139th Street revisited: Bob Dylan’s former townhouse on Striver’s Row for sale for $3.7M

Not only has this landmarked four-story home standing among the rarely available townhouses in Harlem’s Saint Nicholas Historic District–better known as Strivers’ Row–been featured in district house tours–it used to belong to Bob Dylan. The early 1900s townhouse at 265 West 139th Street is one of a handsome row designed the firm of McKim Mead & White; the current owners purchased it from the enigmatic Pulitzer Prize-winning polymath for $560,000 in 2000. Times have been a-changin‘ in the central Harlem neighborhood, and it’s now on the market for $3,689,000.

The neighborhood is no longer singing the workingman’s blues, and this distinguished four-plus-bedroom single family home reflects that, loaded with gorgeous original details throughout with more than enough 21st century updates for modern living. Just a few examples include inlaid wood floors, original pocket and wood doors, dramatic crown molding, wainscoting, six original decorative mantel fireplaces and high ceilings. The townhouse has an interior courtyard that works for outdoor entertaining and leaves room for the elusive perk of private parking.

The home’s entry level begins with a receiving room. Next is an informal breakfast area and what is clearly a custom-designed chef’s kitchen featuring a Gaggenau five-burner cooktop with an under-counter oven and an additional wall mounted oven, a SubZero refrigerator and a built-in wine storage unit.

For one more cup of coffee, the kitchen overlooks a landscaped and laid-back patio deck at the back of the house.

As is the case with many homes built during this period, a separate staircase leads from the kitchen to a butler’s pantry on the parlor level–which comes handy if you’ve gotta serve somebody. From the receiving room in front, a wider staircase leads to the home’s elegant front landing, an adjacent formal dining room and an elegant living room with a Juliet balcony.

On the third floor you’ll find a den/library and a gracious master bedroom and bath. On the fourth floor are the home’s remaining three bedrooms, with skylights to keep things bright up here.

You won’t be singing the north country blues; in addition to being near St. Nicholas Park, you’re only a couple of blocks to the C and B subway lines. It takes a train to cry–and also to get you to Columbus Circle in 17 minutes.

[Listing: 265 West 139th Street by Vie Wilson for Corcoran Group]

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Images courtesy of Corcoran Group.