Al Hirschfeld's former Upper East Side townhouse has been sold yet again for $8.75 million. The property, which features the artist's own mural inside, was acquired by Paul Lachman and his wife Denise for $5.3 million in 2011.
Hirschfeld had lived and worked in his Upper East Side townhouse until he died in 2003. The Lachman couple made some renovation after acquiring the 20-foot house years ago. However, they maintained two of its remarkable features: the bright pink façade and Hirschfeld's 50-year-old, eight-foot-tall original mural in the living room that illustrates Charlie Chaplin, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe.
According to The Real Deal, the Lachmans put the townhouse back to market for $9.2 million. Now it has gone into contract, although the price was reduced to $8.75 million.
The property is located at 122 East 95th Street between Lexington and Park Avenues. Serena Boardman, a broker from Sotheby, had the listing.
The property boasts a back garden, a terrace, a roof deck and the giant mural made by the famous cartoonist on the parlor floor.
The five-bedroom, five-bathroom stretch, which has an 11-foot high ceiling and multiple fireplaces, was carefully renovated by the Lachmans, as reported by the Observer.
The 4,160-square-foot property was originally listed for $9.2 million with Massey Knakal earlier this year, but the Lachmans might have gotten a bit ahead of themselves before realizing that the asking price was too much. Although Hirschfeld's work still lives in the property, its presence might not worth a multi-million dollar premium, the publication noted.
The Lachmans adored not only the cartoonist but also his pink house that they acquired the property just weeks after being listed.
Hirschfeld had a career span of 82 years. His style of art captured the essence of famous stars like Martha Graham, Whoopi Goldberg, Carol Channing and Arthur Miller. His works include images of the Beatles, Mick Jagger, Elvis, Bob Dylanand other culturati.
These portraits are featured in "The Line King's Library," which is the largest yet exhibition of Hirschfeld's arts. It can be seen at The New York Public Library's Donald & Mary Oenslager Gallery.
