For 17 years, the neo-Federal townhouse at 54 East 64th Street served as the headquarters for this publication. Since being sold about a year ago, the 25-foot-wide building took on another form. After the old newspapers got tossed, and the well-worn, ink-stained rugs were hauled out, the decorators arrived. And they came full-stocked with fluffy pillows!
In 2005, the townhouse became the Kips Bay Decorator Show House and was later put on the market for $20 million, listed with Stribling’s C.B. Whyte and Shel Joblin. And now a contract has been signed, according to the company website. Calls to the brokers have not yet been returned.
Over the past few months, three big deals occurred on East 64th Street. Gianni Versace’s former home (Number 5) sold for $30 million; Prudential Douglas Elliman (DOUG) broker Linda Schlesinger sold her townhouse (Number 16) for $23.5 million; and a contract was recently signed at interior designer Joanne de Guardiola’s $27.9 million place (Number 20).
Although the buyer of Number 54 is currently unknown, it seems a fair guess that they will not be publishing a weekly newspaper amidst all the linen and ruffles.
-Michael Calderone
