Inside the Historic Manhattan Address Featured in Only Murders in the Building
The Belnord—a New York City landmark—is portrayed as the “Arconia” in the Emmy Award-winning series
Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, which stars Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin, is predominantly filmed at a historic condo building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The Belnord, which is depicted as the fictional “Arconia” in the Emmy Award-winning series, was renovated by Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) in the 2010s.
“The Belnord is one of New York’s best turn-of-the-century apartment buildings,” Sargent Gardiner, a partner at RAMSA, tells Galerie. “Our renovation started with an understanding of the architectural qualities that have made this apartment building such a wonderful place to live over the past century.”
“Inspired by the great Italian palazzo, the 14-story Belnord anchors an entire city block at the corner of 86th and Broadway. It contains one of New York’s largest courtyards which residents cross to reach their apartments each day. The apartments have multiple exposures, abundant natural light, and open views of the neighborhood,” adds Gardiner.
“Our design respects the sound geometric properties that we found, but reimagines finishes, lighting and mechanicals. The apartments were updated to our modern ways of living with reconfigured layouts, ensuite bathrooms and open kitchens. The result is a design that is both springs from history and reflects our modern needs.”
Completed between 1908 and 1909, the Belnord’s original architect was H. Hobart Weekes of Hiss & Weekes, while the Architect of Record is BP Architects. Its landscape designer is Hollander Design Landscape Architects. The Italian Renaissance-style building includes a private dual-gated driveway which boasts Roman-inspired frescoes on vaulted ceilings. There is also a private courtyard and garden, which, at 22,000 square feet, is one of the largest in the city.
Inside, the ground floor lobbies of the Belnord showcase white high-gloss painted wall paneling, a Nero Marquina marble floor with statuarietto white marble, and various bronze and nickel accents. The private residence lobbies feature the same wall paneling, as well as satin nickel hardware and marble floors that have been restored and polished.
In addition to playing a starring role in the hit series, the Belnord is a New York City landmark and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its facade consists of limestone and brick and is divided horizontally into a total of three sections.