This Upper East Side Townhouse Makes Up in Charm What It Lacks in Its 13-Foot Width
When you’ve got a house that’s just a hair over 13 feet wide, you’d better know a good interior design pro. Fortunately the owners of this slender 1899 townhouse at 259 East 78th Street took that caveat to heart when they purchased it for $2 million in 2009. It’s now on the market for $5.5 million, and every inch of its 2,600 square feet has been put into use with enough warmth, character and smart design decisions to keep any “narrow-minded” thoughts at bay. And there’s nothing skimpy about the location on a gorgeous townhouse-lined street just a few blocks from Central Park on the Upper East Side.
The five-bedroom, four-story home has been updated with every modern comfort–like central air, a built-in sound system and modern lighting–while retaining the warmth of its historic details. Beginning on the garden floor, there’s a spacious eat-in-kitchen with a separate entrance. Windows, tons of counter and storage space and charming white-painted beamed ceilings make this a perfect gathering spot.
A cozy den with a fireplace opens onto a landscaped garden oasis. There’s even a tree house (which doesn’t seem to be in an actual tree–but that’s a mere technicality; the slender space certainly benefits from the extra square footage).
On the parlor floor, a charming foyer is framed by high ceilings, wood floors, and restored original doors. There’s a colorful and cozy office/den; a large living room faces the garden below and boasts a fireplace and richly restored hardwood floors.
On the second floor you’ll find two big bedrooms, a large, bright renovated bathroom and closets everywhere along with more hardwood floors and high ceilings.
The top floor holds the master bedroom as well as a den/sitting room and a renovated marble bath with a double vanity and basket weave marble. Several custom skylights make sure there’s great light on this floor as well as bringing sunlight into the home throughout the day.
Making use of every available space, the renovated cellar floor holds a separate nanny/guest suite with an en-suite bathroom and its own garden entrance, a laundry room and lots of storage space.
The picturesque residential block is lined with historic townhouses like this one, perfect for both quiet family life, big-city living and convenience. Central Park, Madison Avenue shopping, museums, great local dining and subway access are within a few blocks, and the long-awaited Second Avenue Line promises to add even more value to this already sought-after neighborhood.
[Listing: 259 East 78th Street by Eileen Foy for Douglas Elliman]
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Images courtesy of Douglas Elliman.
