In a neighborhood filled with classic townhouses, one eye-catching residence on Manhattan’s Upper East Side stands apart — and it’s now awaiting a buyer who can appreciate its eccentric charm.
Known as the “Bubble House,” this quirky architectural gem at 251 East 71st Street has been listed for $5.75 million, marking its first time on the market in five decades, according to Curbed. The nickname comes from the property’s unique rounded windows and playful design.
The four-story structure features a white stucco front punctuated by bulging oval windows — some of which open like futuristic hatches — giving it a standout presence on its otherwise quiet Lenox Hill street.
“People walk by and they can’t help but stop and stare,” Richard Pretsfelder, the listing agent with Leslie J. Garfield, told The NY Post. “Unlike almost any house I’ve ever heard of, people would actually stop and knock on the door sometimes — which is not particularly common in New York.”
Originally constructed as a standard brownstone in the 1800s, the building was completely reimagined in 1969 by architect Maurice Medcalfe, who made it his personal home during the renovation.
The transformation took place during an era fascinated with both futuristic design and modernist forms. The unusual look, however, was not only about the space-age vibe.
“There’s also like a nautical influence, a sort of a porthole element to the whole thing,” Pretsfelder noted.
He also emphasized the importance of the era in which the renovation took place. “It is less likely to have been done in a different era.”
Inside the 4,736-square-foot home are four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a garden-level office space.
While the outside is highly unconventional, the interior layout offers more traditional comfort, with natural light and a layout that lends itself to various configurations.
A hot tub was recently taken out ahead of the sale. Though the home remains livable, Pretsfelder admitted, “it just requires work,” adding, “Someone’s going to come in and really do a full renovation down to the studs and make it their own. That may include the façades or not.”
The residence has changed hands only a few times and was most recently owned by Rabbi Arthur Schneier of Park East Synagogue, who purchased the house in 1974.
Even with its striking design, the house has never been designated a landmark, leaving future owners with considerable leeway for changes — a possibility that has sparked both interest and concern in the neighborhood.
“That is the multi-million dollar question, isn’t it?” Pretsfelder said of whether a buyer might preserve the façade. “I think they’re probably looking to maximize their dollars … But ultimately it’ll go to the highest bidder.”
Nonetheless, Pretsfelder, a native New Yorker, hopes the home’s next phase honors its distinctive history.
“Anybody who grew up in the city has seen it around for the last 50 years,” he said. “I’m sure they’d [the current owners] love to see it retained in its current format. But that remains to be seen. As with most pieces of real estate, it’ll be the dollars that do the talking.”
With its unmistakable design, the listing may attract architecture aficionados, artists, or imaginative buyers drawn to a house that defies replication.
“It’s just an iconic part of the neighborhood,” Pretsfelder said.

{Matzav.com}