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The 72-Room Bohemian Dream House

Maybe the greatest real-estate coup of all time.

By WENDY GOODMAN

The building at 190 Bowery is a mystery: a graffiti-covered Gilded Age relic, with a beat-up wooden door that looks like it hasn't been opened since La Guardia was mayor. A few years ago, that described a lot of the neighborhood, but with the Bowery Hotel and the New Museum, the Rogan and John Varvatos boutiques, 190 is now an anomaly, not the norm. Why isn't some developer turning it into luxury condos?

Because Jay Maisel, the photographer who bought it 42 years ago for $102,000, still lives there, with his wife, Linda Adam Maisel and daughter, Amanda. It isn't a decrepit ruin; 190 Bowery is a six-story, 72-room, 35,000-square-foot (depending on how you measure) single-family home.

Read the entire article and view additional images at NYMag.com

Rarity in the Big Apple

The House
Three people live in this building. It was bought in 1966 for $102,000. Now real-estate brokers estimate it's worth at least $30 million.

Leigh Davis

The Third Floor
Once bank offices, now gallery space. The original door frames are oak.

Leigh Davis

The Dining Room
The bankers had their meals here. It's at one end of the open living room. The pressed-tin wall is original.

Leigh Davis

The Kitchen
The Maisel kitchen is on the site of the bank's original kitchen, where staff cooked for the bankers.

Leigh Davis

The Master Bathroom
Originally office space. Maisel designed it, putting down a plywood floor and installing a marble shower stall.

Leigh Davis

The Maisels on the Roof
Linda has a small garden in one corner; this year, she grew tomatoes, basil, peppers, and parsley. The building's copper trim is still intact.

Read the entire article and view additional images at NYMag.com

Leigh Davis

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39 comments

Aralpharetta 11:32:39 AM Feb 15 2009

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30 Million - Oh My!

JIMKELLY196 05:15:12 PM Feb 11 2009

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Another article repeated by AOL to fill up space.

MM56RROK 01:44:00 PM Feb 11 2009

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Running out of topics. How often are we going to hear about this building?

Princessregina12 01:21:57 PM Feb 11 2009

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Kharisma is some kind of a critter looking for a room. About the taxes, big deal, or so what!

Princessregina12 01:20:32 PM Feb 11 2009

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Kharisma may just be some kind of a critter w/ a laptop? She's looking for an adoptor to pick her up and give her a room.

KHARISMAS 12:49:17 PM Feb 11 2009

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How much are the taxes? Thinking about it, I think they may hve a critter problem too...Guess, I'll just stay here, in Paradise....

W8N4UNSC 12:42:17 PM Feb 11 2009

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heck it would take me to long to get to the bathroom...lol i would have to P out the window i guess.

KHARISMAS 12:41:29 PM Feb 11 2009

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Thinking about moving...got a room?

Ronco10354 12:38:03 PM Feb 11 2009

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I've heard of spacious living, but this really takes the case. It must get a bit overwhelming to heat and illuminate. Does it have it's own zip code? Great House congrats.. R Colbert

IEReardon 12:21:52 PM Feb 11 2009

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Great house - love the view from the roof deck - and to grow tomatoes withoutfighting off deer and other critters. Good luck to the family -with taxes etc. I hopethey can keep and enjoy their home forever

1 - 10 of 39

39 comments