'DaVinci Code' Publisher Stephen Rubin's Central Park Apartment Lists for $3.5M

The home of the late publisher extraordinaire Stephen Rubin, responsible for hits like “The DaVinci Code” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” was recently listed for $3.5 million. Rubin, who died in 2023, bought the place in the late ’90s, and you don’t have to crack a code to see why it was a great fit. Its library and loft-like features, combined with its separate office on the penthouse floor and its location on Central Park, make it a publisher’s — and any New Yorker’s — dream. Here’s a peek inside the unit.

This 2,500-square-foot beauty is located on the ninth and tenth floors of Central Park Studios, a 1905 landmarked building comprising window-filled, loft-like studios initially intended for artists. With huge windows overlooking Central Park’s Sheep Meadow, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with a sliding ladder, and ample space to entertain, it’s clear why artists would be attracted to the space.

The lower level of the unit features a foyer with a walk-in closet and bathroom, which leads into the great room. This impressive room features bookshelves with a sliding ladder, 17-foot ceilings, wood molding, and a massive window. But the centerpiece is the wood-burning fireplace, complete with a beautiful stone mantle. Through a doorway is the dining room, which is completely outfitted in wood paneling and can accommodate a huge table in addition to the built-in window seat. Plus, the ceilings are double-beamed, creating a sophisticated feel.

The chef’s kitchen has everything a buyer would need for cooking or entertaining, with stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar right against the window. A vented washer/dryer is tucked into a closet in the entryway of the kitchen as well.

The primary suite on the upper floor offers a lot more than just a bedroom — it has its own gym, a walk-in closet, and an ensuite bathroom with a steam shower. A unique porthole window offers a quirky detail. Although the unit is currently set up as a two-bedroom, the primary suite is so large that it could be divided into two, creating a third bedroom. The second bedroom is on the lower floor, and has a full bathroom just down the hall.

Other features of the apartment include an integrated surround sound system, updated lighting, and central air conditioning. Plus, the unit comes with a separate study on the penthouse floor, which was originally used as maid’s quarters. This room comes with a built-in L-shaped desk and plenty of storage space and is the perfect space to write a book — like Rubin’s own “Words and Music: Confessions of an Optimist,” published in 2023 — or work from home. A separate storage unit is also included with the unit.

The Central Park Studios has a 24-hour-attended lobby decked out in murals painted by some of the building’s residents! Residents also enjoy a common roof deck and a live-in super. And location-wise, it’s hard to critique — just steps from Central Park and all the Upper West Side has to offer. The Lincoln Center, Magnolia Bakery, The Smith, and Equinox are just some of the nearby attractions.

Check out the listing at 15 W. 67th St. #5MW, listed by Jay K Overbye, William Gilbert and Mike Lubin of Brown Harris Stevens.