Around the world, most theater lovers have heard of West Side Story—with lyrics by the late Stephen Sondheim—but here is an East Side story for you.
Sondheim, an eight-time Tony award-winner, bought this Manhattan townhouse in 1960 following a couple of hit productions. He affectionately called it “the house that Gypsy built.” The composer was a Broadway phenomenon, working on music for further plays like Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd.
Located in Midtown East (not too far from Broadway), the five-story residence sits in the coveted Turtle Bay Gardens Historic District. The neighborhood comprises 20 townhouses that share a communal green space. Other legendary residents included actress Katharine Hepburn and writer Robert Gottlieb.
Sondheim lived here, writing many musicals, until his passing in 2021. The circa-1899 home went on the market for $7 million last summer. Displaying good bones and lots of future potential, too, the structure totals 5,690 square feet with seven bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms.
With the prestige from its renowned longtime owner and its unique spaces like the solarium with stained glass, it’s no wonder the property found success on the market. It sold at the end of last year for its full asking price. As per listing agent Michael Franco of Compass, the new owner, although unknown, is a “a Sondheim fan” and plans to use the home as a full-time residence, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Sondheim’s Connecticut country escape also listed last year and swiftly went into contract within weeks. It is set to close this spring.
