About this property
Commissioned by James E. Nichols in 1898, 4 East 79th Street is an important and architecturally significant limestone mansion that was a key component in the initial development of railroad industrialist Henry H. Cook’s prescient acquisition of the block between East 78th and 79th Streets and Fifth and Madison Avenues. Superb design by original architect, C.P.H. Gilbert, known for his opulent, chateau-inspired Francois Ier style, has undergone a masterful and complete renovation by its most recent steward, the late businessman and philanthropist, Aso O. Tavitian. With the assistance and expertise of architectural and design professionals, including Peter Pennoyer and Theodore Prudon, among others, who used original detail and research as their inspiration and guide, this remarkable single-family residence is visually resplendent and exceptional in every way.
Ideally situated on the Upper East Side, the 35-foot wide mansion offers more than 15,000 square feet of interior living space. Significantly, the property fortunately includes a 15’ x 105’ swathe of land that borders the western edge of the residence, allowing for large west-facing windows. As such, the building has exposures on three sides and benefits from divine light as well as delightful Central Park views. From the residence, it is moments to Central Park, the galleries and boutiques of Madison Avenue, and the treasures in Fifth Avenue’s glorious museums.
Throughout, soaring high ceilings and extremely impressively-scaled rooms are complemented by extraordinary detail, such as solid mahogany doors and windows, hand-selected marble paneling and floors, English brown oak paneling, parquet de Versailles and herringbone white oak floors, and carved plaster crown moldings. With an eye to the legacy of the design, only the very top quality methods and materials have been selected. All systems, including HVAC, humidification, domestic water, leak-defense, and security, have been expertly maintained and upgraded. A passenger elevator services all floors, and a service elevator additionally supports all but the top three levels.
Set back from East 79th Street by a court enclosed by imposing wrought iron gates, the entrance, by way of two sets of impressive bronze and glass doors, opens to a majestic Gallery anchored by an elegantly wide grand staircase rising four stories and crowned by a massive and glorious laylight. From the Gallery, a quietly lavish marble-paneled Hall leads to an exceedingly handsome Reception Room with English brown oak paneling and a wood-burning fireplace with a limestone mantle. Beyond four sets of French doors, a generously-proportioned terrace with limestone walls and a hornbeam-tree border provides a glorious retreat. Discreet Security and Administrative Offices, a Powder Room, a cloakroom, and access to the elevators complete this level.
The parlor level, with ceilings soaring to over 13 feet in height, is comprised of a grand landing Gallery and two most impressive primary entertaining rooms, the Living Room and Dining Room. These rooms are a tour de force of exuberant proportions and elegant detail.
Both are enhanced by wood-burning fireplaces with visually striking marble mantles, as well as gorgeous plaster cornices exactingly modeled on those original to Nichols House. The north-facing Living Room and the south-facing Dining Room have gently curving west-facing walls, each with two tall windows offering very pleasant outlooks to the courtyard and to Central Park.
For entertaining, this floor is supported by a well-appointed Pantry with service elevator access to the residence Kitchen on the Third Floor and the Catering Kitchen on the Lower Level. A Powder Room is conveniently accessible.
