Asking $6.7M, the Gimbel apartment is the picture of classic Upper East Side elegance

This three-bedroom Upper East Side co-op at 66 East 79th Street was the longtime home of the late philanthropists Bruce and Barbara Gimbel. Bruce was chairman and chief executive of Gimbels, the iconic New York City department store founded in 1842 by his great-grandfather. Asking $6,700,000, this nine-room apartment is both a grand Manhattan residence and a cozy, well-appointed home. Pre-war details like high ceilings, tall windows, and polished herringbone floors frame generously proportioned rooms, updated for gracious 21st-century living.

Coming home begins with a private elevator landing. Inside, you’ll find quiet, private spaces like a charming reading nook off the entry gallery.

A 35-foot step-down living room faces south for plenty of sunlight through windows overlooking manicured gardens. Wood-paneled walls and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves frame the room beneath 10-foot-high detailed plasterwork ceilings. There’s enough space for two separate seating areas; a working fireplace provides even more warmth.

A large formal dining room is the standard in any proper entertaining space. The large eat-in kitchen is as cheerful as it is functional. One of the two small staff rooms is now a laundry room.

Down a quiet hallway, the home’s private sleeping quarters are anchored by a corner primary bedroom suite with a wood-burning fireplace. There are two additional bedrooms with en-suite baths.

Built in 1926, this 15-floor full-service co-op is just over a block from Central Park. Amenities include a full-time door attendant, additional storage, and a fitness room. Pets are allowed with board approval.

[Listing details: 66 East 79th Street #6 at CityRealty]

[At Fox Residential by Barbara Fox and Maggie Peters]

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