322 West 75th Street, THOUSE

The Townhouse Built in the Beaux Arts style by the legendary C. P. H. Gilbert, whose vast legacy includes some of Manhattan's most notable mansions, this 33 ft wide and 13,000 sq ft Upper West Side home underwent a recent extensive revival by renowned designer Samuel Botero, which has been documented in Architectural Digest. With 6 bedrooms, 7 full baths, and 3 half baths this is truly a mansion in the middle of the city. Overlooking The Hudson River, this corner building is graced with exposures on three sides of over 70 windows, abundant light and full views of water and of a leafy street. There are walls of bay windows and dramatic interior proportions (including a series of round rooms). Inside, Mr. Botero designed the house around the expansive and eclectic collection of art and objects imported from all over the world. Even the elevator has been specifically customized to the motif of each floor. On the first floor, upon entrance, one is greeted by an expansive music room/library with a raised platform designed for music performances. French 19th-century chandeliers, La Farge stained-glass doors and a Mueller Mosaic-tile fireplace are just a few extraordinary elements of the striking yet inviting space. The central stairwell has been frescoed using old Venetian plaster techniques. As one ascends to each floor, the walls change color from terra-cotta to green to turquoise to yellow. Then, branching off each differently colored landing, is one distinctive suite of rooms after another. The second floor features a true Chef's kitchen with sumptuous details, a fireplace and a windowed breakfast area with its own terrace. On the third floor, there are a striking green-and-gold round dining room, a "china" room with Tiffany glass panels and a sitting room with reclaimed Déco paneling and a stained-glass ceiling. On the fourth floor, the master bedroom has an Art Nouveau mantelpiece, while a most spectacular dressing room has been outfitted with mirrored armoires and an emerald-and-crystal chandelier. In the screening room, reclaimed mellow old paneling and a cork-lined ceiling offer a truly inspired space to relax. The finished rooftop offers an extraordinary space for grand scale entertaining with magnificent water views. This home needs to be experienced firsthand to fully appreciate the extraordinary vision and passion that went into creating it.