A Rare Testament to the American Gilded Age Comes on the Market

521 Park Avenue Combines Neoclassical Grandeur with State-of-the-Art Luxury Amenities Available at US$23,500,000

Located on Manhattan’s renowned Park Avenue, this full-floor apartment represents a rare and distinct example of America's Gilded Age. Designed by William A. Boring (1859-1937) and completed in 1911, 521 Park Avenue is the only surviving Park Avenue apartment building designed by this prominent early 20th century architect.

Boring brought to his work influences from his time spent in Paris in the 1880’s where he studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Returning to New York, William Boring worked with Edward Lippincott Tilton at McKim Mead and White before they became business partners. Together they are best known for designing the Immigration Station at Ellis Island in 1897 (on The National Register of Historic Places) which won several international design awards, including the gold medal at the Paris Exposition (1900). Boring taught at Columbia University School of Architecture and was appointed dean. He was a founder and president of the Society of Beaux Arts Architects and a founder and treasurer of the American Academy in Rome.

521 Park Avenue was built at a time when the explosive growth in technology urged individuals to develop structures to their highest and optimum purpose. The grand proportions and classic styling of 1911 have been retained and admired in this residence for the past century. James Trager, author of “Park Avenue, Street of Dreams” (Atheneum, 1990) describes 521 Park Avenue as “the first of the high-class apartments to be built on Park Avenue”.

The four-bedroom en suite residence which spans 4,500 square feet and offers 80 feet of frontage overlooking the Avenue has been recently restored by Michael Pierce and DD Allen, famous New York interior designers based at the long established Pierce Allen decorating firm. The renovation fully complies with today’s modernity whilst retaining its neoclassical charm and unique character. High ceilings, imposing marble fireplaces, wood-paneled rooms with mahogany doors set the tone for the stately interiors of this property which features the finest fittings completed by master craftsmanship.

The property is accessed directly from the elevator which opens up to a private landing leading to a limestone-paneled 35-foot gallery with marble flooring, offering further access to the bedroom wing and the rest of the residence.

The bedroom wing consists of three bedrooms and three bathrooms with the south-west facing master bedroom further adjoining a dressing room, and a home-gym. The apartment’s focal feature is its spectacular walnut-paneled game room, or billiards room, off the living room while the property’s spacious kitchen is fully paneled with limestone floors, equipped with the highest-end appliances, including a La Cornue Chateau stove and oven, a Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, and a wine cooler with a 100-bottle capacity. Other rooms include a marble-floored powder room and a home office or staff room with en suite bath.

“A unique opportunity to live regally, instantly in a museum-quality renovation that captures the timeless grandeur and classic style of Park Avenue’s Gilded Age,” says listing agent Kathy Sloane of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales.

The property’s high specifications are evident throughout with under floor heating, closed-circuit security on the entrance, wired for Wi-Fi and television throughout the apartment. All windows are sound proofed, whilst constant ventilation is guaranteed through six zones or air-conditioning and humidification  with condensers which have been placed on the roof of the building. The apartment is also available for sale semi-furnished for an additional price on top of the current asking price of US$23.5 million.