A Manhattan Townhouse Once Owned by a Noted Landscape Architect Hits the Market for $32 Million

If only the walls of this New York City townhouse could talk. Built in 1910, the century-old residence at 21 Beekman Place has hit the market for $32 million with Carl Gambino and Les Meyers of Compass. According to the listing, the East River dwelling was owned in the 1920s by pioneering landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman, who designed over 600 gardens in the U.S. in the span of her 30-year-plus career and was mentored by renowned architect and painter Charles A. Platt .

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The mansion was last sold in 2013 for a cool $34.35 million to the Qatari government, which bought the palatial pad fully furnished and has reportedly kept the place in pristine condition. Considering the current asking price is $2.35 million less than what the State of Qatar shelled out a decade ago, it’s safe to say they’re willing to take the loss.

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While the home has been renovated and updated throughout the years, the five-story abode still retains much of its original character and traditional charm. For example, you’ll find antique oak wood flooring arranged in a stylish Chevron pattern, a grand curved staircase, and five stately wood-burning fireplaces. An elevator and triple-pane windows bring it into the 21st century.

Some of the standout spaces include a street-facing library, which is decked out with pine paneling, a fireplace, and soaring floor-to-ceiling windows. Also on the parlor level is a conservatory that Shipman surely would’ve appreciated. The kitchen is fit for a chef, equipped with a La Cornue range, two Sub-Zero refrigerators, and a large center island.

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Altogether, the property spans 7,226 square feet and comprises five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and two half baths. Most notably, the primary suite stands apart with bay windows, custom closets, and a marble ensuite bath. If you’ve got a green thumb like Shipman, two outdoor terraces and an expansive rooftop garden provide plenty of planting opportunities.

“This country home, tucked away from the city’s hustle and bustle, is a rare gem on an elegant and timeless Manhattan street,” notes the listing.

Prospective buyers would be putting themselves in the company of a New York City landmark. The neighboring address, 23 Beekman Place, is the former Manhattan home of architect Paul Rudolph, which has been recently reimagined by designers Christine and John Gachot. A brick wall was put up between the properties in 2001, following a dispute between the then-owner of 21 Beekman Place, William R. Rupp, and Michael Boyd, who owned the Rudolph house, The New York Times reported. At the time, Boyd filed a complaint with the city government, citing that the wall was blocking his view. He also accused Rupp of throwing dog poop onto the terrace of his property. The offending wall was taken down in 2009. And, as both parties have since relocated, the war between the neighbors is over.

Click here to see more photos of 21 Beekman Place.

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