THE GILDED AGE

The era of great house building in New York lasted approximately fifty years, beginning with the opening of the Vanderbilt House in 1882 and theoretically ending in the first years after the Great Depression. The inherent concepts behind these buildings, however, extended far longer. This was due to the fact that practically all the major architects of New York attended the L'École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where they learned how to reproduce the various architectural styles of Europe.

A MASTERPIECE FROM THE GILDED AGE

This extraordinary thirty-foot wide mansion contains a total of eight levels - six above grade and two levels below grade - with interiors spanning over sixteen thousand square feet and four well positioned outdoor spaces comprising an additional two thousand exterior square feet. It was designed with a rare two elevators, thirty rooms, nine wood-burning fireplaces each with an exquisite original mantelpiece, nineteen bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. Benefiting from the concepts of The Gilded Age, it also embodied new modern elements. The facade is virtually unaltered since its completion in 1932 and has been in the same ownership for over half a century.

THE LIVINGSTON LEGACY

In 1686, Robert Livingston the Elder received a one hundred sixty thousand-acre tract of land under King George I that in 1715 became Livingston Manor in what is present day Columbia County in New York state.

Descended directly from Robert Livingston on his mother's side, John Livingston Redmond who built this mansion graduated from Harvard in 1911 with a degree in architecture yet he devoted his life to charitable causes.

BEST BLOCK FOR LIGHT

For his New York residence, John Livingston Redmond chose the north side of East Seventieth Street between Park and Lexington Avenues because he recognized the great benefit created by two owners in 1859 who dominated development on the block and stipulated that all future construction on the north side would be set back a full ten feet "forever free and unoccupied."

This additional space results in light pouring into the mansions on the north side of the street.
< br > No OTHER BLOCK ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE HAS THIS UNIQUE FEATURE
< br > As early as nineteen thirty-nine Fortune Magazine called it "probably New York City's most beautiful residential block," a reputation that has persisted to present day.< br > Extraordinary architects congregated on this block so that Paul Goldberger in his book NEW YORK: The City Observed described it as "having a perfect balance between individuality and overall order."< br > This exquisite streetscape also gave this block unusual value—many feel comparable to blocks from Fifth to Madison.< br >  < br > BUILDING THE MANSION< br >< br /> Jonathan Livingston Redmond engaged Frederick Rhinelander King also a graduate of L'École des Beaux-Arts who worked carefully to adapt what he learned there to an American sensibility.< br /> If Romans perfected arches this architect brought arches indoors and employed them as a major theme. Arches help create dramatic light filled spaces that evoke classical grandeur while gracefully connecting rooms.< br />< br />   The MANSION< / strong >< br /> On Entry level entry is twelve feet six inches moving through an arch to gallery thirteen feet ten inches with rooms north and south each with ceiling heights thirteen feet ten inches massive staircase ascending parlor level. North room original formal dining room oval shape contains three windows eleven feet six inches South formal sitting room windows eight feet two inches ceiling heights twelve feet six inches .< br /><   On parlor level ceilings reach fourteen feet six inches arches entering each room living room three tall windows thirteen foot height ceiling fourteen foot six inch library also has fourteen foot six inch ceilings French door windows open terrace over twenty-seven long more than eight wide unique feature entertaining level mansion .< b r /> Third floor primary bedroom more rooms three bathrooms .< b r /> Fourth floor has four family bedrooms three wood burning fireplaces three bathrooms living room .< b r /> Fifth floor five children's bedrooms split full bathroom potential large terrace approximately twenty by thirty .< b r /> Sixth floor five staff rooms split full bathroom .< b r /> Windowed garden level separate entrance east seventieth street informal dining room twenty-two by ten fifteen chef's kitchen pantry door twenty-eight by ten garden .< b r/> Basement contains mechanicals storage window north end .< b r/> Roof level open unencumbered facilitating creation private terrace . 
< strong >< small ->A RARE ACHIEVEMENT“Building’s details materials social spaces should reflect time should transcend it.” – Robert A.M.Stern Sculpted travertine soaked sunlight arches seem reach ever upward nothing compares mansion descending Gilded Age overlaced modern concepts comfort beauty.