The Normandy, Apartment building in Riverside-West End Historic District, Manhattan, US
The Normandy at 140 Riverside Drive is a 20-story residential building with two characteristic towers rising from the 18th floor, combining Art Moderne elements with Renaissance Revival influences. The structure contains approximately 250 units ranging from two to seven rooms, each featuring circular foyers, ample closet space, and doorman service.
Construction took place between 1938 and 1939, making it one of the last major apartment developments on the Upper West Side before World War II. Its completion marked a turning point in urban development as the decades that followed brought different architectural priorities to the neighborhood.
The name references the French region and reflects the era's appreciation for European design influences that shaped the building's character. Walking past, you notice how the architectural details still convey this transatlantic aesthetic that appealed to residents of that time.
The building is easily accessible from the street and sits in an established residential neighborhood with good transport connections. Its doorman service and circular foyers provide clear entry points, though it functions primarily as a private residential building where public access is limited to viewing the exterior and common areas.
Each tower features a double-level penthouse suite that stands apart from the standard residential units below. These luxurious spaces offer a distinctive vantage point and are often overlooked by visitors who focus only on the building's exterior appearance.
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