Inside an Elegant Georgian Residence in a Coveted Historic Enclave

May 6, 2025

The Turtle Bay Gardens enclave—which has lured such luminaries as Stephen Sondheim, Katharine Hepburn, E. B. White, Mary Tyler Moore, and Bob Dylan—is a collection of a few rarely available 19th-century residences, including this Georgian hideaway that combines period detailing with contemporary conveniences.

Long ago, the East River flowed into a cove on the coast of Manhattan that became known as Turtle Bay. The neighborhood that grew up around that inlet in the 19th century, between East 48th and 49th Streets at Second and Third Avenues, is today an exclusive enclave known as Turtle Bay Gardens that serves as a reminder of Manhattan’s more pastoral days. The homes here display a period presence, classical details, and backyards that give way to a rare shared garden with mature trees and Italian-inspired fountains. For good reason, the neighborhood became a magnet for cultural luminaries of all stripes, from Stephen Sondheim, Katharine Hepburn, and E. B. White to Mary Tyler Moore and Bob Dylan.

New York, New York | The Field Team, Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage

This regal Georgian residence dates to 1860 and has been painstakingly renovated for modern sensibilities while paying homage to its aesthetic provenance. It spans some 5,500 square feet over six levels—all replete with a sense of timeless elegance and grand volume—and features four bedrooms, soaring ceilings, atrium-like windows and skylights, and several serene spaces overlooking the backyard and adjoining garden.

The entry level is dedicated to gatherings of crowds large or small. Beyond a foyer with a discreet powder room is a streamlined chef’s kitchen with golden accents, a marble-topped island with counter seating, and a cozy windowed breakfast nook. The ceiling then soars to a height of 20 feet in a formal living room with an eye-catching gas fireplace. Beyond is a dining area, where expanses of glass above and on one side admit floods of light and create a sunroom-like atmosphere. Just outside is a timeless stone terrace with thriving natural greenery that hints at the neighborhood’s history. On the mezzanine-like level above is a den or sitting room that overlooks the spaces below and offers a fireplace and plentiful built-in bookshelves.

Bedrooms are secluded on the third and fourth floors. Each of the two guest bedrooms is complemented by a generous closet and an en suite bath. The owner’s suite occupies an entire level and features a spacious, light-filled bedroom, a glamorous walk-in closet and dressing room, and a dazzling spa-inspired bath with a soaking tub, a shower, and a double vanity.

The uppermost level easily serves as a lofty versatile suite with a full bath, a kitchenette, and access to two terraces, one overlooking the backyard and gardens. Similarly versatile is the finished lowest level, which serves as a gym or recreation room accompanied by a full bath, laundry facilities, and ample storage.

In this rare residence, a landmarked location and a reverence for classical details harmonize stylishly with contemporary comforts and conveniences. An elevator accesses all floors; a smart home system creates consummate convenience while controlling lighting and audiovisuals; and the multizone heating, air conditioning, and humidity control systems are ever-mindful of energy efficiency. A security system provides peace of mind in what is, by its nature, already one of Manhattan’s most peaceful and picturesque locations.