House: 307 West 103rd Street

A rare family treasure has come to market. Resided in by a family of artists and wine makers (the New York Times calls theirs “one of the rarest Italian wine labels in the world”) for almost 50 years, the rich history and creative energy infusing this home is poised to pass on to someone new. The house, a classic Queen Anne bow front, is now configured as a two family home, but conversion to a five bedroom single family is simple. There is no Certificate of Occupancy. West 103rd between Riverside Drive and West End Avenue is a pretty tree lined block, half a block to Riverside Park and close to the schools of Columbia University, Bank Street. Cathedral, St. Hildas , Trinity, Columbia Grammar and Bloomingdales Music. The length of Broadway offers a vibrant corridor of shopping, international restaurants and transportation. FAR is available to expand.

Garden Floor:

Enter through the planted front garden and then through a wrought iron gate under the stoop. Here is a comfortable living room with two large south facing windows, pocket shutters and an intact fireplace. At the rear of the floor is a large artist’s studio. (This used to be the kitchen. There remains the rear service stairs as well as the dumbwaiter shaft) which benefits from subdued north light and greenery of the planted garden and greenhouse The extension contains a working sink and more room to create. There is a full bathroom and ample storage closets.

Parlor Floor:

Enter from the top of the stoop through the original oak winter doors into the parlor where you will find two magnificent rooms filled with original detail everywhere you look – from the plaster moldings on the high ceilings to the wrap around oak wainscoting to the grand oak staircase. Several interesting period chandeliers and sconces remain. The floor from front to back is unencumbered by walls making the front sitting room and the rear dining room a fabulous entertaining space. Three large windows overlook the street and large windows in the rear overlook the garden. The windowed kitchen is in the extension, providing easy serving from kitchen to table.

Third Floor:

The third floor contains two well-proportioned rooms connected by a hall of deep closets and an original shaving sink. The front room is currently used as a library with tall bookcases that take advantage of the ceiling height. The large back room is used as the master bedroom with an ensuite master bath that fills the entire extension. The dumbwaiter shaft could be refitted to become a laundry chute to the cellar.

Fourth Floor:

The top floor is currently used as a 2-bedroom/1-bath rental. The staircase leads into the living and dining area where there is a planted terrace, providing additional outdoor space. There is a kitchen in the middle of this floor and the two bedrooms are located in the front. There are also skylights that bring in lots of light and the high ceilings here create a feeling of spaciousness. Easy access to the roof to create a penthouse and roof garden.

Cellar:

The cellar walls are the original laid up stone foundation.. The front half of the cellar is used for wine making, aging and storing and is filled with aged vintner’s machinery. Wooden barrels rest quietly until the wine is ready for bottling. The back of the cellar is used for family storage, laundry facilities and mechanicals.

Building Description Provided By Wolf Jakubowski