Inside the 47th Annual Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse

Dining Room by Cullman & Kravis

The 47th annual Decorator Show House is underway, showcasing work from top interior designers. The Upper East Side townhouse at 36-38 East 74th Street has been completely transformed, and all for a good cause, namely the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. All proceeds from the events will go to the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club which provides after school enrichment programs to more than 10,000 youth in the Bronx.

About the Kips Bay Decorator Show House

The Upper East Side is known for its historic and grandiose townhomes, and this year’s townhouse is situated on the Gold Coast of the Upper East Side, steeped with a rich history. 36-38 East 74th Street was features a brick façade and intricate architectural details, with the likes of Cross & Cross and D. & J. Jardine having worked on elements of the home. 36-38 East 74th Street was combined into the 40-foot wide mansion it is today by Cross & Cross.

In 1948, the home was purchased by Dorothy Hearst Paley, a prominent figure in New York society at the time. She hired Swiss architect William Lescaze to modernize the interior of the townhouse and redesign the front steps.

36-38 East 74th Street is a rare townhouse on the Upper East Side, with a width of 40 feet, a two car garage, and a 40 foot wide garden. The interior is comprised of nearly 14,000 square feet with 19 rooms, 8-11 bedrooms, and 10 fireplaces across 6 levels. The home is in the heart of the Upper East Side, one block from Central Park and nearby to iconic institutions such as the Met Breuer and Frick Museum.

It is currently offered at $28,750,000.

Decorator Showhouse

Staircase by Brian Gluckstein

Office by Eve Robinson Associates

The expansive townhouse residence has become a showcase of work from renowned interior designers that have donated their time and skill to create the beautiful spaces. The interior features 6 floors of living space which have been transformed into sumptuous space from an elegant staircase  to a luxurious dining area and attention grabbing work studio.

The Show House will be running Until May 30th 2019.

36-38 East 74th Street
Monday-Saturday: 11-5pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 11-8pm
Sunday: 12-5pm

Tickets can purchased online in advance by visiting Kips Bay Decorator Show House. Remember, all ticket proceeds benefit the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.

A Look Inside the 46th Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House

The 46th annual Decorator Show House is underway, showcasing work from top interior designers. The Upper East Side townhouse at 110 East 76th Street has been completely transformed, and all for a good cause, namely the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. All proceeds from the events will go to the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club which provides after school enrichment programs to more than 10,000 youth in the Bronx. 

About the Kips Bay Decorator Show House

The Upper East Side is known for its historic and grandiose townhomes, and the Lenox Hill neighborhood, the site of this year’s show house, is no exception. The row of townhomes at 110-120 East 76th Street was originally built by Augustus Hatfield in 1883-85 and are unique in that they are 36’ feet, must larger than the standard townhouse width in New York. This year’s show house, at 110 East 76th Street, has been completely reworked by Robert Couturier. Renovations on the home began in 2010. Couturier is most known for his work for billionaire financier, Sir James Goldsmith which jumpstarted his career.

His vision for this year’s show house took inspiration from past projects he completed around the globe with an emphasis on the fact that the spaces in the house are meant to live in and move about, they are not simply “stages.” The expansive townhome provided the perfect backdrop for top interior designers to showcase their work.

110 East 76th Street spans 15,000 square feet across 7 floors. Part of the renovations included incorporating modern luxuries such as an elevator, which is accessible from each of the 7 floors. The home includes 8 bedrooms and 10 baths. It is a unique opportunity to own a wide townhouse on the Upper East Side. The Master Suit of the home alone spans 1,500 square feet and includes a separate sitting room, fireplace, and double baths.

It is currently offered at $51,000,000.

Decorator Show House

The expansive townhouse residence has become a showcase of work from renowned interior designers that have donated their time and skill to create the beautiful spaces. The interior features 7 floors of living space which have been transformed into sumptuous space from a attention grabbing, statement staircase to an elegant sitting room and Clive Christian kitchen.

The interior designers have spared no attention to detail throughout the home, sourcing their decor from the likes of Hermes, Sotheby's, Bergdorf Goodman, and Roche Bobois to name a few.

Take a look at a few of the beautifully curated rooms in this year's Decorator Show House:

The Show House will be running Until May 31st 2018.

110 East 76th Street
Monday-Saturday: 11-5pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 11-8pm
Sunday: 12-5pm

Tickets can purchased online in advance by visting Kips Bay Decorator Show House. Remember, all ticket proceeds benefit the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.

What Makes Townhomes Unique in New York City

When thinking about or discussing the New York City residential real estate market, condos and co-ops are what often comes to mind. It is easy to forget that a third type of property exists in the market because condos and co-ops, or apartment-style living, is what many think of when they think of city living. However, the third type of property that exists, townhomes, are quite unique and special. 

So what attracts people to townhouse properties in New York City?

Privacy

Townhouse living offers and elevated sense of privacy for some buyers because the home is entirely yours. People will not see you in the common lobby, elevators, or any shared space that exists in a condo or co-op. Similarly, there are no doormen or concierge at a front desk that see you coming in and out of your home. 

Additional privacy comes from the fact that there are no neighbors above or below you to make noise or complain about noise that you may be making. Private outdoor space such as terraces and backyards is solely for the use of the owner, unlike common outdoor space in condos and co-ops which is an amenity for the entire building. 

Compass Listing at 357 W. 17th Street

Vertical Living

Most people are attracted to townhomes for the simple fact that they are houses in the middle of the city. With that being said, townhomes offer traditional vertical living. While this is not for everyone, some buyers like the feeling of a traditional home. This aspect can change one's mindset because when one enters a townhouse, one feels an escape from the bustle of the city...perhaps forgetting it is situated in one of the most bustling metropolitan areas in the world. 

Ownership

Owning a townhome is different in many facets than owning a condo or a co-op. It is similar to a condo in that the owner has a title to real property, unlike share ownership in a co-op, but it differs in that a townhouse is "free standing" with no common areas shared by other owners. Townhouse owners only pay real estate taxes- there are no monthly common or maintenance charges.

This biggest aspect of townhouse ownership is the freedom that comes along with it. Freedom takes on many forms such as no board approval for moving in, tenants, or renovations, and no financing restrictions that one might see on a co-op property. 

Compass Listing at 73 Washington Place

It must be noted that the freedom of townhouse ownership also comes with increased responsibility, namely all burdens of upkeep and daily operations fall on the owner. Things like inspections, taking out the garbage, cleaning sidewalks in the winter, and handling all repairs become solely the owner's responsibility. There are no live-in supers or porters like a condo or co-op would have. 

Value & Selection

The value of townhomes varies depending on myriad factors, most notably, however, width and location. The standard width of a townhouse in New York City is between 18-20 feet. Anything above 25 feet wide is considered a mansion, and is rare, thus making it much more valuable. 

Additional items that can increase a townhouse's value amenities such as elevators and garages. An elevator can reduce the impact of vertical living for those buyers that are accustomed to condo or co-op living. An on-premise garage is highly coveted, allowing the owner to keep their car on the property, for use at their convenience, without additional garage expenses. 

The most coveted townhomes are usually found on the Upper East and Upper West Sides as well as the Village. When shopping for townhomes, there are various choices to match different buyer taste profiles. Selection spans the gamut of gut renovation ready to triple-mint renovated homes with all the conveniences for today's modern lifestyle. It is worth noting that some homes are considered historic, and thus certain details such as the facade cannot be altered. If you are buyer looking to make renovations, it is important to obtain this information.

The Victoria Shtainer Team Previews a Greenwich Village Townhouse

 

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