160 East 81st Street

This elegant 40ft wide mansion could be found as easily on Eaton Square in London as on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. 160 East 81st is a double wide mansion with a private garage, an elevator and a double wide, very deep, lovingly landscaped south garden. Situated with a triple width house to the West and another double width house just to the East, 160 is surrounded by vast gardens, low buildings and open sky. Meticulously planned with double height spaces that open to the garden, a sophisticated wood panelled library and a mezzanine balcony large enough for a party, this house has a wonderful warm ease for everyday life as well as dramatic spaces for entertaining. Four gas fireplaces and one wood burning fireplace help make the house feel incredibly cozy. A real cook’s kitchen faces the garden and opens to a double height space for casual dining, tv watching and game playing. The garden-facing living room, also with 20ft ceilings, is both grand and charming, and a formal dining room at the front of the house is large enough for next year’s big holiday celebrations. There is also a discreetly tucked away powder room on this garden level and direct access to the private garage. The garden itself is 40 feet wide and 48 feet deep - big enough for a real soccer match or a fabulous garden party. Landscaped with the meticulous and caring eye of the owner who is an avid gardener, one of the most dramatic and beautiful moments of the house is the back facade with its architecturally beautiful windows and slight pink hue. The garden is a wonderful place to start and end most days, making weekdays feel like weekends. The second floor is anchored by a delightful, furnished mezzanine gallery that overlooks the garden level rooms. On this floor there is also an elegant antique English pine paneled library with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and fireplace, as well as a very lovely guest bedroom and ensuite bath. The primary bedroom suite on the third floor stretches across the entire width of the house and overlooks the garden, receiving beautiful south light throughout the day. With generous closets and a bath area large enough for an armchair and two garden facing windows, the suite has beautiful views, a fireplace and complete privacy. On the front of the house on this level are two tree top facing bedrooms, both with ensuite baths, and a shared study space room. There is also a very large fitted out laundry on this level. The top floor of the house is currently a three bedroom apartment with wonderful exposures, a fireplace, a large living / dining room and full kitchen. The apartment can be reached either through the house and up the existing family staircase or from the front stoop of the house without ever entering into the main part of the house. It has in the past been rented, but it could easily be used as an integrated part of the house.