159 E 78th St
New York, NY 10075
Upper East Side
4 Beds
4.5 Baths
2,052 sqft
4 Beds
4.5 Baths
2,052 sqft
Local Information
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Description
History:
In 1861 a row of eleven brick houses was built on the north side of East 78th Street at numbers 157-177 between Lexington and Third avenues. Today five of these landmark houses remain including Number 159. To read the history of this house is to engage in a fascinating study not only of the building itself but of a tumultuous New York City. Storm clouds of the Civil War had gathered and war broke out affecting both the city and its residential development. Masses of soldiers now populated the city and an ever-expanding growth to the upper east side had begun. Just two years earlier, a few blocks west of the house, the city had purchased an extensive parcel of land and transformed it into the green oasis of Central Park as splendidly envisioned by Olmsted and Vaux.
The Property:
Today, one enters 159 at street level into an entrance hall complete with powder room and coat closet. The eye is immediately drawn to the distant view of the house's private garden. This floor also consists of a large eat-in-kitchen and a formal dining room with a wood burning fireplace that is now used as a combined dining and sitting room. Large picture windows with a sliding glass door overlook the beautifully landscaped and tranquil garden. Up the staircase one flight is the expansive double parlor floor with its impressive 10'8" ceilings and two wood burning fireplaces. There are three full length French doors facing both north and south allowing for lovely light and tree top views. The house was originally built with steps leading to the second floor. That stoop became unfashionable with the passage of time and later removed. A remnant of the original stoop is found at the foot of the southeastern French door on this floor. The living quarters of the house begin on the third floor with a beautiful bedroom (now set up as a home office) facing south with the fourth wood burning fireplace and ensuite bath. Overlooking the garden on the northern end are two side by side bedrooms that share a hall bath. The fourth and top floor is a private sanctuary consisting of a light filled primary bedroom suite that opens onto a south facing terrace with open city views. There is also an ensuite bath and an adjacent large dressing room. The renovation of the house has been well maintained and includes two zone central air-conditioning. The living area of the house consists of +/-3240sf. The house also has a finished basement of approximately 900sf that includes an exercise room, bonus room with ensuite bath, laundry room, mechanical room, and abundant storage. There are an additional 900 square feet of exterior spaces including the garden and the terrace.
*Approximate Gross Square Footage
- Interior: 3240
- Exterior: 900
- Basement: 900
*Approximate Ceiling Height
- Basement: 8'-5"
- Garden Floor: 7'-3"
- Parlor Floor: 10'-8"
- 3rd Floor: 9'-4"
- 4th Floor: 8'-4"
In 1861 a row of eleven brick houses was built on the north side of East 78th Street at numbers 157-177 between Lexington and Third avenues. Today five of these landmark houses remain including Number 159. To read the history of this house is to engage in a fascinating study not only of the building itself but of a tumultuous New York City. Storm clouds of the Civil War had gathered and war broke out affecting both the city and its residential development. Masses of soldiers now populated the city and an ever-expanding growth to the upper east side had begun. Just two years earlier, a few blocks west of the house, the city had purchased an extensive parcel of land and transformed it into the green oasis of Central Park as splendidly envisioned by Olmsted and Vaux.
The Property:
Today, one enters 159 at street level into an entrance hall complete with powder room and coat closet. The eye is immediately drawn to the distant view of the house's private garden. This floor also consists of a large eat-in-kitchen and a formal dining room with a wood burning fireplace that is now used as a combined dining and sitting room. Large picture windows with a sliding glass door overlook the beautifully landscaped and tranquil garden. Up the staircase one flight is the expansive double parlor floor with its impressive 10'8" ceilings and two wood burning fireplaces. There are three full length French doors facing both north and south allowing for lovely light and tree top views. The house was originally built with steps leading to the second floor. That stoop became unfashionable with the passage of time and later removed. A remnant of the original stoop is found at the foot of the southeastern French door on this floor. The living quarters of the house begin on the third floor with a beautiful bedroom (now set up as a home office) facing south with the fourth wood burning fireplace and ensuite bath. Overlooking the garden on the northern end are two side by side bedrooms that share a hall bath. The fourth and top floor is a private sanctuary consisting of a light filled primary bedroom suite that opens onto a south facing terrace with open city views. There is also an ensuite bath and an adjacent large dressing room. The renovation of the house has been well maintained and includes two zone central air-conditioning. The living area of the house consists of +/-3240sf. The house also has a finished basement of approximately 900sf that includes an exercise room, bonus room with ensuite bath, laundry room, mechanical room, and abundant storage. There are an additional 900 square feet of exterior spaces including the garden and the terrace.
*Approximate Gross Square Footage
- Interior: 3240
- Exterior: 900
- Basement: 900
*Approximate Ceiling Height
- Basement: 8'-5"
- Garden Floor: 7'-3"
- Parlor Floor: 10'-8"
- 3rd Floor: 9'-4"
- 4th Floor: 8'-4"
This property is off market, which means it's not currently listed for sale or rent on Trulia. This may be different from what's available on other websites or public sources.
Home Highlights
Parking
No Info
Outdoor
No Info
A/C
Cooling only
HOA
None
Price/Sqft
No Info
Listed
No Info
Home Details for 159 E 78th St
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Levels, Entrance, & Accessibility Stories: 3Floors: Tile, Hardwood |
Interior Details Types of Rooms: Walk In Closet, Dining Room, Master Bath |
Appliances & Utilities DishwasherDryerWasher |
Heating & Cooling Air ConditioningCooling System: Central |
|
|---|
Year Built Year Built: 1899 |
Property Type / Style Property Type: Single Family Home |
|
|---|
Units in Building: 1 |
|
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Lot Area: 1839 sqft |
Price History for 159 E 78th St
| Date | Price | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/03/2023 | ListingRemoved | StreetEasy | |
| 03/06/2023 | $7,100,000 | Pending | StreetEasy |
| 09/02/2022 | $7,100,000 | PriceChange | StreetEasy |
| 06/24/2022 | $7,300,000 | PriceChange | StreetEasy |
| 04/25/2022 | $7,500,000 | PriceChange | StreetEasy |
| 04/14/2022 | $7,600,000 | PriceChange | StreetEasy |
| 06/15/2021 | $7,750,000 | Listed For Sale | StreetEasy |
| 12/17/2019 | $7,225,000 | Sold | N/A |
| 09/24/2019 | $7,500,000 | Pending | Agent Provided |
| 03/13/2019 | $7,500,000 | PriceChange | Agent Provided |
| 11/29/2018 | $7,900,000 | PriceChange | Agent Provided |
| 09/24/2018 | $8,100,000 | PriceChange | Agent Provided |
| 06/05/2018 | $8,395,000 | PriceChange | Agent Provided |
| 01/10/2018 | $8,750,000 | PriceChange | Agent Provided |
| 10/07/2017 | $9,250,000 | Listed For Sale | Agent Provided |
| 06/01/2014 | $2,600 | ListingRemoved | Agent Provided |
| 05/02/2014 | $2,600 | Listed For Rent | Agent Provided |
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Property Tax and Assessment
| Year | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Tax | $51,036 |
| Assessment | $5,212,000 |
Home facts updated by county records
Comparable Sales for 159 E 78th St
Address | Distance | Property Type | Sold Price | Sold Date | Bed | Bath | Sqft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0.03 | Single-Family Home | $10,500,000 | 12/26/25 | 5 | 7.5 | 5,881 | |
0.25 | Single-Family Home | $10,450,000 | 01/06/26 | 4 | 5 | 5,500 | |
0.03 | Single-Family Home | $6,500,000 | 08/08/25 | 4 | 4.5 | 3,000 | |
0.20 | Single-Family Home | $8,675,000 | 07/15/25 | 7 | 5.5 | 6,776 | |
0.17 | Single-Family Home | $6,800,000 | 07/23/25 | 4 | 4 | 4,600 | |
0.03 | Single-Family Home | $6,500,000 | 08/15/25 | 1 | 1 | 3,750 | |
0.27 | Single-Family Home | $5,200,000 | 09/12/25 | 4 | 6 | 5,100 | |
0.57 | Single-Family Home | $4,295,000 | 06/04/25 | 4 | 4.5 | 2,880 | |
0.52 | Single-Family Home | $5,365,000 | 03/02/26 | 4 | 2.5 | 3,400 | |
0.18 | Single-Family Home | $11,000,000 | 07/21/25 | 6 | 7 | 6,700 |
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Assigned Schools
These are the assigned schools for 159 E 78th St.
- P.S. 158 Baylard Taylor
- PK-5
- Public
- 606 Students
8/10GreatSchools RatingParent Rating AverageThe best thing about this school was leaving it. I can't say enough bad things about it. Bad behavior usually trickles down from the top, and this place is no exception. The administration is horrible, the teachers uncaring and mostly waiting to get married, and the predominantly affluent and white parents in a world of their own. DO NOT SEND YOUR KIDS TO THIS SCHOOL. When my child entered middle school, she struggled to keep up with others because she learned almost nothing at 158, including how to SPELL. By the time she left middle school, she was at the top of her class and admitted to a SHS, in spite of the bad foundation of learning from 158. If they want to improve, they should start by getting rid of Dina and her minion, Janice.Parent Review1y ago - Jhs 167 Robert F Wagner
- 6-8
- Public
- 949 Students
8/10GreatSchools RatingParent Rating AverageThis school is absolutely horrible there are fights everyday and no one gets suspended but people get suspended for skipping afterschool that is optional and teachers don’t care about the students, the education sucks the environment sucks and there is so much harassment and bullying and the dean doesn’t do anything to prevent it honestly the worst decision of my life putting this school on my list. Also if your new there gonna try to make it all fun but once you reach 7th grade its hell.Student Review2mo ago - Eleanor Roosevelt High School
- 9-12
- Public
- 539 Students
9/10GreatSchools RatingParent Rating Averagemy daughter was hospitalized after being bullied in this school. Support: non existent. Wasting of potential. I would rename it Karen Roosevelt. So much for meritocracy and public education. Shame on you all.Parent Review9mo ago 
Check out schools near 159 E 78th St.
Neighborhood Overview
Neighborhood stats provided by third party data sources.
What Locals Say about Upper East Side
At least 1478 Trulia users voted on each feature.
94 % Say it's walkable to grocery stores
93 % Say there are sidewalks
92 % Say it's dog friendly
92 % Say it's walkable to restaurants
87 % Say streets are well-lit
84 % Say people would walk alone at night
61 % Say kids play outside
61 % Say there's holiday spirit
57 % Say they plan to stay for at least 5 years
50 % Say neighbors are friendly
42 % Say it's quiet
30 % Say parking is easy
24 % Say there are community events
18 % Say yards are well-kept
16 % Say car is needed
15 % Say there's wildlife
Sourced by Trulia users. Learn more about our methodology.
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159 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075 is a 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom, 2,052 sqft single-family home built in 1899. 159 E 78th St is located in Upper East Side, New York. This property is not currently available for sale. 159 E 78th St was last sold on Dec 17, 2019 for $7,225,000. The current Trulia Estimate for 159 E 78th St is $7,397,100.