A historic stable house with completely modern interior asks $8.35M in Murray Hill

The interior of 149 East 38th Street in Murray Hill looks insanely modern–but just wait until you see the exterior. This home was carved out of the Bowdoin Stables, an imposing carriage house built in 1902 for the real estate developer and clothing executive William R. H. Martin. According to Daytonian in Manhattan, the structure sold to financier George S. Bowdoin in 1907 (hence the stable’s name), and Bowdoin’s horses lived on the first floor while his coachmen lived upstairs. The building has served as everything from a home to art gallery to cultural center since then; now it’s on the market as an impressive residence asking $8.35 million.

First off, here’s a look at the landmarked exterior. It’s a Flemish Revival brick building with a stepped gable, decorated in stone detailing. There are two wreathed horses’ heads above the first-floor cornice–an obvious choice in decoration for a carriage home. More mysterious is the large bulldog’s head that sits atop the building.

The ground-floor space that once housed horses and carriages has been transformed into an indoor garage, accessed through the large main doors.

Inside, there’s over 6,000 square feet of living space over three floors. The main living and dining area is decorated with skylights and 25-foot-tall ceilings. The completely modern kitchen is located just adjacent to that dramatic space.

A spiral staircase runs through the home, taking you from the first floor (which holds the indoor garage) up to the third, which holds a terrace and bedroom.

According to the listing, the house has been featured in everything from films, books, magazines to newspapers, and it’s hosted weddings, fashion shows, and parties for up to 400 guests. Although it’s configured now as a single-family home, the zoning permits residential, medical, institutional and government uses. A new buyer will have a lot of options (and can throw a lot of parties) as they embark on the next chapter for this unique building.

[Listing: 149 East 38th Street by the Vanderploeg Team for Douglas Elliman]

Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman

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