The Dakota, New York City

The Dakota, an iconic apartment building in New York City, stands as a beacon of architectural grandeur and historical significance. Located at 1 West 72nd Street on the northwest corner of Central Park, this luxury residence has been a fixture of Manhattan's Upper West Side since the 19th century.

Constructed between 1880 and 1884, The Dakota was one of the first luxury apartment buildings in New York and remains one of the most prestigious addresses in the city. Its distinctive Renaissance Revival style, designed by the architect Henry J. Hardenbergh, who also designed the Plaza Hotel, boasts a facade adorned with gables, deep roofs, balconies, and a profusion of ornamental features that give it a castle-like appearance.

While it is a private residence and not open to the public, The Dakota is best known for its famous residents, including the late John Lennon of The Beatles, who lived there from 1973 until his untimely death in 1980. In fact, the building's entrance gate on 72nd Street is adjacent to the Strawberry Fields memorial in Central Park, a tribute to Lennon.

Tourists visiting New York City often stop by The Dakota to take photographs of its impressive exterior and to pay their respects at Strawberry Fields. The building's allure is not only in its architecture and celebrity lore but also in its exclusive nature, with high-profile residents and a reputation for being one of the city's most private and secure dwellings.