Life at the Dakota

by Stephen Birmingham

Book Overview

Life at the Dakota is a deliciously entertaining social history that describes the lives of the rich and trendy who have lived at the Dakota - a New York apartment house daringly erected in 1884, "too far up" and on the wrong side of town. This story has the fabulous characters, sharp insights, and captivating anecdotes of Stephen Birmingham's earlier works, and the atmosphere of the elegant Dakota is so powerful that the building itself becomes an...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0394410793
• ISBN13: 9780394410791
• Release Date: August 1979
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 241 Pages
• Weight: 1.33 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Dated, But Still Riveting!

Although this book was published thirty years ago, it has surprisingly stood the test of time as a record of a remarkable building. It is of course a bit dated, especially in regard to the most famous residents, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, having been published just a short time before he was killed on the doorstep of the venerable building. Nevertheless, it is well written, thoroughly researched and at times down right riveting, profiling many unique and eccentric characters both famous, infamous and now mostly all forgotten. I would have liked to have seen more photographs. The few pictures published were all certainly interesting, but they only served to whet my appetite for more - thank goodness for the internet! I was able to find many photographs of past residents and a few additional photos of some of the building's interior spaces. But it would have been nice to have it all in one place. Overall, it was a very interesting and satisfying read and would certainly appeal to anyone interested in historical architecture. I only wish there was a follow-up sequel documenting the building's evolution, profiling the building's current tenants.

Life at the Dakota

Well written, comprehensive -- this history of one of New York City's most storied apartment houses (and one of the most expensive!) is a fascinating tale, replete with tales about some of its more celebrated tenants (e.g., John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Lauren Bacall, Jason Robards, etc.). A fitting addition to anyone's collection of New York memorabilia -- or of its author, Steven Birmingham's, books ("Our Crowd," "The Grandees," "Real Lace," etc.)

Very Informative! What a place!

I have enjoyed getting to know the residents and history of the Dakota from Life at the Dakota. I would love to hear more of what Mr. Birmingham learned while researching this book. The word eccentric doesn't even begin to describe the wonderful Dakota and the cast of characters that have called it home. Mr. Birmingham's writing is easy to follow and he packs a lot of information into this great book. A must read for those curious about this "unusual address".

PAST PRESENT AND THE FUTURE OF A TRUE NYC STAR

JUST A GREAT STORY OF A DREAMY LANDOWNER AND ALL OF THOSE WHO BROUGHT THE DAKOTA TO LIFE, FROM THE FLOOR BOARDS TO THE MARBLE TO THE MYSTERIOUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED THERE FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE INCEPTION OF NEW YORK ITSELF. LOVED THE 10+ PLUS ROOMS WHERE PEOPLE, JUST LIKE US PLOPPED THEIR COATS DOWNS AND PUT THEIR FEET UP, OF COURSE THE NOD TO LENNON, LAUREN, KARLOF AND THE LIKE, THE TRUE LOVE IS THE ORIGINAL TENANTS AND THE ANTICS THAT WENT ON IN THIS DELIGHTFUL LANDMARK OF THE GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD. GREAT BOOK, LOTS OF FUN, I WANT THAT STUFFED HORSE, WORTHLESS OR NOT. I COULD ALSO USE THE MOLDINGS, MARBLE, OLD ELEVATOR CAB, JOURNALS, IS ANYTHING LEFT IN THE BASEMENT OR ATTIC? PROBABLY NOT, BUT THANKS MR. BIRMINGHAM, IT WAS WORTH THE TRIP IN MY MIND!

Life at the Dakota

Stephen Birmingham's insightful look at one of New York City's most memorable addresses will be an enjoyment to all who find great interest in the details in the history of this wonderful city. The book studies the story of this well-known landmark from the very beginning; by understanding the background of key figures like Edward Clark (founder of the Singer Co.) and architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh (designer of the old Waldorf-Astoria and The Plaza Hotel).In an era where `polished society' observed presentation and `location' as signs of refiness, the Dakota was one of the first experiments in `modern' urban living in the United States. Wealthy upper class New Yorkers were presented with a new and less costly option in `elegant' living to the grand homes rising in late 1800s Fifth Avenue. Although initially frowned upon by the `Old Guard' of New York society, the Dakota instantly found it's market and was one of the pioneers in this now `acceptable' style of living.Throughout the years the Dakota apartments has found a vast array of `celebrity tenants'. Individuals who have always been out of the `mainstream' and have put little thought on which side of Central Park they resided. Boris Karloff, Zachary Scott, Leonard Bernstein, Lauren Bacall, Roberta Flack, John Lennon and Yoko Ono have been a few of the tenants that have called this historically rich building their home.Stephen Birmingham chronicles the first hundred years of `One 72nd Street West', capturing along the way the growth and changing trends of this vast Metropolis. Readers will also discover that by the end of this witty and insightful book the building itself gains a feisty personality of its own; by being the one that dared being `too far up' and on the wrong side of town.