TURTLE BAY GARDENS TOWNHOUSE

TURTLE BAY GARDENS

The history of Turtle Bay dates to 1639 when the then Dutch governor gave two Englishmen a land grant of forty acres crossed by a creek that emptied into a bay of the East River. Some historians attribute the name to the turtle-filled creek, the source of many feasts, and the land became known as Turtle Bay Farm.

Conceived by Charlotte Hunnewell Sorchan in 1918, the exclusive common garden enclave covering the gardens of 9 houses on East 48th and 11 houses on East 49th Street between Second and Third Avenues. Dubbed Turtle Bay Gardens, it was actually completed in 1920. Sorchan bought out 21 adjoining lots and from this grand landscape, engaged Edward C. Dean and William L. Bottomley to shave off the original facades of the buildings which were then replaced with lighter stucco facades in a variety of Flemish and Regency styles giving the rear facades a lovely aspect that embellished the impact of the gardens.

The gardens themselves are now an oasis of mature trees and flowering shrubs that share a common path down the center, with a fountain copied from the Villa Medici and statues. It feels like a secret garden sanctuary dropped into the middle of Manhattan. A review from 1920 Architectural Record stated that each owner has, visually speaking, surrendered a part and received back a beautiful whole. The Gardens have attracted a variety of personalities from its first purchaser, Maria Chapin, founder of The Chapin School, to Time Magazine co-founder Henry Luce, June Havoc, Garson Kanin, and screen legend Katherine Hepburn.

THE TOWNHOUSE

From the wrought-iron gated forecourt to the 50-foot deep rear garden, this approximately 3,980 square foot four-story townhouse includes a sun-flooded dining room with French doors opening onto the historic Turtle Bay Gardens. Moving from the dining room to the kitchen, a wet bar with built-in cabinetry and wine rack is nestled into the corridor, and adjacent to a powder room and large coat closet. Positioned at the front end of the house is a large chef's kitchen outfitted with a hooded range, SubZero, ample countertop and an eat-in area beside the large front window. The kitchen can also be accessed by a service door which leads onto the forecourt of the house.

The entertaining floor includes a large living room with rear garden views from two floor to ceiling windows. The arched built-in bookcases in the living room mirror the arched doorway leading to a large landing with two closets and through another arched doorway into the sun-filled library in the front: both include marble fireplaces.

A large master bedroom with a wood-burning fireplace occupies the third floor rear, and at the front of the house, a second bedroom with en-suite bath and a large closet sits beside a bright office at the end of the corridor. The fourth floor includes two additional bedrooms, each with an en-suite bath similar in layout to the third floor, however the fourth floor front bedroom includes a large walk-in closet with skylight, and there is a windowed office in the front of the fourth floor.

Livened greatly by original wide plank floors in exceptional condition, floors three and four comprise a total of four bedrooms, each with an en-suite full bath, plus an additional front room ideal for an office or dressing space. Fine finishes and amazing light throughout provide the security and luxury exemplified by this elegantly proportioned, historically significant townhouse, whose appeal is augmented by its historic private garden, surrounded by the landmarked gardens of Turtle Bay.