Nancy Bass, the co-owner of one of NYC’s most cherished establishments, the Strand Bookstore, has sold her Gramercy townhouse for $7.35 million, Real Estate Weekly has learned. It’s not what you might imagine an independent bookstore owner lives in, but it certainly exudes the warmth of the store near Union Square. Founded by Bass’s grandfather, Benjamin Bass in 1927, the bookstore is currently co-owned by Nancy and her father Fred Bass.
Nancy Bass purchased the sprawling Gramercy townhouse for $4.7 million in 2011, and at the time of the purchase she became only the second person to own this townhouse, which was built in 1848. It had been owned and maintained by the same family for over 150 years prior to Bass’s purchase.
Located close to the Augustus St. Gaudens Playground, the house stands three-stories tall and comes with five bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms spread out over 5,300 square-feet. A garden in the front leads you to a flight of stairs that can used to access the parlor floor where you’ll find the living room which comes with two decorative marble fireplaces. The dining room is separated from this area by stained glass french doors, and just beyond the dining area is a balcony that overlooks the private backyard.
The master bedroom is located on the floor above that and comes with a decorative black marble fireplace, a library that can be converted into an additional bedroom, and four mirrored closets.