208 East 20th Street, BUILDING

Built-in the early 1900s and evidenced by its alluring horse head-turning fa ade, 208 East 20th Streets history is telltale. It is factually declared as one of the most recognizable private city residences. It began with a carriage-style draft beginning and in later years in addition to residential living had utilizations for learning and advertising. The Ozenfant School of Fine Arts in New York was in operation from 1939 until 1955. Am d e Ozenfant was a French cubist painter, theoretician and writer and taught there. Together with Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, he founded the 20th-century art movement known as Purism. In later years the house was often storied to serve as a campaign backdrop and location site for the best national advertisement agencies.

Anchoring on one of the most flourishing and contemporaneous area streets, the brick building has two separate ground-level entrances that are both served with individual foyers. Upon entering this ground floor unit of the property, you are undeniably taken with the nostalgia of days gone by. You immediately notice the art and love of life lived.

The great meeting place of the lengthy 92 ft first floor offers 60 ft of open living space and a terrific mezzanine loft that provides for additional accommodation should you require it. As you walk through each still life room, noticeable are the 20-ft ceilings, dynamite skylights, wood-burning fireplace, and many of the earliest details. Northern and Southern exposure ensures wonderful day and night light. The home is not ordinary. And discerning people will enjoy it.

While the days of the horse and buggy are far behind us, relics of that bygone age remain to this day in the form of carriage houses. And thank goodness for that!