NYPL president buys Parisian-like penthouse in Nomad for $2.45M

The latest notable New Yorker to own this unusual Nomad penthouse is Anthony W. Marx, president of the New York Public Library. Marx, who has overseen the nation’s largest library system since 2011, picked up the pretty pad at 66 Madison Avenue this month for $2,450,000, according to city records. Previous owners of the one-bedroom co-op include an Emmy-award-winning casting director and a designer and fashion PR executive.

Described by 6sqft when it hit the market earlier this year as a “charming cabin in the sky,” the 1,100-square-foot apartment is located in the 1918 Beaux Arts-style building’s original rooftop machine room.

A keyed elevator arrives at the penthouse landing, from which an outdoor pathway leads to a wall of steel-framed glass that opens into the home’s great room. Here, find 12-foot cathedral ceilings, four skylights, and a wood-burning fireplace.

The kitchen has high-end appliances, custom cabinets, and a ceramic tile backsplash. Double doors open into a south-facing primary bedroom, with two additional skylights and two large closets.

The highlight of the “petite penthouse” is its surrounding multi-level terrace, with iconic New York City views and space to entertain. In total, the home has roughly 700 square feet of outdoor space.

A former hotel, the Madison Parq is now a full-service cooperative building. Amenities include a 24-hour doorman, a live-in superintendent, a bike room, and laundry on every floor.

Marx’s purchase comes as the city’s three public library systems are facing $36 million in budget cuts. While Mayor Eric Adams spared the libraries from his latest round of budget cuts, officials are still warning the deficit will impact hours and the system’s ability to provide essential resources and services.

“New York’s public libraries have risen to meet many of the challenges we are facing as a city. We want to keep up this work, but these cuts will impact our operations across the board, whether it be the capacity to open new branches, keep our current hours, maintain our collections, or offer programs,” Marx said in a statement last month.

“If this budget becomes a reality we are going to have to make tough choices about what we can and can’t provide our patrons. No one wants that.”

[Listing details: The Madison Parq, 66 Madison Avenue, #PH at CityRealty]

[At Compass by Henry Hershkowitz, Heather McDonough Domi, and Cartwright Lee]

RELATED:

• Paris garret and rooftop cabin meet in this unique Nomad penthouse, asking $2.5M
• Manhattan meets Montmarte in a designer’s $2.45M Nomad penthouse

Photo credit: Kristina Crane with Evan Joseph Studios