Historic Maisonette Was Once Home to ‘First Lady of American Decorating’

Some homes come with a prestigious address. Others come with a remarkable design pedigree. And then there are a handful that offer both—such as this newly listed pre-war maisonette on New York City‘s iconic Fifth Avenue, which has a history almost as rich as the Big Apple itself.

The stunning unit, which is located inside one of the city’s most coveted cooperative buildings, once belonged to acclaimed interior designer and socialite Sister Parish, whose timeless aesthetic helped to shape American decorating for generations to come.

Parish, whose real name was Dorothy May Kinnicutt, was best known as the woman who redesigned the White House for John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie Kennedy, having formed a relationship with the couple when she redecorated their Georgetown residence.

However, much of Parish’s work was located in the greater New York area, where she lived for much of her life, including the years she spent at her Fifth Avenue home, which she is thought to have sold in the 1980s.

Located at 960 Fifth Ave. on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the one-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom residence, which was recently listed with Katharine F. Tuckerman of Brown Harris Stevens, pairs classic pre-war architecture with thoughtful modern updates.

Often called the “First Lady of American Decorating,” Parish transformed homes for some of the country’s most prominent families. In addition to the Kennedys, she also worked with the Rockefellers, Gettys, and Astors.

Her own homes also gained significant attention—including her New York City base, which was highlighted in a 1968 shoot for House Beautiful.

But the apartment’s design story didn’t end with Parish, who moved out of the unit when she was in her late 70s, according to reports. At this point, the residence was redecorated to better suit the new owner’s tastes.

AD100 designer Mario Buatta reimagined the residence for socialite and “Southern Charm” star Patricia Altschul in a renovation featured in Architectural Digest. When the apartment was sold in March 2013, the new owner transformed the former two-bedroom unit into a spacious one-bedroom layout while preserving its historic details. 

“The home has been carefully renovated while preserving its original charm, offering high ceilings, generously proportioned rooms, beautiful pre-war details, new windows, central air conditioning, and custom millwork throughout,” the listing notes.

Some of Parish’s original design details remain, even after all that time, including her original hand-painted cabinetry, which now shares space in the kitchen alongside Viking and Sub-Zero appliances.

The apartment’s location on the ground floor also has close ties to Parish, who is understood to have chosen the unit because she wanted to be able to come and go easily with her beloved dogs.

Today, visitors enter the maisonette through a private entry that opens to an elegant gallery, which opens to a square dining room and an expansive double living room overlooking Central Park.

High ceilings, beautifully scaled rooms, original moldings, and abundant natural light preserve the apartment’s pre-war character, while modern upgrades—including new windows, central air conditioning, and custom millwork—bring it into the present day. 

A richly paneled library, which was added in 2013, offers a cozy retreat that works equally well as a home office or cocktail lounge. The spacious primary suite enjoys park views, generous closets, and a marble bath.

Then there is the building itself, which has become one of the most exclusive in the city, drawing in a group of very high-profile residents. Reports suggest that, in addition to Parish and Altschul, the building has been home to Seagram heir Edgar Bronfman Sr. and beauty heiress Aerin Lauder.

“Residents enjoy the building’s full-service amenities, including a full-time doorman, live-in resident manager, an in-house restaurant, and a penthouse fitness center with a landscaped terrace,” the listing notes.

“Located on Fifth Avenue, the building is just across from Central Park and close to Museum Mile, some of the city’s best restaurants, and luxury shopping.”

Built in 1927, the structure was designed by architect Rosario Candela. It was constructed on the site of an astonishing Gilded Age mansion that had been commissioned by copper magnate William S. Clark Sr.

While widely considered one of the most impressive private residences of its time, by the 1920s, Clark’s extraordinary abode was no longer in style—and it was later demolished to make way for the 12-story structure that stands today.

Celebrity homes often attract attention because of their famous former owners, but this maisonette offers something even more enduring: a design legacy shaped by not one but two legendary decorators. Its remarkably swift pending status suggests one lucky buyer clearly recognized the opportunity.