Description

Be a part of the Upper East Side renaissance!

Two Family House currently configured as a single residence, 161 East 74th Street is in the most quintessential Lennox Hill location. Captivating views through the double height ceiling of the top floor greenhouse of the St. Jean Baptiste Church and private garden vignettes. Exceptional light on all floors. With over 6,600 square feet of interior space across six floors, over 1,200 square feet of exterior space between the garden, terrace and a roof deck, six gorgeous fireplaces and an elevator, you can call this magical beauty your home.

Legend has it, the house was one of four houses built by a brew master from Yorkville for his four children. In fact, there are two niches on each side of the main living room where there was a passage between the houses. Now, these niches remain as a nod to the past while serving as an architectural detail and to display sculpture and art.

Later on, the house was owned and enjoyed by John Felix Charles Bryce who was friends with Ian Flemming - the creator of James Bond. The character Felix Leiter, friend of Bond in the novels, was named after Bryce. John Felix was married to Josephine Hartford Bryce, a granddaughter of George Huntington Hartford, the founder of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company. According to her New York Times obituary, she was active in horse racing and was a longtime trustee of the foundation that donated money for medical research. Josephine's brother, Huntington Hartford, a philanthropist, businessman and an art collector in his own right, also spent time in the house - if these walls could talk! Some of the most legendary Upper East Side soirees where held at number 161 on this East 74th Street.

The current guardian of this house brings us to the present day. He is a world renowned plastic surgeon who is leaving his mark on groundbreaking medical research. His parents were recognized as Righteous among Nations at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem for their role in rescuing twelve Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto.

The next owner will undoubtedly add their own signature to the rich history of the property and will carry it forward.

It goes without saying that 161 East 74th Street is within striking proximity to Central Park, Museum Mile and New York institutions such as The Carlyle Hotel, The Mark Hotel and The Surrey to name a few. Dubbed 'the hottest restaurant neighborhood' by Bloomberg and the 'dose of downtown cool' by the New York Post, the brand new Chez Fifi is slightly to the West of the house and the legendary JG Melon is slightly to the East.

All showings are by appointment only. Additional information and a very clear and accurate high resolution set up is available upon request. Listing courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC ...
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