Historic Manhattan Brownstone Once Owned by Gloria Vanderbilt on Market for $12M

by Kellie Speed

A historic brownstone on Manhattan’s Upper East Side once owned by fashion designer Gloria Vanderbilt has hit the market for $11,995,000.

The five-level townhouse is where the heiress, artist, and mother of CNN’s Anderson Cooper called home during the 1980s and ’90s.

The socialite died in 2019 at the age of 95. Her more recent and significantly smaller Manhattan apartment quickly sold after it came on the market in 2021.

As for this property, located in the Carnegie Hill neighborhood, the sprawling space features six bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms.

The 1899 build’s 6,400-square-foot layout has been modernized over the years, but many period details remain.

They include the 11-foot ceilings, elegant curved staircase, the wood-paneled living room, and four wood-burning fireplaces.

Grand greenhouse

Vanderbilt is said to have been drawn to the grand greenhouse located off the patio garden on the first floor. She used it as a painting studio, but it has since been converted into a gallery space and informal living room.

The bright and airy eat-in kitchen was recently renovated and features a separate pantry, enormous island with a sink, and restored hardwood floors. The marble countertops were sourced from Vermont, and the custom cabinetry were made by Eppley Building & Design.

A magnificent primary suite with a 10-foot ceiling can be found tucked away on the third floor. The tranquil oasis offers garden views out back and a spacious bathroom. A cozy study with a wood-burning fireplace and en suite bath can also be found on this floor.

The fourth and fifth floors offer an additional four bedrooms and three bathrooms, along with a spectacular solarium.

The unfinished roof area, accessible by a staircase from the fifth floor, could easily be transformed into a finished roof garden.