Baz Luhrmann lists his showstopping NYC townhome for $27 million

Beloved Aussie director Baz Luhrmann has put his superb five-level New York townhome on the market for a whopping $27 million (US$20m).

Boldly renovated under the creative eye of the award-winning director and his equally lauded partner, production designer Catherine Martin, the lavish residence is exactly what you’d expect for the eccentric pair – full of character, colour and drama.

The mastermind behind Strictly Ballroom, William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, The Great Gatsby, as well as upcoming biopic Elvis, Luhrmann bought the Gramercy Park townhouse for $18.2 million (US$13.5m) in 2017, with renovations starting in 2019.

Spanning five levels, reached by both gorgeous curved stairs and elevator, the six-bed, five-bath, two-powder room spread was originally built in the early Gilded Age period, the 1850s.

Sitting perfectly positioned with views over Stuyvesant Square Park, the 28-foot-wide home enjoys grand proportions and features like a three-bay facade, round-arched doors and windows, a lovely foliate patterned cast-iron balcony that runs the width of the edifice, and panelled cornicing.

If the interiors weren’t special enough already, the listing also points out that, “it is the only Anglo-Italianate house in the district that was not originally part of a row of narrow, uniform houses.”

The spectacular house features extremely high ceilings throughout, hardwood floors, a grand winding staircase, five fireplaces (one wood-burning), arched doorways, skylights, and original mouldings.

You pass through a front garden via gated street entrance, leading to an elegant entry vestibule, before reaching the massive eat-in kitchen – complete with Viking and Sub-Zero appliances, marble benchtops, pine cabinetry and butler’s pantry.

This level also contains a powder room, and formal dining room with that beautiful wood-burning fireplace.

You can also reach the private backyard garden from the kitchen, “which is a dream unto itself”. There’s a dimming bistro light set up and ivy-clad garden walls creating a peaceful refuge from the city.

The showstopper boasts a parlour room fit for Jay Gatsby himself, with ceilings that are 16 feet high along with a floating staircase (lead image).

The rear of the parlour level is currently dedicated to the primary suite, which has a lovely ensuite bathroom, walk-in closet and private terrace.

Three of the bedrooms and two bathrooms are featured on the third floor as well as the laundry room and a separate sitting room.

On the fourth floor is a standalone suite with a living room, bar, gym, a bedroom and a bathroom.

Lastly you’ll find the ‘English Basement’, accessed by the elevator, internal stairs or a private entrance under the stoop.

With a round-arched door and windows framed by columns supporting stilted segmental arches, features of the basement include a screening room, access to the garden, an additional laundry and bedroom with a separate entrance.

The gorgeous home has been featured in numerous design mags, including Elle Decor – even claiming one of Elle Decor‘s top “liked” Instagram posts of 2021.

For the full listing and all incredible photos, click here.