295 Central Park West,

Manhattan, NY 10024

Location is the only positive. This wasn’t always the case. When we first moved in in 2019 there was a sense of community here. The doormen, the porters and even the management under previous management team was responsive.

The building has undergone a transformation and it’s not a good one. The Rudin family, who were very community minded have their younger relatives, running things now. Although, some say it was the losses they faced since COVID in their large commercial RE holdings that drove the major changes. In any event, they have systematically gone apartment by apartment and if they were rent stabilized, they gut them after the tenants leave and raise them to an exorbitant market rate rent. There was a major change two years ago, when the new people came in and the staff was told that the tenants were not their friends and could not come into the tenants apartments any longer. You can no longer ask staff to fix something without going through an app, if you can believe that! You can’t even have somebody come in and move furniture around or just paint without going through the app and using only their vendors. I’d wager they get a cut. As an example, if you want to hire a painter who is not on their app they make it impossible to hire by imposing an adhesion contract requiring the contractor to have absurd indemnity coverage extending to even after the job is complete. I could not in good conscience advise any client of mine to sign that. They also now are promoting a credit card for tenants. Another money-making scheme. This used to be a very friendly building where everyone knew each other and helped one another out. Now they’re forcing people out by jacking up rents, ending 2 yr leases and eliminating the very few remaining subsidized apts. You used to be able to reach a real person on the phone to let them know if you had an issue that needed to be immediately addressed. That ended with the new administration who are impossible to reach by phone anymore.The noise level from the ongoing construction, which is constant, is unbearable. Management, even when they’re approached to see how much longer construction (on multiple floors simultaneously for many months) could possibly last just shrug their shoulders. This includes the live-in super. Simply put you are charged exorbitant rents, and treated like you don’t belong here, like you’re intruders. I know this is a familiar story, but it’s just sad to witness. What once had been known as a “good building” has nothing to offer.

Wake up to the reality and find a social conscience

Beautiful solid mahogany and brass elevators (2), in the small but gorgeous lobby with white glove doorman, right across from the entrance to the Park and Reservoir, by the Cherry Tree Path.
Perfect oak parquet floors.
Extra deep and long bathtubs in gorgeous bathrooms.
Breathtaking park and city views, befitting any Hollywood film.
Polite and friendly neighbors.

In the dead of winter, some apartment lines have faulty steam heat, where it could be 30 degrees outside and inside no warmer than 60 degrees. Had to have a space heater running 24/7. Was freezing cold with high wind creating a windy whistling sound at the windows.
The elevator rang bells at every floor stop which could be heard through the walls, as well as the noise of the movement of the elevators up and down the shaft.
Apartment doors designed to slam shut automatically for fireproofing, were unconsciously slammed shut by neighbors continuously throughout the day accompanied by unpleasant vibrations and sound.
Twice yearly, brass polishing of the historic landmarked elevators requires complete shutdown after midnight for 4 days, and shutdown of the lobby which has to be covered in dropcloth and the workers have to wear gas masks the odor of the toxic chemical compounds used is so noxious and hazardous. Taping up your apartment door, blocking it with towels, nothing could prevent this toxicity from floating upwards into the building's highest floors and into the apartment.
The building staff act inappropriately and as if they own the place, goofing around, talking loudly, and shouting back and forth, sometimes leering at women and inappropriate touching. The night porter would not be available to open the lobby door after ringing the doorbell repeatedly. Building staff smoking marijuana at all times of day making lobby and elevator smell.
The superintendent was intrusive with a very annoying overbearing personality.

Fix the heat. Get rid of the marijuana fumes. Tell the building staff to behave professionally, instead of like a gang of teenagers hanging out on the street.

Super is very responsive & serious about making sure tenants’ requests are promptly taken care of.

Hallways are very dated. Wallpaper & rug discolored.

Upgrade lobby and hallways to attract better tenants