October 27

BROOKE ASTOR’S SPECTACULAR $24 MIL. PARK AVE DUPLEX: “NEEDS WORK” & IT’S SOLD!

Posted by thebplot on October 27, 2011 in Real Estate Porn | 1 Comment

Note in the floorplan how small the kitchen is and that many of the bedrooms do not have closets… but there is a vault!

UPDATED: Reports reveal the selling price for this amazing duplex was $20 million. In 2009, the property was originally listed for $48 million. Two price reductions brought us to the listing price of $24 million during the summer of 2011. Read on for the original article’s special details and photos…

Reflecting the remarkable and renowned personal style of the late Brooke Astor, philanthropist and doyenne of New York society, this residence is an eloquent representation of her distinguished life.

Floorplan for Brook Astor’s duplex in New York City

It is located on a very high floor at 778 Park Avenue, which was designed in 1931 by Rosario Candela, who is to this day New York’s most celebrated luxury residential architect. It occupies the entire 16th and part of the 15th floors, resulting in 4 brilliantly sunny exposures.

What makes this property uniquely charming is the sheer number of its architectural assets. There are 15 large and beautifully proportioned rooms, 10 of which have at least 2 exposures, many with partial views of Central Park. Additionally there are new French doors opening to 6 terraces, 5 fireplaces with antique mantels, elaborate and original moldings, antique parquet de Versailles floors and high ceilings.

The formal living room in Brooke Astor’s $24 million fix-me-upper

The entertaining rooms all radiate off a 30 foot long gallery with 18th century oak floors and include a grand living room with fireplace and a wall of bayed windows looking up and down Park Avenue.

The red lacquer and brass trimmed library was designed by Albert Hadley and is possibly the most photographed private residence’s room on Park Avenue.

The oversized formal dining room has a fireplace and 2 pair of French doors to a small terrace. The red lacquer and brass trimmed library was designed by Albert Hadley and is possibly the most photographed room on Park Avenue. This room features a fireplace and 3 pair of new French doors opening to a large, square south facing terrace.The private quarters are on both the 15th and 16th floors.

Brooke’s formal dining room

On the 16th floor is a charming oval study with new French doors to a small terrace. There is also a guest room and a hallway powder room before reaching the remarkable master bedroom. With 3 exposures, including Central Park, a fireplace and 2 pairs of new French doors to a terrace, this master bedroom is truly enchanting. Possibilities exist to expand the dressing rooms and to include a second bath in this suite.

On the 15th floor is another master bedroom almost identical to the one above, with all the same features, along with a smaller 4th bedroom and bath.The service area has a large servants’ hall, kitchen and pantry with 3 maid’s rooms and bath. This space presents great possibilities of creating a large family room, kitchen, laundry and staff room with remarkable light and views to Central Park.

One of the five bedrooms in this 14 room duplex with views of Central Park. Check out the amazing parquet floor.

All in all, the Astor residence is exactly what it should be: the architectural reflection of a grand life well lived.

For more information on the late Brooke Astor’s spectacular New York City property, listed at $24 million and sold recently for a yet-to-be-published sum “needs lots of work” according to sources, visit Stribling.com.

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Richard@TheBPlot.com