About this property
No. 243: A Historically Significant Park-front Mansion on East 17th Street
Beckoning the bygone era of the Gilded Age in New York, this exceptional 28-foot-wide, elevator townhome sits perfectly positioned with a centerline view over Stuyvesant Square Park. Beautifully renovated in 2019, this stately home with gracious proportions features a three-bay facade, round-arched doors and windows, a lovely foliate patterned cast-iron balcony that runs the width of the edifice, and a paneled cornice. Totaling nearly 8,500sf with additional FAR, the five-story was originally built in the 1850s and currently has 6 bedrooms and 5 baths, and 2 powder rooms. It is the only Anglo-Italianate house in the district that was not originally part of a row of narrow, uniform houses.
This elegant townhouse has been featured in numerous design publications including Elle Decor and was one of Elle Decor’s top “liked” Instagram posts of 2021. New energy-efficient boiler and HVAC systems in 2019, along with a new roof, roofing membrane, drainage, down piping, and exterior decking are just a few of the many upgrades made by the current owner. The house features extremely high ceilings throughout, hardwood floors, a grand winding staircase, five fireplaces (one wood-burning), arched doorways, skylights, and original moldings.
A rare offering that must be seen to truly appreciate.
The Garden
Enter via the gated street entrance to a front garden and elegant entry vestibule, this level has a massive eat-in kitchen with a butler’s pantry, powder room, and formal dining room with a beautiful wood-burning fireplace.
The Kitchen
The Clive Christian-designed kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances from Viking and Sub-Zero, as well as marble countertops and painted pine cabinetry. From the kitchen, one may access the private backyard garden, which is a dream unto itself. The dimming bistro light set up in the garden and ivy-clad walled garden walls create a private, peaceful refuge where you almost forget you are in New York City.
The Parlor
With soaring 16’ ceilings and a floating curved staircase, the Parlor level provides a backdrop to entertain suitable even for the Great Jay Gatsby. The full-length, round-arch windows, all of which retain original muntins, and are on a line with the windows of No. 241, face south over the park and let in the most beautiful light all day long. The beautiful foliate patterned cast-iron Juliet balcony extends the width of the house where one can sit and soak in the sun. The rear parlor level is currently dedicated to the primary suite, with a gorgeous en-suite bathroom, walk-in closet, and private terrace.
Third Floor
The third floor features three sizable bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry, as well as a sitting room that could be converted into an additional bedroom.
Fourth Floor
The current setup for the 4th floor is a standalone suite with a living room, bar, gym, bedroom, and bathroom. Before the current owners, Clifford Jordan, the renowned jazz tenor saxophonist along with his wife, Sandy Jordan, lived on the fourth-floor studio for decades prior. With its 2.242sf of additional FAR remaining, the next owner can build up an additional level or two and adjacent roof terraces with incredible park and city views. Plans can be provided.
English Basement
Accessed by elevator, internal stair, or a private entrance under the stoop, at the English basement, the round-arched door and windows are framed by columns supporting stilted segmental arches. This level features a media room/screening room, additional laundry, access to the garden, as well as an additional bedroom with a separate entrance which can also function as a home office for those who wish to continue working from home.
In a prime location near Gramercy Park, Friends Seminary School, and some of New York City’s best restaurants and shopping, this townhouse sits directly across from Stuyvesant Square Park in the prestigious Historic District.
