A Legendary Vanderbilt Townhouse in Sutton Place Finds a Buyer

Sutton Place as we know it today may not be the same if it were not for Anne Vanderbilt, the second wife of Newport's famous Marble House owner William Vanderbilt. Accustomed to being pioneers among the rich and famous, it is no surprise that the Vanderbilts were pivotal in deciding what the “it” part of town was whether they were in New York City or Rhode Island. Mrs. Vanderbilt is credited as someone who helped establish Sutton Place as a coveted neighborhood when she renovated this gorgeous four-story abode in 1921, making it her NYC home. Since then, her prestigious residence has belonged to notable figures such as Charles Merrill, the co-founder of Merrill Lynch, and most recently the ketchup company heiress Drue Heinz, who died just last year. In the wake of her passing, the storied property listed for $21 million and now it has found a pair of influential new owners.

The splendid townhouse has been snapped up by the head curator of the Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Andrew Bolton, and his fashion designer husband Thom Browne. According to Mansion Global, the home was in contract for four months and just closed for $13 million. Good things take time, and so do good deals.

Now that the 7,000-square-foot abode is in the hands of big names in the fashion world, it will be exciting to see if the traditional interiors get a forward-thinking revamp or if the new owners embrace the home's historic roots. The Sutton Place mansion is currently dressed in a decadent classical style and consists of six bedrooms, six full baths, and two powder rooms. A grand welcoming staircase, six fireplaces, stunning views of the Hudson and a manicured garden help define the lavish nature of the home, which will always shine through no matter what the decor.

Mary C. Kent of Sotheby’s International Realty had the esteemed listing.