Only Murders in the Building: The Arconia is as intriguing in real life as it is in the Disney+ Hotstar show

Imagine you are a fan of the popular mystery comedy show Only Murders in the Building and you are walking down the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York. Your eyes suddenly glance upon an apartment building that is all too similar. While you might know it as the Arconia from the hit show Only Murders in the Building, it’s actual name is Belnord and it has a history as intriguing as its counterpart in the show. 

Only Murders in the Building follows three strangers played by Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez, who come together to investigate a murder in their apartment complex. The Arconia building is the prime setting of the exciting comedy thriller and it’s no wonder that most fans are often spellbound by its real deal - Belnord - in New York. 

Architectural firm Hiss and Weekes built the Belnord back in 1908, and this explains the Arconia’s rustic look. Taking up an entire block, the building also has a 2000-yard courtyard that is in the middle of 200 apartments. While it has withstood a century, the building has gone through a few renovations in the recent years. 

Robert AM Stern, who launched the building’s renovation in 2018 called it the “grandest residential buildings in New York” in an interview with Architectural Digest. The Belnord was also added to the National Register of Historic Places back in 1980. 

With over thousands of tenants having called the building home at different points in time, the building was also known for all its modernity, in spite of its visibly archaic style. It came with all the modernity that was needed for its time, including ice machines, private laundry, tubs, ironing boards and clotheslines. Reports also mention names such as Lee Strasberg, Marilyn Monroe and Isaac Bashevis Singer as people who have visited the building during its heyday. 

The original building, which stands over 110 years old, has also had its fair share of controversies. As the building started crumbling at one point, tenants met the landlord with “rent strikes”, which lasted a very long time, forcing them to sell. The building has since been sold and renovated a few times. 

Today, following the popularity of the show, the building has also become a popular attraction. According to reports, the latest luxury condos in the building are being snatched for $3 million to 13 million dollars.

So, next time when you make it to New York, make sure to check out the Belnord. Even if you aren’t a fan of the show, its history and grandeur are enough reasons to make it feature in your must-see list.

Originally streaming on HULU, Only Murders in the Building is also available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar.