Restrained Opulence. When this five-level townhouse was built in 1909 on historic Third Street -- the grand entrance to Olmsted & Vaux's Prospect Park and proximal to some of the most desirable public and private schools in the city -- it exemplified the then-modern aesthetic of the Arts and Crafts architectural movement. A century later, in transforming and renovating the residence into a four bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home, the designer called on that same forward-looking spirit of simplicity, utility and beauty. The result: a subtle re-interpretation of what "modern" means today, with great respect paid to its historical origins, as conceived by New York City's premier award-winning design/build firm, AE Greyson. Inside and out, architecture and design are seamlessly paired, using exact lines and clean, consistent details. The subtle detailing of custom raised-plaster wall surfaces, plaster crown moldings, millwork and architectural hardware is beautifully orchestrated in every room of the house, best exemplified in the formal dining room. In counterpoint is the contemporary kitchen, a blend of limestone, stainless steel and French walnut; here the materials play a cool riff on 21st-century elegance, enhanced by the practicality of bountiful floor-to-ceiling storage, custom breakfast banquette, computer work area, and Miele and Sub-Zero appliances. Connecting these two spaces is the rear garden. French doors lead from the dining room onto a wraparound granite patio, backed by planting beds, high fences for privacy and a built-in barbecue, softly backlit. On the kitchen side, two walls of sliding glass marry home and nature, functionality and serenity. The floor below is a fully finished heated and air-conditioned basement playroom and home office/gym with cabinetry finished in cheerful colors. There is a separate under-stoop entrance, a second hook-up for an additional washer/dryer and two wine refrigerators. A blend of mood and materials creates an aesthetic journey, floor to floor and room to room. Each level of the home proves the power of unique craftsmanship and conveniences: full house Sonos audio, Crestron lighting controls, fully integrated telephone system with complete in-house intercom, five-zone central air and three separate heating zones controlled by Nest app-based controls. The faintly nostalgic, visually quiet second-floor living room evokes the plain-lined yet sumptuous French Moderne spirit. A wood-burning fireplace with carved mantle is adorned with a period-inspired custom mirror that reflects natural light spilling through the leaded-glass four-windowed bay. The library/guest room, fully finished in English brown oak paneling, is appointed with integrated custom bookcases and media center, along with concealed wet bar and refrigerator. French doors lead to a limestone terrace, perfect for entertaining. When the metal-edged recessed folding Wenge doors are closed, the library doubles as a perfect guest room; adjacent, a lavish full bath boasts marble floors, shower and vanity. The entire third floor comprises the primary suite: a king-sized bedroom is sun bathed through a leaded-glass four-windowed bay with a sumptuous, inviting window seat. A lavish walk-in dressing suite/gallery contains an abundance of millwork cabinets with single- and double-hanging closets, pull-out drawers and overhead storage. The unique design of this room provides for fully openable doors in English brown oak; with the doors closed, it's transformed into a panelized millwork sitting area, warmed by light from a south-facing window. You are led to the luxurious bath, fashioned with tumbled mosaic stone floor, oversized walk-in shower, custom carved 3-in. stone slab double-sink vanity and an inviting cast-iron whirlpool tub. The fourth level provides for twin bedrooms designed with built-in millwork desks flanked by millwork closets with hanging and pull-out drawers. Each bedroom has separate walk-in closets, en-suite baths with custom-fabricated teak vanities, cast-iron tubs, Waterworks tile and tub enclosures of custom cut-stone slab. The washer/dryer and linen storage are neatly tucked away on this level. From here, the stair transitions to travertine and bronze at the fifth-level study, echoing the building's first-floor contemporary style. This whimsical, sophisticated urban aerie is itself a study in texture, color and light, with a Macassar ebony wall of built-in cabinets playing off the Kenyan black marble wet bar and under-cabinet refrigerator/freezer/icemaker. Glass walls offer vast views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and treetop peeks at brownstone Brooklyn from its Ipe wood terrace. This is the home's apex, where Mies van der Rohe meets Arts and Crafts, and where the master hands of the architect, builder and designer reveal themselves with a final inspired flourish.

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Based on information submitted to REBNY as of June 9, 2023 4:37 AM EDT . All data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, noncommercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.

 
 

 

 

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