properties

164 East 71st Street is a historic single family townhouse perfectly situated in the heart of the Upper East Side. Built in 1895 by architect Thomas Graham, who also built what would later become Saint David's School on 89th Street, this Romanesque Revival home stands at five stories, plus a garden level, on a quiet, tree-lined street, stately, gorgeous and quintessentially Upper East Side. With exposures from the north and the south plus a stained glass skylight, and ceiling heights up to 13 feet, the home is filled with light at all times of day. The home offers five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and three powder rooms. Astutely renovated, 164 East 71st Street blends a modern touch with the elegance and character inherent to the building, a testament to 120 years of careful stewardship. Entering through the parlor floor, you are greeted by a large salon, which has the first of seven working fireplaces. You'll be struck by the wood floors, which have been lovingly restored and accent the home with their myriad designs and colors. Through a set of French doors and past the staircase landing is the formal dining room; adjacent to the dining room is a wet bar or service kitchen. The dining room overlooks the back terrace, a quiet and private space with plantings, eucalyptus trees, and a serene water feature. Up the cherry wood staircase on the second floor you'll find the living room and the great room. Slide back the pocket doors and this becomes a generous and open space, over 50 feet deep and with ceilings over 11 feet high, a warm and intimate venue for hosting guests. The primary suite is on the third floor. With a walk-in closet 14 feet long, an attached sitting room the size of a bedroom, an en suite windowed marble bathroom, and two working fireplaces, it becomes a grand sanctum and private retreat. Two more bedrooms are on the fourth floor, each with its own en suite bathroom. Both bedrooms have multiple windows; the north bedroom also has a skylight, as does its connecting powder room. On the top floor, up a spiral staircase, is the lounge, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a skylight filling it with light. In addition to a wet bar, the lounge also provides access to the rooftop terrace. Down on the garden level is an eat-in chef's kitchen and banquette, convenient for both home cooks and a full kitchen staff. Accessible through the house as well as by a separate entrance, the garden level includes the laundry room, a staff room, a full bathroom, and additional storage space. The home is set up with a security system, as well as central air and heating.