Description

265 West 139th Street is a rare architectural offering—designed by Stanford White in 1893 and remarkably preserved, restored, and future-proofed over its 13 decades. This five-bedroom townhouse blends 19th-century craftsmanship with 21st-century upgrades: zoned central HVAC, radiant-heated bathrooms, CitiQuiet windows, and a private gated carport with a second parking space accessed via Strivers’ Row’s famed residents-only alley. Once home to Bob Dylan, the residence links 132 years of cultural and architectural history to the present, on one of Harlem’s most significant blocks.

White’s design replaces the typical stoop with a dignified, at-grade entry, set behind a landscaped forecourt. A wood-paneled vestibule with original tilework opens to a 19-foot-wide living salon, leading to a large eat-in kitchen, powder room, and beyond to the terrace and private parking. Period moldings, restored hardwood floors, and two staircases—an elegant front stair and a switchback rear stair to the butler’s pantry—anchor the home’s scale and function.

The expansive kitchen is appointed for serious use, with appliances by Gaggenau (steam oven, gas cooktop, vented hood, electric oven, dishwasher), Sub-Zero (refrigerator, wine fridge), and Panasonic (touch-open microwave). Lovingly restored wavy-glass cabinetry frames a generous eat-in area with excellent light and flow.

Rebuilt with durable decking and integrated lighting, the rear terrace offers a private setting for outdoor dining and entertaining. An automatic garage door opens to a second parking spot and the residents-only Strivers’ Row alley, secured by motorized gates at each boulevard. As more households split time between town and country, Strivers’ Row offers a rare “drive-in/drive-out” lifestyle—merging historic charm with modern convenience.

The Parlor Floor spans 50 feet of formal living and dining, framed by 10-foot ceilings and rich original detail. Decorative fireplaces, pocket doors, a built-in gallery bench, and a front Juliet balcony enrich the floor’s character. A Palladian-style trio of windows brings soft northern light into the dining room, while the south-facing living room windows overlook the stately yellow brick and limestone homes designed by Clarence Luce and Bruce Price. Mature London plane and oak trees shade the block one of the most architecturally intact and visually stunning in New York City.

The third floor features two oversized “co-primary” bedrooms that share a gut-renovated marble bath with radiant floors, Waterworks fixtures, and a dramatic skylit walk-in shower that opens to a 25-foot light well. The top floor holds three more bedrooms: a full-width room facing 139th Street, and two rear bedrooms overlooking the terrace and carport. The skylit bath features a soaking tub, glass-enclosed shower, marble finishes, Waterworks fixtures, and wavy-glass windows drawing light from the adjacent well.

The full-height cellar has been sealed and upgraded with a dedicated laundry zone, workbench, and ample storage. Mechanical systems—including discreetly housed HVAC compressors—are located on the lower level and out of sight.
Notable upgrades since 2018 include:
• Zoned central HVAC
• Two gut-renovated bathrooms with radiant heat
• CitiQuiet windows in all street-facing rooms
• Rebuilt rear deck and terrace
• Automatic garage door system
• High-speed mesh Wi-Fi throughout
No. 265 is the westernmost of 32 terracotta, brownstone, and dark brick homes that McKim, Mead & White created as part of the iconic 1891–1893 Strivers’ Row development. With its cultural legacy, preserved architecture, and private parking, this is a rare chance to live with grace and ease in one of the city’s most historic and inspiring settings.

Listing courtesy of Sothebys International Realty ...
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