New York’s finest homes aren’t merely elegant, well-appointed, or historic — they are the legacies of the icons who made New York what it is today.
122 East 38th Street was built between 1902 and 1904 by one of Manhattan’s most prominent businessmen, William R. H. Martin. Martin wasn’t merely one of the largest holders of real estate in Manhattan, he was also the head of storied menswear brand Rogers Peet, which introduced transparent pricing, garment tags and money-back guarantees to retail. He brought that same genius to the original design of this six-story, 6,300 sq. ft. home with a stately Neo-Federalist brick fac¸ade, symmetrical proportions, an early elevator and a sophisticated spiral staircase. Mary Todd “Mamie" Lincoln Isham, the granddaughter of Abraham Lincoln, and Charles Bradford Isham purchased the home in 1906 and it was from here that Mamie continued working in the spirit of her grandfather through tireless philanthropy. By the 1990s, No. 122 had a new mission as the headquarters of the Earth Pledge Foundation, a Manhattan-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting green living. They installed the city’s first green roof at the home in 1998.
Within the house is uniquely voluminous and architecturally well-preserved. Soaring ceilings and beautifully preserved crown moldings imbue every room with gracious elegance, while a breathtaking grand stairway rises through the heart of the home, framing lines of sight all the way up to the fourth-floor skylight. Architectural details like original wood mantels, classic red-brick accents, and Palladian windows serve as a backdrop to versatile living areas that transition effortlessly between serene private quarters and productive spaces. The thoughtful layout, complemented by modern systems and infrastructure, caters to those seeking an inspirational live-work environment.
Living on the top floors of 122 East 38th Street gives you the rare luxury of seamless duality—play host to elegant gatherings in the lower levels, then retreat upstairs to your 3-4 bedroom private sanctuary high above the city bustle. An airy kitchen and sun-drenched terrace offer a serene spot for al fresco dining, where you can savor a quiet meal or a glass of wine while admiring iconic views of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. The lush green roof further enhances this tranquil refuge, allowing you to step into a verdant paradise just steps away from your bedroom. Whether you’re hosting a lively function below or simply enjoying a calm evening in the heart of Manhattan, these top floors deliver the perfect blend of opulent entertaining and peaceful repose.
Embodying a pioneering spirit of environmental responsibility, 122 East 38th Street stands as one of Manhattan’s earliest showcases for green urban design. The townhouse features a high-efficiency Burnham gas boiler, a Carrier chill-water HVAC system, and sophisticated home automation for precise climate and lighting controls—dramatically reducing the property’s carbon footprint. A rooftop garden, designed to capture stormwater and insulate the building, transforms the top of the home into a serene ecological haven where vegetables, herbs, and ornamental flowers thrive. These thoughtful upgrades conserve energy, boost air quality, and illustrate the home’s commitment to a more sustainable future.