Single Family or income producing Townhouse

Description

125 West 78th Street is one of 6 row houses built in 1886 for the French born developer, Bernard S. Levy. Rafael Guastavino was the architecht who designed these homes and who brought a Moorish influence to New York. Sometime before 1968, all 6 houses mysteriously got a paint job of red and white. The rest of the block sparkles a rainbow of colors; blue, cream, yellow, green, brown and white. The 6 houses are known as the "red and whites".
The row, 121-131 West 78th, is a kaleidoscope of Moorish elements in brick, with multiple-centered arches, intricate banding, and projecting cornices.
Guastavino came to NY in 1881 with knowledge of fireproof vaulted clay-tile construction. less weight than timber or iron beams. Examples can be seen in the Oyster Bar at Grand Central & the catering hall under the Queensboro bridge named after him.

This house is currently used as 3 free market rentals; the garden is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, the parlour is a 2 bedroom 1 bath and the 3rd & 4th floor front duplex which is a one bedroom 2 bath apartment. The 3rd floor rear is a R/S studio and the 4th floor rear is a RC studio. All leases are up except the R/C and the RS between June and September 2011. This is a house that will be treasured for its beauty and its history. The apartments are in very good condition and the parlour has 15' exposed beam ceilings and brick walls with access to the garden. The plumbing and electrical has been updated. This house can be restored to a superb private residence in time or kept as is for income.