4 Bed 6 Bath Townhouse For Sale $8,600,000 3,567 sqft ($2,411 per sqft)
Broker: Paula Del Nunzio Brown Harris Stevens
Good Fortune
Some townhouses seemed blessed by good fortune. They are on the perfect street. And on an exquisite block of that street. A stre
...read moreGood Fortune
Some townhouses seemed blessed by good fortune. They are on the perfect street. And on an exquisite block of that street. A street with an unmatched legacy of great architects from Fifth Avenue to Third Avenue. And owners so multi-talented they seem the creators of a modern-day Renaissance. 173 East 70th Street is such a townhouse.
EAST 70th STREET
East 70th Street is considered extraordinary as it is anchored on Fifth Avenue by the exquisite classicism of the former private residence of Henry Clay Frick, now the home of The Frick Collection. Built in 1914 for $5 million - an extraordinary sum for the time - it was designed to accommodate Henry, his wife, Adelaide, and their daughter, Helen Clay Frick - and a staff of 27. Built on a 200' x 275' lot, it was designed by Carrere & Hastings and set the tone ever since for the remarkable collection of architects who would adorn East 70th Street.
The blocks heading east include superior work by architects, Walker and Gillette, Trowbridge and Livingston, Mott Schmidt and Grosvenor Atterbury.
EXQUISITE BLOCK
The Lexington to Third block includes three remarkable buildings, the largest of which was built in 1901 by Daniel C. Reid, one of the three tinplate kings of the day. It is a 58-foot-wide ""stable"" reaching the height of a five-story mansion with a limestone facade by the renowned architect, CPH Gilbert, best known for designing mansions on Fifth Avenue! CPH Gilbert built two other extraordinary ""stables"" on this block that are now lavish residences. Another house on this block is by Charles Gamble Rogers, well known for his buildings at Yale and Columbia.
THE RESIDENCE TODAY
This treasured home has been lovingly restored to its more traditional roots by noted designer Victoria Hagan. There are two entries off the forecourt: a service entry on the western side of the house directly into the kitchen and the main entry to the east which leads to the foyer and offers direct views of the lushly planted north-facing garden.
The eat-in kitchen is accessed from the foyer and includes a banquette, six-burner range, excellent storage, and an adjacent butler's pantry with a second sink and ample serving space for formal dining. There is a powder room and guest coat closet off the main hallway, which leads to a sun-filled living and dining room with a wood-burning fireplace.
The north-facing garden is 38 feet long, planted on all sides with tall trees and rhododendron, creating a private refuge for relaxation and summer dinners.
The parlor floor living room has 11'8"" ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace and an arched entryway with pocket doors. On the landing is a coat closet and powder room. The stair bends gracefully on the parlor floor lending even more space for the large and gracious entertaining rooms. The south-facing library includes the third wood-burning fireplace and a wall of built-in shelves.
Floors three and four comprise four bedrooms and four full baths that can be configured to place the master on either floor with three additional well-proportioned bedrooms remaining. Each bedroom has ample closet space and two large windows.
There is a ladder to the rooftop, which could be developed into a garden. The basement ceiling height is 6'7"" and includes building mechanicals and laundry. Above-grade square footage is approximately 3567sf with an approximately 930 square foot basement and approximately 633 square foot rear garden.
GOING FORWARD
All in, this is an exceptional townhouse as all its owners have been. Some say there must be magic in these walls. A perfect place to call home.
