Kate Spade founder’s boho East Village townhouse returns as a $40,000/month rental
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Kate Spade founder’s boho East Village townhouse returns as a $40,000/month rental

August 31, 2016

We’ll take any opportunity to admire the four-story townhouse at 215 East 12th Street in the East Village, just south of the bustle of Union Square, and its appearance on the rental market for $40,000 a month is as good an excuse as any. Just a few months ago, the townhouse owned by Pamela Bell, one of the founders of fashion brand Kate Spade, popped up for sale at $16 million accompanied by many pretty pictures of its gently renovated historic-chic interiors and beautifully-preserved 1800s origins. Bell bought the house in 2007 for $4.3 million, so there’s a tidy sum to be made if it snags a buyer; in the meantime, renters get a chance to experience nine-bedroom garden-filled townhouse living in a vibrant, 24-hour neighborhood.

215 East 12th Street, cool listings, East Village, townhouse, kate spade, Pamela Bell, historic homes, townhouse

Back in 2011, the same owner listed the home on the rental market fully furnished for $18,500/month, so times have definitely changed. Change isn’t a new story, though; a look at the history of this fashion-forward Village home reveals that when it was constructed in 1854, like many of its East Village row house neighbors, it was likely a single or two-family home for successful merchants, according to GVSHP. In the ensuing decades, homes like this one became multi-family housing and even rooming houses.

Here, physicians’ offices were added within the lower floors, and the second and third floors became single-family apartments in the 1920s. The home’s original stoop was removed. By 1927 those upper floors had become a rooming house, and in the 1950s even more apartments were added. When Ms. Bell bought the home, she undertook the significant challenge of a renovation that dispatched with the warren of sleeping rooms and resulted in its current spacious and opportunity-filled state.

215 East 12th Street, cool listings, East Village, townhouse, kate spade, Pamela Bell, historic homes, townhouse

215 East 12th Street, cool listings, East Village, townhouse, kate spade, Pamela Bell, historic homes, townhouse

At 25 feet wide, this enviable downtown homestead is sizeable enough to host a rental apartment on the garden level with an additional art studio, plus three floors above. Alternately, of course, it could be a single-family home (though it’s not clear what the options are for a renter). An additionally-available 5,000 square feet of FAR would allow a new owner to create a 10,000-square-foot mansion. A large and lovely back garden adds even more magic to the picture.

The historic home’s entrance on the first floor leads to the aforementioned renovated one-bedroom apartment, as well as a separate artist studio/guest suite with its own bath. The garden boasts ivy-covered brick walls, mature trees–and a basketball hoop.

215 East 12th Street, cool listings, East Village, townhouse, kate spade, Pamela Bell, historic homes, townhouse

215 East 12th Street, cool listings, East Village, townhouse, kate spade, Pamela Bell, historic homes, townhouse

The parlor floor–known for townhouse grandeur–doesn’t disappoint, with ceilings soaring over 13 feet. A gracious living and dining room has retained two wood-burning fireplaces and dramatic oversized French windows. By contrast, the renovated kitchen is very much of the moment with top-of-the-line appliances and a sleek, minimal design made luxurious with marble worktops. The back garden is accessible from this level as well via stairs.

215 East 12th Street, cool listings, East Village, townhouse, kate spade, Pamela Bell, historic homes, townhouse

215 East 12th Street, cool listings, East Village, townhouse, kate spade, Pamela Bell, historic homes, townhouse

On the third floor a big master suite consists of a sitting area, dressing room and master bath. You’ll also find two more bedrooms and another bathroom on this floor.

215 East 12th Street, cool listings, East Village, townhouse, kate spade, Pamela Bell, historic homes, townhouse

215 East 12th Street, cool listings, East Village, townhouse, kate spade, Pamela Bell, historic homes, townhouse

On the top floor are four more bedrooms–all with high ceilings, a rarity at this level–a renovated bath and a laundry room, and a skylight sends sunlight down through the house from the heavens.

[Listing: 215 East 12th Street by Farrah Kleiner for Sloane Square NYC]

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Images courtesy of Sloane Square NYC.

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All information furnished regarding property for sale, rental or financing is from sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy thereof and same is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price, rental or other conditions, prior sale, lease or financing or withdrawal without notice. All dimensions are approximate. For exact dimensions, you must hire your own architect or engineer and for no listing shall the number of bedrooms listed be considered a legal conclusion.

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