WITH A VIEW TO PERFECTION
“…and the most unusual and surrealistic place in New York City, is Central Park.” — Christo, The Gates
THE VALUE OF CENTRAL PARK
It has long been the case that New York apartments directly on Fifth Avenue and which had views of Central Park were among...
WITH A VIEW TO PERFECTION
“…and the most unusual and surrealistic place in New York City, is Central Park.” — Christo, The Gates
THE VALUE OF CENTRAL PARK
It has long been the case that New York apartments directly on Fifth Avenue and which had views of Central Park were among the most valuable – and the most valuable of all had no possibility of having their views obstructed. And the ultimate objective was to overlook Central Park from an exquisite terrace. This penthouse meets both requirements.
THE CENTRAL PARK VIEW
We have all seen Central Park, yet it is always new. From Central Park South, Fifth Avenue, Central Park West, or beyond, it changes constantly depending upon the location, height of our view, and time of year. If we live in New York for 100 years, when we enter a residence with a view of Central Park we are immediately drawn to the windows, or onto the terrace, for the view of Olmsted and Vaux’s 840-acre National Historic Landmark.
112 FEET OF TERRACE
From the moment you step onto this incredible terrace at Fifth Avenue and 78th Street, with 24 feet facing west and 88 feet facing north, you quickly realize you have never seen Central Park look as exquisite as from this perfect height and position.
Standing at the western exposure of the terrace at 969 Fifth Avenue, you can see the Metropolitan Museum, The George Washington Bridge, and the sun setting behind the iconic cooperatives of Manhattan’s west side.
THE HENRY COOK BLOCK: A SECOND UNIQUE FACTOR
Cook lived across the street where the James B. Duke Mansion now stands and originally owned the entire block from Fifth Avenue to Madison Avenue, from East 79th Street to East 78th Street and imposed deeded height restrictions upon all buildings within that block that persist to this day. That means it is the only Fifth Avenue block with its original mansions and that views to the north from this penthouse are totally open and can never be obstructed as is the case with the views to the west.
THE PENTHOUSE
From the building’s elegant entry on East 78th Street just opposite the Horace Trumbauer limestone masterpiece 1 East 78th Street, the James B. Duke Mansion, the building’s elevator opens directly into this extraordinary one-bedroom penthouse. With a wrap terrace accessible from the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom, this elegant residence includes a working wood-burning fireplace, washer dryer, and a large master bedroom with north-facing windows and direct access to the terrace.
Ready for renovation, this penthouse is ideal for someone seeking a totally private one-bedroom with an option to create a convertible guest bedroom in the sitting room.
THE BUILDING
On this corner, pharmaceutical executive William Lawrence engaged Richard Morris Hunt in 1887 to construct his mansion in the Francois I style at a time when Vanderbilt and his other millionaire contemporaries were erecting their limestone mansions on Fifth Avenue in the 50s.
Hunt was a revered architect amongst the wealthy, having designed Marshall Field’s residence in Chicago and the Fifth Avenue residences of Ogden Mills and William K. Vanderbilt as well as the Newport residences Marble House and Ochre Court.
Frank Lloyd Wright said: “Study nature, love nature, and stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” Living here is an amazing opportunity to follow that directive in the midst of a great city.
3% flip tax paid by the purchaser.