A Landmark Corner Townhouse Facing the Morris-Jumel Mansion on iconic Jumel Terrace
A rare opportunity to own a meticulously preserved corner single-family townhouse on iconic Jumel Terrace, a quiet cobblestone block within the landmarked Jumel Terrace Historic District, a rare enclave known for its architectural integrity, historic significance, and distinct identity.
Designed in 1896 by Henri Fouchaux for William W. Watkins, this Romanesque Revival residence is the largest of just five landmarked homes lining the street.
Directly across from the Morris-Jumel Mansion in Roger Morris Park, Manhattan's oldest surviving residence and former Revolutionary War headquarters once associated with Eliza Jumel and George Washington, the home enjoys permanently protected park views and a setting shaped by centuries of New York history. Around the corner, Sylvan Terrace offers a rare and remarkably intact glimpse into 19th-century Manhattan.
The surrounding neighborhood carries a rich cultural legacy. Nearby, the 555 Edgecombe Avenue Apartments, known as the "Triple Nickel," became one of Upper Manhattan's most distinguished residential addresses, home to luminaries including Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Count Basie, Langston Hughes, and W. E. B. Du Bois. This area long served as a center of Black cultural and intellectual life during the Harlem Renaissance and beyond.
Approximately 10 to 15 minutes from the Columbia University Irving Medical Center at West 168th Street and Broadway, the location maintains a longstanding connection to education, research, and employment.
Spanning approximately 3,500 square feet across four full floors, plus an approximately 800 square foot finished basement, the home offers exceptional scale and flexibility. Measuring approximately 18 feet wide, it sits on a 17.75 by 100 foot lot with building dimensions of approximately 17.75 by 58 feet. Annual property taxes are $11,411.
The parlor level presents a gracious sequence of formal living and dining rooms, defined by soaring ceilings and finely preserved woodwork. 5 decorative fireplaces with original tiled surrounds and carved wood mantels anchor the home's historic character. Additional details include pocket doors, wainscoting, stained glass, and original wood shutters that reflect late 19th-century craftsmanship.
The garden level features a study and dining area, an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops, an externally vented range hood, two large pantry cupboards, and a full bathroom. This level opens directly to the rear patio and an approximately 600 square foot private garden with mature plantings, ideal for outdoor dining and entertaining.
Upper floors include 4 additional bedrooms, bringing the total to 5, including a primary suite with a dressing room featuring original oak cabinetry. A skylit study provides flexibility for work or guests. Three skylights enhance natural light throughout. In total, the home offers 4 full bathrooms, including an en suite, thoughtfully renovated to balance historic integrity with modern comfort. Two bathrooms feature Japanese Toto bidet toilets.
The finished lower level is arranged into well-defined spaces, including a home gym, media room, storage, and a full bathroom with a six-jet and rain shower, offering spa-like functionality rarely found in a townhouse of this era.
The home's orientation is exceptional. Front-facing rooms enjoy eastern exposures overlooking the Morris-Jumel Mansion and park, offering unobstructed sunrise light. Rear rooms benefit from western exposures and sunset light, while the top front bedroom captures distant Midtown skyline views.
Modern systems have been thoughtfully integrated, including Mitsubishi split heating and air conditioning units in every room.
The surrounding neighborhood offers a strong mix of dining and daily conveniences. Nearby favorites include Hilltop Park Alehouse, Bono Trattoria, Jin Ramen, and Hand Pulled Noodle. Outdoor recreation is easily accessible at Highbridge Park, the High Bridge walkway, and the landscaped grounds surrounding the mansion.
Transportation is excellent. Approximately a three-minute walk to the C train at West 163rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, located immediately behind the block, with convenient access to the A and D express lines at West 161st Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. The 1 train at West 157th Street and Broadway is also nearby, along with multiple bus routes. For drivers, there is easy access to the Henry Hudson Parkway and the George Washington Bridge.
Quick Profile
Washington Heights, a hilly neighborhood on Manhattan’s northern tip known for its affordable apartments, preserved pre-war buildings, and Dominican food. Some would argue that it's a hidden gem and one of Manhattan's last neighborhoods that has retained its culture. The large swath of land is bordered by Inwood to the north along Dyckman Street, by Harlem to the South along 155th Street, by the Harlem River to the east, and the Hudson River to the West. It is the highest natural point on the Island of Manhattan.
Despite its high residential density, Washington Heights and Inwood have not seen modern housing construction in more than a decade other than relatively small housing units. Midtown Manhattan, Battery Park, TriBeCa, Chelsea, and Hell’s Kitchen, on the other hand, have seen an increase in building. Most of the high rise construction belongs to hospitals such as New York Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center, and educational institutions like Yeshiva University and Boricua College.
Washington Heights has access to amazing green spaces like The Cloisters, Fort Washington Park, Highbridge Park and Fort Tryon Park. There is no shortage of historical landmarks either. Remember General George Washington set up his camp in Washington Heights during the Revolutionary War. He used the elevated neighborhood to his tactical advantage to spot the Redcoats. As history would have it, his plan didn’t work out so well and the British occupied New York for seven years.