Veteran Agent Lists Luxury Apartment in Historic NYC Building After 39 Years
Veteran real-estate agent Larry Schier, a 71-year-old resident of the Level Club condo building on West 73rd Street since 1983, has just listed a luxurious three-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment for $5.995 million. This marks a significant milestone, as Schier was the first buyer to purchase a unit in the building when it was under construction and has facilitated 250 transactions there over the past 25 years.
The Level Club building, originally opened in 1927 as a private university club for Masons, has a rich history. After facing financial struggles during the Great Depression, it went into foreclosure and was converted into an SRO and later a drug-rehab facility. Its transformation into a residential building occurred sometime before 1982, though the exact timeline and initiator remain unclear.
Schier's personal history with the building is deeply intertwined with its evolution. He bought a one-bedroom duplex, 5F, for $298,000 in 1983 and later expanded it by combining it with neighboring unit 5G, creating an oversize two-bedroom. Now, he plans to downsize to a studio apartment in the building as a pied-à-terre after selling his current residence.
Schier's apartment, listed for $5.995 million with monthly common charges and taxes of $7,145, is a testament to the building's transformation. It offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern luxury. Schier's collection of Masonic artifacts, including a bond issue, a doorknob, and a ring, displayed in his entry hall, pays homage to the building's original purpose.
The listing of Larry Schier's apartment at the Level Club building signifies a notable chapter in the building's history. From its inception as a Masonic clubhouse to its current status as a premier residential address, the building's journey mirrors the evolution of New York City itself. With Schier's deep-rooted connection to the property, his apartment's sale promises to be a significant event in the city's real-estate landscape.
