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A handsome Manhattan townhouse that sold for $13 million in July 2021 is back on the market just two years later — asking a whopping $49 million.
The 122 Waverly Place offering isn’t solely the beneficiary of a $10 million renovation — this one handled by David Howell and Steffani Aarons, of DHD Architecture & Interior Design, who worked to deliver to the sellers’ specifications. (Would-be buyers should note, the upgrades remain ongoing with a move-in expected for spring 2024.) It could also be a true trophy property when boiled down to mere dollars and cents.
Should this Greenwich Village home sell for its current asking price, it could break a record for the priciest single-family townhouse transaction in downtown Manhattan. In 2013, a single-family property at 144 Duane St. in Tribeca standing a colossal 42 feet wide — which, in city standards, makes it a mansion — traded hands for $43 million, a record that has yet to be beat, according to StreetEasy tallies. (That property was later converted into multi-family housing.)
StreetEasy also shows that the 122 Waverly Place listing is the most expensive single-family residence now for sale downtown.
Given the home is turn-key after a top-quality renovation, listing agent Nicole Gary believes the asking price is, “very attainable.” (The Nicole Gary team, part of Keller Williams New York City, is the exclusive sales and marketing firm for 122 Waverly.)
“There is little supply when it comes to townhouses and nothing brand new like this,” she told The Post. “If you look at every townhouse below 14th Street, there’s nothing like this on the luxury market.”
But, apparently, this isn’t just a mighty big property flip. The transformation began as a labor of love to transform 122 Waverly, just off Sixth Avenue and steps from Washington Square Park, into what the sellers thought would be their dream home in Manhattan.
Though they didn’t wish to be named, the sellers — a married couple in the mortgage business — are no strangers to big projects like this. They have renovated multiple properties and sold them successfully in California and Florida.
The Waverly Place residence was going to be a different story, though. Or so they thought.
“They planned to live here themselves, but their lives took another direction,” Gary said.
Gary, who introduced the sellers to the property in 2021 when they were house hunting in New York City — and when most people were exiting due to COVID — says the couple invested well, at the right time and in a solid home. The building, which dates from the 1930s, she says, had no structural problems.
“It was just out of date,” Gary said. “It had the good bones and was in good shape.”
Now it’s thoroughly up-to-date with a $1 million fully integrated Creston home automation system operating lighting, window treatments, audiovisual, security and a security gate.
The five-story, 7,310-square-foot home also has four bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two half baths. The kitchen has Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, and Caesarstone countertops. Fireplaces dot the living areas.
Along with a wine wall on the first floor near the sitting room, a separate wine lounge has a fully equipped bar. There’s a cellar-level wellness center with an infrared sauna, a gym, a plunge pool and a massage room, too.
In addition, new owners can enjoy 1,925 square feet of outdoor space split between a landscaped backyard with a lap pool, a hot tub and a grill. Above, there’s a fully finished roof deck with greenery, a water feature wet bar and panoramic views. There’s even a library terrace with a retractable awning.
“The views are beautiful from the rooftop,” said Gary. “Even from certain rooms you can see over to the Empire State Building and all the way to the Freedom Tower.”
On a practical level, among the many conveniences, in addition to a laundry room with two full size washer/dryers, the master suite has its own ensuite washer/dryer.
“It also has a fridge,” added Gary. After all, it’s a long way to the kitchen, even by the elevator.
While an elevator is surely useful in a five-story home, the grand white staircase, which was already in place, makes quite a statement — popping among the elegant neutral-toned aesthetic.
“It’s so easy on the eye and will appeal to most people’s tastes,” said Gary of the color scheme, “and the staircase is beautiful.”
A custom made five-story chandelier is another eye-catcher, but one element that really stands out for Gary is the natural light that floods in from a large skylight.
“I love the way the light flows through the entire house from this unique skylight. There are not many townhouses that have this. It’s hard to put into words how bright and light the home is. I love that about it,” said Gary.
New owners won’t have to worry too much about buying furniture: the house is fitted throughout with custom built-ins — from roomy closets to bespoke beds with dramatic statement headboards. The sale price includes all of the furniture — beds, chairs, sofas and shelving.
That said, Gary predicts the buyer will be someone who wants a move-in ready finished home.
“The canvas is completely neutral so it will appeal to most people. A buyer can just walk in with their toothbrush,” she quipped.
That means the sellers net themselves a tidy profit. But, Gary points out, the cost of the owners’ time and all the head scratching that goes into such large scale projects isn’t billed.
“The time the sellers put into creating a turnkey luxury townhome with custom furniture, move-in ready is considerable,” said Gary, adding, “You can’t put a price on time.”