The Arconia, the unreal edifice housing the trio of podcasting characters Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) in the series ‘Only Murders in the Building’, has assumed a substantial role in the narrative over three seasons. Despite the planned relocation of the entertaining group to Los Angeles in the fourth season of the Hulu crime-comedy series that premiered on August 27, their abode in NYC continues to stand as their primary headquarters. Undeniably, the series would arguably lose its charm without its iconic setting. For those about to join the new season’s journey, here’s everything worth knowing about the Arconia and the actual building serving as its frontage.
The Arconia, portrayed in the show, is a prewar, block-long residential building nestled on New York City’s Upper West Side, deriving inspiration from actual edifices in the vicinity, such as the Apthorp, Dakota (John Lennon’s shooting spot and also the setting of Rosemary’s Baby), and the Belnord, the latter providing the exterior for filming ‘Only Murders in the Building’. The imaginary Arconia was conceived in the series by architect Archibald Carter’s vision, while the Belnord in reality was born in 1908, the product of architectural firm Hiss and Weekes.
The Belnord, located at 225 West 86th Street, originally harbored 175 apartments, which gradually amplified to 225 units in the 1940s, before finally furnishing 231 apartments as the result of its most recent makeover in 2018 by Robert A.M. Stern Architects. These condos offer views of an interior courtyard, flanked by manicured gardens and fountains. To date, it remains one of the largest interior courtyards in New York City, and was unprecedentedly the most extensive globally at its time of construction.
Throughout its history, the Belnord has catered to an array of distinguished occupants. Household names including Martha Stewart and Lee Strasberg, the acting mentor of Marilyn Monroe who received her frequent visits at the building, once called this architectural marvel their home. One could only imagine the riveting podcast content if the trio – dubbed ‘OliMabel’ by Oliver who amusingly states ‘the Charles is silent’- had ever crossed paths with these illustrious past residents.
In the fourth season, the Arconia’s resident characters Charles, Oliver, and Mabel embark on an adventure to Los Angeles. The series, celebrated for its star-studded ensemble that previously welcomed Meryl Streep as Oliver’s romantic interest, adds a layer of Hollywood flair, as the podcast garners interest from film industry executives keen on transposing it onto the silver screen.
The producers have made some surprising casting choices for the adaptation. Eva Longoria has been cast as Mabel, the role originally played by Selena Gomez, with her jaded millennial demeanor. Zach Galifianakis is set to fill Martin Short’s shoes as Oliver, while Eugene Levy has been chosen to embody Charles (Steve Martin), presumably due to a shared affinity for spectacles.
However, the arrival of these high-profile actors only spurs additional chaos for our trio, as they bid farewell to the Arconia to experience sun-soaked Los Angeles temporarily. The narrative for the season revolves around the demise of Sazz (Jane Lynch), Charles’s stunt double based in Los Angeles, by a bullet that appears to be increasingly meant for Charles.
Yet, fans of the Arconia needn’t worry. The character-driven narrative is tethered to the heart of the Arconia – specifically, Charles’ apartment, the focal point of past criminal activities. Hence, the storyline necessitates a return to the place that continues to harbor secrets and unsolved mysteries.
Showrunner Howe enthused on the limitless potential the Arconia offers to the show’s creators. Its grand stature, paired with a bounty of amenities and an upscale, luxurious ambiance, provides a continual source of inspiration and narrative possibilities, allowing imaginative stories to take shape within its confines.
The exploration of the Arconia offers constant narrative rewards as the colossal structure provides an inexhaustible amount of material for both the show writers and viewers. The engaging setting allows fans of the series to participate in the unraveling and resolution of the various criminal cases tied to the building.
As we journey through the new season, we can expect the revelation of further details and new residents. Notably, an intriguing cast including Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Kind, Molly Shannon, and Melissa McCarthy is on the deck for the latest edition.
Highlighting its endless features, such as sprawling residences, a celebrity-studded penthouse, clandestine routes, and the palpable camaraderie (or occasional hostility) amongst its long-standing and newcomer inhabitants, the Arconia is essentially a universe within itself.
Thus, while Los Angeles promises a new dimension to the series in Season 4, it is the Arconia in NYC that remains the true heart and soul of ‘Only Murders in the Building’. As the characters migrate west, the magnetic pull of their NYC home ensures their stories are still fundamentally entwined with the Arconia.
Without a doubt, the Arconia stands tall not only as an iconic structure in the narrative but as a fascinating character in its own right. As mysteries continue to weave around its magnificent structure, one awaits to see what secrets the Arconia holds in the yet-to-be-unveiled adventures of the upcoming season.