Introduction
A renovated early 19th-century townhouse in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood has hit the market with an asking price of $17.7 million. Built in 1819, the property is notable not only for its age and scale, but also for its long commercial history. For roughly 170 years, it served as offices for James N. Wells & Sons, described as the longest-running residential real estate office in the United States. After a multi-year interior transformation, the building is now marketed as a modernized luxury residence with rare proportions for a historic New York townhouse.
A Building With an Unusual Real Estate Legacy
The townhouse on West 23rd Street was occupied by James N. Wells & Sons from the year it was built until 1989, when the firm’s CEO Paul Gay died. After that, the building was acquired by Elizabeth Stribling, the founder of Stribling & Associates, who owned it until 2020. Property records show it sold that year for $7.55 million to the current owner, an LLC connected to an engineering and architecture firm.
What the Renovation Delivered
Following a three-year renovation, the townhouse is now roughly 25 feet wide and spans about 9,400 square feet across five floors plus a basement and a rooftop, all served by an elevator. A defining architectural feature is a partial second-floor opening to the level below, creating a living room ceiling height of more than 20 feet, which is uncommon in historic Manhattan townhouses.
The first floor includes the main living room alongside kitchen and dining spaces, while the second floor is organized around a large family room. The renovation retained original fireplaces, combining historic elements with a modern interior layout.
Layout, Bedrooms, and Outdoor Space
The home includes six bedrooms spread across the third, fourth, and fifth floors. The primary suite occupies the entire third floor and includes a front-facing bedroom, a dressing room that connects to the bathroom, a library, and a large terrace. The basement is configured with a gym, screening room, and office, with potential flexibility for independent guest quarters.
Outdoor areas include a patio off the dining and sitting space, plus a top-floor solarium that leads to a roof deck. The property’s zoning also allows for commercial or residential use, a factor the listing team describes as adding versatility for buyers who want a live-work configuration.
Conclusion
The Chelsea townhouse combines a rare mix of early New York history, long-standing real estate industry ties, and a high-end renovation that prioritizes volume and flexibility. With 9,400 square feet, an elevator, preserved historic features, and mixed-use zoning, the listing positions the property as a distinctive option in the luxury townhouse market at $17.7 million.
