402 W 20TH Street
MLS® #RLS20073070
Listing by Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC
9
Bedrooms
6
Baths
6,545
Sq. Ft.
1910
Year Built
Quick Summary
Property Highlights
- Views: Other
- Fireplace: 1 fireplace
- Climate Control: Other
Property Details
Description
Rising with quiet authority along one of Chelsea's most enchanting blocks, the Donac stands as a rare surviving expression of the neighborhood's earliest visionaries. Conceived in 1898 by celebrated mansion architect C. P. H. Gilbert, whose body of work includes the Warburg Mansion (now the Jewish Museum), the Cartier Building, and the Upper East Side's Woolworth Mansions, this graceful, 24-foot-wide Neo-Colonial landmark was commissioned by Angelica Faber, daughter of Don Alonso Cushman, the developer who shaped much of Chelsea's architectural DNA.
Its signature curved facade, a rare sculptural gesture in Manhattan townhouse design, traces its origins to an 1830s gentleman's agreement between Cushman and his neighbor Clement Clarke Moore. Their shared commitment to beauty and proportion gave rise to Chelsea's iconic garden setbacks, a legacy still legible today.
Following a meticulous, ground-up restoration, this 6,545-square-foot, five-story historic trophy reemerges in full splendor. The exterior's buff-brick masonry, hand-carved trim, bowed bay windows, and wrought-iron detailing honor the building's 19th-century heritage, while the interiors thoughtfully fuse preserved craftsmanship with elevated modern luxury.
Delivered vacant, the building comprises five luminous residences, three with working fireplaces, all featuring generous windows, restored millwork, and leafy Chelsea views. Floor-through layouts unfold with ease, while hardwood floors, custom casings, arched niches, and refined moldings celebrate the home's artisanal roots.
Crowning the building is a dramatic three-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex penthouse, defined by sculptural volume and direct access to a sweeping roof deck with panoramic city views. Below sit two refined two-bedroom, one-bath floor-through residences, each offering expansive light and carefully considered details.
The parlor level features an additional two-bedroom, one-bath floor-through with direct access to a serene private patio, an exceptional outdoor extension of the living space. A charming studio apartment in the cellar completes the offering, well-suited for guests, staff, creative use, or supplemental income.
Throughout, state-of-the-art systems, updated lighting, and fresh finishes integrate seamlessly with preserved original details, creating interiors that feel both timeless and newly revived. Kitchens are beautifully appointed with premium appliances, generous storage, and expansive work surfaces, while bathrooms serve as spa-like retreats wrapped in floor-to-ceiling marble.
Perfectly situated across from the storied General Theological Seminary and framed by tree-lined streets, the Donac offers the rare atmosphere of a European enclave in the heart of Manhattan. Its intimate five-residence scale ensures a high degree of discretion, while its adaptability, whether as a long-term investment, a boutique residential conversion, a live-plus-income home, or a singular private residence, provides a level of flexibility seldom found in properties of this character.
Restored with care, architecturally intact, and anchored by provenance that cannot be replicated, the Donac stands as a generational Chelsea asset, ready for its next steward.
Features & Amenities
Interior Features
Exterior Features
Building Amenities
Appliances
Building Information
Financial Details
About Chelsea
View All Chelsea ListingsChelsea is the epicenter of New York’s contemporary art world and a hub for innovative architecture. Home to the High Line and Chelsea Market, the neighborhood seamlessly blends industrial history with modern luxury. The real estate market here is dominated by high-end condominium developments designed by world-renowned architects, alongside charming pre-war lofts and historic townhouses in the Chelsea Historic District.
Chelsea Live Market Data
View NeighborhoodActive Listings
254
Median Asking Price
$2.30M
Median $/Sqft
$1,944
Avg Days on Market
N/A
New This Week
15
Price Reduced
30%
Sold (30 Days)
32
Median Sale Price
$2.23M
Live data from RLS at REBNY • Updated 2/20/26, 6:06 PM EST
Similar Listings in Chelsea
View AllLocation
402 W 20TH Street, Chelsea, New York County
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Listing Courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC - Raphael E DeNiro
Listing Contact: 212-381-3344
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RLS Data display by Keller Williams NYC. Data last updated on 2/20/2026 at 11:06 PM UTC