A Manhattan Townhouse That Was Once Bunny and Paul Mellon’s Garage Lists for $80 Million
The dwelling was designed in 1902 by C.P.H. Gilbert and underwent an extensive renovation in 2011
An Upper East Side townhouse that was once used as a private garage by Paul and Bunny Mellon has hit the market with an asking price of $80 million. Located at 165 East 70th Street, the Neo-Italian Renaissance carriage house is built of limestone and is notably wide, measuring 33 by 100 feet. It was designed in 1902 by American architect C.P.H. Gilbert for banker Henri P. Wertheim.
“It’s tasteful, sophisticated, and manages to be both a showpiece and a warm, inviting home, which is a very difficult balance to strike,” listing agent Mike Fabbri of The Agency New York tells Galerie. “And perhaps best of all, it’s that magic phrase in New York real estate: completely turnkey. Just bring your car and your toothbrush.”
In 1920, the historic dwelling was reimagined as a garage and chauffeur’s quarters for Stephen Carlton Clark, whose grandfather co-founded the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Later, it was used as a private garage by American philanthropist and horse trainer Paul Mellon and his wife, horticulturalist Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon, who famously designed the White House Rose Garden during the Kennedy administration. In 2011, the townhouse was transformed into a 15,978-square-foot home with a total of 20 rooms.
The renovation was led by Sawyer | Berson; highlights include Brunschwig & Fils fabrics, custom Holland & Sherry wallpapers, Sahco drapery, quarter-sewn, hand-pillowed oak floors, and lighting by Ralph Pucci, Armani, and Allison Berger. Additionally, there is an iron and limestone staircase that extends 46 feet, all the way to a skylight.
In total, the home features 13 baths, six bedrooms, three landscaped terraces, a solarium, six wood-burning fireplaces, and heated floors from the kitchen to the terraces and sidewalks.
Other design elements include a Beauvallon limestone-lined stair hall and foyer, a 13-seat soundproof theater, an eat-in chef’s kitchen, a dark Sapele Mahogany-paneled library, custom millwork, a full gym, and a Petit-Granit-lined Jacuzzi/cold plunge, steam room, sauna, and massage room.