1261 Madison Ave, 5-N

Offered for the first time in 50 years, 1261 Madison, Apartment 5N, is a grand, half-floor 8 into 7 room property located in a Landmarked Beaux Arts boutique cooperative in desirable Carnegie Hill. The longtime home of famed New Yorker editor and hall-of-fame baseball writer, Roger Angell, this tremendously stylish apartment was the scene of endless gatherings of New York's literary and cultural set for half a century and features many original 1901 details such as wide hallways, high beamed ceilings, generous moldings, transomed-windowed doors, two decorative fireplaces, preserved oak hardwood floors and wainscoting. Requiring a full renovation, virtually staged photographs offer a glimpse of what might be achieved.

The 31-foot double living room faces West over Madison Avenue, offering plenty of light throughout the day through two enormous windows, including one with a distinctive arch. The adjacent library/bedroom can be seamlessly combined to create a huge loft-like room, running the entire length of the apartment. With lovely Northeastern views of The Brick Church steeple and verdant townhouse gardens, the corner primary bedroom or dining room has super-sized crown moldings, oak wainscoting and a decorative fireplace with an oversized closet. An ensuite primary bathroom has been installed in this line with board approval. There are two additional bedrooms with adjacent bathrooms and plentiful closets throughout.

The windowed, eat-in kitchen with staff room/home office and full bathroom offers a myriad of potential design options. New windows have been installed in every room. Central air conditioning may be installed with board approval, and washer/dryers are permitted.

Once overlooking the grounds of Andrew Carnegie's mansion, 1261 Madison Avenue is a fabled Beaux Arts Landmarked building constructed by Buchman & Fox in 1901 with a stylish Mansard roof and a rusticated two-story limestone base. Built to house just 14 families in 7 stories, it remains a centerpiece in the heart of highly desirable Carnegie Hill. The building offers a live-in superintendent, central laundry room, bike room and private storage. Pied-a-terres and pets are allowed. 50% financing is permitted. A 2% flip tax is paid by the buyer.

1261 Madison Avenue is located just one block from the Engineers Gate at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and nearby the many museums of Fifth Avenue. It is part of the unique Carnegie Hill Landmarked district with its beautiful townhouses, restaurants, boutiques, local bookstore and family-owned hardware store and pharmacy. Easy transportation options include the Fifth Avenue and Lexington Avenue bus lines and subway lines 4,5,6 and Q -- all nearby.