In this 1988 photo, Madonna is seen jogging along Central Park West, the avenue running along the western edge of Central Park. In the background, you can clearly spot Columbus Circle and the original facade of 2 Columbus Circle, which at the time housed the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Today, that same building is home to the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) — though now with a completely redesigned facade.
Background
Since the 1980s, Madonna lived on the Upper West Side, in an apartment at Harperly Hall, located at 41 Central Park West, which she purchased with her then-husband Sean Penn. With Central Park literally right outside her window, Madonna was often seen jogging there in the late 1980s and early 1990s. For her, running wasn’t just a workout — it was part of maintaining the stamina needed for intense dance rehearsals and world tours. This period coincided with the peak of her global fame.
The Harperly Hall Apartment
Interestingly, Madonna’s presence in Harperly Hall brought significant attention to the building.
Paparazzi regularly gathered outside, and the address often appeared in the press — which ultimately drove up the value of other apartments in the building by nearly 25%.
