20 Prospect Park W

The grand scale of this majestic 1919 townhouse is matched only by the magnificent park it faces. At a width of nearly 25 feet, the house has 5,500 square feet of livable space filling five stories, accessed by a gracefully curved stair that guides you through its sunny rooms. The elegant brick neo-Federal fa ade is distinguished by oversized leaded-glass windows, copper dormers and magnificent wrought iron doors. The striking architecture features classic, simple lines, both inside and out.

The spacious entry room is particularly striking, with tall fanlight windows, a large fireplace and an arched, domed passageway into the dining room. A wide center staircase -- its rail echoing the iron detail of the front door -- winds upward toward a massive skylight that illuminates all. Fireplaces and moldings are substantial and handsome, but restrained. Throughout, the high-ceiling rooms, arched entries and well-proportioned windows create a grandeur that is elegant rather than ornate.

The chic and inviting gathering spaces are great for entertaining. Guests may start with drinks in the gracious upstairs library: 23 feet wide, marble fireplace, French windows overlooking the park -- great for New Year's fireworks! The open layouts permit guests to move about effortlessly, and ultimately reconvene in the impressive 17 x 19-foot dining room, which accommodates a dozen -- or more. A gas fire in the shoulder-high fireplace warms the room. The kitchen is the heart of this house: both welcoming and highly functional. It features pale marble counters; capacious pantry and cabinets; kitchen tool garages; and Sub Zero, Viking, and Bosch appliances. A side terrace is the perfect site for cooking at the gas grill or for a cup of tea in the afternoon.

The top three floors offer four bedrooms with en-suite baths. The primary suite, on the second floor, features a very large bedroom with a decorative marble fireplace; a newly renovated bath with Ann Sacks tile, radiant heat, tub, glass-enclosed shower; a sun-drenched office; and five closets. A very large bedroom on the third floor spans 23 feet and overlooks the park. The rear bedroom on that floor opens to a 200-square-foot terrace. The top floor is in use as a suite, with a bedroom and office (each with great park views), a bath with windowed shower, and a sitting area that opens to the largest of the three decks. All baths have modern marble and tile d cor.

The basement has 8-foot ceilings and is as impressive as the rest of the house. The media room (originally for billiards) has a monumental wood-burning fireplace and large leaded glass windows worthy of an English manor. A mini-office area along the hall offers custom file drawers and plenty of space for your "work-from-home" needs. A windowed fitness room opens onto a lower patio. The sleek marble bath with steam shower serves this floor and enables conversion to a guest suite with the fitness room changed to a bedroom. A large laundry room and additional closets offer generous storage.This well-appointed house is ideal for active owners. Bikes come and go with ease via just four stone steps up to the front door (and ample bike storage in the nearby closet). A morning workout can start in the park and finish in the fitness room. Dog owners love proximity to the park's morning dog run. The upper floor decks offer ideal privacy for a tranquil yoga practice. When not working or working out, invite friends for movie night in the ground-floor media room, or for summer screenings, on the wall of the large upper deck.

The house has been meticulously maintained. Every room is newly painted, and even the boiler room is spotless and up-to-date with brand new Burnham boiler, AO Smith water heater and radiant heat piping.

20 Prospect Park West is a rare find: architecture that is sophisticated and timeless, from its grand fa ade to its graceful rooms, in a townhouse that is suffused with light.

Details include:
-Full-width front rooms on three floors: entry room, library, bedroom
- High ceilings throughout: nearly 11 feet on two floors, nearly 10 feet on two others
- 24.75-feet wide, 68-feet deep
- 1,300 square feet of outdoor space on four levels: garden and three terraces
- Original design by NY architect Alfred Freeman (1919)
- Renovations by local architect Laurie Lieberman (2013, 2020)
- Central air conditioning (plus mini-split in fitness room)
- Top-tier mechanicals. Replaced plumbing and electrical systems; new Burnham boiler (May 2021) and AO Smith hot water heater (Jan. 2021).
- Many closets and storage rooms, including a large walk-in closet under the stairs in the entry room, and an enormous double cedar closet on the fourth floor. The service stair and service hallway could potentially be re-worked for storage or other use.
- Deeded garage parking spot available in separate transaction