Yoko Ono is on the verge of becoming the longest current homeowner in New York City's historic Dakota building. The 93-year-old artist and activist, who first moved into the Upper West Side property with her late husband John Lennon 53 years ago, will hold this title when the sale of a penthouse apartment at the building's summit is finalized.

The penthouse, which was listed for $8 million and is now under contract, was previously owned by the late art patron Steven Rubin. Rubin purchased his initial unit in the Dakota in the late 1960s and later acquired adjacent space, connecting the two to create a sprawling residence. His daughter stated that the property was listed in June after his wife, Polly Rubin, passed away in December.

The Dakota, built as America's first luxury apartment building, offered an alternative to traditional mansion living for the affluent. The Rubins' penthouse originated as quarters for maids and was later expanded. The residence provides views of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, according to the listing agent.

While city records indicate other Dakota residents have passed apartments to family members, Ono's continuous ownership of her home appears unique within the 94-unit building. She has resided there for over half a century, experiencing both personal joys and profound tragedies.

Ono and Lennon moved into the Dakota shortly after the Beatles disbanded. They expanded their living space by adding an adjacent apartment. Lennon composed music in their minimalist main room, which featured a white aesthetic and a Grand Steinway piano. Other rooms were decorated with dark wood Asian artifacts, antique instruments, and tapestries, featuring 14-foot ceilings and marble fireplaces.

While the exact price Ono and Lennon paid for their initial apartment in 1973 is not publicly known, comparable units in the Dakota at that time sold for between $150,000 and $200,000, equivalent to approximately $1.1 million to $1.5 million today. Their original unit was estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,000 square feet.

Over the years, Ono and Lennon acquired additional units on different floors for guests, offices, and storage. It was within the Dakota that Lennon wrote several songs, including "Mind Games" and "Whatever Gets You Through the Night," and much of his final album, "Double Fantasy."

The couple raised their son, Sean, in the building. Their apartment was also the location where Annie Leibovitz captured the iconic 1980 photograph of Lennon and Ono. Tragically, just five hours after the photograph was taken, Lennon was killed outside the building's archway by Mark David Chapman.

Following Lennon's death, the Dakota's board reportedly became more stringent regarding celebrity residents. In subsequent years, musicians like Madonna, Cher, and Billy Joel were denied approval to purchase apartments, a contrast to earlier years when artists such as Judy Garland, Lauren Bacall, and Boris Karloff were welcomed.

Ono, who now spends significant time at her upstate farm, has not indicated any plans to sell her primary residence in the Dakota. Real estate platforms estimate the apartment's value at around $20 million. She declined to comment on the matter.