4 East 79th Street
Commissioned by James E. Nichols in 1898, 4 East 79th Street is an important and architecturally magnificent limestone mansion. A key component in the initial development of railroad industrialist Henry H. Cook’s prescient acquisition of the block between East 78th and 79th Streets and Fifth and Madison Avenues, the house features superb design by original architect, C.P.H. Gilbert, known for his opulent, chateau-inspired Francois Ier style. Completely rebuilt and now beautifully brought to today’s top standard, the house maintains its architectural and historical integrity. Architectural and design professionals, including Peter Pennoyer, Theodore Prudon, and John McCall used original detail and research as their guide to inspire the total rebuilding of this house. Most recently, the house has been updated to include all new systems (2025) including security, temperature/humidity, audio, lighting, and AV, as well as a new kitchen, bathrooms, and other changes. This remarkable single-family residence is visually resplendent and exceptional.
Ideally situated on the Upper East Side, the 35-foot wide mansion offers more than 15,000 square feet of interior living space, including significant and impressive reception rooms, more casual living space six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and four powder rooms. Significantly, the property includes a 15’ x 105’ swathe of land that borders the western edge of the residence, allowing for the fortunate feature of large west-facing windows. As such, the building has exposures on three sides and benefits from exceptional light as well as delightful Central Park views. From the residence, it is moments to Central Park, the galleries and boutiques of Madison Avenue, and the treasures in Fifth Avenue’s glorious museums.
Throughout, soaring high ceilings – up to over 13 feet - and extremely impressively-scaled rooms are complemented by extraordinary detail, such as solid mahogany doors and windows, hand-selected marble paneling and floors, rare English brown oak paneling, parquet de Versailles and herringbone white oak floors, numerous wood-burning fireplaces, and carved plaster crown moldings. Sublime proportions and exquisite detail abound. With an eye to the legacy of the design, only the very top-quality methods and materials have been selected. A passenger elevator services all floors, and a service elevator additionally supports all but the top three levels. Other thoughtful details, such as very ample storage and support areas, including a separate catering kitchen, ensure that the house lives and runs in an ideal way,
Imparting a grandness rarely seen today for everyday comfort and impressive entertainment, this superb house is ideal. Now completely updated to a 2025 standard, this spectacular house is peerless in today’s market and is captivating and compelling in every possible way.
