The High and Low: Two ‘Mad’ Pads Offer Modernist Details, Timeless Appeal

In honor of the final season of “Mad Men,” we’ve found a pair of current listings with the modern appeal of the Draper apartment at (fictional) 783 Park Avenue. Accents that might come straight from the pages of a mid-century magazine—like a sunken living room, wood paneling and a Nelson hanging light–or 21st century perks like open kitchens, floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies and city views add up to just as much modern cool as they did in the “Mad Men” era. $2.8 million gets you a serious mid-century pedigree, an enclosed balcony and a prime Greenwich Village location, but for $925,000, a top-floor Upper East Side pre-war pad with a recent renovation, city views and a compellingly modernist vibe looks like a serious deal.

Butterfield House at 37 West 12th Street. Photo courtesy of Douglas Elliman

THE HIGH. Located in a cool then-and-now Greenwich Village spot at 37 West 12th Street (Joan Holloway’s fictional apartment was just across the street at #42), Butterfield House is the real deal: Built in 1963, the co-op is considered to be one of New York City’s architecturally distinguished mid-century masterpieces.

Butterfield House at 37 West 12th Street. Photo courtesy of Douglas Elliman.

 From an original 1962 marketing brochure for Butterfield House. Image courtesy of Columbia University Libraries via GVSHP.org.

Situated on one of the neighborhood’s loveliest blocks, this modern landmark is comprised of two buildings connected by glass passageway with viewing gardens. This two-bedroom co-op comes with an enclosed terrace off the living room and was gut renovated in 2012 to add 21st century perfection to its mid-century cachet.

Butterfield House at 37 West 12th Street. Photo courtesy of Douglas Elliman.

Butterfield House at 37 West 12th Street. Photo courtesy of Douglas Elliman.

Facing south over the building’s tranquil gardens and fountains, the apartment enjoys great light and park-like views. Building amenities include a 24-hour doorman and porters, direct garage access, and an updated gym.

THE LOW. Quite a find for its under-seven-figure price of $925k, this junior-four top-floor unit at 225 East 74th Street–blocks from Don Draper’s fictional Park Avenue place–rocks a step-down sunken living room, a renovated and decidedly modern wood-clad kitchen, open city views, a spacious master bedroom and room for a second bedroom (or office).

The custom windowed kitchen has granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and beautiful wood cabinetry.

225 East 74th Street. Photo Courtesy of Corcoran.

225 East 74th Street is a pre-war coop, though also a mid-century design classic, built in 1940, with a full time doorman, live-in manager, landscaped courtyard, laundry room, bike room, and storage and located in the heart of the Upper East Side near some of the best shopping, restaurants and transportation that the city has to offer.

[Listing: 37 West 12th Street Apt. 2D by Jeffrey Dyksterhouse, Luke Whitman and Justin Kinslow of Douglas Elliman] — [Via CityRealty]

[Listing: 225 East 74th Street Apt. 6F by Joseph Guzzo of The Corcoran Group] – [Via CityRealty]

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• WE Design’s Brownstone Renovation Melds the Old with Mid-Century Modern Touches

Images Courtesy of Douglas Elliman and The Corcoran Group