$3,300,000
255 E 78TH Street #House
MLS® #RLS10851131
Listing by Sotheby's International Realty, Inc.
4
Bedrooms
2.5
Baths
N/A
Sq. Ft.
1899
Year Built
Quick Summary
Property Highlights
- Views: City
- Exposure: North,South facing
- Style: Prewar architecture
Property Details
Listing History
| Event | Date | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed | Feb 21, 2023 | $3,995,000 | - |
| Price Reduced | May 30, 2023 | $3,695,000 | -7.5% |
| Currently | May 2, 2026 | $3,300,000 | -10.7% |
Description
In 1867 the completion of this Italianate style home at 255 East 78th Street became one of a long row of identical, three story brick faced residences with a discreet charm and storybook provenance. Originally the home in 1890 of New York Senator John Gilmore Boyd and most recently the former residence of New York Literary Icon John Leonard, literary, television, film and cultural critic, author, Former Editor of the New York Times Book Review, and a Featured Critic for CBS Sunday Morning for 16 years. This unique home has hosted many literary giants such as Nobel Prize-winner Toni Morrison to name a few. Rarely today with the vast large scale of so many townhouses presented for purchase does a home of this unique size and disposition become available for acquisition in Manhattan. Approximately fourteen feet wide and fifty feet deep with nearly 2,700 square feet of interior space. There are air rights available to add two upper set back floors if desired. Originally a single family home until around 1955 when it was converted to a two family class, currently the home consists of four floors plus a basement, four bedrooms, two full and two half bathrooms with a large eat-in windowed kitchen on the second floor. There are period wood floors, beams, a skylight, spiral staircase, high ceilings and a large rear yard. Bring your imagination and architect. This historic home is ready for its next chapter.
Features & Amenities
Interior Features
Exterior Features
Building Information
About Upper East Side
View All Upper East Side ListingsThe Upper East Side remains the gold standard for classic New York elegance. Known for 'Museum Mile' and its low-traffic, tree-lined streets, the neighborhood offers a refined lifestyle away from the midtown bustle. While famous for its historic cooperatives, the area has seen a recent surge in ultra-luxury new construction condos, particularly along the Second Avenue Subway corridor, making it a top choice for both traditionalists and modern buyers.
Upper East Side Live Market Data
View NeighborhoodActive Listings
339
Median Asking Price
$1.67M
Median $/Sqft
$1,536
Avg Days on Market
N/A
New This Week
29
Price Reduced
28%
Sold (30 Days)
37
Median Sale Price
$1.52M
Live data from RLS at REBNY • Updated 5/2/26, 5:59 AM EST
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Location
255 E 78TH Street #House, Upper East Side, New York County
Virtual Tour
Floor Plans
Building Information
Official NYC property records for this building
Tax & Assessment
Note: Individual unit taxes may differ. Verify current tax bills with NYC DOF.
Source: NYC PLUTO (Primary Land Use Tax Lot Output), NYC Department of City Planning (data.cityofnewyork.us)
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Listing Data
RLS® at REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) via Trestle API. Updated in real-time.
Building Data
NYC PLUTO (Primary Land Use Tax Lot Output), NYC Department of City Planning. Updated quarterly.
Market Data
RLS® at REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York). Live data updated in real-time.
Map & Location
OpenStreetMap contributors via Leaflet. Geocoding via Nominatim.
All data is provided for informational purposes only and should be independently verified. See our Data Sources Policy for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this property
This property has 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms and 2 half bathrooms.
According to MLS records, the building was constructed in 1899, making it approximately 127 years old.
Pets are permitted at this property. Contact the listing broker for weight limits or breed restrictions.
To schedule a private showing, contact Milton Coste at (917) 416-7433 or mcoste@kwnyc.com. Per REBNY guidelines effective 2025, a Buyer Representation Agreement is required before a buyer's broker can show you properties. You may attend open houses independently without one.
Have a question not answered here?
(917) 416-7433Listing Courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. - Gina M. Kuhlenkamp
Listing Contact: (212) 606-7610
Listing information for certain New York City properties provided courtesy of the Real Estate Board of New York's Residential Listing Service (the "RLS"). The information contained in this listing has not been verified by the RLS and should be verified by the consumer. The listing information provided here is for the consumer's personal, non-commercial use. Retransmission, redistribution or copying of this listing information is strictly prohibited except in connection with a consumer's consideration of the purchase and/or sale of an individual property. This listing information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. ©2026 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., all rights reserved. This advertisement does not suggest that the broker has a listing in this property or properties or that any property is currently available.
Broker Commission Disclosure: Broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable.
Buyer Notice: Planning to work with a buyer's broker? A Buyer Representation Agreement is required before your broker can show you properties, per REBNY/UCBA guidelines (effective 2025). You may attend open houses independently without one.
RLS Data display by Keller Williams NYC. Data last updated on 5/2/2026 at 9:59 AM UTC