New York was once known as New Amsterdam — but now, a new Manhattan listing gives a really rare peek of the old Amsterdam.
A charming Gothic-style townhouse, which dates to the 17th century and made a transatlantic journey from the Dutch city to New York in the 19th century, is now up for grabs at $13.95 million, Mansion Global reported.
Jim St. André of Compass, who reps this property, has unraveled a captivating tale of the home’s incredible journey.
In 1845, piece by piece, it sailed across the ocean to its new home in New York, where it was meticulously reassembled on the Upper West Side.
Eventually, it found its way to its current location on East 19th Street in Gramercy Park in 1910, all thanks to the masterful touch of English architect Frederick J. Sterner.
Back in the day, it was christened the Joseph B. Thomas House, named after its sugar magnate owner.
Fast forward to the 1970s, and the townhouse took a dazzling turn under the ownership of legendary fashion designer Oleg Cassini. Cassini was the genius behind the iconic “Jackie Look,” which transformed former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy into a style icon.
Cassini was also known to throw a party.
Enormous soirées filled these storied halls during his reign. However, after Cassini’s death in 2006 at age 92, the house became entangled in a web of legal battles.
In its latest chapter, this architectural treasure — with its unmistakable stepped roofline and intricate stone inlays — went under the hammer earlier this year, selling at auction for $5 million to an undisclosed investor.
The historic residence has undergone a loving renovation, preserving its time-honored charm while updating it for modern living.
Original details that harken back to its European roots have been carefully maintained.
Inside, light filters through stained glass windows. Those complement coffered ceilings, rich wood paneling and intricate wrought-iron details.
The listing proudly declares it to be “one of the last grand architecturally significant townhouses remaining available for private ownership in New York City.”
The Flemish pattern stone floor adds an extra layer of sophistication.
The pièce de résistance? A living room that could easily rival the grandeur of any other in Manhattan. Its soaring 20-foot ceilings, an imposing 8-foot fireplace and colossal cathedral doors that face the eastern end of Gramercy Park add to the appeal.
Spanning an impressive 6,798 square feet across five levels, this townhouse offers ample space for hosting grand events and displaying an art collection. It also delivers six bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms.
But that’s not all — there’s also a delightful solarium with a fountain, a wine cellar, a “bacchanal tasting room,” a chef’s kitchen, a second prep kitchen, a dumbwaiter for added convenience — and not one, but two staircases.
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