<P> The exterior of the building is somewhat non-traditional . As the brick facade rises from the ground it changes shade from deep purple to yellow - white . Color was widely used during the 1920s as a tool in architecture for overall effects . The rental brochure stated: "new modernistic design of exterior with beautiful shaded color scheme". The New Yorker's architecture critic, George S. Chappell, praised the building's use of color, said, "the total effect is exhilarating ." </P> <P> The building is a contributing property to the Central Park West Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 9, 1982 . It is also a contributing property to the New York City's Upper West Side / Central Park West local historic district . Benjamin Schwarz, writing for The Atlantic, said of the buildings along Central Park West, "no endeavor on earth is more arduous than getting into one of these buildings," and specifically cited the "details of Donna Karan's deal for her digs at 55 Central Park West ." </P> <P> The building holds significance in American popular culture as it was featured prominently in the 1984 film Ghostbusters . In the film, 55 Central Park West was the residence of the Ghostbusters' first client, cellist Dana Barrett played by Sigourney Weaver . They learn it was designed and constructed by insane architect / surgeon Ivo Shandor, who started and led a secret society, The Cult of Gozer . Consisting of over a thousand followers, The Cult was dedicated to the worship of Gozer The Gozerian, an ancient, ultra-powerful, apocalyptic being . The Gozerian Cult performed rituals on the rooftop temple as early as 1920, seeking to summon Gozer and end the world . The actual building, however, was not built until 1929 . Since the building was used in the 1984 movie, it has been known as the "Ghostbusters Building" or "Spook Central," though it was portrayed as much taller and with the rooftop demonic shrine, via the eight floors that were added to exterior shots of it via matte painting by Production designer / Art director John DeCuir . The Gozerian Temple consisted of its massive, ornate shrine, altars, obelisks and the iconic Terror Dog statues depicting demigods Zuul The Gatekeeper and Vinz Clortho The Keymaster . </P>

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