Massive Gilded Age mansion overlooking Hudson River hits Manhattan market for $11.5M

A grand Gilded Age mansion on Manhattan’s Upper West Side that has a history stretching back more than a century has hit the market for $11.5 million—nearly three decades after it last changed hands.

The 30-foot-wide limestone residence at 41 Riverside Drive is positioned directly across from Riverside Park and offers sweeping views of the Hudson River.

Completed in 1896, the luxurious property, which was once hailed as “one of the handsomest residences on the Riverside,” has changed hands on just a few occasions in its history, most recently in September 2000, when it was purchased for $7.7 million.

Designed by distinguished architect Clarence True, a man responsible for building some of the Upper West Side’s most impressive townhouses, the dwelling—which is listed with Cathy Taub of Sotheby’s International Realty—is set across five expansive levels.

Today, it is one of the few remaining private homes located along Riverside Drive, a street once lined with the residences of the city’s elite, and it continues to lend an air of sophistication and prestige to the area, while also offering ample modern-day luxury thanks to a recent renovation.

“A masterwork of Gilded Age architecture, it is fully renovated, meticulously restored, and modernized for contemporary luxury living,” the listing notes.

The striking Flemish Revival facade—a signature style of True’s—features carved limestone ornamentation, dramatic stone dormers, and a clay-tiled mansard roof that lends the mansion a distinctly European look.

Inside, the residence spans roughly 7,500 square feet, with six bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms across five levels, plus a basement and garden terrace.

Expansive rooms with soaring ceilings, custom millwork, and original Gilded Age details define the interiors, as does a sense of old-world elegance. Carefully chosen wallpapers and fixtures create the sense that the home has been thoughtfully curated with one hand in each era.

“Original architectural details remain impeccably preserved,” the listing notes. “[These include] spectacular stained-glass bay windows in the dining room; marble and oak parquet floors; rich oak and mahogany woodwork; limestone facade with carved ornamentation; clay-tiled mansard roof and dramatic stone dormer; and eight gorgeous fireplaces.”

Marble and oak parquet floors run throughout the home, complemented by rich mahogany and oak woodwork.

The parlor level showcases ceilings soaring over 12 feet high, triple bay windows framing the Hudson River, and several Italian marble fireplaces dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. A striking stained-glass window in the dining room adds a layer of storied elegance.

The entry level begins with double doors opening into a foyer anchored by a period fireplace and grand oak staircase.

A modernized eat-in kitchen is nearby, outfitted with a marble island, high-end appliances, and a breakfast room with garden access. Modern conveniences—including an elevator, laundry room, and even a dog-wash station, have all been carefully integrated into the home.

“Behind the historic walls lies an updated mechanical system [with] copper plumbing; two 100-gallon hot water heaters; multizoned central air conditioning; double-glazed windows for security and sound insulation; and a security system,” the description notes.

Upper floors contain the mansion’s private quarters, including a spacious primary suite with a stone-clad bathroom. Additional bedrooms, sitting rooms, and studies occupy the remaining levels, many with fireplaces and views toward the Hudson. A basement level provides space for a gym and extra storage.

Beyond its architecture, the mansion also carries a colorful social history. Once owned by attorney Thomas St. John Gaffney, a prominent figure in Irish politics in New York, the home quickly became a gathering place for political figures, writers, and elite international guests.

“Only four owners have stewarded this extraordinary home, preserving its integrity while enhancing its comfort and performance,” the listing adds.

Among the visitors was Mary Adelaide, Countess of Aberdeen, who stayed at the mansion during a trip to New York in 1899 while promoting Irish industry in the United States.

More than a century later, the mansion remains one of the Upper West Side’s best-preserved single-family residences from the Gilded Age—with an address as intriguing as its legacy.