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Our History: Apartment for Rent
1911: Similar to the previous ads, this one drew attention to the subway's proximity, the large rooms, and the prices, which were 30% lower than the "Middle West Side"– and only a few apartments were left in early September.
credit: New York Times
1911: By September 14, only five of 82 apartments were still available, one of those a "Fine Apartment for Physician."
credit: New York Times
1926: By the roaring '20s, Grinnell rentals had risen to $3000 (per annum) for an 8 or 9 room apartment. Wood, Dolson, and Co. listed the Grinnell along with other "High Class Apartments" like the Hadrian, St. Denis, and The Cornwall.
credit: New York Times
1930: Mark Rafalsky & Co. had managed the Grinnell as early as 1920, but began exclusive management in 1930, continuing into next decade and usually keeping the Grinnell fully rented despite the Depression.
credit: New York Times
1934: During the Great Depression, Grinnell apartments were renting for roughly one-third their yearly fees in the '20s. "Outside exposure" for light and air remained important selling points.
credit: New York Times
1932: On a page in the Times advertising "So this is a Three-Room Apartment" the Grinnell still offered 6 - 9 room apartments at prices equal to those on West End Avenue and Central Park West.
credit: New York Times
1911: This ad appeared a week after the Grinnell was completed, repeating themes successful in other area buildings: proximity to the subway, moderate rents, and large rooms for "those accustomed to private houses."
credit: New York Times
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1911: Although renters interested in other neighborhood apartments could check prices in the papers, they could only learn Grinnell rents "on application" from the "agent on premises."
credit: New York Times
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1941: War Years. Still managed by Mark Rafalsky & Co., the Grinnell kept pace with prices on West End Avenue, a 8-room apartment renting for $1700 a year, still about half the price during the 1920s.
credit: New York Times
1943: This seems to be the last year the Rafalsky managed the Grinnell and was also the last year 800 Riverside Drive appeared in stylish realtor listings.
credit: New York Times
1911: By the end of renting season in 1911, the Grinnell had proven so popular, the rental agent was offering the three water towers as artist studios.
credit: New York Herald
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1916: Five years after the Grinnell opened, managing agents still hyped the subway, large rooms, and low "rentals much less than the Middle West Side."
credit: New York Herald
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1944: This simple ad inserted on a page of similar rental ads arranged by number of rooms is a stark contrast to the Rafalsky add one year earlier. Note: monthly prices quoted.
credit: New York Times
1973: Seven words plus a telephone number was the extent of this 1973 ad, a year some current Grinnell shareholders remember well for landlord neglect and diminishing services.
credit: New York Times
1982: The beginning of a turn-around at the Grinnell. The Grinnell Tenants Assoc. now managing 800 Riverside and ready to purchase it, placed this ad for a professional suite.
credit: New York Times
1974: A repeat of the previous year, with only a small increase in the monthly rental. Like other buildings in the neighborhood, the Grinnell was a rent-stabilized apartment building.
credit: New York Times
After 1982, the Grinnell HDFC, a newly-established co-op, continued to rent three apartments with "outside" entrances as business suites and one "inside" apartment to a long-time resident who qualified for rental status. Today, all apartments are owner-occupied except the suite facing 157th Street at Edward Morgan Place, so advertisements now read: For Sale.
For Sale
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