A Manhattan brownstone listed for $7.5 million spreads across 3 levels, has an open-air roof, and a working fireplace. Take a look inside.

Amanda GohApr 3, 2023, 07:12 IST

The terrace.The Corcoran Group via Cody McGovern/Rise Media

A three-story 1920s red-brick building in Manhattan is on the market for $7.5 million.
Architect David Ling turned the first floor into his home and office with a floating bed and waterfall.

When architect David Ling was looking for a new home and office, a three-story red-brick building in Gramercy Park seemed like the right spot — even if it was a little too big.

A Google Maps Street View screenshot of the facade of the NYC loft.Google Maps Street View

When architect David Ling was looking for a new home and office, a three-story red-brick building in Gramercy Park seemed like the right spot — even if it was a little too big.

But after 23 years, Ling is putting the 6,500-square-foot building on the market for $7.5 million.

A view of the living space on the first floor.Antoine Bootz for David Ling Architect

Ling wanted a space that would inspire his work, and the first floor — his residence — has a moody, minimalist interior that's reminiscent of an art gallery.

The kitchen counter on the first floor is inspired by the monolith in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film "2001: A Space Odyssey."Antoine Bootz for David Ling Architect

Ling wanted a space that would inspire his work, and the first floor — his residence — has a moody, minimalist interior that's reminiscent of an art gallery.

A drawbridge-style walkway separates the office at the front of the house from the living space at the back.

An overview of the living space on the first floor. There is a blue feature wall at the end of the space, right by a shallow moat that's below the floating bed and waterfall.Antoine Bootz for David Ling Architect

The waterfall and the skylights above the floating bed are ways for Ling to have access to nature despite living in the city.

The waterfall cascades down into a shallow moat that separates the rest of the first floor from the steel staircase that leads to the floating bed.Antoine Bootz for David Ling Architect

While Ling let his imagination run wild when designing the first level, he adopted a more conservative approach when decorating the upper floors.

An overview of the second floor.The Corcoran Group via Cody McGovern/Rise Media

When Ling bought the property in 2000, he allowed one of the widows of the previous owners to rent the space and live there up until her death.

One of the bedrooms on the second floor.The Corcoran Group via Cody McGovern/Rise Media

The third floor is currently being leased out to an artist, who's using it as his studio.

The third floor is currently being rented out to an artist, who is using it as his studio.The Corcoran Group via Cody McGovern/Rise Media

"There's very rarely anything in life that doesn't have a trade-off. And my priority was space, light, and sculpture because that's what I love," Ling said.

The terrace.The Corcoran Group via Cody McGovern/Rise Media

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A Manhattan brownstone listed for $7.5 million spreads across 3 levels, has an open-air roof, and a working fireplace. Take a look inside.

When architect David Ling was looking for a new home and office, a three-story red-brick building in Gramercy Park seemed like the right spot — even if it was a little too big.

But after 23 years, Ling is putting the 6,500-square-foot building on the market for $7.5 million.

Ling wanted a space that would inspire his work, and the first floor — his residence — has a moody, minimalist interior that's reminiscent of an art gallery.

A drawbridge-style walkway separates the office at the front of the house from the living space at the back.

The waterfall and the skylights above the floating bed are ways for Ling to have access to nature despite living in the city.

While Ling let his imagination run wild when designing the first level, he adopted a more conservative approach when decorating the upper floors.

When Ling bought the property in 2000, he allowed one of the widows of the previous owners to rent the space and live there up until her death.

The third floor is currently being leased out to an artist, who's using it as his studio.

"There's very rarely anything in life that doesn't have a trade-off. And my priority was space, light, and sculpture because that's what I love," Ling said.