A Rare Top-Floor Classic at the Iconic Beresford |

Read article : A Rare Top-Floor Classic at the Iconic Beresford |

A top-floor spread at the historic Beresford on Central Park West (Photo: Tom Sibley)

“You get the whole skyline, so it’s good for fireworks, for the parade,” Stribling vice chairman Kirk Henckels told the Observer as we peered out the south-facing living room window in the Beresford that afforded views of  Central Park West and the reservoir.

“She has a big party every year for the Thanksgiving Day parade,” Mr. Henckels added of the owner, who has resided in the 20th-floor apartment at 7 West 81st Street for nearly 25 years. Alas, now that her children are grown, she has decided to list her 3,000-square-foot co-op for $10.5 million.

The children are now in their twenties. (Photo: Tom Sibley)

While one of the three bedrooms, each with en-suite bath, has since been converted into an office, another looks untouched—twin beds with names hand-painted on the headboards, a few posters adorning the otherwise pristine walls.

“This is the top floor of the western tower. I wish we had a blue sky today—it’s just glorious,” Mr. Henckels lamented as we strolled into the master suite, which appeared to be fully prepared for spring, with a flowery duvet cover that complimented the equally floral curtains. Like the living room and office, the master has southern exposures; other rooms have east and west views.

The décor—antique tables and oil paintings in ornate gold frames—went nicely with the original Emery Roth-designed moldings and hardware, along with herringbone strip oak floors in the entertaining rooms and entry. The master bath contains another of the famed architect’s touches.

“It’s a toe tester,” Mr. Henckels said excitedly, pointing to a small golden faucet in the shower. “So one doesn’t scald oneself!”

The more modern kitchen had been recently renovated, with white cabinets and countertops and a rather unique feature underfoot.

Cork! (Photo: Tom Sibley)

“The floors are cork,” Mr. Henckels told us. “I love them! We’re both from Texas, so we both grew up with cork floors.”

A very Beresford-esque library. (Photo: Tom Sibley)

Directly off the kitchen, adjacent to a formal bar, is a library, where one of the two feline inhabitants had taken up residence. “One year, [the owner] had a party and couldn’t find the cat after,” Mr. Henckels said. “She got a call from the downstairs neighbors—the cat had jumped down to the air conditioner on the floor below!”