Townhouse: 11 Sutton Place

Perched above Manhattan’s East River and located within the prestigious tree-lined enclave of Sutton Place is this historic townhouse, owned by Laura Franklin “Polly” Delano and then I.M. Pei and his wife Eileen.

The townhouse at 11 Sutton Place comprises four to five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and two powder rooms, plus a basement, with all floors serviced by a private elevator. Light, airy, and with impeccable interior and exterior renovations designed and implemented by I.M. Pei, this exceptional property features dramatic floor-to-ceiling picture windows facing the verdant Sutton Square Gardens, with views of the East River, Queensboro Bridge, and Roosevelt Island beyond.

Sutton Place, one of New York’s most exclusive and bucolic enclaves, is comprised of 14 stately townhouses arranged in a U-shape surrounding a private park facing the East River with views of the Queensboro Bridge and Roosevelt Island. The neighborhood has been referred to as Little London because the prewar townhouses are reminiscent of that city’s Belgravia neighborhood.

The area was pioneered in the early 1920s by socialite Anne Vanderbilt looking to find a place of quiet and peace but still blocks away from the vibrancy of Manhattan. She convinced friends, such as Anne Morgan, daughter of banker J.P. Morgan, to join her in converting the former industrial area into an avenue of grand townhouses. Other notable families followed in the years since, drawn by the river views and quiet access to nature, with five-star dining, upscale culture, and fine shopping in walking distance.

Building Description Provided By Edward Joseph