Cole Porter’s former Manhattan townhouse in historic Sniffen Court enclave has sold for $4.8M
Tucked within the Sniffen Court Mews in Murray Hill, blocked from the public by a private gate off East 36th Street, composer and songwriter Cole Porter’s former townhouse has sold for $4.8 million (h/t New York Post). The former engraver’s studio, located in one of just a few private mews in New York City at 156 East 36th Street originally served as stables during the Civil War era.
Sniffen Court was constructed between 1863 and 1864 as a collection of carriage houses–the off-street placement helped solve noise and odor issues related to the horses. The stables were in use until the early 1920s, when automobiles replaced horses, and eventually they were converted to residential properties. The “secret” gated enclave was reportedly once home to Claudia Schiffer and Lenny Kravitz as well. Current neighbors include Irish talk show host Graham Norton, who lives at 6 Sniffen Court.
The Romanesque townhouse that was once home to the “Kiss Me, Kate” composer, was first listed at $6.45 million in January of 2016. Porter also kept a suite at the Waldorf Astoria, but reportedly stashed a boyfriend nearby at 4 Sniffen Court. This four-story building actually faces the public street, with its entrance outside of the private gate. The back of the building extends into the gated mews. The 3,865-square-foot four-story home offers five bedrooms and four baths.
The building has a unique layout, with a rec room/home office taking up most of the parlor floor. The living room, dining room and kitchen are located on the second floor, which is accessed by a dramatic wood spiral staircase. Then there are bedrooms on the third and fourth floors. The living/dining area has raised ceilings and plenty of wood detailing, with the building’s beautiful original windows on full display.
The master bedroom, on the third floor, has beamed ceilings and an ensuite bathroom. Another bedroom on the fourth floor has a lofted space and a walk-in closet. On the ground-floor are a rec room/office space and an extra bedroom.
[Via NYP]
[Listing: 156 East 36th Street by Lydia Sussek and Irene O’ Halloran for Corcoran]
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