On the Upper West Side, a Timeless Townhouse with a Serious Rooftop

This article highlights the Harlem townhouse at 1989 Madison Avenue, formerly owned by Nina Persson, lead singer of The Cardigans, and her husband, Nathan Larson. They purchased the six-bedroom, four-bath home in 2007 and resided there until 2015 before moving to Malmö, Sweden. The Cardigans' hit song "Lovefool" is noted for its enduring popularity, appearing in various films and TV shows. Known as The Harlem House, the brownstone has been meticulously updated and renovated, now functioning as a rental configured into two family units. It boasts over 4,200 square feet of interior space and an additional 700 square feet of private outdoor space. The five-level home's current layout is detailed across its various floors. The garden level features a modern open-plan kitchen and dining area, a rear bedroom, and a flagstone-paved enclosed back garden. The parlor level houses a large living room at the front and a primary bedroom suite with a private terrace at the rear. The third floor includes another bedroom and a spacious open-plan great room with dining, lounging areas, and a contemporary kitchen. The top floor offers a second primary suite, a smaller bedroom, and a media room. The basement provides a fitness area, laundry facilities, and three storage units. A notable characteristic of this townhouse, contrasting with many New York City townhomes, is its abundance of natural light, facilitated by oversized windows that illuminate the central spaces. Architectural and design elements throughout the home include three fireplaces with distinctive mantels, both exposed and painted brick walls, high ceilings, intricate moldings, extensive built-in storage, wide doorways, solid wood doors, custom kitchen cabinetry with opaque glass, and hardwood floors, some featuring an attractive herringbone pattern. The bathrooms are designed with style, incorporating clawfoot tubs, pedestal sinks, wainscoting, subway tiles, black-and-white tile floors, and exposed radiators. Unit 1 is a two-bedroom, two-bath duplex, easily convertible into a three-bedroom layout, with access to the basement and two private outdoor spaces. Its new kitchen is equipped with marble countertops, an island, and top-of-the-line appliances. Unit 2, accessible via its own private stoop entrance and a restored original staircase, offers three or potentially four bedrooms, an oversized primary en-suite, a washer/dryer, and a similarly renovated kitchen featuring an island, marble countertops, and premium appliances. The surrounding Harlem neighborhood has experienced significant development, now offering numerous restaurants and retail options, including a Whole Foods and a new Trader Joe’s. The home's location is convenient, being close to the 125th Street shopping corridor and equidistant from Marcus Garvey Park and Harlem River Park. Cultural attractions in the vicinity include the Apollo Theater and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. #HarlemTownhouse #LuxuryRental #HomeRenovation #HistoricHome #HarlemRealEstate #NinaPerssonHome #ArchitecturalDetails #NYCRealEstate #TownhouseLiving

The great room within the Tahoe Pines project showcases an impressive design featuring vaulted, wood-clad ceilings and steel-frame windows on three sides, creating a significant and visually striking space. The initial architectural design of the room included a wood ceiling with steel I-beams and large window systems, which provided a foundation for a modern aesthetic. Despite the grandeur of the high ceilings, the design objective was to infuse a sense of coziness and invitation into the space, encouraging occupants to linger. To achieve a more inviting atmosphere, subtle modifications were made to the room's elements. The previously contemporary limestone fireplace, characterized by straight lines, was softened with the addition of gentle curves. This alteration aimed to make the focal point of the room feel less stark and more harmonious with a relaxed interior. A challenge arose with the scale of the space, particularly concerning the window seats flanking the fireplace. Standard sconces appeared disproportionately small in the expansive environment. To address this, the built-in benches for the window seats were designed to be slightly higher than typical, which helped to balance the oversized nature of the room's architecture and window systems. The furniture selection process focused on combining classic foundational pieces with items that introduce visual interest. A classic main sofa was chosen to provide a timeless base, while side pieces were incorporated to add character. Notably, a plaid sofa was introduced to bring a pattern into the room, reflecting a deliberate choice to be bolder in a vacation home setting. The plaid pattern was selected for its classic appeal, ensuring it would remain stylish over time. The design team also ensured the room's paint scheme complemented the overall aesthetic, using Westhighland White by Sherwin Williams throughout the majority of the home, including the great room. This creamy white color contributes to the desired hominess, effectively integrating with the modern structural elements. Additional design elements enhance the room's functionality and style. A pair of Beck Leather Stools from McGee & Co. are positioned in front of the fireplace, their slender and structured form offering a subtle nod to mid-century design. The choice of specific furniture pieces like the Pattinson Sofa and Florence Floor Lamp further define the room's character and provide both comfort and illumination. The design philosophy behind the Tahoe Pines great room underscores the importance of balancing modern architecture with inviting elements, demonstrating how a vast space can be made to feel both impressive and comfortable through thoughtful design choices and careful consideration of scale, texture, and pattern. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #GreatRoom #TahoePinesProject #ModernArchitecture #CozyInteriors #LimestoneFireplace #WindowSeats #FurnitureSelection #PlaidSofa #WesthighlandWhite #BeckLeatherStools

Nicole Cole, CEO and founder of Vestige Home, embarked on a design project for a couple transitioning from their Boston residence to a condo in Society Hill Towers, a building recognized for its 1960s architecture by I.M. Pei. The clients, a retired art museum curator and a retired political science professor, sought a design that would integrate their extensive collection of antiques, books, and travel souvenirs into a layered and inviting space, all while respecting the building's inherent architectural style. The wife's background as a specialist in historic interiors meant she specifically connected with Vestige Home's approach to creating warm and personalized environments. The design process began with extensive client consultations, a method Cole employs to understand the homeowners' lifestyles and preferences. This particular couple's desire was to infuse their new, modern living space with the rich history and personal stories embedded in their belongings. The challenge was to achieve a cozy and eclectic feel without clashing with the sleek, somewhat austere backdrop of the I.M. Pei-designed condo, which also boasted expansive floor-to-ceiling views that were considered integral to the aesthetic. For the primary bedroom, Cole drew inspiration from Raffles Singapore, a favorite hotel of the couple. This influence translated into the selection of Maxwell’s Le Toucan charcoal wallpaper, which served as a foundational element for the room's design. Complementary pieces included a West Elm velvet pintuck quilt, adding texture and comfort, and a mid-century-modern-style cane headboard, which blended classic and contemporary elements. The office space was designed to be both functional and a reflection of the couple's academic and artistic interests. East Germantown design firm Edgewood Made crafted a wall of walnut millwork, incorporating a custom-designed integrated desk by Vestige Home. A framed poster showcasing the work of British artist Eric Ravilious, a personal memento from the couple's travels, was prominently displayed, adding a touch of their personal history to the professional setting. In the living room, the design focused on creating an inviting space for relaxation and intellectual engagement. A custom sofa from Highland House was chosen for its comfort and style. This was paired with an oversized Woodbridge Furniture coffee table, specifically selected to provide ample surface area for displaying the couple's numerous books, making the living room a central hub for their intellectual pursuits and daily life. The dining room features a bespoke banquette by Vestige Home, designed to optimize space and provide comfortable seating. The banquette is complemented by a Rosanna Corfe bird print, which adds an artistic focal point. Both elements are set against a wall painted in Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball, a deep, rich color that enhances the room's sophistication and allows the art and custom furniture to stand out. This design harmoniously blends the clients' cherished possessions with modern custom pieces, creating a home that is both personal and stylish within the iconic Society Hill Towers. #SocietyHillTowers #CondoDesign #EclecticInterior #VestigeHome #I.M.PeiArchitecture #InteriorDesign #CustomFurniture #HomeDecoration #LuxuryLiving

This article highlights a unique real estate opportunity in New York City: the simultaneous availability of two distinct apartments within a former Gilded Age mansion at 17 East 63rd Street. Built in 1901, the five-story limestone mansion initially housed prominent New York families before being converted into apartments after World War II. These units, characterized by their high, coffered ceilings, chandeliers, and French doors leading to Juliet balconies, rarely come onto the market. By an unusual coincidence, the second-floor apartment and a combined third-and-fourth-floor duplex were listed for sale within five days of each other, each with a different broker. The second-floor unit, apartment 2, has been owned for the past 35 years by Shirley Maytag King, widow of the grandson of the Maytag appliance company founder. This apartment boasts 15-foot ceilings, a remnant of its past as the mansion's ballroom, and is listed at $4.2 million. It includes 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a private elevator, a formal dining room, and two working fireplaces. Broker Paul Kolbusz notes that its price reflects the potential need for kitchen and bathroom updates, despite its historical significance and prime location near Central Park and the Frick Collection. The duplex, apartment 3/4, has been continuously owned for over 20 years and spans 4,200 square feet, significantly larger than the second-floor unit. Listed at $16.995 million, it features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, five fireplaces, and a primary bedroom that is 22 by 26 feet, larger than many living rooms, with two separate en suite bathrooms and dressing rooms, one with its own fireplace. The apartment, designed by Thomas Britt, also showcases an enormous great room with coffered ceilings and floor-to-ceiling French-door-style windows. Broker Elana Schoppmann emphasizes its 'grand scale' and 'royalty-like' living experience. The current owners combined the third and fourth floors in the early 1990s when the upstairs neighbors moved out. Both brokers involved are open to the idea of a buyer combining these two apartments into a single, three-story residence spanning approximately 6,300 square feet. Such a combination, however, would likely require board approval, as the building operates as a co-op. The mansion is also noted for being a rare 30-foot-wide limestone townhouse, sometimes referred to as the H. Bramhall Gilbert Mansion after its first owner. Neil Diamond is mentioned as the owner of the duplex penthouse on the fifth floor, a fact that dates back to a previous article from over 20 years ago. This simultaneous listing presents a unique opportunity for a buyer to acquire a significant portion of a historic Gilded Age mansion, offering expansive living spaces with original architectural details and the potential for a grand, custom-combined residence in a highly desirable New York City location. #GildedAge #LuxuryRealEstate #NewYorkCity #MansionApartments #RealEstateListing #UpperEastSide #HistoricHomes #CoOpLiving #ArchitecturalDesign

Alderbrook House, a Gothic Revival mansion constructed around 1858 at 4715 Independence Avenue, is one of Riverdale's two oldest Hudson River villas still serving as a private residence. Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac within the Estates section of Riverdale, this eight-bedroom, single-family house combines a New York City address with a private yard featuring century-old trees, offering a 20-minute commute to Midtown Manhattan. This property, typical of the grand homes found in the Estates and Fieldston sections, provides ample outdoor space, large porches, and attached garages, features uncommon for city living. According to Michael Rochios, the listing agent from Corcoran and a long-time Fieldston resident, properties of this caliber usually exchange hands only once in a generation. He notes that while many historic homes in the area have not been updated, Alderbrook House has undergone a significant architectural renovation, modernizing its layout for contemporary living, including a large, open kitchen. Rochios highlights the convenience of living in Riverdale, where residents can enjoy the professional and social advantages of New York City while returning to the peace and space reminiscent of a summer home outside the city. He estimates the drive to Lincoln Center to be about 15 minutes without traffic, underscoring the balance of urban access and suburban tranquility. The renovated and updated house boasts 7,500 square feet of interior space, an attached garage, seven bathrooms, and eight fireplaces. Its architectural details include a grand, intricately carved staircase, 12-foot ceilings with crown moldings, graceful arches, extensive millwork, a gabled roofline, tile mosaics, hardwood floors, built-ins, and nearly floor-to-ceiling bay windows that provide abundant natural light. Modern amenities have been integrated, such as multi-zone central air, a home gym, a custom butler’s pantry, radiant-heat floors, and new electrical, plumbing, sound, and sprinkler systems. The second-floor primary bedroom suite is equipped with a large closet/dressing room, a sitting area, a wood-burning fireplace, and a luxurious bathroom featuring a soaking tub, steam shower, dual vanity sinks, and contemporary European fixtures. Alderbrook House was originally built as a summer retreat for city dwellers. From 1864 to the 1890s, it served as the country home of banker and industrialist Percy R. Pyne, then president of the National City Bank. His son, Moses Pyne, recalled his father's routine of horse riding, bathing, rowing across the Hudson, and climbing the Palisades before commuting to New York. The Pyne family owned the home until 1921 when it was acquired by sculptor Elie Nadelman and his wife, Viola. The Nadelmans, known for their world-class folk art collection, resided there, and their son, diplomat Jan Nadelman, lived in the home until his death in 2007, after which the current owners purchased it. The recent historic renovation was overseen by Stephen Byrns, a respected architect, founding partner of BKSK Architects, and former member of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission. The property features a stone pathway leading to the front entrance and a side door by the garage opening into a new mudroom. Rochios describes the house as ideal for entertaining, highlighting the first floor's formal dining room with a bar area, a living room, a den/family room, and a new eat-in kitchen equipped with Wolf and Miele ovens, two dishwashers, three sinks, a poured concrete island, and Caesarstone countertops. He states that the main level offers one of Riverdale's best entertainer's layouts, complemented by spacious, well-lit upstairs bedrooms. Multiple doors connect to a wraparound porch, and Elie Nadelman’s former sculpture studio has been repurposed into a children’s playroom, complete with plexiglass windows. The house maintains a comfortable and efficient flow, maximizing its grand scale without wasted space, making it suitable for both intimate gatherings and large events. #RiverdaleRevival #GothicRevival #HistoricHome #LuxuryRealEstate #ArchitecturalRenovation #NewYorkCity #HudsonRiver #ModernLiving