$3,300,000
255 E 78TH Street #House
MLS® #RLS10851131
Listing by Sotheby's International Realty, Inc.
4
Bedrooms
3.5
Baths
N/A
Sq. Ft.
1899
Year Built
Quick Summary
Property Highlights
- Views: City
- Exposure: North,South facing
- Style: Prewar architecture
Property Details
Description
In 1867 the completion of this Italianate style home at 255 East 78th Street became one of a long row of identical, three story brick faced residences with a discreet charm and storybook provenance. Originally the home in 1890 of New York Senator John Gilmore Boyd and most recently the former residence of New York Literary Icon John Leonard, literary, television, film and cultural critic, author, Former Editor of the New York Times Book Review, and a Featured Critic for CBS Sunday Morning for 16 years. This unique home has hosted many literary giants such as Nobel Prize-winner Toni Morrison to name a few. Rarely today with the vast large scale of so many townhouses presented for purchase does a home of this unique size and disposition become available for acquisition in Manhattan. Approximately fourteen feet wide and fifty feet deep with nearly 2,700 square feet of interior space. There are air rights available to add two upper set back floors if desired. Originally a single family home until around 1955 when it was converted to a two family class, currently the home consists of four floors plus a basement, four bedrooms, two full and two half bathrooms with a large eat-in windowed kitchen on the second floor. There are period wood floors, beams, a skylight, spiral staircase, high ceilings and a large rear yard. Bring your imagination and architect. This historic home is ready for its next chapter.
Features & Amenities
Interior Features
Exterior Features
Building Information
About Upper East Side
View All Upper East Side ListingsThe Upper East Side remains the gold standard for classic New York elegance. Known for 'Museum Mile' and its quiet, tree-lined streets, the neighborhood offers a refined lifestyle away from the midtown bustle. While famous for its historic cooperatives, the area has seen a recent surge in ultra-luxury new construction condos, particularly along the Second Avenue Subway corridor, making it a top choice for both traditionalists and modern buyers.
Upper East Side Live Market Data
View NeighborhoodActive Listings
318
Median Asking Price
$1.32M
Median $/Sqft
$1,479
Avg Days on Market
N/A
New This Week
17
Price Reduced
23%
Sold (30 Days)
31
Median Sale Price
$1.40M
Live data from RLS at REBNY • Updated 3/29/26, 7:06 PM EST
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Location
255 E 78TH Street #House, Upper East Side, New York County
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Listing Courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. - Gina M. Kuhlenkamp
Listing Contact: (212) 606-7610
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RLS Data display by Keller Williams NYC. Data last updated on 3/29/2026 at 11:06 PM UTC