This luxury property is on the market for $68,000,000, listed with Serena Boardman and Susan Baker of Sotheby's International Realty - East Side Manhattan Brokerage.

While many of New York’s Gilded Age houses were demolished or converted over the past century, this one remains an intact single-family residence.

Located on East 79th Street near Central Park, the limestone mansion at No. 4 was commissioned in 1898 by James E. Nichols, a self-made businessman whose wealth came from wholesale groceries. The house was designed by C.P.H. Gilbert, a leading architect of the period known for his opulent, château-inspired work across Manhattan.

The property occupies a notable position within the so-called Cook Block, assembled in the late 19th century by railroad industrialist Henry H. Cook. Cook acquired the full block between East 78th and 79th Streets, from Fifth to Madison Avenues, and sold parcels selectively to ensure the construction of large private residences. As surrounding neighborhoods densified with apartment buildings, this stretch of East 79th Street remained largely unchanged, later receiving landmark protections that continue to shape its character today.

The 35-foot-wide mansion spans more than 15,000 square feet across seven stories and includes six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and four powder rooms. Large reception rooms anchor the main floors, while private living spaces are arranged above. Ceiling heights reach over 13 feet in several rooms, reinforcing the scale typical of late-19th-century townhouses of this caliber.

A rare feature for a townhouse of this era is the property’s exposure on three sides. A 15-by-105-foot strip of land along the western edge of the house allows for expansive west-facing windows, contributing to natural light throughout and providing open views toward Central Park.

Interior details reflect the depth of the restoration. Original materials and historically appropriate finishes include solid mahogany doors and windows, hand-selected marble paneling and floors, rare English brown oak paneling, parquet de Versailles and herringbone white oak floors, carved plaster moldings, and multiple wood-burning fireplaces. A passenger elevator serves all floors, supported by a service elevator that reaches all but the top three levels. Additional infrastructure includes ample storage and a separate catering kitchen designed to support large-scale entertaining.

The house was most recently updated in 2025, when all major systems were replaced, including security, climate and humidity control, lighting, audio-visual infrastructure, and mechanical systems. Kitchens and bathrooms were also renewed as part of the upgrade, bringing the residence in line with contemporary expectations while preserving its architectural integrity.

In a neighborhood where many historic mansions were altered beyond recognition or lost entirely, 4 East 79th Street stands as a rare example of a Gilded Age townhouse that has remained a private residence through successive restorations.