I've never been inside the building, but I know people who have. I met this really cool guy named Dan Richter who is the father of someone who my family rented a house from in Cape Cod. Dan wrote a book about his experience befriending John and Yoko, how he photographed them and how he is still friends with Yoko to this day. The building is beautiful, and while I wish I had the experience of seeing the inside, I know from pictures, and from what I heard, it is beautiful. One day I would really like to see the inside. read more

The Dakota - Apartments Near Me - New York, New York

The Dakota is even more beautiful in person. Being a huge Beatles & John Lennon fan, this is one of the spots to check out if you are going to "Strawberry Fields". I was very impressed on its architecture & how well it was maintained. It even has gaslights on the porch. The one thing I wish they offered was a tour of grounds. read more

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When I started my business I never imagined some of the places I I'd go to and get to see. Last week it was the Iconic Dakota Apartments on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Confidentiality bars me from giving out too much info but I can be general. Built in 1884 this building has a West 72nd Street address but it actually fronts Central Park West and overlooks Central Park. Now trust me, unless you live there or are expected, YOU ARE NOT GETTING IN. No exceptions. Owners are either very famous or very wealthy. Apartments don't sell very often but when they do you'll be paying several million dollars to live here. Apartments do sell, I can attest to that. Some famous owners were Lauren Bacall. I'm sure Humphrey Bogart never had trouble getting in. Judy Garland, ( Wizard of Oz) lived here too. But one of the most famous residents was John Lennon. And yes it was in the back service entrance in 1980 that John Lennon was murdered. Yoko Ono, A/K/A, the DevIl still lives here. That's right and don't get me started. Just across the street in Central Park, is the tribute to Lennon, Strawberry Fields, a must see. So if you're visiting NYC, I know there are enough sights to see, but if you get a chance to stand outside the Dakota Apartments I suggest you do it. You never know who you might see. read more

The Dakota - Some days work is interesting - Apartments Near Me - New York, New York

The Dakota is a cooperative apartment building. It's beautiful. The building was designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh. It was constructed in 1881. It looks like a Victorian building. It's described as German Renaissance. There's a B and C subway entrance right there. John Lennon used to live here, and was murdered by the entrance in 1980. Many famous people lived there and still there now. read more

The Dakota - The Dakota on Central Park West and 72nd St where John Lennon was killed. Strawberry field memorial is across the street - Apartments Near Me - New York, New York

Not to be confused with The Decoder, which is something the KGB and CIA probably fought over for years. The spectacular old Upper West Side apartment building where a lot of famous people live or lived, including John Lennon - and this is where he got shot. Yoko Ono still lives here as far as I know. It's a beautiful building and reminds me of a time when New York was a different place. A better place. Less affected by generic commercialism. read more

The Dakota - Daks not my name - Apartments Near Me - New York, New York

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A very impressive looking building. It's best known for being John Lennon's home. Right across from Strawberry Fields in Central Park. It was the site of his death and the tribute was made afterwards. There's no possibility of getting inside if you are just a normal person. If you aren't going inside, which you probably won't, your experience will be limited to snapping some pictures of the exterior. It's a grand looking building, with lots of gothic influence. The building takes up the whole block at 72nd Street. It's hard to miss. This would be of interest even if not for the tragic events that made it an attraction for fans and tourists. If you don't know already, the main entranceway was the site of Lennon's murder. This area is heavily guarded so you aren't getting in unless you're extremely lucky enough to get an invitation from someone. It's a quick walk from from Strawberry Fields. If you're visiting that you should just stop by here. There's a Dakota bar around the corner if you really want to say you were inside the Dakota, so you do have that. read more

The Dakota - Outside - Apartments Near Me - New York, New York

My friend, Lauren and I were fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a party hosted by a couple that lives in The Dakota. We took the E Train Uptown and got off the W 72nd Station. Up the stairs and high above 1 W. 72nd on the roof is at statue of the Dakota Indian watching over us! Slowly two giant gates open to a courtyard. The staff asks for your name and checks with security. Once past the gates, we walked in the greenery filled courtyard, past a large fountain to a mahogany lift that took us up to the apartment. The host told us that The Dakota was built in French style of the late 1800's and no two of them are alike. The party was held in a huge two-bedroom place with at least 12' ceilings, separate living/dining rooms, a den, and a full sized kitchen. The floors were inlaid with mahogany, oak, and cherry woods. The place was filled with art work and a grand piano. The party was great and the experience in The Dakota was breathtaking. read more

This is a really beautiful building by central park. Our tour actually started here when I took a tour of Central Park. Yoko does still reside here and I learnt that as a fact from our tour guide. Some celebrities actually live here too and it's a pretty interesting sight especially if one is around Central Park. I remember my tour guide telling us if we wait long enough at the entrance we have a chance of seeing a celebrity. The torches were really cool by where the securities are at the entrance. Also when I heard this place is bad expensive I don't believe it. I still believe that Beverly Hills is the place, if I'm in that argument. read more

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It looks a little like a big ole' haunted gothic co-op (if such a thing exists). And given its history (it was used as the apartment in Rosemary's Baby, and John Lennon was killed here) it does seem appropriate. I only took pictures from a hill across the street in central park, partially because 1.) It seemed wildly disrespectful on a number of levels to go poking about the entrance way taking pictures and 2.) The entrance and the whole lower part of the building seemed to be under some sort of renovation project. For some reason from pictures, I imagined it faced the opposite direction? Around the block was a place called the Dakota bar. Haunted looking or not, it is sort of beautiful, especially with the backdrop of central park and when you look at more modern sort of buildings. Not a lot to see here, but it is a gorgeous building to see, especially from central park. read more

The Dakota - Apartments Near Me - New York, New York

This is where John Lennon used to live but Yoko Ono still lives here. It's right across from the Strawberry Fields in Central Park to honor his song. The Strawberry Fields is made out of rocks and flat on the ground. Anyhow, Yoko takes two top floors of the building. There were rumors about her wanting to split her estate but lots of complications etc. There are guards around the buildings so you can't stand in front of the building. Dakota building is very different and unique. read more

The Dakota - Yoko still lives here - Apartments Near Me - New York, New York

It's hard to walk by The Dakota and not look at it. Its exterior ornamentation, stonework, gables, and arches evoke something grand and noble and are quite distinct from the comparatively sterile façades of the typical Manhattan skyscraper. Therefore, almost without fail, passersby will take a glance or even stare at the building with some intent. Those with knowledge of The Dakota's historical significance might linger just a bit longer and, even, somewhat morbidly, snap souvenir photos of themselves while standing at the main gate (as if it were the north lawn of the White House or the famous zebra crossing outside the Abbey Road studios in London). The Dakota's main gate, of course (leading into the building's covered entranceway) is where John Lennon, the legendary founder and de facto leader of the Beatles, was so tragically killed on the night of December 8, 1980 (as he arrived home, disembarked from his limousine, and attempted to walk upstairs to his apartment). From my perspective, visiting The Dakota because of its connection to Lennon's murder, even as a subdued and respectful fan, is a rightly unfulfilling venture. The apartment itself (as it has always been) is still very much an active and private residential property with hundreds of current tenants (including Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow). It's not like Graceland, Elvis's mansion, which is no longer an actual residence and which has been transformed into a shrine and museum where the adoring public can go, pay admission, and tour to their heart's content. Because of this, The Dakota is really a mere curiosity and, invariably, just a convenient piggyback excursion for fans who may have also visited the nearby Strawberry Fields Memorial, which is right across the street (a block away in Central Park). In the end, the building's place in history, like the Grassy Knoll in Dallas, is set (and is stamped more by infamy than by admiration). As such, fans (myself included) should just let the site be and know that it's a great place to come home to (for the rich and famous who desire the privacy and who can afford it); but, to visit The Dakota otherwise is to court an empty promise and leave with a bad taste in one's mouth. read more

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IF you are NOT the Son or Daughter of God... you ain't getting in, so don't even try. This building is alluring, beautiful and totally creepy. Its rich history of famous tenants, along with one of the most tragic events hitting the music industry, gives me goosebumps. The architecture alone seems a little out of place in this big city. Seems more appropriate for an Alpine resort. Yet, here it still stands... being renovated now. This place is so guarded, that the man we met in Central Park (across the street) said that even though he works there, he can NOT allow his own family in to visit. So, he sits at a park bench with his wife and kid to eat lunch. The one thing I found amusing was the cluster of used prophylactics tossed down into one of the basement level areas. Hmm? Not sure if these are from a fancy schmancy tenant or some new ghostbusters' tactic of collecting ectoplasm. I'm going with ectoplasm, as I'm sure this place is totally haunted. So, unless you personally have a ref. from God, or you yourself are a ghost... you are NOT getting past the guards here. And, even then I don't think one of the undead or relation to any deity would dare tread. Even if Yoko Ono herself invited me in for a jam session, I would still run to the nearest ghostbuster and drag her with me so I wouldn't miss out on some cool infrared pics. read more

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I've been here numerous times . First being 3 days after that tragic night John was killed . It's a beautiful building , even down to the ornate metal rail which encircles the 72nd St. / 8th Ave portion . The combination of building styles all together really makes it stand alone . I use the term Gothic to describe it best . Again , a NYC landmark , but when you're . standing in front of that archway , you get a surreal feeling . A sadness . This is where it happened , one says to oneself .... RIP John . Don't forget to cross 8th Ave & visit Strawberry Fields in Central Park . Beautiful , place . One cannot help but to feel the peace there . read more

The Dakota - Apartments Near Me - New York, New York

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I don't know, from the little Google-ing I did, there weren't many cocktail bars in the immediate area. That may explain the prices, which were exceptionally expensive for how nice the places is. The chandelier, light-thing over the bar is nice, sure. But the menu is like this massive thing, from what I remember. The drinks were fine, but we didn't have anything creative. read more

If you're visiting New York and close to Strawberry Fields cross the road and pay respect and a tribute to John Lennon. December 8th 1980 was the day that went down in history with tragic event. In all accounts the archway has not changed a bit since that day. You can take photos from the outside but they will not allow anyone to enter the area. read more

Designated a national landmark, this Nineteeth Century neo-Gothic building was one of Manhattan's first luxury high-rise apartment buildings. Widely recognized by filmgoers as the place where Rosemary gave birth to her devilish baby, its place in pop-culture history was established when John Lennon was murdered on its doorstep by deranged fan Mark David Chapman. Leonard Bernstein once lived here, and among the current residents in its dozens of balconied apartments, built around a central courtyard and with spectacular views of Central Park, are Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, actress Lauren Bacall, singer Roberta Flack, and critic Rex Reed. read more

The Dakota - Apartments Near Me - New York, New York

Now THIS, unlike Strawberry Field, is a REAL NY site. Not only is it a landmarked building, so named bec it was once in the far reaches of Manhattan, which was built from downtown up, but it has hosted numerous big names, including the Lennon-Onos. ROSEMARY's BABY was filmed, or at least, set, here. Most inane reason to see it: Lennon's murder. Hate to see the gawkers photographing the spot where Lennon was killed. read more

Having grown up just down the avenue from The Dakota I've seen it since I was a little kid. Later in life I come to find out that it was one of the original apartment buildings of the entire Upper West Side, not to mention infamous as the site of the John Lennon assassination. This beautiful National Historic landmark is located on the Northwest corner of 72nd Street and Central Park West and was designed, due to the commission of the head of the Singer Sewing Company, Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, by the same firm that created the designs for The Plaza Hotel on 59th Street. Always a home for the "who's who" in New York, you can't even walk into the driveway, much less the building itself, as there are guards at the entrance 24/7. Yoko Ono still lives there 30+ years after her late husband's murder and is seen from time to time entering and exiting the building on her way across the street to visit Strawberry Fields ( the area of Central Park she still to this day pays for the upkeep of ). read more

We have a friend who lives next door to the Dakota and enjoyed looking at it out our window. It's hard to imagine John Lennon was killed here 33 years ago. read more

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Famous as the former residence of John Lennon, the Dakota has been home to dozens of celebrities. The old photos show it was one of the first buildings erected in the area. It's still an elegant place, worth a moment to stop and stare on your upper west side walk. read more

There are plenty of morbid reasons why people view this building but put all that nonsense aside and this really is a beautiful architectural monument. It is elegant and strong, the essence of old NY sophistication. I dream of crown moldings from 1880.... read more

It is a building worth seeing. 1) Nice area. 2) Nice architecture. 3) Nice building next to Central Park. read more

A very beautiful building. Worth a quick stop if your in the area and visiting Strawberry Field across the street in Central Park.

An amazing building. Visit at night when most windows are dark. An eerie gothic feel. It seems like another world. Not just the world of the exlusively wealthy, but a different time and place. For added fun, think of John Lennon living here with his fur coats. Try to sing "Imagine no possessions" at the same time. read more

Beautiful!! I used to walk a friend's dog after work and would always make a point to walk by here! I love old historic NY! read more

I had friends in town yesterday and we stopped by this beautiful landmark after a fun trip through Strawberry Fields in Central Park. Obviously we couldn't get in because it's a private residence, but the cool architecture and the historical connections made it a fun non-traditional tourist stop along the park. read more

If you are a Beatles fan, then you have to visit this place. To be honest there's not a whole lot to do when you get there...you just kind of stand at it and look at it...but going there as a serious Beatles fan can actually be a really great experience, albeit somewhat difficult. It's right across from Strawberry Fields in Central Park, and the whole area is kind of a haven for Beatle fans for obvious reasons. But like I said, if you're a Beatles fan, that makes it pretty rewarding. You can meet a lot of really great people this way, particularly on Sundays, when everybody's out and about. This was the first place I went when I moved to New York and I was feeling really lonely, and I'm glad that I did because I already felt welcome somewhere. This is particularly interesting if you check it out on John's birthday or the anniversary of his death. Yoko still owns an apartment in this building, though I don't know anyone who's actually seen her here. Of course it has other history, but uhhh, mostly I went because of the Beatles. Rating it does seem kind of weird since it's not like you can go inside unless you live there. In a purely real estate sense, I'd do ridiculous, disgusting things to live in this building. It's a beautiful place, built by the same people who built the Plaza Hotel, it's right out front of Central Park, and it's housed all number of celebrities, old and new, and even some fictional ones. It's pretty awesome, and if you get there and you realize you just made a pilgrimage to visit a building, you can always pretend you were just walking by and then go hang around Central Park. read more

I live around the corner from The Dakota and couldn't be prouder. While I am a huge John Lennon fan, that is not the only reason. The building itself is so much to take in. I often stand in awe of the huge gas lamps that border the entrance into the courtyard (which I feel is like the secret garden with all sorts of magical things). When it was first built, I believe it was the only building in the area, and it was up on top of hill. It takes me back to a time that I wish I could see first hand. All in all, it is a sight to see. read more

Excellent apartment building with world class amenities in an ace location. I really love living here. Taking one star off though because my downstairs neighbors are practicing satanists. read more

Truly a beautiful building. Even if it were not for the Lennon/Ono/Rosemary's Baby/ Holden Caulfield connection, this is something that you must see. I enjoy architecture, I've read a couple of books on it, and this is probably one of the most gorgeous buildings in all of New York. And that's saying something in a city that had the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings. I couldn't go and gawk at the actual place where Lennon was shot because it made me feel uncomfortable but we got some shots of the entire building from across the street. I like to think of Yoko making her music here and being happy so this makes me happy! read more

Simply a gorgeous building from the early 20th Century where the great late, John Lennon lived and the film, Rosemary's Baby and Vanilla Sky were filmed. One of the few "gems" in New York City. read more

Didn't see Holden, or the ghost of John Lennon. I would describe the building's pragmatic beauty, but it feels weird to heap aesthetic praise on such a depressing place. read more

Not a great deal to add about this building. It is a very nice looking building but nothing much else and there are plenty of similar architecture on Central Park West. If you do cross into the park to the Strawberry Fields memorial you may be a bit disappointed, i know i was. It just seemed a bit sad and desperate, not even a sarky note on a bench ala Lennon which may have been more in keeping to his memory. read more

There's not much to see here - just a very imposing looking building. If you're hoping to see John Lennon's front door, you'll be disappointed, although you may see Yoko going in and out as she apparently still lives there. Cross the road into Central Park and there you will find Strawberry Fields, the memorial to John Lennon and where fans seem to head. read more

It is cool sculptures .It has all the green rooftops on the top.But sad that John Lennon got shot here.

I have been interested in the architectural and historical significance of this amazing building during my entire life and am now producing a documentary on it. The building is truly amazing and if and when people stop and stare, they should not stare at the entranceway because that is where John Lennon was gunned down. Instead, look at and appreciate the architecture, the windows, the shutters, the gables, the colors. Imagine the building over the course of time. It has stood in the same place since it was completed in 1884. It is a shame that people associate it with the John Lennon horror, because there is so much history here. I want my documentary to educate people so that they will look at the building in another light, and appreciate so much more than the location where a lunatic and a rock 'n' roll legend met. If you are a Beatles, John Lennon, or Dakota fan, please check this out and be a part of it: http://www.indiegogo.com/DakotaDocumentary read more

An impressive building, as are many others on the Upper West Side, it's worth a glance and maybe pause for thought if you're a big John Lennon fan, but I wouldn't say the building is worth a big detour. Perhaps of slightly more appeal is the Imagine mosaic in nearby Strawberry Fields, Central Park. That's if you can see it through the masses of other tourists that make their way there. Someone had carefully strewn flowers over it, the day I took my kids there. We spent a pleasant enough 5 minutes having some strawberries from nearby supermarket Fairway (2127 Broadway) which is a great shop, and then we wondered off read more

The Dakota was the first elegant apartment house in New York and was full of people famous in the intellectual and cultural fields like the Steinway family (pianos), the Schirmers (music publishers), etcetc. It filled a gap between New York's extremely poor people and the extremely rich and set a new trend. In recent decades, the media slant on show biz residents and Lennon's murder have overshadowed it's original cultured, refined, respectful, quiet, and elegant presence, reflecting the trend in our society at large to glitzify everything. read more

I stopped by the entrance of the Dakota on the morning of Dec 22, 2011, when only a security guard was present, to view the building architecture and site of John Lennon's assassination. Then, as I crossed the street to enter Central Park, I saw Yoko Ono heading toward me, on her way to the Dakota. We made eye contact, and as she passed by me she smiled and said, "Hi." So, in response to a previous reviewer, I can assure you Yoko Ono still inhabits the Dakota--I turned and watched her enter. In fact, she now owns nearly the entire complex, according to a reliable New York source. read more

I love history and honestly the Beatles really don't thrill me but the history of this place and the strange feeling of it being haunted make it cool in my book. read more