163 East 78th Street

Upper East Side   |   Lexington Avenue & Third Avenue

New This Week
Building For Sale
$ 13,500,000
Ownership Single Family
Lot Size 36'x102'
Floors/Apts 4/1
Status Active
Real Estate Taxes [Per Annum] $ 118,667
Building Type Townhouse
Building Size 36'x38'
Year Built 1899
ASF/ASM 5,305/493
Listing ID: 72177TH

Jason Bauer

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Manager, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

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Property Description

At 36 feet in width, 163 East 78th Street comprises a sublime house and divine garden perfectly attuned to today’s lifestyle. Its width, aside from imparting a delightful, horizontal sensibility (rare in a townhouse), ensures that each level functions as a true and purposeful destination. This extremely attractive red brick four-story townhouse is ideally located on an idyllic tree-lined street on the Upper East Side. Built in 1899 in the Italianate style by Henry Armstrong, the Elinor S. Gimbel House is blessed with fantastically tall French windows on the parlor and third floor. Most extraordinarily, the magnificent Garden 38’ x 36, is a true retreat, with brick walls, beautiful trees and plantings. From its gated front garden entry, the large Gallery opens to a welcoming triumvirate of rooms designed for casually elegant living: a square Dining Room with a wood-burning fireplace which leads to a 23’ Sitting Room. Nearby, a chef’s Kitchen finished with black marble, state-of-the-art appliances and crisp white custom cabinets boasts a large center island and complements the sleek contemporary vernacular of the downstairs rooms. The Sitting Room and Kitchen both have lovely outlooks of and access the spectacular 36’ x 38’ Garden and Terrace. Truly an oasis, the brick-walled garden is immense and planted with mature trees. The garden level is completed by a large mud room, a convenient Powder Room, and a Staff Room with a full bathroom. Above, the elegant Parlor Level lends itself perfectly to exquisite entertaining. Graced by six sets of south-facing French doors and 35 feet in length, the extraordinary Living Room is flooded with light and anchored by a wood-burning fireplace. Adjacent, a graceful, square Library also has a wood-burning fireplace and overlooks the Terrace and Garden. The Formal Dining Room accesses the large 25-foot Terrace and is supported by a Wet Bar. Throughout, there are soaring 10+ foot ceilings and gorgeous herringbone floors. The private quarters occupy the Third and Fourth Levels. On the Third Floor, the south-facing Primary Bedroom has floor-to ceiling French doors with serene leafy outlooks onto East 78th Street and a wood-burning fireplace. There are very ample closets and a spacious bathroom finished in grey marble and featuring a soaking tub and separate shower. Nearby, a convenient Office or Sitting Room features a wood-burning fireplace and pretty outlooks of the Garden. This level features one additional Bedroom with a large bathroom and adjoining Dressing Room. On the Fourth Level, there are three additional Bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom and a large Recreation Room or Playroom. The finished basement level features designated areas for wine storage, laundry, mechanicals, and storage, as well as a Powder Room. Throughout, herringbone hardwood floors, custom millwork, and high ceilings underpin a comfort and elegance that extend to every detail. Rare and unique, this elegant and extraordinary home with its magnificent proportions and lush Garden and Terraces, is townhouse living at its finest.
At 36 feet in width, 163 East 78th Street comprises a sublime house and divine garden perfectly attuned to today’s lifestyle. Its width, aside from imparting a delightful, horizontal sensibility (rare in a townhouse), ensures that each level functions as a true and purposeful destination. This extremely attractive red brick four-story townhouse is ideally located on an idyllic tree-lined street on the Upper East Side. Built in 1899 in the Italianate style by Henry Armstrong, the Elinor S. Gimbel House is blessed with fantastically tall French windows on the parlor and third floor. Most extraordinarily, the magnificent Garden 38’ x 36, is a true retreat, with brick walls, beautiful trees and plantings. From its gated front garden entry, the large Gallery opens to a welcoming triumvirate of rooms designed for casually elegant living: a square Dining Room with a wood-burning fireplace which leads to a 23’ Sitting Room. Nearby, a chef’s Kitchen finished with black marble, state-of-the-art appliances and crisp white custom cabinets boasts a large center island and complements the sleek contemporary vernacular of the downstairs rooms. The Sitting Room and Kitchen both have lovely outlooks of and access the spectacular 36’ x 38’ Garden and Terrace. Truly an oasis, the brick-walled garden is immense and planted with mature trees. The garden level is completed by a large mud room, a convenient Powder Room, and a Staff Room with a full bathroom. Above, the elegant Parlor Level lends itself perfectly to exquisite entertaining. Graced by six sets of south-facing French doors and 35 feet in length, the extraordinary Living Room is flooded with light and anchored by a wood-burning fireplace. Adjacent, a graceful, square Library also has a wood-burning fireplace and overlooks the Terrace and Garden. The Formal Dining Room accesses the large 25-foot Terrace and is supported by a Wet Bar. Throughout, there are soaring 10+ foot ceilings and gorgeous herringbone floors. The private quarters occupy the Third and Fourth Levels. On the Third Floor, the south-facing Primary Bedroom has floor-to ceiling French doors with serene leafy outlooks onto East 78th Street and a wood-burning fireplace. There are very ample closets and a spacious bathroom finished in grey marble and featuring a soaking tub and separate shower. Nearby, a convenient Office or Sitting Room features a wood-burning fireplace and pretty outlooks of the Garden. This level features one additional Bedroom with a large bathroom and adjoining Dressing Room. On the Fourth Level, there are three additional Bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom and a large Recreation Room or Playroom. The finished basement level features designated areas for wine storage, laundry, mechanicals, and storage, as well as a Powder Room. Throughout, herringbone hardwood floors, custom millwork, and high ceilings underpin a comfort and elegance that extend to every detail. Rare and unique, this elegant and extraordinary home with its magnificent proportions and lush Garden and Terraces, is townhouse living at its finest.

Listing Courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty, Inc.

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Apartment Features

A/C [Central]

Outdoor

Patio
Terrace
163 East 78th Street Upper East Side New York NY 10075

Building Details [163 East 78th Street]

Ownership Single Family
Service Level Voice Intercom
Access Walk-up
Block/Lot 1413/26
Building Size 36'x38'
Zoning R8B
Building Type Townhouse
Year Built 1899
Floors/Apts 4/1
Lot Size 36'x102'

Building Amenities

Garden

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This information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. ©2025 REBNY Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved. Additional building data provided by On-Line Residential [OLR].
All information furnished regarding property for sale, rental or financing is from sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy thereof and same is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price, rental or other conditions, prior sale, lease or financing or withdrawal without notice. All dimensions are approximate. For exact dimensions, you must hire your own architect or engineer.