History and architecture
The Dakota was built between 1880 and 1884 to designs by Henry J. Hardenbergh, who later designed the Plaza Hotel. Commissioned by Edward S. Clark, it gave luxury apartment living a monumental presence beside Central Park. Yellow brick, stone trim, and terra-cotta ornament support its German Renaissance character.
The apartments were arranged around an internal courtyard originally intended to turn carriages. From the sidewalk, the large arched entrance hints at that plan. Look upward as well: projecting windows, carved bands, gables, and dormers make the elevations varied despite the building's substantial size.
What to look for
- The broad entrance arch on West 72nd Street, viewed from the public sidewalk.
- The crowded roofline of gables and dormer windows.
- Tall projecting window bays and carved horizontal bands.
Sources and further reading
Reviewed September 5, 2026.