239 East 48th St

Renovated four story plus finished full-height basement single family elevator townhouse located in Turtle Bay. The history of Turtle Bay dates to 1639 when the then Dutch governor gave two Englishmen a land grant of 40 acres crossed by a creek that emptied into a bay of the East River. Some historians attribute the name to the turtle-filled creek and the land became known as Turtle Bay Farm. Conceived by Charlotte Hunnewell Sorchan in 1918, the exclusive common garden enclave covering the gardens of nine houses on East 48th and eleven houses on East 49th Street between Second and Third Avenues. Dubbed Turtle Bay Gardens, it was actually completed in 1920. Sorchan bought out 21 adjoining lots and from this grand landscape, engaged Edward C. Dean and William L. Bottomley to shave off the original facades of the houses which were then replaced with lighter stucco facades in a variety of Flemish and Regency styles giving the rear facades a lovely aspect that embellished the impact of the gardens. Video intercom, central air conditioning and fine finishes provide the security and luxury required by such an outstanding, historically significant house.