240 East 68th Street

The quintessential live work townhouse for today’s lifestyle, beauty, character, and modern living. Originally constructed in 1899 and located on one of Manhattan’s most charming and picturesque blocks, 240 East 68th Street steals the show with its distinctive mansard roof, a device attributed to the 17th-century French architect Francois Mansart. Featuring seven bedrooms, five full bathrooms, five half-baths, five working fireplaces, roof terrace, a single person elevator, and an excavated subterranean full height office floor. This elegant 18-foot-wide single-family townhouse has several personalities. The front façade is brick, styled after early Williamsburg, starting with the front garden and pedimented main entrance. The rear façade commissioned by the current owner in 2006, is a glass and steel five story wall of wonder by renowned architect William Georges and featured in his book “Make it Fabulous”. Each floor of the home has its own private floor to ceiling glass sunroom and views of the garden below with the 5th floor having an open terrace off the family room/studio. The home was originally 48 feet deep, however with the new glass wall addition, the ground floor has a depth of over 60 feet at the base. Upon entry into the unique oval foyer on the ground level with its dramatic stairway to the upper living quarters, one can see through an arched doorway straight through the bright garden room into the sun-filled garden. The ground level currently features a powder room in the foyer, teak floors throughout, a full-size windowed eat-in kitchen with a separate front entrance for staff. A back-service hallway connects directly from the kitchen to an office, and a second powder room. The parlor/second floor is the ideal haven for entertaining, with its magnificent architecturally detailed wood paneled dining room, fireplaces, soaring ceilings, butler’s pantry, powder room, teak floors and elevator. As well as access to service stairs that lead from the dining room to the kitchen, entertaining becomes seamless for staff. Adjacent to the dining room is a formal living room which features intricate millwork and a wood burning fireplace. Flowing from the living room is an impressive floor to ceiling steel and glass sunroom perfect for reading or a private moment with views of the city and gardens below. The third-floor master suite features a master bedroom that includes multiple walk-in closets and a full-glass private sitting room. This bedroom includes an ensuite his and her marble bathroom with abundant extra features. The adjacent red sitting room library with wet bar is a wonderful place to unwind for a night cap or tea. The fourth floor has two additional bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms. The rear bedroom includes French doors that lead to another brilliant glass sunroom. The fifth floor, with its oversized skylight over the stairwell and foyer, features a large suite for long term guests or staff, includes two adjacent bedrooms, a full bathroom, a small kitchen with washer-dryer, and a living area with French doors leading to an open terrace with retractable awning. Stairs lead to the roof deck with a peaceful planted garden with city views. Below the ground floor resides the large full height office area which is accessed down the carpeted mahogany stairs off the kitchen and enhanced by a porcelain floor which leads one to laundry, a wine cellar, a full bathroom, and a large sunlit room suitable for a home gym, playroom, or a home office/business. The elevator connects the lower laundry/office level all the way to the fifth floor. The residence is wired with Savant music, intercom, phone, and security systems throughout as well as automatic shades for the rear glass façade wall. Close to many of Manhattan’s most coveted restaurants and shopping, 240 East 68th Street is a magnificent mix of elegant tradition and modern design with the added convenience of ample dedicated space for a home office or business.