Bookworms Rejoice: Upper East Side Mansion Boasts Palatial, Double-Height Library

Most of us in Manhattan are lucky if we can find room to fit one, tiny bookshelf in our homes, so you can imagine our reactions when we saw the opulent, two-story library at 12 East 69th Street. Not only does it make us ashamed of our puny literature collections, but the room is at least three times the size of our apartments. The celestial ceiling mural, massive amount of black walnut built-in shelving, and custom spiral staircase are also making us green with envy.  Non bookworms, have no fear–this house has an equally regal, double-height media room, which comes complete with sound-proof walls, rich wood paneling, a 12-foot screen, and plush velvet seats.

Built in 1884, this six-story limestone mansion has 19 rooms, over 20,000 square feet of interior space, and a 2,000-square-foot roof deck. The incredibly lavish interior design was completed by current owners Vincent Viola, owner of the Florida Panthers, and his wife Teresa, president of Maida Vale Designs, a custom stationary company. The couple left no detail untouched; from the onyx-clad bathrooms, to the ornately carved coffered ceilings, to the gilded fireplaces–every inch of the house has been designed to exude wealth and elegance.

Many of the materials used throughout the home are imported from Europe. In fact, the formal dining room, which holds a table for 20, is a replica of one of the dining rooms at the Palace of Versailles in France. Its plaster walls and ceilings are detailed with gold leaf and the black walnut floor has a marquetry “rug border.” The master bath, full of green onyx, resembles a Greek temple, and in the entryway guests are welcomed through Roman-esque arches.

When the Violas renovated the 40-foot-wide mansion in 2005, they took into account modern conveniences in addition to visual appeal. For example, they outfitted the entire home with radiant heated floors, which even carry over to the exterior entry steps and sidewalk (say goodbye to shoveling snow). In the rustic kitchen is a brick pizza oven, as well as warming drawers. There’s also an elevator, fitness space, panic room, and an indoor saltwater swimming pool that connects to a blue lapis and glass-tile clad spa/sauna.

Think this is the home for you? You’re in luck! It’s for sale for $114,077,000 (though you may have to sell off some of that book collection to meet that steep asking price).

[Listing: 12 East 69th Street via Corcoran]

[Via CityRealty]

Photos courtesy of Corcoran