EAST 70S TOWNHOUSE OFF PARK

A MASTER BUILDER

Architect Thomas Graham of the firm C. Graham and Sons, built 130 East 71st Street in 1894, lovingly crafted for his wife Jennie Graham. This neo-Renaissance four-story plus English basement townhouse features Roman brick facing on the upper levels, a stone band with carved fleur de lis lintels at the third story windows and an elaborate projecting dentilled cornice with a wide frieze design of cupids.

THE TOWNHOUSE

The former residence of Broadway producer David Merrick, this elegant townhouse is situated on one of the Upper East Side's best tree-lined blocks.

Entering from the stoop, a vestibule and second door lead to a large marble foyer with a powder room. From the foyer you may access the library and kitchen, or head upward via the grand wooden staircase. Positioned at the front of the house, the exceptionally bright kitchen features two tall windows, updated appliances, a center island, and informal dining space. From the foyer you may enter the library with a wall of built-in bookcases, one of six fireplaces, and flooded with light from the southern garden. The rear extension has additional closet space, laundry, elevator access, and a door leading to the planted rear garden.

Accommodating a grand piano, the wide parlour floor landing captures the elegantly appointed stair, immaculately preserved original floors and the uncommonly large scale of this 16-foot wide townhouse. Balanced by a gracious front living room with three windows, fireplace, and high ceilings, the southern end of this level features a formal dining room with fireplace plus an additional serving kitchen in the extension beside the elevator.

The third floor features a large library or guest bedroom at the front with a fireplace, two closets, and a full bath. In the rear is the master bedroom with a large bath including separate tub and shower as well as a generous walk-in closet.

The fourth floor features two bedrooms, one at either end, with two full baths side by side off the corridor, and a separate study in the rear extension which provides access to a large terrace overlooking the 40-foot wide Paul Mellon House on East 70th Street. Capped by a tremendous skylight, this floor is flooded with natural light.

The sunny English Basement level features tall windows, a kitchenette, several closets providing ample storage, and a private street entrance below the stoop. In the rear of this level is a large bedroom with en-suite full bath and three windows facing onto the garden.

This home has always been a single-family residence and was never converted to multiple units, so its original floor plan remains intact. With its delicate blend of country texture, modern convenience, and the gracious scale of a traditional townhouse, this residence provides four bedrooms, six full baths, a staff suite, two entrances, a bright and planted garden, an extraordinarily well-preserved wooden staircase and magnificently detailed fireplaces. It is the ideal blend of the of traditional and modern-day convenience, of grand scale and comfort, of the past and the present.