Luxurious Manhattan Mansion: An Architectural Masterpiece
A seven-story Beaux-Arts mansion on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, which has been in the hands of the same owners for nearly 30 years, is set to go on the market soon for $29.75 million.
This 25-foot-wide limestone home spans a whopping 11,500 square feet and features seven bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, seven fireplaces, and outdoor space on every floor, as well as a library, a movie theater, a wine cellar, a gym, and a guest suite.
Built circa 1900, the home, located on West 86th Street, retains its original circular structure and facade, features ornate wrought iron balcony railings, and three sets of French doors on each main floor.
History of the Manhattan Mansion
This home was built by real estate developer Joseph A. Farley, who hired the architects Jeanes & Lew in 1900 to build twin mansions off Riverside Drive.
The house had a single owner before becoming the headquarters of several arts organizations and nonprofits, according to the Manhattan History blog.
Then, in the 1940s, it was purchased by exiled Russian Prince Sergei Beloselsky-Belozersky, and for 50 years it was known as the “House of Free Russia,” serving as the headquarters of a nonprofit organization for Russian immigrants.
After neighbors thwarted a development plan, the seller, Randy Raxon, purchased the shell of the house in 1999.
Raxon co-founded the financial products division of global insurance company AIG in the 1980s, leading up to the Great Recession long after his early retirement.
Reconstruction
Raxon restored this home to its original early 20th-century glamour, with a stately spiral staircase in the entry, wood-paneled walls, tastefully ornate ceilings, and elegant guest rooms. Yet, it’s also designed for living.
“It’s a place to live, not a museum,” said Raxon.
The third floor is the busiest area, featuring a kitchen that opens onto a spacious terrace with a grill, ample outdoor dining space, and its own stone fountain.
It’s also ideal for entertaining, according to Raxon: “It’s grand yet understated.”
The home was previously listed for sale for $50 million in 2013.
Additional Features of the Manhattan Mansion
Additional features of the home include views of the Hudson River and Riverside Park on the west side, views of green spaces in all directions, and a commercial elevator and a small elevator connecting all floors.
Finally, due to his wealth, he has also appeared in numerous photoshoots and TV shows, including “Law & Order,” “The Good Wife,” and “Madam Secretary,” according to information provided by brokers.
