This 1902 Carriage House Just Became Manhattan's Most Talked-About Listing

Lucía Torres · 2026-10-21

Since 1902, 165 East 70th Street has been a fixture on New York City’s Upper East Side. Originally built as a carriage house and stable by renowned architect C.P.H. Gilbert for banker Henri P. Wertheim, the limestone Neo-Italian Renaissance structure was exceptionally wide—33 feet by 100 feet—to accommodate horse-drawn carriages. In 1920, it became chauffeur’s quarters for Stephen C. Clark, heir to the Singer Sewing Machine fortune, and later, in 1965, it was purchased by banking heir Paul Mellon and his wife, Bunny. After being sold in 2009, the current owners began a four-year transformation in 2011, turning the property into a sprawling single-family residence now on the market, represented by Mike Fabbri of The Agency New York. ### A Four-Year Transformation More than a century after its construction, the home underwent a meticulous renovation by architecture firm Sawyer | Berson. The team preserved the original character while reimagining the interiors for modern living. The result: six bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, six wood-burning fireplaces, and three private landscaped terraces, all designed to feel connected and cohesive. “A lot of times, these grand homes can feel cold, but one of the most welcome features of this one is how warm it is and how much it feels like a place that deserves to be filled with people and memories and laughter,” said Fabbri, who specializes in Manhattan’s ultra-luxury real estate market. ### Craftsmanship at Every Turn No detail was overlooked. The home features quarter-sawn, hand-pillowed oak floors, Venetian plaster walls, custom silk carpeting and wallpaper, heated sidewalks, and a curb-cut driveway—a true Manhattan luxury. From the quiet, tree-lined street, mirrored Horus bronze doors open into a private garage with Petit Granit floors, which doubles as a chic entertaining space. Entering from the garage or the main entrance, a honed Beauvallon limestone-lined foyer surrounds a wrought iron and limestone staircase rising 46 feet toward a skylight above. This level also includes a custom mudroom, a 13-seat soundproof theater, and private guest quarters with a full kitchen, living area, and primary ensuite. ### Designed for Entertaining The second floor offers a sequence of entertaining spaces: a living room with tempered glass windows overlooking 70th Street, a glass-enclosed dining room with custom Lockwood/Boone Collection pendants and hidden serveware storage, and an eat-in chef’s kitchen with a quartzite island, custom American White Oak-paneled Sub-Zero, Miele, and Wolf appliances, and a walk-out terrace. The third floor is anchored by a Sapele Mahogany-paneled library on one end and the primary suite on the other, complete with dual dressing rooms and mirrored marble baths. On the fourth level, three additional ensuite bedrooms have hallway access to a 598-square-foot irrigated terrace. The fifth floor features soundproof private offices, a glass-paneled solarium, and direct access to the rooftop terrace. The home’s construction ensures privacy, with north, south, and east walls independent from neighboring structures. ### Below Grade: A Wellness Oasis The double-height cellar holds a Petit Granit-lined Jacuzzi/cold plunge, steam room, sauna, and massage room, plus a full gym walled and tiled in original two-inch virgin chestnut and mitered tile salvaged from the original horse ramps. A temperature-controlled 6,319-bottle wine cellar and a prep kitchen/laundry keep service separate from entertaining. Interiors are bathed in natural light, with access to more than 1,350 square feet of private outdoor space across multiple levels. From the heated kitchen terrace to the expansive fourth-floor walk-out terrace, outdoor living is seamlessly integrated. > “This is a home that deserves to be filled with people and memories and laughter.” — Mike Fabbri, The Agency New York For those in the market for a piece of Manhattan history with every modern convenience, 165 East 70th Street is a rare opportunity.