A distinctive duplex apartment atop the Dakota co-op on Manhattan’s Upper West Side has been listed for $8 million, marking its first sale in nearly 50 years. The residence was formerly the home of art specialists Stephen and Polly Rubin, who transformed the space from its original use as servants’ quarters into a stylish penthouse with sweeping views of Central Park.

The apartment spans nearly 2,860 square feet across the ninth and 10th floors of the historic building at West 72nd Street. Originally designed as multiple rental units in the mid-20th century, the Rubins acquired and combined these spaces beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s, prior to their marriage. The resulting home includes three bedrooms and four full bathrooms, featuring a guest room or office—originally a maid’s room—located across the hall. Additional flexible space, such as a library that could convert into a fourth bedroom, is also part of the layout.

Stephen Rubin served as a specialist in American watercolors and drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and was known for his avid art collecting. Polly Rubin worked as an art appraiser for Sotheby’s. The couple regularly hosted gatherings of prominent figures in the art world in the residence, cultivating an atmosphere described by their daughter, Katherine Jarvis, as a “magical era” with notable neighbors including Leonard Bernstein and Lauren Bacall.

The apartment underwent an initial renovation with the help of designer Ward Bennett, a neighbor famed for his “Manhattan A-frame” garret apartment, also converted from servants’ quarters in the Dakota. A more comprehensive redesign followed in the late 1980s when the Rubins engaged postmodern architect Michael Graves. Graves modernized the space with bold color schemes, classical architectural touches such as columns and decorative molding, and custom-designed furniture, including dining room pieces. The update also involved refurbishing bathrooms, kitchen, lighting, and fixtures.

The residence boasts high ceilings reaching up to 15½ feet on the upper level, hardwood and sandstone floors, and oversized windows providing panoramic views of Central Park. The main entrance on the ninth floor leads into a spacious gallery connecting to the formal dining room with a barrel-vaulted ceiling and bookshelves lining the walls. Adjacent spaces include a library, an octagonal breakfast room with an adjoining pantry, and a chef-grade kitchen fitted with premium appliances and custom cabinetry. The primary bedroom includes an en suite bathroom and multiple closets, including a large walk-in.

A staircase near the kitchen ascends to the top-level studio, which contains a bedroom with an en suite bathroom and a living area beneath a significant sloped skylight overlooking the roof. The Rubins’ daughter recalls fond memories of the space, noting the apartment’s role as both a family home and an artistic hub during their residency.

Monthly maintenance fees for the apartment are $16,741, reflecting the building’s premium amenities and historic status. The listing is managed by Sotheby’s International Realty on behalf of the Rubin estate.