At 11 Sutton Place – one of 14 regal townhouses arranged in a U-shape in New York’s famously exclusive enclave – sits the historic residence that once belonged to the legendary Pritzker Prize-winning architect I.M. Pei. Acquired by Pei and his wife Eileen over 45 years ago from Laura ‘Polly’ Delano, President Franklin Roosevelt’s cousin, this four-storey townhouse bears the aesthetic fingerprints of the architect responsible for designing some of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
Exclusively available through Christie’s International Real Estate, the Pei residence (priced at US$8 million or about RM33.5 million) features impeccable interior and exterior renovations designed and implemented by the architect himself. Exceptionally light and airy, the property comprises four to five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, two powder rooms, and a basement, with a grand marble foyer and striking spiral staircase set in the heart of the house.
All floors are serviced by a private elevator, while the townhouse boasts the addition of four working fireplaces, a temperature-controlled wine cellar in the basement, and enough extra space to be utilised as staff quarters. Of particular distinction are the dramatic floor-to-ceiling picture windows that face the Sutton Square Gardens, with views of the East River, Queensboro Bridge, and Roosevelt Island beyond – a panorama that the Peis enjoyed while hosting friends, global dignitaries, and artists.
