An NYC carriage house from the 1800s once home to an Astor family heir is on sale for $7 million — take a look

Tue, 08/06/2024 - 13:04

The historical facade of the 78 Iriving carraige house featuring bricks with white detailing. — The carriage house has a charming brick facade.
Courtesy of Eytan Stern Weber at Evan Joseph Studio for Douglas Elliman

A quaint carriage house near Manhattan's Gramercy Park was originally built in the late 1800s.
Descendants of Winston Churchill and New York's famous Astor family once lived there.
The three-bedroom home, revamped with luxury modern finishes, is now on the market for $7 million.

This New York City carriage house has lived many lives since it was built in the 1800s.

The quaint-looking home — located one block south of Manhattan's exclusive, for-residents-only Gramercy Park — was once a car dealership.

It then went on to house, at different times, the descendants of former British prime minister Winston Churchill and an heir of the Astor family, an American dynasty whose fur trading wealth defined a century of New York elite society.

Now, the historic structure has been renovated into a modern home flush with luxuries — including a full-time doorman.

At almost 2,500 square feet, the property known as the "Little House" is actually rather spacious. It's currently on the market for $7 million.

Take a look inside.

The "Little House" has two stories.

Black-and-white floorplan of the 78 Irving Carriage house with a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom on the 1st floor and a bedroom and media room on the lower level. — The carriage house's floor plan.
Courtesy of Eytan Stern Weber at Evan Joseph Studio for Douglas Elliman

It has three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms across 2,500 square feet.

It's located just south of Gramercy Park, which is only open to people who live nearby.

The home is situated on a stretch of East 19th Street that was dubbed "block beautiful" in the early 20th century for its stunning collection of architecture, according to The New York Times.

The home hasn't always been a residence.

Stairwell on the main floor of 78 Irving with exposed brick walls, dark wood accents, and a light wood floor. — A stairwell inside the carriage house.
Courtesy of Eytan Stern Weber at Evan Joseph Studio for Douglas Elliman

At first, people saw carriage houses as storage space for wagons or buggies. As fewer people used horses to get around, they often converted them to other uses.

In the late 1800s, it was used as a car dealership for R. Bertelli & Co.

In the 1900s, it was home to an eccentric artist with a lofty pedigree: "Sheriff Bob" Chanler.

A hallway inside 78 Irving with a skylight overhead. — A hallway inside the carriage house with a skylight overhead.
Courtesy of Eytan Stern Weber at Evan Joseph Studio for Douglas Elliman

Chanler was a member of the Astor family, one of New York City's greatest dynasties.

John Jacob Astor, the family's original patriarch, emigrated from Germany to America in 1783 and became one the richest men in history with his investments in the fur trade, real estate, and opium. The Astor namesake lives on today, adorning multiple streets, neighborhoods, and buildings throughout New York City.

Chanler was known for painting at night in his Harlem studio and throwing extravagant late-night soirées where he would draw portraits as a party trick, according to the New York City-based Spellman Gallery.

The home later passed hands to the great-grandson of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Luxury kitchen inside 78 Iriving with marble countertop and a skylight. — The kitchen features a skylight.
Courtesy of Eytan Stern Weber at Evan Joseph Studio for Douglas Elliman

The home was last on the market in 2020 for about $6.5 million, real estate site StreetEasy reported.

Today, the carriage house is part of a luxury condominium building.

Living room inside 78 Irving with modern luxury finishes like a white couch and architectural light feature — The sitting room.
Courtesy of Eytan Stern Weber at Evan Joseph Studio for Douglas Elliman

The home previously had a standalone address on East 19th Street, but it's now part of 78 Irving Place, which StreetEasy says is a seven-story building with seven condominiums.

Owners now have access to a 24/7 concierge and a full-time doorman.

The penthouse of 78 Irving is also on the market for a cool $25 million.

The carriage house is connected to 78 Irving via a glassed-in hallway.