NYC townhouse dating back to 19th century — and with ties to the Gimbels department store family — asks $13.5M
There's the old New York — and then there's the really old New York.
A Civil War-era Upper East Side mansion is back on the market for $13.5 million. That's a dramatic drop from the landmarked home's first ask of $18.45 million in 2018.
The stately, 36-foot-wide property stands at 163 E. 78th St. It was once home to Elinor S. Gimbel, who married a grandson of Adam Gimbel, founder of the now defunct department store chain. Elinor was also a brewery heiress, according to reports.
The Italianite-style red brick, four-story residence is 6,157 square feet and comes with five bedrooms, four baths and two powder rooms.
Inside, it features a chef's kitchen, a formal dining room with a fireplace, a 36-foot wide living room and multiple outdoor spaces — including a rear, gated garden.
It was built in 1861, according to the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission and Friends of the Upper East Side, although the Sotheby's listing states the home was built in 1899. The brokerage did not respond to requests for comment.
It was built by Henry Armstrong in a style popular from the 1860s to 1890s.
The current owner purchased the home, known as the Elinor S. Gimbel House, back in 1997.
The townhouse boasts both a gated front garden and an enchanting rear garden — with trees, plantings and brick walls — plus a parlor-level terrace.
From the garden entry, the home opens to a gallery that leads to a formal dining room with a woodburning fireplace, plus a sitting room and a black marbled chef's kitchen that both have garden views and terrace access. This floor also has a mudroom.
Next up is the parlor floor with six sets of south-facing French doors, and a light-filled living room with a woodburning fireplace, as well as a library with another woodburning fireplace and views overlooking the terrace and garden.
This level also features a formal dining room and a wet bar. Design details include 10-foot ceilings, custom millwork and herringbone floors.
The main bedroom suite is on the third floor and features another woodburning fireplace, floor-to-ceiling French doors with views of East 78th Street and a grey marbled bath. Additional bedrooms occupy the fourth floor.
A finished basement comes with wine storage, a laundry room, mechanicals and storage.
The listing broker is Serena Boardman, of Sotheby's International Realty.
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