A quiet street with mature trees. A classic 1922 American traditional, beautifully updated for contemporary living. What’s not to love? Seriously, this Ryan Place charmer at 2512 5th Ave. is so lovable and livable it fell under contract with multiple offers above asking price within hours of listing. This shows that the persistently low inventory of unique properties will trump higher interest rates in the current market.
Set back on a large lot, the 3,144-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-one-half-bath house is welcoming with brick pillars supporting the wrap-around porch and the balustraded second story above. The central bay, framed by Doric columns, establishes a stepped rhythm with an off-symmetry bay at right. Vintage-look striped awnings are a bonus detail.
Belying its rather modest size stats and room count, this house feels, well, grand. On entering, a broad, grand vestibule with a handsome staircase funnels you into the formal rooms. And the ample scale of these rooms, including two spacious living areas, augment the opulent ambiance of this shelter magazine-worthy home.
The formal living area, with its traditional moldings and millwork with boiserie effects, easily divides into multiple cozy seating groups. It contains one of two gas fireplaces and the decorative details such as the silk stripe curtains and Chinese wallpaper insets are first-rate luxury embellishments.
Alright, I’m a color guy with a weakness for cool blues and greens, but who can’t fail to be seduced by the delightful and, in my view, perfectly realized harmonies in the dining room and secondary living room? The color is a captivating complement to the beautifully proportioned, generously fenestrated rooms characteristic of the best houses of this era.
Bold reds are the perfect harmonious punctuation to both rooms, subtly repeated in the bouillon fringe affixed to the curtains. Painted beadboard paneling, sisal rugs, and the cool color palette remind me of the East Coast time-honored interiors with a pedigree dating back to design legends like Sister Parish.
Even with a house of this caliber with bespoke, A-list updates, there is usually something to grouse about. I had to look hard to find anything I would change. The kitchen is large and a comfortable gathering place for company, including a long island with bar seating. Also, I’m really feeling the tomato ceramic tile floors. If I am forced to nit-pick I might want more interesting back splashes and countertops, but I love the vintage cabinets, which were replicated for the island.
Upstairs is a room-size landing with built-in shelves lit by the wall-to-wall stairwell window.
There’s no better example of the livability of this house with modern must-haves than the primary bedroom suite. It’s comprised of a large bedroom that gives on to the huge closet/dressing area with ample built-in storage space, which leads to the bright white bath composed of luxurious marble flooring and slabs.
The upstairs deck has been enclosed with a Roman-style balustrade with shade provided by more elegant awnings.
The long, elegant pool is a recent add-on, which still leaves plenty of green space for … Croquet? Attached to the two-car garage at the back is an apartment that is also fully updated with a full kitchen.
Lisa Logan of League Real Estate has listed 2512 5th Avenue at $935,000.
