This volume investigates the evolution of luxury apartment living in Manhattan as a reflection of changing social hierarchies and architectural trends from the late 19th century to the mid-1970s. Andrew Alpern, an expert in architectural history, utilizes a combination of archival research and visual documentation to trace how the concept of the 'flat' transitioned from a stigmatized housing type to a symbol of elite status. The work argues that the design of these buildings was intrinsically linked to the aspirations and social requirements of New York's upper class.

Architectural historians and urban planners frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for understanding the development of New York City's residential landscape. Experts note that the text provides a clear, well-documented record of the transition in domestic architecture during the Gilded Age and beyond.