One of the joys of owning a townhouse on New York’s Upper West Side is the rare opportunity to live a life of modern convenience amid the elegant surroundings of the past. This 1883 townhouse provides the best of both the past and the present – it not only preserves but also rejuvenates the Old New York familiar to Edith Wharton and Teddy Roosevelt. Original mahogany woodwork, original pocket doors, and a striking original staircase have preserved the charm of that Gilded Age. Extraordinarily high ceilings and original parquet floors throughout most of the parlour level and much of the third floor, as well as colorfully detailed decorative fireplaces in almost every room in the house, will assure that your twenty-first century life is constantly nourished by belle époque beauty. At the same time, the old-fashioned elegance of this townhouse is made exceptionally livable by modern architectural innovations. The extension has an almost completely glass rear wall that affords lush arboreal views from all five floors. A rear terrace, a wooden roof deck, and two greenhouse spaces provide the natural light and fresh air demanded by today’s architectural tastes.
This brownstone is one of an originally interconnected row of four. Currently, it is configured as an owner’s triplex with two floors of rental studios above. Each rental unit houses its own furnace, hot water heater, central air conditioning, and electric meter. Many of the rental units include exposed brick and original decorative fireplaces in excellent condition, as well as oversized casement windows, sleeping lofts, and outdoor spaces that add value.
LAYOUT
Garden Level:
Entering under the L-shaped stoop, you find an oblong living area on your left, currently used as a bedroom and nursery. To the rear of this level is the current family room with a full bath. A glass door opens onto the garden, letting in plenty of natural light. Through an arched doorway you find an eat-in kitchen. The dining area is housed under a completely glass greenhouse extension that creates the illusion of dining in the garden all year round. The rear garden is landscaped in brick with three planting terraces. A large wooden deck affords plenty of room for outdoor entertaining. Flowering bushes and three trees, including a plum, a shadblow, and a well-established European birch provide shade in the summer and a constantly changing panorama of foliage in the fall.
Parlour Level:
Upon ascending the L-shaped stoop and stepping into the main entrance hall, you find yourself transported back to New York’s Gilded Age. Immediately, you are struck by the beauty of the original staircase. The original mahogany wainscoting, doorframes, and entryway mirror frame all complement the staircase, reflecting its gracefully carved details. The floors throughout this level preserve their original parquetry. The dramatic height of the ceilings gives this entire level an ambiance worthy of the romantic era. Through original pocket doors you enter the front parlour, currently used as a library. On your right is an original decorative fireplace with an unusual, rainbow-colored tile border and a gorgeous mahogany mantel. The parquet continues throughout this room. The rear of this level is a dining room appropriate for your most dignified gatherings, yet not too imposing for family dinners or holiday entertaining. The four-foot wainscoting here is white oak, painted white, as is the rest of the original woodwork in this room. Another mirror, in its original white oak frame, and tall windows on the rear wall make this room look even more spacious than it really is. The decorative fireplace refreshes the eye by varying the tile colors, patterns, and woodwork seen in the library. This floor’s extension benefits from a soaring double-height ceiling. The rear wall of the extension is completely glass and affords a verdant view. The extension is separated from the dining room by an original pocket door accented by etched glass in a stylized natural pattern – yet another of those original details that make this property so timeless.
Third Floor:
Mahogany wainscoting hugs the wall as you ascend the original staircase to the third floor. In the rear of this floor is the master bedroom suite. Original parquet floors, original window frames, and yet another original decorative fireplace are among this bedroom’s enchanting details. The extension turns this room into a private suite, and would make an excellent artist’s studio thanks to its full wall of windows. The master bath is accessible from this suite. At the front of this level is another bedroom with full bath. This bedroom’s decorative fireplace is another variation on the original tiling and woodwork themes that provide decorative cohesion to the entire property. Three oversized casement windows swing wide open to let in as much fresh air as you could desire.
Fourth Floor:
The fourth floor is divided into two rental studios. The front studio features three large casement windows which provide plenty of light and air. Exposed brick and an original decorative fireplace in excellent condition are among the details that lend appeal to this unit.The rear studio boasts not only exposed brick and another original decorative fireplace, but also a full wall of windows leading to a spacious outdoor deck.
Fifth Floor:
The fifth floor is configured into two rental studios, each with individual character. Each studio profits from exposed brick, as well as a decorative fireplace embellished by original woodwork and tiling. The front studio includes a bedroom loft and a wooden roof deck offering expansive city views. The rear studio features a full wall of windows and ten foot ceilings. In addition, the rear studio’s loft bedroom grants access to a half-floor greenhouse installed by the owner. This could be modified or removed.
Basement:
The basement houses the hot water heater for the triplex and provides plenty of storage. Price: $4,300,000
