1899 Townhouse in New York With Garden Apartment, Soaring Ceilings, and French Doors to a Private Terrace (With Home Plan)

Written By

Mathew Abraham

Updated on

Mathew Abraham

Mathew Abraham, editor of Century Homes America, brings his passion for architectural history to explore the stories behind America’s most iconic homes.

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

This classic brownstone in New York’s Carnegie Hill, showcasing historic charm with original hardwood floors, soaring ceilings, and a marble fireplace. This 4-story plus cellar residence spans 3,456 square feet with an extra 4,097 square feet of unused FAR, set on a tranquil block with double deep gardens. Meticulously maintained and recently updated, it features a renovated eat-in kitchen and bathrooms, a legal two-family layout, and a garden floor guest suite with separate entry. Listed at $6,100,000, this beautifully preserved home offers grand proportions, natural light, and a serene urban oasis with direct garden access.

Home Plan

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

The layout outlines a multi-story historic townhouse blending modern convenience with classic charm. The basement, expansive and utilitarian, includes mechanical spaces and laundry. The garden floor integrates a bedroom with adjacent full bath, a kitchen, and a combined living/dining area opening to a backyard garden highlighted by mature landscaping. The parlor floor presents traditional formal rooms—a living room with fireplace, dining area, and a well-proportioned kitchen—all connected by a central stairwell. Upper floors contain private quarters with bedrooms and offices, featuring terraces and balconies enhancing daylight and ventilation throughout the house.

Garden Patio Seating

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

The outdoor patio area is paved with classic red bricks laid in a herringbone pattern, bordered by raised brick planters filled with green shrubs and flowering plants. Black wrought iron chairs with mesh seats and armrests are arranged near a staircase railing, inviting relaxation. In the background, a round wrought iron table with matching chairs sits under mature, leafless trees, framed by a wooden privacy fence partially overgrown with climbing greenery. Tall urban brownstones and multi-story buildings enclose the space, blending historic architecture with a quaint garden retreat ambiance.

Balcony Seating Area

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

A modest balcony with dark gray tiled flooring offers a cozy outdoor space. Two green metal chairs and a small matching table with a vase of pink tulips sit against a backdrop of a short red brick wall and wrought iron railing adorned with intricate scrollwork. Leafy trees with budding spring foliage frame the view, contrasting with the rows of classic brick townhomes beyond. The overall aesthetic combines urban elements with a quiet, inviting spot for relaxation amid historic neighborhood charm and seasonal natural beauty.

Living Room Seating Area

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

The space is composed of a serene palette of light grays and creams, fostering an airy ambiance. The seating arrangement includes a cushioned sofa with patterned pillows and three armchairs arranged around a sleek glass coffee table on an intricately patterned rug. A notable ornate white fireplace serves as a classic focal point, topped with an elaborate antique mirror. The adjacent raised nook is illuminated by French doors and contains a small table with chairs, integrating natural light and soft textures. Contemporary art and subtle architectural moldings add refined historical character to the room.

Living Room Fireplace

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

Two light blue upholstered sofas face a grand, white marble fireplace with elaborate carved details, creating a balanced and elegant conversation area. The fireplace mantel holds a large, ornately framed mirror that extends upward, enhancing the room’s height and reflecting the ceiling fan. On either side of the fireplace, symmetrical wooden side tables support decorative pieces, including framed photographs, a lamp, sculptures, and dried floral arrangements. Soft, neutral wall colors provide a calm background for the classic yet cozy space, while artwork on each side introduces subtle bursts of color and modern artistic expression. A vase of fresh tulips on the central coffee table adds a lively and welcoming touch.

Sunlit Sitting Room

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

Bright natural light floods the room through large French doors that open to a garden or street view, framed by taupe floor-length curtains. The walls and built-in cabinetry are painted a soft off-white, creating a serene backdrop. Dark wood floors contrast with the pale cream area rug anchoring the space. A round glass table with a modern brass base sits centrally, flanked by two classic wooden armchairs with cushioned upholstery. A long gray sofa with patterned cushions lines one wall beneath contemporary abstract artwork, blending traditional architectural details with understated modern décor.

Living Room View

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

A bright living room with a soft, neutral palette centered around whites and light grays. The seating includes streamlined mid-century modern sofas arranged on a large, subtle patterned area rug. An intricately carved vintage fireplace mantel painted white anchors one wall, complemented by an ornate mirror above. Two arched doorways provide a glimpse into adjoining rooms and add classic architectural interest. Warm wood tones of furniture legs and a round glass-top dining table foreground the scene, where a clear vase with lush green foliage adds vibrant life. Built-in cabinetry and recessed lighting complete the elegant yet inviting atmosphere.

Dining Room Details

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

The dining room is defined by a polished wooden table surrounded by six matching wooden chairs with cushioned seats showcasing a muted geometric pattern. A central pendant light with a simple white shade hangs directly above the table, casting soft illumination. The walls are painted in a neutral off-white, enhanced by crown molding and a floor-to-ceiling mirror on one side, which creates an expanded sense of space. Built-in cabinetry with glass-paneled doors displays delicate glassware and china, adding an elegant and historic touch. Arched doorways lead to adjacent rooms, and rich, dark wood flooring with intricate parquet detailing complements the classic ambiance.

Kitchen with Blue Cabinets

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

Soft blue cabinetry lines the walls of this kitchen, combining classic elegance with a modern touch. The cabinets feature silver hardware and glass-paneled upper doors, adding subtle texture. Stainless steel appliances, including a large refrigerator and double ovens, provide a sleek contrast to the blue tones. A round white table with woven chairs offers a cozy dining nook. Natural light streams through tall, narrow windows with intricate leaded glass details, highlighting the farmhouse-style backsplash and the rustic rooster sculpture perched above an open shelf filled with colorful cookbooks. Warm hardwood floors and a patterned rug complete the inviting space.

Staircase Landing

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

Dark polished wood bannisters with turned balusters line the staircase and landing, contrasting beautifully against light cream walls. The stairs are stone-topped, with clean white beaded trim beneath each step, highlighting the craftsmanship of the era. Rich, warm-toned hardwood floors extend throughout the landing area, laid in a classic parquet pattern. Elegant crown molding decorates the ceiling, adding subtle refinement, while a small framed mirror on the wall introduces a touch of color with its reflection of a vibrant pink and white adjoining room. Arched doorways soften the space, blending historic charm with sophisticated simplicity.

Living Room Details

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

Bright yellow walls brighten the space, complemented by crisp white trim and molding. A classic white fireplace with an ornate black iron insert anchors the room, topped with a large gilded mirror flanked by two small potted topiaries. Furnishings consist of a mustard-yellow sofa adorned with patterned throw pillows, a blue armchair, and a vintage-style rust-colored upholstered wingback chair. Two tall, narrow windows with striped valances allow natural light while framing an urban view. A richly patterned area rug in red, blue, and gold hues adds warmth and ties the seating area together. To the right, built-in white bookshelves hold an extensive book collection, adding intellectual charm to the cozy, inviting atmosphere.

Elegant Bedroom Interior

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

Soft cream walls provide a warm backdrop to a spacious bedroom accented by rich blue and floral patterns. Tall windows are dressed with heavy blue curtains and matching valances decorated with red and orange floral motifs, allowing natural light to flood the room. The centerpiece bed is adorned with crisp white linens, a blue striped skirt, and a matching upholstered headboard. A coordinating blue chaise lounge with an ottoman sits near the window, while a large, intricately patterned rug in cream and blue ties the space together. A carved marble fireplace mantel adds historic charm, complemented by a ceiling fan with wooden blades. Classic wooden furniture and a framed nautical painting finish the refined, cozy atmosphere.

Bedroom Interior

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

Soft green wallpaper with subtle patterning covers the walls, creating a calming and airy atmosphere. The room is furnished with a large bed draped with pale green bedding and accent pillows that complement the wall color. Two tall windows are dressed with sophisticated blue-gray drapes topped with matching valances that add elegance. A crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, providing a classic touch. A built-in shelving unit filled with books and decor lines one wall, while a small wooden desk and chair offer a workspace near the window. Light gray carpeting and cream-colored door trim complete the serene and timeless bedroom.

Family Room Seating

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

Soft yellow and cream vertical-striped wallpaper envelops the room, creating a warm and welcoming ambiance. A large, intricately patterned area rug covers the dark wood flooring, anchoring the furniture layout. Upholstered seating includes a beige corduroy sofa with multiple cushions, a striped armchair, and a red-patterned chair, contributing to a mix of textures and tones. White built-in cabinetry with brass knobs spans the right wall, topped by a sizable flat-screen television and a framed world map providing subtle decor. A maple-wood round coffee table sits centrally, while recessed ceiling lights brighten the space. French doors with striped valances open to a garden patio, integrating indoor and outdoor living.

Living Room with Built-ins

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

Soft yellow and cream vertical stripes cover the walls, creating a warm yet elegant backdrop for this living area. On one side, extensive white built-in cabinetry with drawers and cupboards runs low along the wall, topped with decorative items and a large flat-screen TV mounted above it. The seating includes an armchair with upholstery in a subtle pink patterned fabric and a cushioned sofa in yellow stripes, anchored by multiple throw pillows in muted tones. A round wooden coffee table sits atop a large, intricately patterned area rug with beige and blue tones. Antique-style wooden armchair with dark wood and curved arms adds a classic touch. At the far end, a dark wooden cabinet and antique piano stand out against the striped wall. To the right, built-in white bookshelves filled with books create a cozy library feel. Recessed ceiling lights softly illuminate the room, highlighting the blend of traditional and comfortable design elements.

Bedroom with Vintage Charm

Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman

A queen-size bed with a light beige headboard and simple cream bedspread takes center stage, flanked by two dark grey side tables each holding a pale blue ceramic lamp. The floor is covered by a large floral area rug in pastel tones of yellow, lavender, and green. Near the bed, a dark wooden bench with woven seating adds rustic warmth. Two windows with light blue curtains allow natural light in, framed by white trim with wrought iron bars outside. A classic wooden chest of drawers topped with a marble surface and a dark-framed mirror hangs above. An elegant wooden armchair with dark upholstery completes the serene, vintage-inspired aesthetic.

Listing Agent: Diane Johnson of Douglas Elliman via Zillow 

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