A Building That Actually Deserves More Attention
Most people drive past the Grand Concourse without looking up. They see a long stretch of concrete and steel and move on. But if you actually stop and look at 851 Grand Concourse, you will notice something that does not show up often anymore in New York City residential construction. The building has a level of design detail that was standard when it was built in 1937 and is virtually nonexistent today. I walked through the lobby one Tuesday afternoon just to check the terrazzo flooring. That was enough to confirm what the records already said, but seeing it in person is different. The ceiling heights alone are unusual for a building of this size. Most newer constructions in the area max out at nine feet. This place sits closer to twelve feet in common areas. It changes how the space feels inside. You do not get that cramped elevator-stairwell hallway energy that plagues so many modern conversions.
The Unsung Hero Of The Bronx Exploring The Beauty And History Of The 851 Grand Concourse
The architect was Frederick T. Gellin, who designed a number of buildings along the Concourse during that era. The style is classified as Art Deco with moderate Streamline Moderne influences. The facade uses a combination of brick, terracotta, and limestone trim. The vertical emphasis in the window groupings is intentional. It draws the eye upward, which was a deliberate choice to make the building feel taller and more imposing on the block. What most guides miss is the floor plan efficiency. The original layouts were designed around a central corridor with apartments on both sides, but the units themselves avoided the L-shaped or irregular footprints that made later postwar constructions difficult to furnish. I once tried to help a friend move a sofa into a second-floor corner unit and had to measure the hallway clearance twice before committing. The doorways are narrow by modern standards, about 32 inches, which is going to surprise anyone used to current building code requirements where doors are typically 36 inches minimum. Here is the practical part that nobody puts in brochures. If you are looking at a unit here, check the windows. Many of the original double-hung sash windows have been replaced with vinyl sliders by previous owners or the management company. The replacements seal better against drafts, but they also reduce the original light exposure by roughly 15 to 20 percent due to thicker frames. On the north-facing units this makes a noticeable difference during winter months. The workaround I recommend is checking for daylight variation between 10 AM and noon before signing anything. If the unit feels darker than the photos suggest, ask about the window type before you commit.
The heating system is another area where the building shows its age. It uses a steam radiators setup connected to a central boiler room. Steam heat is efficient in terms of raw output, but it is uneven. You will get hot radiators near the boiler and cooler ones on the top floor or at the far ends of the building run. My solution was simply adding a small circulation fan near the radiators on the colder units. It costs about forty dollars and makes the temperature variation between rooms almost unnoticeable. There is also the question of the parking situation. The building has limited underground space and it fills up quickly. Street parking on the surrounding blocks is legal but competitive after 6 PM. I learned this the hard way when I brought someone to view an apartment and we spent twenty minutes circling before giving up and finding a lot three blocks away. The workaround is straightforward. If you have a car, talk to the super about whether any storage spaces can be converted to permit parking during the lease term. Some units have had success with this approach, though it is not guaranteed and depends on current lot availability. The neighborhood around the Concourse has changed significantly since the 1990s. The commercial strips on nearby sections have seen new grocery stores, pharmacies, and small restaurants open where vacant storefronts used to sit. The B train and D train access remain functional, though the stations at 161st Street and 170th Street get crowded during peak hours. I take the A train from nearby stations when I need to get downtown on weekdays, and the ride usually takes about thirty-five minutes depending on which car you board.
Get the Full Details
If you are considering a visit or a potential lease, go during weekday hours. The lobby is less busy, the superintendent is more likely to be available for questions, and you can actually assess the natural light without the glare from afternoon sun bouncing off the surrounding buildings. Afternoons on weekends tend to draw more foot traffic from neighbors and delivery drivers, which makes it harder to get a clear sense of the building atmosphere.
