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A Look Inside 154 East 63rd Street

by habituallychic

05 . 16 . 19

Every time I look at real estate listings, I always wish I could go in and take better and more detailed photos. I mentioned to my friend Chris Kann that if he ever had any listings he thought I would like that I would love to tag along. My wish was granted a few weeks ago when he asked me if I wanted to meet him at 154 East 63rd Street. I didn’t know what to expect before I arrived but was blown away by the five story 32-foot wide townhouse.

It was designed by British-born American architect Frederick Sterner who worked in Chicago and Denver before moving to New York. One of his most well known projects was the Greenbrier Hotel in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. (Another place on my must visit list.) He actually lived “at 154 East 63rd Street in 1915 and was also responsible for creating two houses across the street at No. 153, currently in near original shape, and the Maurice Brill house at No. 163. During this period, Sterner hired architect Rosario Candela who went on to design many prominent buildings on the Upper East Side.” According to Corcoran, “the home was subsequently remodeled by F. Burrall Hoffman Jr., most notably the architect of James Deering’s Villa Viscaya in Miami. Remember my post on my visit to Vizcaya?

The last owner, Diana King, who passed away in January had renovated the house to serve as her New York residence and an entertaining venue. I really loved her exquisite style and felt sad that I never met her while walking through the home. There are so many beautiful rooms including four bedrooms, one that is its own complete suite on the fourth floor. It is a separate apartment that Sterner created for his sister, Maude, who was an interior designer who also worked on the Greenbrier Hotel. “It contains two sizable bedrooms, one and a half baths, a small kitchen and a large living room with a fireplace.”

It’s in perfect turn key condition except for maybe the bathrooms that could use a little refresh. I’d also turn the top floor light filled Marston & Langinger solarium into a yoga room and the adjacent media room into a gym. There’s even a kitchenette on that floor for your cold drinks. And don’t worry about walking up all those stairs because there is an elevator.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already seen my Stories but I was waiting to post on the blog until I could link to the real estate listing.

I pray that someone who appreciates the history and beauty of this home buys it and doesn’t gut it like the couple who bought Bunny Mellon’s old townhouse on 70th Street.

Since it was first designed, the townhouse has undergone some radical changes. A garage was added which moved the main entrance over. I found this photo of the original entrance and floor plan for the garden and second floors which you can compare to the current floor plan below. There are also numerous old photos of the house from 1919 on the Museum of the City of New York website.

Real estate photos courtesy of Corcoran. All other photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic.