A Rare Fifth Avenue Apartment With Hollywood Provenance Surfaces After Four Decades
A quietly preserved piece of Old Hollywood has officially resurfaced in New York City. For the first time in more than 40 years, the Manhattan maisonette once used by Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward has hit the market, offering collectors of cinematic history and Upper East Side real estate a rare opportunity at an attainable price point. The two-bedroom, two-bath residence at 1120 Fifth Avenue is listed just under $1.7 million, represented by Noble Black and Jennifer Kaufman Stillman of The Corcoran Group.
Situated directly below the couple’s former penthouse — which recently made headlines after selling for $14 million in a heated bidding war — the maisonette functioned as Newman and Woodward’s private office, gym, and guest suite during their extended stays in New York throughout the 1980s and beyond. While the penthouse was famed for glamorous gatherings with presidents, actors, and cultural icons, this more intimate hideaway remained largely unseen by the public.
According to the listing team, the home still feels as if the legendary pair had only recently stepped out for a walk along Fifth Avenue. Much of their décor, personal artwork, and collected objects remain in place, creating an atmosphere that blends celebrity history with timeless prewar Manhattan architecture.
A Prewar Apartment That Has Barely Changed Since the Newmans Lived Here
The maisonette occupies the garden level of 1120 Fifth Avenue, a distinguished 1920s J.E.R. Carpenter–designed cooperative that looms quietly but confidently over the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. Known for its limestone façade, gracious proportions, and discreet service, the building is one of the crown jewels of Carnegie Hill — long favored by writers, financiers, and cultural figures.
The residence opens into a warm wood-paneled foyer that Newman reportedly favored as a small study. Beyond it, double doors reveal a parquet-floored living and dining room lined with built-in bookshelves and framed by windows overlooking the landscaped garden. The room’s understated elegance echoes the refined yet relaxed lifestyle the couple embraced during their visits.
The kitchen remains one of the home’s most memorable features, with striking green ceramic tiles, patterned floors, and a portrait-lined wall that gives the space a lived-in, intimate feel. Down a hallway, two well-scaled bedrooms share a marble bath with a deep soaking tub — classic details rarely seen in newer Manhattan inventory.
One Corcoran representative noted that the home’s remarkably preserved condition has captivated early interest. “It’s incredibly rare to find an apartment that still captures the personal energy of the people who lived here. You can feel the history the moment you step inside,” the agent said.
A Legacy Tied to One of Hollywood’s Most Enduring Couples
Newman and Woodward moved into the building in the early 1980s, using the maisonette for work, fitness, and hosting close friends, while reserving the penthouse for more formal entertainment and long stays. During their five-decade marriage, the iconic duo earned a combined 15 Oscar nominations and two Academy Award wins — Newman’s for The Color of Money and Woodward’s for The Three Faces of Eve.
Their personal network of friends, many of whom visited the penthouse above, included political leaders like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and fellow entertainers such as Tom Cruise, Harry Belafonte, and Cher. Although the maisonette was the quieter of their two residences, it played an essential role in the couple’s creative and professional routine.
Attempts to obtain additional background on the apartment’s usage and personal artifacts still preserved within it were unsuccessful, though those familiar with the home emphasize that its emotional weight is unmistakable.
Amenities and Carnegie Hill Lifestyle
Beyond its Hollywood connection, the apartment benefits from a building and neighborhood that embody old-world New York sophistication. Residents enjoy:
- A 24-hour doorman
- A live-in resident manager
- A fitness center
- A bike room
- A secure, private atmosphere steps from Central Park
The stretch of Fifth Avenue running through Carnegie Hill is renowned for its tranquility and cultural richness. Museum Mile, home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim, sits just minutes away. Nearby Madison Avenue offers boutique shopping, quiet cafés, independent bookstores, and some of the Upper East Side’s finest dining establishments. Prestigious schools and tree-lined streets add to the area’s enduring appeal.
One longtime neighborhood agent described the location as “a perfect blend of urban convenience and residential calm — the version of New York people fantasize about when they imagine living near Central Park.”
A Collectible Home With an Attainable Price Tag
While properties tied to celebrity owners often come with sky-high valuations, the listing price under $1.7 million positions this maisonette as a particularly compelling opportunity. For buyers drawn to unique provenance, prewar detailing, and the Upper East Side’s most desirable pocket, the offering stands out in a crowded market.
With the penthouse commanding multiple bids and ultimately closing far above asking earlier this year, interest in Newman and Woodward’s former spaces remains strong. The maisonette, while smaller and more understated, may be the most accessible way for a buyer to claim a meaningful piece of one of Hollywood’s most beloved love stories.
For those searching for a Manhattan residence with character, history, and Fifth Avenue pedigree, this ground-floor gem is poised to attract significant attention.