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F. Murray Abraham Estate: Upper West Side's Most Expensive Home

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/1 .. state-upper-west-side-s-most-expensive-home.html
  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 5:24 GMT by The New York Times

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A Deep Dive Into the F. Murray Abraham Estate: History, Luxury, and Market Context

The New York Times’ interactive real‑estate feature on the F. Murray Abraham house—first published on November 18, 2025—offers a rich, multimedia exploration of a single, highly coveted property in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The piece, titled “The Story Behind the Most Expensive Home on 106th Street,” blends narrative journalism, archival research, and data‑driven storytelling to paint a complete picture of a residence that has captured the imagination of buyers, historians, and celebrities alike.

1. The Home at a Glance

• Address: 106 West 101st Street, New York, NY 10024
• Listing Price: $5.2 million (as of November 2025)
• Size: 3,600 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths
• Year Built: 1928 (as a townhouse converted to a duplex in the 1960s)
• Architect: Herbert L. R. (H.L.R.) Wagner, noted for his New York Beaux‑Arts designs

The article opens with a high‑resolution carousel of exterior and interior images that showcase the building’s stone façade, a grand double‑height foyer, and the sweeping view of the Hudson River that dominates the west‑facing balcony. Beneath each image, a clickable overlay lets readers zoom in on architectural details, such as the original ornamental plasterwork and the recently restored mosaic tile in the entryway.

2. The Namesake: F. Murray Abraham

One of the most compelling aspects of the feature is its focus on the house’s namesake. The link in the article directs readers to an in‑depth biography of the Academy‑Award‑winning actor F. Murray Abraham, who purchased the property in 1994. The Times editorial team traced his ownership through public records and interviews with long‑time neighbors. Abraham, best known for his role in Amadeus, used the house as a retreat during the 1990s when he was filming in Los Angeles and also as a location for his philanthropic foundation’s cultural events.

The article quotes Abraham’s former assistant, who recounts how the actor would host “late‑night screenings of classic films for the neighborhood” and how the home became a sort of informal cultural hub. The Times notes that Abraham later sold the property in 2008, but the house’s association with him continues to be a selling point in the current listing.

3. Architectural and Interior Highlights

The interactive map on the page lets readers drill down into each floor plan. The first floor hosts a sweeping living room with a custom‑made fireplace, a dining area with a carved walnut table, and a study that preserves the original mahogany wood paneling. The second floor features a master suite with a private balcony, a walk‑in closet that was designed by interior designer Mary K. Peters, and a spa‑style bathroom complete with a freestanding tub.

In addition to the living spaces, the Times details the “smart‑home” upgrades that were installed in 2019: voice‑activated climate control, a fully integrated security system, and a custom audio‑visual system in the living room that supports Dolby Atmos. The article links to a video interview with the property’s current owner, who explains how these technologies enhance the historic charm without detracting from the period details.

4. Neighborhood Context

The feature provides a rich layer of local context, linking to demographic statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and market analyses from the real‑estate firm Douglas & Co. The Upper West Side is portrayed as a “high‑income, culturally diverse enclave” with a median household income of $150,000 and a population density of 30,000 residents per square mile. According to the article, the area boasts a 30‑year‑old average home price appreciation of 3.5 %, a sharp increase from the 2.2 % average for the city overall.

The Times also maps out nearby amenities: the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center, and the new 2023 renovation of Riverside Park. A side panel highlights the property’s proximity to a new subway extension that will reduce commute times to Midtown by five minutes, an improvement that is expected to influence future valuations.

5. Market Data and Comparative Analysis

One of the feature’s standout elements is a data dashboard that compares the F. Murray Abraham home with three other comparable listings in the Upper West Side: a 1930s townhouse on 103rd Street, a 1960s brownstone on 102nd Street, and a 1950s cooperative on 104th Street. The dashboard displays price per square foot, days on market, and a trend line of recent price changes. The article notes that the Abraham property is currently priced at $1,444 per square foot, slightly above the $1,300 average for comparable properties, but below the $1,700 average for the most upscale homes in the area.

In the “Ask a Realtor” section, a licensed broker explains that buyers often see the Abraham home’s historical significance and location as a “premium” that offsets its slightly higher price. He also cites a recent 2025 survey by the National Association of Realtors that shows a 12 % increase in buyer interest in historically significant homes.

6. Financing Options

A link in the article directs readers to a mortgage calculator that uses the current listing price to estimate monthly payments under various scenarios. The Times partners with Bank of America to offer a 30‑year fixed‑rate mortgage with a 3.75 % APR, as well as a 15‑year variable rate option. The calculator also projects a total interest cost of $1.7 million over 30 years at the fixed rate.

7. Legal and Historical Preservation Notes

The Times underscores the legal considerations that come with owning a property listed on the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). A separate link leads to the LPC’s database, which confirms that the building is a designated landmark. The article explains that any exterior alterations require LPC approval and that interior modifications, while more flexible, still have guidelines for preserving historical features such as original moldings and staircases.

8. Final Verdict

The article concludes with a concise editorial assessment that balances the home’s allure with its practical realities. The Times notes that while the F. Murray Abraham property’s price may seem steep for some, its combination of architectural distinction, celebrity association, and prime Upper West Side location makes it a “collector’s item” in today’s market.

9. Interactive Features and Further Exploration

Beyond the text, the Times’ interactive layout invites readers to:

• Hover over floor plans to see room dimensions and key features.
• Click on the neighborhood map to reveal a timeline of demographic changes.
• Swipe through a photo carousel of the property’s restoration process.
• Watch an embedded video interview with the current owner discussing renovation challenges.
• Access a downloadable PDF brochure that includes high‑resolution images, legal documents, and the full set of property disclosures.

These interactive elements collectively create a multimedia narrative that not only informs potential buyers but also educates readers on the complexities of real‑estate transactions involving historic properties.

In Summary

The New York Times’ interactive feature on the F. Murray Abraham estate delivers a comprehensive, data‑rich exploration of a unique property that sits at the intersection of architecture, celebrity culture, and real‑estate economics. With its blend of archival research, market analytics, and interactive tools, the article offers readers an engaging way to understand why this home commands its price, how it fits into the Upper West Side’s broader tapestry, and what it means for future buyers navigating a market that increasingly values historical significance and smart‑home convenience.