Posh Apartment Building Springs Up on 108th

As the demand for housing grows on the Upper West Side, a new luxury apartment building named The Columbia House is being built on West 108th Street.

The Columbia House, which according to University spokesman Robert Hornsby has “no connection” to Columbia University, will include six residential units: four full-floor residencies, a garden duplex, and a rooftop penthouse. It will be located between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave.

Built to mirror the older architecture of the other buildings on West 108th, the Columbia House will “mesh with the pre-war look” of the rest of the block from the front, said Sotheby’s realtor Danielle Wiedemann. The back wall of the building will be glass, offering the residents of the building the chance to enjoy the natural light and view the building’s private garden and courtyard.

“In keeping with the friendly feel of the local community, The Columbia House will not have a doorman,” Wiedemann said.

Wiedemann continued to explain that the goal of The Columbia House’s developers is to build “neighborhood-friendly housing within the increasingly competitive price range.” When asked about this development in relation to the gentrification of the area, Wiedmann stressed the citywide need for housing of all price ranges.

“Gentrification in this area is always a concern,” said Penny Ryan, district manager for Community Board 7, but said she did not consider the new building out of character with the normal development patterns in the neighborhood.

“We are just looking to provide housing in the Columbia quarter,” said Wiedemann.

“When people think of West 108th Street, they think of the Columbia area, so it just seemed appropriate.”

Hornsby declined to comment on the University’s policy on the use of its name.

Lydia Wileden can be reached at news@columbiaspectator.com