On the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York, a designer-done residence is one of several that lie ... [+]
Charles Pierrepont Henry Gilbert gave an enduring gift to New York City. The 19th-century architect created some of the city’s most memorable and elaborate Gilded Age mansions that still stand.
Now a large contemporary residence on the Upper West Side of Manhattan honors Gilbert by preserving one of his ornate facades in a novel way.
Apartment 3E, listed for $4.75 million, is one of seven residences designed by Barry Rice ... [+]
The building at 272 West 86th Street is a combination of three mansions that date to 1895. Barry Rice Architects tucked a new building behind the exterior to create seven contemporary residences under one roof. The project was completed in 2017.
The best part: Gilbert’s limestone and Roman brick facade with turret-like bay windows running down the front of the building remain intact.
Custom cabinetry and stonework highlight the residence's light-filled kitchen.
Apartment 3E, one of the most spacious residences, is a duplex that covers 2,283 square feet on two floors. It’s currently on the market for $4.75 million.
The three-bedroom home reflects the best of the old and new. The living room on the main level takes full advantage of the picture windows that overlook a church and the neighborhood below. The vibe is spacious, with high ceilings and hardwood floors.
Built-ins bookend an enclosed media cabinet in the living room.
On the opposite side is the dining area and kitchen, with custom cabinetry and stonework as well as a six-burner Wolf range, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher and wine cooler.
The bedrooms are located upstairs. The primary suite with a marble bathroom benefits from natural light flowing in from picture windows. Opposite the main suite is a hallway leading to a laundry room, third bathroom with a soaking tub and two large bedrooms. The upper floor has a separate entrance that leads to the elevator (for those who don’t want to use the stairs linking the two floors).
The residence's turret design creates space for a sitting area of office in the primary suite.
The location is near some of New York City’s best green spaces. Central Park to the east is popular with tourists but locals prefer Riverside Park to the west. “There are no tourists, so it’s really peaceful,” says listing agent Mick DeStasio of Elegran. “You have a lot of water views of the river.” The greenway for walking, running and biking runs uptown and downtown along the Hudson River.
The neighborhood also doesn’t get much traffic. Streets in the mid-to-upper 80s are quiet and residential, DeStasio says.
A marble-clad bathroom with a walk-in shower completes the primary suite.
Who might be a potential buyer? Anyone who enjoys authentic townhome life in Manhattan, maybe even a young family. “It’s very low-key. It’s truly like a townhome with a doorman,” DeStasio says.
Gilbert was known for his “lacy” or intricate detailing, according to the New York Times, and this building is no exception. He designed hundreds of mansions in Manhattan and beyond. Among his works are the current Ukrainian Institute and the Jewish Museum, both former mansions for the wealthy.
Fabric wallpaper and gold fixtures draw the eyes in one of the bedrooms. The residence has a total ... [+]
