While I.M. Pei is renowned for his striking architectural masterpieces like the Louvre Pyramid, the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art and the JFK Library, less is known about the place where the architect called home for 45 years and even redesigned to his own specifications. Now, I.M. Pei's historic townhouse has hit the market for $8 million and we get a peek inside.
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The four-story townhouse with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths was built in 1899 in Sutton Place, a discreetly elegant neighborhood set along Manhattan's East River and centrally located to midtown. I.M. Pei and his wife Eileen purchased the home in 1974 from Polly Delano, a cousin of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Pei maintained the structure of the home, but added his characteristic elements like a sweeping spiral staircase crowned by a pyramidal skylight. The entire rear of the home, which looks over a riverfront private park, boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and offers graceful views over the idyllic backyard.
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The Peis would enter the main floor via a marble foyer, which moves into a large stainless steel kitchen and a minimalist chic dining room that opens directly onto the park.
Upstairs is the living room where the Peis would entertain their illustrious friends, as well as a library with built-in bookshelves and a sleek fireplace designed by Pei.
Upon nightfall, Pei would retreat to the third floor, home to the master bedroom with views over the Queensboro Bridge and the East River. Down the hall is a second bedroom. The remaining two bedrooms, with en-suite bathrooms, are located upstairs on the fourth floor.
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In the basement is a climate-controlled wine cellar and extra space, which could be designed to the new owner's liking.
For peace and quiet reflection is a small garden outside of the house and access to a private landscaped park that sweeps down to the East River, an idyllic pocket of green in the midst of Manhattan.
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Christie's Real Estate is handling the sale of the house, which is listed for £6.2 million ($8 million USD) and this fall, the auction house is also selling the art collection of the architect, who died on 16 May, 2019 at the age of 102. The collection highlights the diversity of the couple's interests and aesthetic influences, and could surpass $25 million. Highlights include works by Jean Dubuffet, Zao Wou-Ki, Henry Moore, Franz Kline and Zhang Daqian.
