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 eighteen fifty-nine 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. NO OTHER BLOCK ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE HAS THIS UNIQUE FEATURE 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 this present day. 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." This exquisite streetscape also gave the block unusual value—many feel comparable to the blocks from Fifth to Madison. BUILDING THE MANSION 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. If the Romans perfected the arch, this architect brought arches indoors and employed them as major themes. Arches help create dramatic light-filled spaces that evoke classical grandeur while gracefully connecting rooms. THE MANSION On the Entry level, there is an entry measuring twelve feet six inches moving through an arch to a gallery measuring thirteen feet ten inches with rooms north and south each having ceiling heights of thirteen feet ten inches and a massive staircase ascending to parlor level. The north room is originally formal dining room with an oval shape that contains three windows measuring eleven feet six inches wide. The south formal sitting room has windows measuring eight feet two inches wide and ceiling heights of twelve feet six inches tall. On parlor level ceilings reach fourteen feet six inches high with arches entering each room. The living room has three tall windows at thirteen feet high along with ceiling height remaining at fourteen feet six inches tall as well .The library also features fourteen-foot-six-inch ceilings alongside two French door windows which open up towards terrace exceeding twenty-seven foot long ,more than eight foot wide—a unique feature for entertaining within any mansion! Third floor or primary bedroom accommodates more rooms alongwith three bathrooms exist here too . Fourth floor comprises four family bedrooms ; three outfitted charmingly showcasing wood burning fireplaces plus additional three bathrooms alongwith spacious living area . Fifth floor holds five delightful children’s quarters providing split full bathroom facility whilst potential large terrace approaches around twenty-by-thirty foot size-wise ! Sixth floor hosts quintuplet staff chambers sharing similar access via split styled bath design ! Windowed Garden Level boasts separate entrance leading onto East Seventieth Street featuring informal dining space which accompanies chef’s kitchen sized twenty-two by fifteen foot alongside pantry including doorway heading out towards twenty-eight by ten garden area properly done up!! Basement encloses mechanical systems & storage complemented further down nearing window situated at northern end itself ! Roof top remains open invoking endless possibilities facilitating creation private terrace flawlessly together!! A RARE ACHIEVEMENT "A building's details materials social spaces should reflect their time but they should transcend it." - Robert A.M Stern Sculpted travertine soaked sunshine throughout accompanied impressive arches reaching skyward like never before seen quite remarkable assembling memories relating Gilded Age reshaping contemporary ideas comfort beauty being enjoyed endlessly into living realm itself!