Late Manhattan Landlord’s Townhouse with Rare Indoor Pool Comes to Market

Why It Matters

The sale highlights the premium placed on unique luxury amenities in Manhattan’s high‑end townhouse market, signaling strong demand among affluent buyers despite overall market softness.

Key Takeaways

• 74th St townhouse listed for $14.9 million.
• Features 41‑ft indoor pool with skylit ceiling.
• 6,500 sq ft, five bedrooms, six full baths.
• Minerof bought property for $8.8 million in 2012.
• Upper West Side townhouses under $16 million sell fastest.

Pulse Analysis

An 1886 red‑brick townhouse on West 74th Street has hit the market for $14.9 million, drawing attention for its 41‑foot indoor swimming pool—one of only two such properties currently listed on the Upper West Side. The pool, capped with a skylight and accompanied by a whirlpool tub and wet bar, transforms a traditional five‑story rowhouse into a luxury amenity‑driven residence. At 6,500 sq ft, the home offers five bedrooms, six full baths, two elevators, and a terrace‑enabled primary suite, positioning it at the high end of the Manhattan townhouse segment.

The property reflects the legacy of Arthur Minerof, a mid‑size landlord who acquired the house in 2012 for $8.8 million and previously leased it for $31,000 a month. Since his 2019 death, Minerof’s family has undertaken extensive renovations, adding the pool’s skylights to brighten the interior. Their broader portfolio—sales of the Milan building for $39.3 million, a Union Square boutique for $30 million, and a recent loss on a Central Park West rental complex—mirrors the pressures facing owners of rent‑stabilized assets amid New York’s pro‑tenant reforms.

Townhouses on the Upper West Side have shown slower turnover than co‑ops and condos, but units priced below $16 million have consistently outperformed, according to Bond New York broker Douglas Wagner. The $14.9 million asking price places this residence within that sweet spot, appealing to high‑net‑worth buyers seeking a full‑service home rather than a shared building. As inventory remains limited and affluent buyers prioritize space and unique amenities, properties like this indoor‑pool townhouse are likely to set the benchmark for luxury townhouse pricing in the coming years.