Bookworms Rejoice: Upper East Side Mansion Boasts Palatial, Double-Height Library
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Bookworms Rejoice: Upper East Side Mansion Boasts Palatial, Double-Height Library

July 20, 2014

Most of us in Manhattan are lucky if we can find room to fit one, tiny bookshelf in our homes, so you can imagine our reactions when we saw the opulent, two-story library at 12 East 69th Street. Not only does it make us ashamed of our puny literature collections, but the room is at least three times the size of our apartments. The celestial ceiling mural, massive amount of black walnut built-in shelving, and custom spiral staircase are also making us green with envy.  Non bookworms, have no fear–this house has an equally regal, double-height media room, which comes complete with sound-proof walls, rich wood paneling, a 12-foot screen, and plush velvet seats.

12 East 69th Street, Vincent and Teresa Viola, NYC mansions, Upper East Side mansions, biggest NYC houses, most expensive NYC real estate listings

12 East 69th Street, Vincent and Teresa Viola, NYC mansions, Upper East Side mansions, biggest NYC houses, most expensive NYC real estate listings, residential media room

Built in 1884, this six-story limestone mansion has 19 rooms, over 20,000 square feet of interior space, and a 2,000-square-foot roof deck. The incredibly lavish interior design was completed by current owners Vincent Viola, owner of the Florida Panthers, and his wife Teresa, president of Maida Vale Designs, a custom stationary company. The couple left no detail untouched; from the onyx-clad bathrooms, to the ornately carved coffered ceilings, to the gilded fireplaces–every inch of the house has been designed to exude wealth and elegance.

12 East 69th Street, Vincent and Teresa Viola, NYC mansions, Upper East Side mansions, biggest NYC houses, most expensive NYC real estate listings, gilded fireplace

Many of the materials used throughout the home are imported from Europe. In fact, the formal dining room, which holds a table for 20, is a replica of one of the dining rooms at the Palace of Versailles in France. Its plaster walls and ceilings are detailed with gold leaf and the black walnut floor has a marquetry “rug border.” The master bath, full of green onyx, resembles a Greek temple, and in the entryway guests are welcomed through Roman-esque arches.

12 East 69th Street, Vincent and Teresa Viola, NYC mansions, Upper East Side mansions, biggest NYC houses, most expensive NYC real estate listings

When the Violas renovated the 40-foot-wide mansion in 2005, they took into account modern conveniences in addition to visual appeal. For example, they outfitted the entire home with radiant heated floors, which even carry over to the exterior entry steps and sidewalk (say goodbye to shoveling snow). In the rustic kitchen is a brick pizza oven, as well as warming drawers. There’s also an elevator, fitness space, panic room, and an indoor saltwater swimming pool that connects to a blue lapis and glass-tile clad spa/sauna.

12 East 69th Street, Vincent and Teresa Viola, NYC mansions, Upper East Side mansions, biggest NYC houses, most expensive NYC real estate listings

Think this is the home for you? You’re in luck! It’s for sale for $114,077,000 (though you may have to sell off some of that book collection to meet that steep asking price).

[Listing: 12 East 69th Street via Corcoran]

[Via CityRealty]

Photos courtesy of Corcoran

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All information furnished regarding property for sale, rental or financing is from sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy thereof and same is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price, rental or other conditions, prior sale, lease or financing or withdrawal without notice. All dimensions are approximate. For exact dimensions, you must hire your own architect or engineer and for no listing shall the number of bedrooms listed be considered a legal conclusion.

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