The Beresford

The Beresford is a 23-story residential building on Central Park West distinguished by three octagonal towers with copper roofs at its corners. The structure combines a limestone base with lighter brick sections in the upper portions and has multiple entrances spread across West 81st Street, Central Park West, and 82nd Street.

Architect Emery Roth designed the building in 1929 during the construction and economic boom of the 1920s. After the stock market crash of 1929, the Beresford faced financial difficulties and was sold at auction in 1940, showing the impact of the Great Depression on private real estate in Manhattan.

The residence shapes the character of Central Park West and shows how wealthy New Yorkers lived in the early twentieth century. The apartments reflect the lifestyle of that era, and the architecture reveals how much the city valued impressive residential buildings.

The building's interior courtyard has a T-shaped footprint opening to the west, which helps with orientation inside the structure. The location offers direct access to Central Park and sits near the American Museum of Natural History, making the area convenient for visitors.

The building was designed by Emery Roth, an architect who later became known for modern skyscrapers, but the Beresford displays a distinct Renaissance Revival aesthetic. The three distinctive copper towers shape the profile of Central Park West to this day and are visible from many parts of the city.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1929

Architects: Emery Roth

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

Floors above the ground: 23

Part of: Central Park West Historic District

GPS coordinates: 40.78250,-73.97194

Latest update: December 19, 2025 22:25