While not exactly famous, two well-known faces in New York City society just listed their UWS townhouse: Visual artist Camomile Hixon, known for starting the Missing Unicorn street-art phenomenon of the 2010s, and venture capitalist Dylan Hixon, an heir to an electronics fortune. The couple purchased the circa-1884 home in 2004, pouring enormous effort into its renovation and restoration. Offering a blend of 19th-century character and surprising modernity now, the fivel-level spread is asking $9.95 million.
According to the Daytonian in Manhattan, the project returned the home to a single-family format after it had been configured as one-floor apartments since 1981. The seller’s also restored the original iron stoop railings based on photographs since the residence has had well-documented past. For example, a new owner can read all about the excitement that unfolded when Dr. Ralph Tousey lived there. The New York Herald and The Sun wrote about them several times in the early 1900s.
Almost 140 years old, the townhouse was originally designed by architect Ralph Samuel Townsend who was commissioned by real estate developer George Miller to create four homes on the street. Townsend crafted them in neo-Grec style and gave them brownstone facades, a look that has remained classic and charming in the Upper West Side ever since.
Beyond the newly-restored parquet floors and many other period elements, the townhouse showcases a complete juxtaposition on the garden level. It stands out with a bright and modern flair, while the rest of the residence has substantial wood moldings, millwork, and fireplace mantels. The detailed, hand-carved staircase is perhaps its most rare and prized feature.
For a family, past or present, this Uptown address most importantly has plenty of space. There are six bedrooms, six baths, and one half bath across the 6,500-square-foot floor plan. Interested? Amanda Field Jordan and Mara Blum of Sotheby’s International Realty hold the listing.