House: 37 West 70th Street

37 West 70th Street is a distinguished 20’ wide single family brownstone, rich in well-preserved historic detail, a half block west of Central Park. Imbued with a timeless allure and outfitted with modern amenities, this residence stands as a testament to enduring elegance and impeccable craftsmanship.

Originally built 1891 by Gilbert A. Schellenger, No. 37 has been lovingly maintained as an exemplary model of late 19th century Renaissance Revival architecture. The house was owned by a handful of prominent families, before Perry Ellis, the American fashion designer, purchased the home 1982. Under his direction, the house underwent a thorough and thoughtful restoration that included installing the salvaged Art Deco bathroom fixtures from the fabulous Savoy Hotel in London and adding the remarkable, floor-to-ceiling French doors on the parlor level overlooking 70th street– A detail unique to No. 37. In 1987, it was purchased by Jann & Jane Wenner, the founders of Rolling Stone Magazine. The Wenner family embarked on further renovations, guided by Ward Bennett, who helped bring the home into the 21st century. During their tenure, the UWS – CPW Historic District was approved and the area has been Landmarked since 1990.

Many original elements of this home remain untouched beyond restoration, including much of the wood paneling/ wainscoting, inlaid parquet floors, plantation shutters, and the timeless stained glass skylight above the stairwell. Contemporary upgrades have included updating the electric throughout, installing central air and implementing a modern video alarm system (among others).

Building Description Provided By Aaron Mazor and Adam Widener