Eleanor Roosevelt’s Upper East Side townhouse is on the market – take a look inside this stylish property
Explore the former First Lady’s Manhattan home – it also played host to President John F. Kennedy
The only thing more desirable than an Upper East Side townhouse is an Upper East Side townhouse belonging to a former First Lady. That’s precisely the case with Eleanor Roosevelt’s former historic home – currently listed for $16 million.
The longest-serving First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt lived in The White House from 1933 to 1945, while her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, spent four terms in office. She is also recognized as an activist and diplomat after standing as an American Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s.
See: World's best homes – tour the globe’s most beautiful houses
In her later years, Mrs. Roosevelt was known to write a syndicated newspaper column, My Day, while overlooking 74th Street from her desk in the property.
Designed by Buchman and Deisler in 1898, the 8,500 square foot home was one of only eight limestone townhouses created by the celebrated architects.
Throughout its long history, its six-bedrooms have played host to an abundance of dignitaries and influential figures, including the former President of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, and the 35th President, John F. Kennedy. Composer Leonard Bernstein also visited the home, because even the individual behind West Side Story can’t keep away from the allure of the East Side. The property was home to Eleanor Roosevelt until her death in 1962.
See: Obama house: tour Barack and Michelle's new Martha's Vineyard home
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
See: Living room ideas – clever ways to decorate living spaces
The property's entrance hall is the epitome of New York sophistication – crowned with a Louis XIV chandelier that drapes from the period 12 foot ceilings. This grandeur continues throughout its modern white-glazed kitchen and media room that is drenched in sunlight from its 10 foot skylights and adjoining rear garden.
See: Kitchen ideas – decor and decorating ideas for all kitchens
The entire townhouse spans over five floors and has five and a half bathrooms - one of which boasts a large marble soaking tub where you can bathe away the hustle of the city.
According to listing agents, Compass, this newly renovated home has enough room to accommodate up to 500 guests - so we have the feeling that somebody is going to throw the biggest housewarming party New York has ever seen, post-pandemic, naturally.
See: Bedroom ideas – designs and inspiration for beautiful bedrooms
The top floor includes a private verdant jungle – above the concrete jungle – so you can raise a glass over Central Park and the prestigious Carlyle Hotel on the neighboring East 76th Street.
Benjamin Glazer and Dimitrios Alevizos hold the listing at Compass.
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
-
I've grown vegetables for 12 years, and these are the best herbs, flowers, and fruit to use as lettuce companion plants – plus the ones to avoid
Get lettuce companion planting right and you'll get bigger, healthier crops from your kitchen garden
By Drew Swainston Published
-
We discovered the easiest hack to improve soil quality just in time for World Soil Day – and all you need to do is grow these 5 plants
These plants will help your soil by boosting nutrients and improving structure
By Tenielle Jordison Published