Townhouse: 17 East 65th Street

One of the first modernist townhouses in Manhattan, this iconic property is rich with history, sophistication and postmodern elegance. Sherman M. Fairchild, a noted inventor and businessman, hired the architects William Hamby and George Nelson to create a home as adventurous as he was. They succeeded and the townhouse remains an architectural tour de force unlike any other in New York.

The building’s red granite faade was completed in 1981 and hints at the wonders inside. The 9,440 square-foot, 25 foot wide mansion is defined by a three-story great room, with a span of travertine walls illuminated from a glass and steel skylight. A zigzagging system of ramps facilitates the movement through the light-filled home. The result is an airy alternative to a traditional townhouse and the perfect setting for a world-class art collection.

The home includes a chef’s kitchen, formal dining room, 5 bedrooms, 6 full bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms and a study/library worthy of The Frick. The master suite features two full bathrooms, floor to ceiling windows and a balcony overlooking 65th Street. An office, wine cellar, four additional bedrooms one with a loft aerie infused with natural light complete this one of a kind offering.

The townhouse is located on the Upper East Side, between Fifth and Madison Avenues with Central Park and Museum Mile at the doorstep.

Building Description Provided by Erin Aries