While praise for great books and films like The Da Vinci Code and The Devil Wears Prada often goes to the authors and actors, these classic hits wouldn’t have been possible without Stephen Rubin. The literary giant, who also oversaw the publication of Michael Wolff’s tell-all on former President Trump in 2018 and was John Grisham’s publisher, passed away late last year. Now, his delightful duplex on the Upper West Side has hit the market asking $3.5 million.
Rubin purchased the three-bedroom duplex, perched on the 9th and 10th floors of the co-op Central Park Studios, in 1998. While many Manhattan apartments sit in historic buildings, this sun-drenched unit harnesses historic and architectural charm in a most enchanting way. You can especially sense traces of Rubin’s legacy with the great room’s soaring high bookshelves, accented by a rolling ladder, of course.
The home’s exquisite woodwork follows you throughout, perhaps peaking with the English oak wainscotting in the dining room. This space with timeless, traditional beauty saw robust use during Rubin’s many years here. Listing agent Jay K. Overbye of Brown Harris Stevens told Mansion Global that, “Stephen, the consummate host and connector, had 18 chairs around the table. When you walk in, you feel like you’re transported to a different time, and you can feel the energy of entertaining.”
No matter where you wander—upstairs where the primary suite, library, and office live or downstairs where the bulk of the hosting spaces unfold—the great room is clearly the pièce de résistance. It’s nearly 17-foot ceilings provide ample room for displaying artwork or hanging a masterful chandelier. The wood-burning fireplace and huge windows bring warm to the central room, which feels incredibly relaxed despite its grand size.
Perfect for someone who wants a more dedicated place nearby to work (or read!) from home, the listing also comes with a seperate office on the top floor of the circa-1905 building.
William Gilbert and Mike Lubin, also of BHS, share the special listing with Overbye.