A $22.5 Million Maisonette Lists on N.Y.C.’s Fifth Avenue

Often larger than standard apartments and distinguished by private street-level entrances, maisonettes—French for “little house”—occupy a category all their own. Frequently spread across two levels, they blend the privacy and independence of a townhouse with the conveniences of a full-service building. In New York City, where space comes at a premium, their house-like feel offers a compelling alternative to traditional apartment living.

At the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 70th Street, one such residence occupies a stately 1920s apartment house designed by renowned architect Rosario Candela. Overlooking both Central Park and the Frick Collection gardens, the maisonette features north- and west-facing exposures, two private entrances—including one directly on Fifth Avenue—and a polished two-level layout. White-glove services complete the offering within one of Manhattan’s most coveted co-ops.

The dining room features hand-painted chinoiserie wallpaper.

Donna Dotan

Peter Pennoyer Architects oversaw a comprehensive renovation of the roughly 5,000-square-foot residence, reworking the layout to improve flow and draw more natural light into the interiors. Throughout, the firm layered in a refined palette of materials, including a sweeping staircase with a bronze balustrade, ebony quarter-sawn oak floors, French silk wall coverings, Venetian plaster, leather, and suede..

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Ceilings reaching nearly 11 feet lend a sense of grandeur to the main living spaces. Wood paneling and built-in bookshelves give the living room the feel of a private library, while the dining room is wrapped in scenic Gracie wallpaper and framed by arched doorways that open to both the kitchen and neighboring reception rooms. In the 27-foot-long kitchen, Calacatta marble surfaces are paired with cabinetry crafted from fiddleback sycamore.

The expansive great room faces Central Park from the second floor.

Donna Dotan

A great room on the upper floor stretches 30 feet long and features a cream-hued lacquered ceiling, fireplace, and a trio of French casement windows facing Central Park. Tucked into a nearby alcove is a wet bar, while a cozy wood-paneled den has an attached bath that allows it to double as a fourth bedroom. The other three bedrooms, along with a small office, occupy a separate wing, with the primary suite positioned to overlook the Frick Collection gardens across the street.

Residents of the pet-friendly building receive full-time attendance from both a doorman and concierge team. The 14-story building also includes a private gym. Louise Phillips Forbes, Madeleine McGregor, and Elisabeth Slaten of Brown Harris Stevens share the $22.5 million listing.

Click here for more photos of the Manhattan residence.

Donna Dotan

Authors

Demetrius Simms

Demetrius Simms is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. Following a brief stint in public relations, their work has now appeared in lifestyle and culture publications such as Men’s Health, Complex…

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