Iconic Luyster Mansion: A Historic Gem on the Upper East Side
A historic townhouse on the Upper East Side, previously owned by Bill Cosby, has been sold after being on the market for less than a month. The property, located at 18 East 71st Street, is a limestone landmark dating back to 1899. The final sale price has not been disclosed, but the listing price was $29 million.
The townhouse, known as the Luyster Mansion, was designed by architect John H. Duncan and is a prime example of the neo-French Classic style from the Gilded Age. Spanning over 13,000 square feet, the seven-story structure features original details such as 11 fireplaces, inlaid mahogany floors, and a marble vestibule with high ceilings.
Inside the townhouse, there is a formal dining room that can seat 30 guests, a double-height drawing room with parquet floors and large windows, and a kitchen with terracotta tile and a restaurant-grade rotisserie oven. The private quarters include a primary suite with vaulted skylights and dual bathrooms, as well as a guest suite, study, and a rare roof terrace.
Bill Cosby purchased the mansion in 1987 for $6.2 million during the peak of his television career. The ownership of the property was complex, involving transfers between attorneys and family members. The townhouse is not the only Manhattan property owned by the Cosbys to face financial issues, as another townhouse at 243 East 61st Street was also put on the market due to loan defaults.
In conclusion, the sale of Bill Cosby's former townhouse at 18 East 71st Street marks the end of a chapter in the property's history. The iconic Luyster Mansion, with its rich architectural details and ties to New York City's past, has found a new owner, continuing its legacy in the Upper East Side.