Live in Tennessee Williams’ Former East Side Townhouse for $1.85M

This three-bedroom duplex at 151 East 37th Street with three fireplaces, skyline views and exclusive roof rights, listed at $1.849 million, has the added cachet of being in the townhouse where famed playwright Tennessee Williams lived in the 1940s (h/t New York Post) before the debut of “The Glass Menagerie” on Broadway. More historic firepower: The house was built in 1860 by President Martin Van Buren as a home for his daughter.

A 1940 postcard from the scribe to his father describes the well-known strategy of living with roommates to defer steep housing costs in NYC: “Settled in lovely new apt., 151 E. 37 St. 3 big rooms and other a roof with skyline & view of river for $18.50 (3 of us) each (per month)…”

The brownstone co-op has been upgraded, of course, with a huge skylight, an open kitchen with new appliances, renovated bathrooms and a washer/dryer, though it has the same three fireplaces and views of the Chrysler Building that it did in the playwright’s day.

The exclusive roof deck is yet another opportunity to enjoy the views from here. A convenient Murray Hill location means a 21st century artist (or writer) doesn’t have to starve–at least not for lack of restaurants and cafes nearby.

[Via NYP]

[Listing 151 East 37th Street by Paul Gavriani and Vincent Falcone for Corcoran Group]

[At CityRealty]

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Images courtesy of Corcoran Group