Walk through the front door of this extraordinary residence and you’ll feel like you’ve been teleported back to the gilded age.  

Apartment 2-C at 23 Park Avenue, aka The Robb House, is perhaps one of the most unique properties in Manhattan and it easily makes our latest edition of “Apartment We Love”

The Robb House was designed by renowned architect Sanford White in 1890 as a single-family mansion befitting of Murray Hill, a fashionable destination for Manhattan’s upper class.  Located at the southeast corner of Park Avenue and East 35th Street, it was only a short walk to the Madison Avenue home of J.P. Morgan, who built his own-free-standing mansion in 1882 – now part of The Morgan Library & Museum.  

Today this turn-of-the century Italian Renaissance Palazzo stands as a reminder of Murray Hill’s rarefied past. Converted to co-operative ownership in 1978, the landmarked Robb House is now home to 15 residences. 

Apartment 2-C is a two-bedroom duplex with an additional mezzanine level.  The living room of this six-room residence is a vestige from another era and from what we’ve seen the best preserved interior space from the original mansion. 

As you enter the living room of Apartment 2-C, appropriately named the grand salon, your eyes dart around the space trying to absorb every exquisite detail.  There are so many architectural elements it’s hard to focus on just one. Let’s start with the ceilings:  Soaring 15-foot tall coffered ceilings, designed in a series of geometric shapes, offer wood and plaster detailing fit for nobility.   

A set of six stunning lead glass windows line the salon’s far wall.  The windows are set within a deep casing, adding depth and drama.  One can get an up close view by enjoying the comfort of the window bench.

A large wood burning marble fireplace serves as the room’s focal point. The carved wood mantle is adorned with figurines. The high point of the fireplace comes close to reaching the ceiling; it’s towering. The columns flanking both sides of the fireplace make the space appear like a cathedral altar.

As noted, the entire room is embellished with original wood details, crafted by artisans from a bygone era.  

At the back of the first floor is a formal dining room with an adjoining family area and an open kitchen.  The design takes on a different flavor here as the walls and floors are clad in marble.  

The newly renovated kitchen has been fully modernized and includes a suite of high-end appliances including a full-height wine refrigerator. The space sparkles.  White upper and lower cabinetry form a perfect harmony with white marble countertops and backsplash. 

A winding staircase ascends to the mezzanine level library that overlooks the salon. This elevated perch must have been quite a vantage point during society soirees.

The second-floor contains the sleeping quarters, consisting of two side-by-side bedrooms and two baths. The primary bedroom (15’6” x 15’) features 12-foot ceilings, a walk-in closet and a spacious en-suite bath with the finest fixtures.  There is a washer/dryer on this floor as well.

The Robb House was originally built as the home of James Hampton Robb, a businessman and politician.  It served as the clubhouse for the Advertising Club of New York for most of the 20th Century.  The club purchased the building in 1923 and served as its caretaker until it was converted to residential use. 

The current asking price for Apartment 2C at 23 Park Avenue is $3.65 million. It was introduced to the market in March 2021 at $3.95 million.

This historic residence is being represented by John Barbato, Ryan Gloor, and Matthew Solomon of Compass. For more information about this one-of-a-kind home, please visit Linecity.