Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka Sell Historic Harlem Townhouse for $7 Million
Actors Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka have officially handed off their stylish 1908-built Harlem townhouse to the tune of $6.99 million—a record for the neighborhood, according to the New York Post. The couple purchased the 8,000-square-foot Italianate-style home for $3.6 million in 2013 and quickly got to work renovating with the help of architect Jeffery Povero and interior designer Trace Lehnhoff. With a previous life as a bed-and-breakfast, the five-story dwelling underwent extensive renovations to adapt the space for single-family living and to expand and improve the kitchen, which was later prominently featured in a cookbook by actor-slash-chef Burtka. Historic details including original millwork, moldings, and fireplaces remained intact.
Harris and Burtka liberally decorated the abode with their impressive collections of art and memorabilia. The den, in particular, offered a colorful array of magic-themed curiosities. “David wanted this room to feel kind of like an adventurers’ club, filled with oddities and random things, which fits right into my world because I love magic and carnival freaks,” Harris told AD in 2015, when the home graced the cover.
That circus-inspired style was found in other unique details throughout the home, including an office accessed via a hidden door that was triggered by pressing the eye of a magician on a vintage poster. Other unique details included a vintage hotel bar outfitted with two working taps and a player piano with music-streaming capabilities.
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The townhouse was first listed last August for $7.3 million, but was then briefly taken off the market to repair water damage from a storm.It was previously reported that the home was in contract for $7.1 million in May; it is not clear if that deal fell through or if this is the same buyer. The couple, along with their 11-year-old twins, is reportedly offloading the property because they have been spending more time in their East Hampton home since the onset of the pandemic.
