroom and community room.
>Views: Terrific -- apartments overlooking the park offer views of the glistening reservoir, stretching south to Midtown. The El Dorado's highest apartments, in the two 30-story towers, offer views of the George Washington Bridge and Hudson River, the Upper East Side and New Jersey (nothing's perfect).

El Dorado - Famous Residents
>Entertainment: Moby (at least for now -- his apartment is again on the market after the board rejected the prior buyer)
>Business: John Rowe (Aetna CEO)
>Publishing: Sally Richardson (Publisher, St. Martin's Press)
>Finance: Peter Lamm (Fenway Partners)

El Dorado - Other Useful Information:
> Building has landmark status and certain large renovations may require approval by NY's Landmarks Preservation Commission.
>50% down required.

El Dorado - Co-Ops Currently for Sale:
>Despite its many apartments, the El Dorado has relatively low turnover, lending further support to apartment values. Only one apartment is now for sale -- a rambling two bedroom.

El Dorado - Experienced Brokers:
>When selling or buying at the El Dorado, try John Edwards or Lee Zimmerman of Corcoran (who currently have a $7.5 mm listing)
>Donna Olshan of Olshan Realty, recently sold a 3 BR apartment.
>Deanna Kory, Jennifer Taylor and Karen Kelley of Corcoran currently have a 2 BR listed at $3 mm in contract.
>Basil Ashmore recently sold a 2 BR with terrace listed at $4.1 mm.

El Dorado -- In Books and Culture:
>Want some historical insight? Interested in tracking down something out of print? Check out this book.