Phyllis Cerf Wagner’s Townhouse in Lenox Hill Returns to Market for $13.5 Million
For more than six decades, Phyllis Cerf Wagner’s townhouse in Lenox Hill served as both a personal sanctuary and a glittering social salon. The former actress and socialite, known for her collaboration with Dr. Seuss on children’s books and her marriages to Random House co-founder Bennett Cerf and former New York City mayor Robert Wagner Jr., made the residence one of Manhattan’s most intriguing addresses.
Today, the five-level Italianate-style home is available once again, listed for $13.5 million through James Weiss, Andrew Schwartz, and Ty Mabry of The Corcoran Group.
Speaking with Luxury Houses Magazine, Weiss explained: “This townhouse embodies a chapter of New York history. The walls here witnessed conversations among publishing icons, political leaders, and Hollywood stars.”
A Storied Legacy
Phyllis Cerf Wagner purchased the property in 1941 with Bennett Cerf. After his death in 1971, she married Robert Wagner Jr. and remained in the house until her passing in 2006 at age 90. Over those decades, the townhouse became famous for hosting an eclectic circle of cultural luminaries, from Judy Garland to Frank Sinatra.
Following Wagner’s death, the residence sold for $8.5 million to jewelry designer Suzanne Sheik, mother of musician Duncan Sheik, before transferring to its current owner in 2010 for $14 million.
A longtime Manhattan broker told Luxury Houses: “You can’t quantify the cultural value of this townhouse. Beyond the architecture, it represents a lifestyle that defined New York society for more than half a century.”
Historic Architecture, Modern Comfort
Designed in the 1870s by architect Robert Sexton, the townhouse spans 7,200 square feet across 16 rooms. Recent renovations blend 19th-century Italianate architecture with modern luxuries, creating an atmosphere both historic and livable.
The 20-foot-wide residence includes five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, complemented by soaring ceilings, wood-burning fireplaces, and a hydraulic elevator serving all levels. A marble foyer leads to a chef’s kitchen outfitted with a La Cornue range, while a coffered-ceiling dining area flows directly to a private garden with a water wall and curated lighting.
The parlor level features dual entertaining spaces: a black-and-white-striped reception lounge and a library that doubles as a dining room. On the third floor, the primary suite offers a bay window sitting area, a morning bar, and a spacious wardrobe connecting to a marble-clad bath with soaking tub and glass-enclosed shower.
Upper floors host additional bedrooms and a skylit den, while the basement includes a wine cellar and laundry facilities. A Corcoran representative told Luxury Houses Magazine: “The townhouse has evolved gracefully. Every renovation was done with respect for its heritage.”
Art, Culture, and Provenance
When last sold, the property was accompanied by artworks from Andy Warhol, Anish Kapoor, and Roy Lichtenstein, as well as signed books from literary icons like William Faulkner and Joan Didion. A Frank Sinatra painting once graced its walls. Though these items are no longer included in the sale, they speak to the townhouse’s history as a collector’s haven.
The townhouse’s cultural pedigree is as compelling as its architecture. Phyllis Cerf Wagner’s role in publishing, combined with her reputation as a society hostess, ensured the residence remained a fixture of New York’s cultural landscape for generations.
Life in Lenox Hill
Located between Lexington and Park avenues, the townhouse offers access to one of Manhattan’s most distinguished neighborhoods. Lenox Hill combines historic architecture with modern sophistication, placing residents steps from Madison Avenue boutiques, the art galleries of the Upper East Side, and Central Park’s green expanses.
Fine dining options range from Michelin-starred restaurants to intimate neighborhood cafés, while cultural institutions such as The Met and the Frick Collection are within walking distance. For day-to-day convenience, luxury grocers, fitness clubs, and private schools all lie nearby, making the townhouse as practical as it is prestigious.
One longtime resident of the area told Luxury Houses: “Lenox Hill delivers a rare balance—you’re immersed in history but surrounded by every modern convenience.”
Market Perspective
At $13.5 million, the townhouse reflects both the strength of Manhattan’s luxury market and the current demand for properties with provenance. Though priced slightly below its last sale in 2010, brokers suggest the home’s heritage offers intrinsic value beyond square footage.
Luxury Houses reached out to the current ownership group for comment but did not receive a response. That silence is consistent with the discreet nature of New York’s luxury real estate market, where privacy remains paramount.
Conclusion
Phyllis Cerf Wagner’s Lenox Hill townhouse is more than a residence. It is a stage where literature, politics, and entertainment intersected, a place that hosted Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra as comfortably as it sheltered publishing legends. Now presented at $13.5 million, the home offers a buyer the chance to step into a rare piece of New York history while enjoying modern comforts and a premier location.
As Luxury Houses Magazine noted, “This townhouse is not just a property listing—it’s a narrative of Manhattan’s cultural identity.”