By: Damon Rubarski

A landmark East Village townhouse owned by journalist and author Nina Munk, along with artist and sculptor Peter Soriano, has hit the market for $7.25 million, slightly reduced from its original $7.5 million asking price.

The NY Post reported extensively on this interesting real estate happening

This five-story, 19th-century Anglo-Italianate townhouse at 25 Stuyvesant St. is part of a historic row of houses built in 1861 and is believed to have been designed by James Renwick Jr., the renowned architect behind St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the original Smithsonian building.

The red brick residence, which underwent a meticulous restoration and update in 2013, is a testament to the artistic sensibilities of its current owners. It is filled with art by Soriano, including a prominent large orange wood-cut print in the front hall, along with pieces from the couple’s extensive collection. The home reflects their creative lifestyle and commitment to preserving its historical charm while infusing it with contemporary artistic elements.

Nina Munk and Peter Soriano acquired the townhouse for $3.7 million in 2012 from the late Jean Way Schoonover, a trailblazing public relations maven. With their children now grown, Munk and Soriano are ready to embark on a new chapter, planning to spend more time in Europe. This change in lifestyle has prompted them to place their cherished townhouse on the market.

The 3,400-square-foot home boasts four bedrooms, three baths, and two powder rooms. It retains many original features, such as intricate moldings, four fireplaces, a curved staircase, elegantly proportioned rooms, and arched windows. Outside, the property includes a landscaped, brick-walled garden with mature plantings, and the rooftop offers open views in all directions, adding to its allure.

The garden level of the townhouse has an entrance under the stoop leading to the front foyer and a mudroom. This level also contains an office, a half bathroom, and an art studio with a glass wall and French doors that open to the garden. The first floor houses the chef’s kitchen, pantry, and formal dining room. The second level features a living room and a study, while the entire third floor is dedicated to the main bedroom with walk-in closets. The fourth and fifth floors contain additional bedrooms, with the top floor also serving as an office space.

Stuyvesant Street, where the townhouse is located, is notable for being the only street in Manhattan that runs truly west to east. This unique orientation gives the street a seemingly crooked appearance in a city where most streets follow a strict grid pattern. According to the Village Preservation blog, this quirky feature adds to the charm and historical significance of the area.

Nina Munk is currently working on a new book for Alfred A. Knopf and has authored or co-authored four books, including “The Idealist: Jeffrey Sachs and the Quest to End Poverty.” She is also the daughter of the late Peter Munk, a Hungarian-born Canadian businessman and philanthropist who founded Barrick Gold, one of the world’s largest gold producers. Peter Soriano’s artwork is well-represented in prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Morgan Library & Museum in New York, and the Yale University Art Gallery. His works are also featured in various art spaces in France and Switzerland.