Troubled Upper East Side mansion tries again for $88M after record-breaking deal fell through

Fourth time’s the charm? A 20,000-square-foot townhouse on the Upper East Side with its own movie theater and a panic room has hit the market again for $88 million. While the palatial home at 12 East 69th Street went into contract last December for $80 million, which at the time would have been the most expensive townhouse ever sold in New York City, the deal fell through this summer. The seven-bedroom home, built in 1884, was previously listed in 2013 for $114 million and then for $98 million in 2014. But if you’re not ready to commit permanently to the mansion lifestyle, the home is also available to rent for $175,000.

The home’s owner is Vincent Viola, a multi-billionaire owner of NHL team Florida Panthers. President Donald Trump also briefly considered nominating him to be army secretary. Viola and his wife Teresa, who leads Maida Vale Designs, a custom stationery company, bought the property in 2005 for $20 million, the Wall Street Journal reported.

According to the listing, the Violas decorated their home with furnishings found while traveling the world to “combine the very best of the classical tradition with every modern technological convenience.”

Upon entering the home, guests are greeted through a formal entryway with 14-foot ceilings which open to a rotunda. The sprawling, 40-foot-wide great room can be found in the rear.

The home spans six levels and measures an incredible 20,000 square feet, with roughly 2,600 square feet more found on the roof terrace. The kitchen and opulent dining room are located on the third level, with enough room for 40 or more guests to dine.

The sun-lit kitchen features a long island, tons of cabinet space and “every cooking appliance known to a chef.”

The two-story library may be the fantasy of every bibliophile. In addition to the sheer size, the double-height library has a ceiling painted with a stunning celestial mural. Accessed through a hidden door off the main hallway, the room boasts built-in shelving and custom-built spiral staircase.

The master bedroom, one of six bedrooms in the home, sits on the fifth level. The master bath is decked out in green onyx and has Greek temple-inspired columns. The bedroom comes with two large dressing rooms, one currently set up as a panic room.

On the ground level, there is a movie theater with 12 red velvet chairs and a large projection screen. The amenities continue to the lower level, with a saline swimming pool, two saunas, and a full bath.

And if all of that wasn’t enough, there’s elevator access to the terrace which runs the length of the roof, heated sidewalks for snow removal, and security camera system. The home is located between Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue and overlooks Central Park.

[Listing: 12 East 69th Street by Paula Del Nunzio for Brown Harris Stevens]

RELATED:

• $80M Upper East Side mansion could set a record for most expensive townhouse ever sold in NYC
• Bookworms Rejoice: Upper East Side Mansion Boasts Palatial, Double-Height Library
• New York City’s priciest townhouse sets another record after $90M sale

All images courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens