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Rent/Lease Apartment 20 West 72nd Street

Tenant Broker’s Perspective: Return-to-office mandates are driving up rental prices at 20 West 72nd Street. This trend is projected to continue. Opportunities for subleases remain available at 20 West 72nd Street and in the nearby Upper West Side neighborhood.

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  • No fee for clients renting space.
  • We work for YOU, not the landlord.
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Alone or with other broker

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  • Miss deals and hard-to-find spaces.
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  • Lack of specialized expertise.
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Tenant Representation: Optimal Spaces acts exclusively as a "Tenant Broker," only representing tenants, never landlords.
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1. The Crucial Distinction: Whose Side Are They On?
2. It Almost Always Costs You Nothing
3. Access to “Hidden” Inventory
4. Negotiating Beyond Base Rent
5. Time Savings & Process Management
6. Mitigating Risk (the “Gotchas”)

20 West 72nd Street Property Overview

Building Address: 20 West 72nd Street, New York NY 10023
Building Name: The Franconia
Building Alternate Address: 20 W 72nd St
Zip Code:10023
Neighborhood:Upper West Side
Borough:Manhattan
Stories:16
Year Built:1925
Building Class:B

The Franconia, located at 20 West 72nd Street, Manhattan, was originally built in 1925 as a hotel called the Fairfield Hotel. Developer Louis Laraelson formed the 20-28 West 72nd Street Co. to purchase the site, which included five brick rowhouses. Architect Herbert Knapp designed the building in the neo-Renaissance style, with a limestone-faced lower section featuring rusticated pilasters and minimal decoration until the upper floors, where stone carvings, including arched tympani, provided visual interest.

The structure was initially an apartment hotel, meaning no kitchens were included in the apartments. This was a common setup during that era, emphasizing central dining and room service.

Over the years, the building housed notable residents, including former Haitian President Dumasais Estime and entertainer Sid Gary. It also had connections to organized crime figures like Arnold Rothstein and Irving Wexler.

The building underwent significant renovations, including a major update in 1967 that added a restaurant and retail space to the ground floor. Today, it operates as The Franconia, a cooperative residence with luxurious modern amenities while retaining its pre-war charm. Residents enjoy a prime location near Central Park, with easy access to Lincoln Center and local dining options.

20 West 72nd Street, located in the Lincoln Square area of Manhattan's Upper West Side, is known as The Franconia. This pre-war cooperative building was originally constructed in 1925 as a hotel and features a red-brick facade with a three-story limestone base and a canopied entrance. It has 16 floors with approximately 169 units, offering a range of residential options from studios to four-bedroom apartments. The building's amenities include a full-time doorman, 24-hour concierge, laundry facilities, a children's playroom, bike room, and storage options. The Franconia is pet-friendly and welcomes pied-a-terres. Residents enjoy proximity to Central Park, the Natural History Museum, Lincoln Center, and numerous local restaurants and shops.


The Franconia at 20 West 72nd Street offers the following building amenities:

  • 24-hour Concierge: Provides assistance and security around the clock.
  • Full-time Doorman: Ensures a welcoming and secure entrance at all times.
  • Laundry Facility: Conveniently located for resident use.
  • Children's Playroom: Designed for fun and creativity for younger residents.
  • Bike Room: Secure storage for bicycles.
  • Storage Options: Available for additional storage needs.
  • Elevator Access: Ensures convenient access to all floors.
  • Pet-friendly: Both cats and dogs are welcome (case-by-case basis).
  • Utilities Included: Monthly maintenance covers key utilities like electricity, gas, hot water, and heat.

20 West 72nd Street, Manhattan, NYC, is primarily a residential cooperative building known as The Franconia. There is no specific information available regarding office tenants at this location.


The building located at 20 West 72nd Street, Manhattan, NYC, has several internet service providers available to its residents. Some of the key providers include:

  • T-Mobile Home Internet: Offers mobile-based internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps, recommended for high customer satisfaction.
  • Spectrum: Provides cable internet with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, covering almost the entire area.
  • Verizon: Offers fiber-optic internet with speeds up to 2,300 Mbps, known for reliable and fast connections.
  • Earthlink: Delivers fiber-optic internet with speeds up to 2,300 Mbps, known for high-speed connections.
  • Astound Broadband: Offers cable internet with speeds up to 1,500 Mbps, known for competitive pricing.

20 West 72nd Street, Manhattan, is located in the heart of the Upper West Side, offering excellent transportation options. The building is situated near several major subway lines, including the A, B, C, and D lines at the 72nd Street station, just 0.1 miles away. Additional nearby subway stations include the 1, 2, and 3 lines at 72nd Street, which is 0.27 miles from the address, and the 1 line at 66th Street, approximately 0.3 miles away.

For bus travel, several routes pass through the area, including the M2, M20, M66, and Q32 lines, providing convenient access to various parts of Manhattan. The cross streets for 20 West 72nd Street are Central Park West to the west and Broadway to the east.

The building is just a stone's throw from Central Park, providing residents with immediate access to one of New York City's most iconic green spaces. Nearby attractions include Lincoln Center, the Museum of Natural History, and an array of restaurants and shops along Broadway and Columbus Avenue.

Nearby Office Tenants Leased
  • The Mandell School leased 45,000 SF at 795 Columbus Ave
  • William F. Ryan Community Health Center leased 23,178 SF at 801 Amsterdam Ave
  • Higher Ground Education leased 10,976 SF at 775 Columbus Avenue
  • Barney's Co-Op leased 10,000 SF at 2139 Broadway
  • Garden of Eden leased 4,565 SF at 2780 Broadway
  • Riverside Physical Therapy NYC PLLC leased 1,750 SF at 2495 Broadway
  • Dr. Steinberg leased 800 SF at 127 West 79th St
Nearby Retail Tenants Leased
  • Associated Supermarket leased 13,209 SF at 801 Amsterdam Ave
  • Congregation Habonim leased 10,030 SF at 101 West End Ave
  • Brooks Brothers leased 9,300 SF at 1930 Broadway
  • Duane Reade leased 7,360 SF at 380 Amsterdam Ave
  • Modell's Sporting Goods leased 7,316 SF at 350 Amsterdam Ave
  • Imagine Swimming leased 7,000 SF at 752 West End Avenue
  • iPlzaza Salon leased 4,691 SF at 400 West 63rd St
  • Candle West leased 4,400 SF at 2427 Broadway
  • 160 Restaurant Concepts leased 3,500 SF at 160 Riverside Blvd
  • Toga Bike Shop leased 3,100 SF at 110 West End Ave

Finnerty Economic Consulting, LLC. Testimonial

Finnerty Economic Consulting, LLC. testimonial To Whom It May Concern: My firm engaged Optimal Spaces when I searched for professional office space in New York City in 2005 and again in 2012 when the first lease expired and we decided to look for better office space in midtown Manhattan. I leased office space at 60 East 42"d Street in 2005 and office space at 122 East 42"d Street in 2012 with Stephen's assistance. When I sold my business to AlixPartners in 2014, I recommended that AlixPartners retain Optimal Spaces to negotiate a termination ofthe lease at 122 East 42"d Street. I worked very closely with Stephen Sunderland, Senior Managing Director of Optimal Spaces, during both searches for office space as well as during the lease termination process. Stephen is very knowledgeable regarding the Manhattan office market. His advice proved crucial in negotiating two leases and securing the lease termination on favorable terms. He made himself available on short notice to view properties, and he identified a range of lease opportunities in various locations at different price points. I was able to benefit from his expertise to find suitable space without extensive searching. I would not hesitate to recommend Stephen Sunderland and his firm to anyone who is searching for office space in Manhattan. Very truly yours, John D. Finnerty Managing Principal