Newly Restored Historical Icon, The Astor, Officially Listing Residences for Sale

Image Credit: Christian Harder for ASH Staging

New York City’s skyline is filled with iconic and historical buildings that have withstood decades of change. One such building, The Astor, has recently restored its residences to offer modern amenities and contemporary interiors that blend with the site’s history. A legendary Upper West Side building that traces its history back more than 100 years, The Astor’s luxurious new residences have arrived on the market.

The Astor was built in 1901, commissioned by the legendary William Waldorf Astor, a scion of the family who played a major role in New York City’s real estate development. In 2021, CIM Group took ownership of the property and set out to revitalize its residences. For this, they turned to Pembrooke & Ives, an acclaimed interior design company, seeking to transform the interiors of the units while keeping their history and character intact. They also brought on ASH Staging, a renowned design firm, to curate two model residences. 

Image Credit: Christian Harder for ASH Staging

The entire building is being revamped to appeal to a modern buyer. Units have undergone significant renovations that add an array of exciting aspects. Ultimately, the goal of this redesign has been to give the buyers the best of both worlds: a home with historical features and sophisticated original material complemented by modern design flourishes and amenities.

Image Credit: Christian Harder for ASH Staging

The Haven Team spoke to Andrew Bowen, partner and head of ASH Staging, about the design firm’s experience staging the model units.

 

“We were inspired by the building’s history and impeccably preserved pre-war architecture. Viewing these spaces as homes for real, everyday living, we sought to fuse contemporary design with the building’s inherent elegance,” Bowen said. 

Image Credit: Christian Harder for ASH Staging

Bowen explained that ASH aimed to complement the current historical features of the units, such as their high ceilings and ornate moldings.

 

“We successfully achieved this by using an array of playful textures and contemporary furnishings—including contemporary velvet armchairs, suede ottomans, a dark wood dining table, and modern lighting,” said Bowen. “The end result is a timeless yet intentionally contemporary atmosphere.” 

Image Credit: Christian Harder for ASH Staging

“While we aimed to elevate the space with modern features, we also like to get creative,” Bowen added. “We used subtle yet bold design elements to infuse the model residences with warmth and modernity, such as a dark-painted foyer to provide dimension and a tan corduroy wallpaper by Philip Jeffries to enhance the comfort and sophistication in the den.” 

Image Credit: Christian Harder for ASH Staging

Each residence has unique standout features. Classic foyers, huge soaking tubs, and amazing views of the Upper West Side are some of the extraordinary aspects of each residence. One other facet that Bowen thinks distinguishes these homes? Their fireplaces.

 

“Each residence at The Astor features a wood-burning fireplace, an extremely rare asset in Manhattan condos—one you can’t find anymore in new construction—and a wonderful architectural feature to ground the design of a room,” notes Bowen.

Image Credit: Christian Harder for ASH Staging

The newly updated residences have a chic style, with muted color palettes and a spacious feel enhanced by their high ceilings. Each renovation was thoughtfully applied with care and intention. Ultimately, the renovations altogether honor the past, yet also build upon it in a unique and creative way to create something that appeals to today’s market. The Astor is one of New York City’s iconic residential buildings and a historical hotspot, and this update will only enhance its allure.

Image Credit: Christian Harder for ASH Staging

 “The Astor’s homes embrace refined pre-war design details and have now been thoroughly modernized. The resulting personality is classic and elegant, yet perfectly suited to the comforts of the 21st century,” said Bowen.