Top Contracts: Upper East Side townhouse asks $17 million; Hedge funder's full-floor NoMad loft finds a buyer

138 East 65th Street, the past week's top contract (Compass)From March 13-19, 2023, Manhattan's top contract was was for 138 East 65th Street, an impeccably renovated prewar townhouse that was asking $16,995,000. Olshan Realty's market report notes that this is a reduction from the $22 million asking price when it hit the market in December 2021, and that this is the first time a townhouse has had the top contract in 2023.

The current buyer and seller were not identified, but Dayton in Manhattan presents a rich history of the house's earliest inhabitants. The first owner was flour merchant Wolf W. Kronethal and his wife Blanche. In 1885, after four years in the house, they sold it for $17,500 to Dr. Alexander Berghaus, who spent many of his years in the house arguing with the school across the street about the noise of the children and the music. Eventually, Dr. Berghaus sold the house to Henry E. Holt, president of the Pope-Hartford Auto Company. He and his wife updated the interiors and removed the stoop before moving in; while the house has changed hands and undergone interior updates many times since then, its exterior still looks similar to the way it did after Mr. Holt bought it.

The top apartment contract took place at the Jean Nouvel-designed 53 West 53, where #48A was asking $15,250,000. Olshan Realty observes that this is a reduction from $18.2 million, when it was marketed off floor plans in 2015. The 3,809-square-foot home has four bedrooms, four full baths, a windowed study, and incredible light and views from north- and east-facing exposures. Further downtown, it was a good week for NoMad condos. The third-highest contract was for #57A, a four-bedroom home near the top of Madison House that was asking $13,730,000. It was trailed by a full-floor unit at The Whitman that entered contract with a $11,995,000 ask. The sellers, hedge fund trader John Silvetz and his wife, model Wilda Deon Bray paid $10 million for it in summer 2013; other notable residents have included Jennifer Lopez, Jeff Gordon, and Chelsea Clinton. 138-East-65th-Street-01

138 East 65th Street, #TH (Compass) Lenox Hill townhouses

From the Listing:
One would be challenged to find a home on the market of such exquisite detail and build quality. The graceful arrival to the home begins by passing through a double doored entry foyer and into a generous sitting room with a cozy windowed banquette. This room is accented by a unique peacock feathered wallpaper by F. Schumacher. Holly Hunt light fixtures adorn the walls and ceilings throughout the home. In the rear of the garden level is a large eat-in chef’s kitchen by Smallbone with custom walnut cabinetry and Calacatta marble. Outdoor features include a fully integrated kitchen with gas powered grill, irrigation for plantings, a gas powered stone fire pit, and blue stone pavers with automatic snow melt underfoot. In addition to a leather-clad commercial elevator which accesses all floors, a custom leather-wrapped handrail guides your journey throughout the home.

The hardwood floors throughout are custom hand-scraped walnut with radiant heat (warm board). Upstairs on the parlor level is a stunning entertaining floor. This massive living room with 10’8’ ceilings is enhanced by an oversized limestone mantle fireplace and a pair of steel casement-style French doors offering garden views and leading out to a terrace running the width of the house. Through another stylish wet bar is a gorgeous library or dining room trimmed with leather wrapped wallpaper by Ralph Lauren and custom walnut millwork.

53 West 53 (Gilles Ashford) Midtown West condos

53 West 53, #48A (Douglas Elliman) NYC condos

From the Listing:
Balancing grand scale living with the intimate feeling of home, Residence 48A at 53 West 53 comprises 3,809 square feet, offering four bedrooms and a windowed study, four-and-a-half bathrooms, and north- and east-facing exposures. Gracious proportions and ceilings ranging up to approximately 11 feet set the awe-inspiring stage for world-renowned designer Thierry Despont’s masterfully conceived interiors. Bespoke detailing typically reserved for privately commissioned homes abounds, while a rich yet soft palette of museum-quality finishes imbues each space with both modern glamour and timeless elegance.

The proper entry gallery gives way to the generous corner living room, with floor-to-ceiling windows that artfully frame open north- and east-facing views. The adjoining open custom kitchen by Thierry Despont for Molteni offers polished statuary marble countertops and a back-lit statuary backsplash that complement back-painted glass cabinetry with polished nickel detailing and Dornbracht fixtures.

Madison House, #57A (Douglas Elliman) NoMad condos

From the Listing:
This 3,391 square foot four-bedroom, four and a half-bath residence opens into an elegant entry foyer, leading to a living and dining room encased with 10-foot tall windows with North, East and West views. Gachot-designed custom rift-cut cabinetry accentuates the open kitchen, with a honed Calacatta Borghini marble waterfall island and backsplash. Gaggenau appliances including a cooktop, combi-steam oven, convection double oven, refrigerator, and wine refrigerator outfit the kitchen. White oak 5-inch plank floors and 9-foot solid walnut doors are featured throughout the residence.

A private vestibule separates the living area from the primary bedroom suite, creating a sense of privacy. A chic walk-in closet designed by DDC with functionality and durability in mind, features reflective smoked glass, custom shelving and integrated LED lighting. The en suite primary bath offers honed Bianco Dolomiti marble on the walls as well as floors, which are heated, with a custom Gachot-designed vanity and mirror.

The Whitman, #3 (The Corcoran Group) NoMad lofts

From the Listing:
Accessed by a private elevator landing, this stunning home features wide plank rift oak floors, a Crestron smart home system, key-locked elevator access, a side-by-side washer/dryer with linen closet, and dramatic large windows with northern, southern, and western exposures.

The loft features high-end decor designed for both everyday living and grand entertaining. Upon entering the apartment through an elegant foyer and gallery, one encounters a dramatic long hallway spanning 100 feet, to then arrive to an open concept living room, dining room, and kitchen.

The living room is adorned with three large windows with tree lined views of the famed park and is sun-drenched with natural light. The kitchen is outfitted with exquisite finishes, a large eat-island, custom Arclinea cabinets, modern countertops, and the best of the best Miele and Sub-Zero appliances throughout. Adjacent to the kitchen is a warm media room that with a private office and an attached full bathroom. On the opposite side of the apartment is a gracious, grand primary suite.

The Beresford, #5D (Brown Harris Stevens) Central Park West co-ops

From the Listing:
Rarely available, this immaculate D line is a grand corner 10 room, 4-5 bedroom home with views and light coming into nearly every room. Spanning approximately 43,00 square feet, the floorplan is inviting and open, and all bedrooms are well proportioned and appropriately placed. Off a private landing enter into the living room sized gallery, perfect for entertaining and displaying art. The gallery boasts a large coat closet and a dry bar with refrigerator.

The grand corner living room has a wood-burning fireplace and faces south and east with full views of Central Park, the Museum of Natural History and Midtown. The adjacent almost-square dining room faces the Park as well, which is an unusual treat. Next to the living room is the library, which can be converted into a fifth bedroom.

Lantern House, #PH2202 (The Corcoran Group) High Line condos

From the Listing:
Penthouse 2202 is generous 2,345-square-foot 3-bedroom home on the 22nd floor with a beautiful southeast facing terrace that offers stunning Manhattan views from the Empire State Building down to the Freedom Tower.

With 12-foot ceilings, and double expansive bay windows, this distinctive penthouse features chevron-laid flooring and a handsome fireplace with marble surround. The open kitchen, designed by March & White and including custom bronze finished trim and hardware, incorporates Gaggenau appliances and an impressive array of additional features including a seventy-bottle full-height wine cooler, double wall ovens, a custom suspended light fixture of bronze-finished metal and specialty glass, convex fluted oak cabinetry, and Calacatta Venato marble slab countertops and backsplash.

Step out of the Great Room directly out onto the setback terrace with dreamy views of the Manhattan skyline, magical at all times of day, and ready for dining alfresco with family and friends.

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