The lavish Gilded Age mansion built for Arm & Hammer’s founder is up for sale, but it is missing key modern features that are putting off sellers.
Baking soda baron John Dwight had the six-bedroom, five-bathroom townhouse built in Harlem, Manhattan, in 1890.
The asking price of $7.25 million is considered a bargain for a historic New York City property spanning more than 10,000 square feet, especially one that has been recently renovated.
Yet, despite its impressive size and rich history, the home has been on the market for nearly two years and has struggled to find a buyer. And it seems the restoration is partly to blame.
The current owners, who have lived in the property for 15 years, have meticulously restored it to its original design — returning it the same floor plan and features.
But while it was considered the pinnacle of luxury when it was designed by Frank Hill Smith 135 years ago — boasting two staircases, two kitchens, and a wine cellar — advances in modern amenities have since changed expectations.
Sticking to the original design means modern conveniences are limited. There is no air conditioning, the lights operate on basic switches rather than dimmers, and there is no elevator — features now standard in high-end luxury homes.
‘They wanted to restore [the house] to what it originally was when it was built in 1890,’ listing agent Paula Del Nunzio told Realtor.com.
The mansion has spectacular nature views from its fifty-two windows
The current owners of this 1890’s mansion focussed on restoration rather than modernisation
‘That meant taking down walls and putting back baths to where they originally were. They have photographs of all the rooms and how they originally were.’
However, in their efforts to preserve the building’s historic integrity, the owners have not modernized the mansion — a factor that seems to be deterring potential buyers.
‘Most of the interest is [from those] very keen to have the past preserved but they’d like to complete the renovation—the elevator and central air perhaps,’ Del Nunzio said.
‘It functions well, but the degree of technology is not highly sophisticated. It’s not lights with dimmers. It’s like living in England. The people that own it are very English-oriented.
‘They also have room in this house for a 10,000-book library,’ she explained.
Other luxury features include a double-door entrance, multiple fireplaces, an outdoor terrace and two laundry rooms.
Del Nunzio admitted the focus on restoration rather than innovation has put off buyers.
‘What happened here is Covid came along,’ Del Nunzio said. ‘Homes that require no renovation or minimal renovation became more popular.
The property sits on a corner plot across the street from Morris Park in Manhattan
The magnificent property has room for a 10,000-book library
The home has six-bedrooms and five-bathrooms as well as a wine cellar and outdoor terrace
It also has double-door entrance, multiple fireplaces, two staircases and two kitchens
‘The good architects were busy, and the good contractors were busy. Some people decided to wait until things shifted, or find something else.’
So far the listing has mostly attracted interest from potential buyers with links to nearby Columbia University.
The property sits on a corner plot across the street from Morris Park and has spectacular nature views from its fifty-two windows.
‘Professors and benefactors tend to like the real estate in this area,’ the listing agent explained.
‘The target buyer has to be somebody who’s wealthy and creative.
‘They can make it theirs. They can design it for their future.’
