This grand NYC home that played host to literary luminaries asks $5.25M for sale
An Upper East Side residence steeped in literary lore, once the hub of writer George Plimpton’s social and professional world, is poised to list for $5.25 million, The Post has learned.
The sprawling 4,700-square-foot duplex at 541 E. 72nd St. — where Plimpton, the storied co-founder of the Paris Review literary magazine, and his wife, Sarah Dudley Plimpton, lived for nearly six decades — offers a rare chance to own a piece of New York’s cultural history.
Specifically, an era when writers, artists and luminaries gathered behind its door.
Nestled among the distinctive “Black and Whites” row houses, known for their striking two-tone facades and lipstick-red doors, the five-bedroom, 6.5-bath property occupies a quiet cobblestone enclave overlooking the East River.
Originally constructed in 1894 as tenements, these buildings were transformed in the 1930s by architects Sacchetti & Siegal into elegant residences, a shift spurred by the area’s growing allure for Manhattan’s elite.
“Originally a working-class neighborhood, by the 1920s, it became fashionable to live along the East River,” said Lisa Gustin, of Douglas Elliman, who represents the listing alongside Whitney Mogavero.
The duplex, a composite of four apartments merged by the Plimpton family, retains vestiges of its storied past.
Three fireplaces — adorned with mahogany mantels, marble surrounds and intricate tilework — anchor the home’s historic character.
Yet the residence has evolved with contemporary upgrades: soundproofed windows, ductless air conditioning, freshly painted walls, new carpeting and updated lighting.
Most of all, the home was a stage for cultural giants.
“The duplex has been the site of legendary parties back in the day, which drew the likes of Truman Capote, Paul McCartney, Andy Warhol and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to name a few,” Mogavero said.
“Other famous friends and neighbors of George Plimpton included Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Robert F. Kennedy and Warren Beatty.”
The Paris Review, launched by Plimpton in the 1950s, also operated from these walls, publishing early works by Jack Kerouac and Philip Roth while featuring interviews with literary titans like Ernest Hemingway. Plimpton died in 2003 at the age of 76 from a heart attack.
“True American icons, from the literary elite to Who’s Who of NYC society, have graced this home over the past six decades” Mogavero said.
The layout is as grand as its history. A gracious foyer leads to a double living room, its river views framed by expansive windows, ideal for entertaining as it was in Plimpton’s day.
The kitchen, equipped with a FiveStar range, Bosch appliances, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator, flows into a casual dining area and a butler’s pantry.
Upstairs, four bedrooms — three with private baths — include a corner primary suite with built-ins and serene water views.
A wood-paneled study and a den with another fireplace add warmth, while a full laundry room completes the floor.
The decision to sell comes as Sarah Plimpton relocates.
“George Plimpton’s widow, Sarah Plimpton, has moved away to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their children are all grown and out of the home, so this iconic residence is now ready for its next chapter,” Gustin said.
