Description

Former home of the famed sculpture studio Rochette & Parzini, this extraordinary 5,000+/- square foot building combines the privacy of a townhouse with the voluminous loft-like aesthetic of downtown artist's studios. Upon entering the 4-story home, past a windowed home office, bathroom and kitchen, the eye is immediately struck by the palatial dimensions of the living/entertaining area, which boasts ceiling heights of 25' in places. This grand space is bathed in sunlight by three massive skylights and three large West-facing windows. The current owner, noted photographer Clara Aich, has long used the space as an informal "salon" for musical performances, plays and other inspired gatherings for friends and family. A dramatic wooden staircase at the far end of the room ascends to a windowed mezzanine which doubles as a sleeping loft for guests. Underneath the mezzanine is a sauna and storage area.

A staircase along the East wall provides access to the sumptuous primary bedroom suite, which overlooks the living/entertaining area through sliding glass panels. The bedroom includes a bespoke steel and brass bathroom with shower, sink and toilet, as well as a vintage tub which sits invitingly in front of a wood-burning fireplace. Completing the bedroom is a "breakfast kitchenette" with sink and fridge.

The townhouse has a separate staircase leading from the ground floor entry to a remarkable duplex on the third and fourth floors. The duplex is fully independent of the rest of the home, possessing its own kitchen, bathroom and sauna. The focal point is the 26' tall living/dining area which features an enormous skylight and a wood-burning fireplace. The original iron chain pully system is still in place, providing a link to the building's past as a sculpture studio. The duplex also has access to an 18' x 14' South-facing terrace, which provides an ideal sun-filled respite for morning coffee or afternoon tea.

In addition to its 5,000 +/- square feet of above-grade interior space, the townhouse has a cellar with areas for laundry and mechanicals, and several storage rooms (two of which were previously used as photographic dark rooms). According to city records, the building also possesses approximately 3,000 square feet of unused air rights which could potentially be utilized to expand vertically, subject to zoning and Department of Building requirements. The building is currently configured as a two-family residence per the NYC Department of Finance, resulting in exceptionally low property taxes for a building of this size (approximately $11,000 per year). The certificate of occupancy of the building still references the former sculpture studio, so it is possible that a portion of the building could be used for commercial purposes, subject to confirmation by the purchaser's architect/zoning expert.

The townhouse is located in the Rose Hill neighborhood of downtown Manhattan, several blocks East of Madison Square Park, and just North of Gramercy Park. It has long been a font of creative activity. From 1909-1972, it housed the Rochette & Parzini sculpture foundry, a prolific firm founded by a Frenchman and an Italian which produced fine architectural sculpture for city landmarks such as the Morgan Library, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Many of the walls of the townhouse are adorned with plaster models of these architectural elements, which the owner has artfully displayed. A recent profile of this extraordinary home in the New York Times provides additional historical background. Listing courtesy of Sothebys International Realty ...
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