Manhattan’s largest private residence, beloved by Martha Stewart, sold last month for almost $50 million, and the gorgeous collector pieces once owned by fitness guru Lucille Roberts are being auctioned off before the new owners move in.
Stewart shared the news on her social media, announcing that her friend, Frank Kaminski, was holding the auction and the mansion would be open to those interested in viewing the collector pieces until Saturday.
The massive Upper East Side residence, known as the Woolworth Mansion, was named after real estate titan Frank W. Woolworth, who first lived in the home after it was built in 1915.
The fitness guru moved into the estate in 1995 with her husband, real estate investor Bob Roberts.
The couple purchased the home for $6 million from the Young Men’s Philanthropic League and began restoring the mansion to its current grandeur.
The mansion on 4 East 80th Street, just a block from Central Park, is 20,000 square feet with nine bedrooms, 11.5 bathrooms, and three kitchens, according to the listing.
Although the exterior may look like a classic Upper East Side townhouse, the interior is fit for royalty, featuring mosaic flooring, a sweeping grand staircase, and a dining room that accommodates over 100 guests.
Stewart shared photos from her private tour inside the sprawling estate, including a picture of herself in front of the grandiose fireplace with hand-carved detail.
Martha Stewart advertised the auction on her Instagram, sharing photos of herself inside the home during a private tour
The Woolworth Mansion was named after real estate titan Frank W. Woolworth, who first lived in the home after it was built in 1915 (Pictured: Frank Kaminski in front of the mansion)
She also included pictures of the art pieces that will be in the auction, including a Renaissance-style painting and a golden sculpture.
The home features a wood-paneled library, a wet bar, a powder room, a gym, a sauna, a rooftop lounge, a conference room, a private backyard, and multiple bedroom suites.
Fitness guru Lucille Roberts lived in the mansion until she died in 2003
The Roberts family spent several years restoring it and entertaining up to 1,000 guests every year during their infamous Christmas party.
Lucille’s son, Kevin, told the Wall Street Journal last year that his parents went ‘all out’ for their massive parties.
‘That’s what my mother did in the last years of her life,’ he added.
Lucille became a fitness icon after founding the Lucille Roberts Health Clubs, which was acquired by the parent company of New York Sports Clubs in 2017.
Despite her profession, she never wanted a gym in the home because she feared it would ‘ruin the aesthetic,’ her son Kirk told the Wall Street Journal.
Instead, she worked out in Central Park or at a nearby gym. Her sons told the Journal that they built a gym in her office after her death.
Frank Kaminski (pictured) with Kaminski Auctions is curating the pieces up for sale before the new owners move into the historic Manhattan mansion
Lucille lived in the home until she died in 2003. After her death, her family stayed in the house until 2016.
It was briefly listed for $90 million a year later and was the city’s most expensive townhouse on the market at the time.
The family rented the home for years, with a massive monthly rent of $80,000 at one point.
Last year, the mansion hit the market once again for $59 million, but it sold last month for $49.95 million, according to the listing.
The Lucille Roberts Collection includes oil paintings, sculptures, and antiques that the fitness guru curated during her time in the mansion
Pieces up for auction include art pieces and antiques, with starting bids ranging from $50 to thousands
The sale is still under contract. Adam Modlin with the Modlin Group brokered the listing.
In the meantime, Kaminski Auctions has opened the Woolworth Mansion for interested parties to preview pieces from Wednesday to Saturday.
The auction starts on Saturday morning, and there are currently 565 pieces up for sale, according to the auction website.
Pieces include silk pillows at a starting bid of $50, oil paintings starting at $5,000, and a Steinway grand piano with a starting bid of $2,500.
