Gidan Barbara Jakobson — Wani Gidan Gine-gine Mai Faɗin Ƙafa 20 a Upper East Side

167 East 74th Street gida ne na musamman mai faɗin ƙafa 20, mai hawa biyar, wanda ke da fiye da murabba’in ƙafa 6,000 na sararin cikin gida. Gidan ya shahara da faɗin gine-ginensa mai ban sha’awa, cikin gida mai cike da haske, da kuma falo mai tsayin hawa biyu da ke kallon lambu mai zaman kansa. Yana ba da haɗin girma, haske, da martabar gine-gine wanda ba kasafai ake samu a gidajen jere na Manhattan ba. Wannan gida wata haɗuwa ce ta musamman ta fasaha, gine-gine, da tarihin iyali. Shahararriyar mai zaɓen salon rayuwa Barbara Jakobson ta saye shi a shekarar 1965, kuma ya kasance babban gidanta kusan tsawon shekaru sittin, har ya zama ɗaya daga cikin wuraren al’adu na cikin gidaje masu tasiri a New York, duk da kasancewarsa cikin nutsuwa ba tare da hayaniya ba.

An gina gidan tun asali a shekarar 1910, sannan mai gine-gine John Kingsland ya faɗaɗa shi a shekarar 1956. Tun da daɗewa gidan yake jan hankalin masu fasaha da kirkira. Tsawon kusan shekaru goma, shahararren mai shirya fina-finai Elia Kazan ya zauna a nan, a lokacin da yake jagorantar fitattun fina-finai da suka haɗa da *East of Eden* da *Splendor in the Grass*. A waɗannan shekarun, mutane irin su James Dean, Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty, Marlon Brando, da Vivien Leigh suna daga cikin manyan baƙin da suka ratsa ƙofofin gidan. Daga baya, a ƙarƙashin kulawar Jakobson, gidan ya ci gaba da zama kamar wata cibiyar tarayya ta masu fasaha da marubuta, inda ya tarbi fitattun mutane da suka haɗa da Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, Philip Roth, da Umberto Eco.

A titin East 74th Street, ana gane gidan nan take ta ƙofofinsa jajayen da aka shafe da lacquer da kuma ƙaunatattun sassaken kurege na tagulla da mai sassaka Jane Canfield ta ƙirƙira—wani abin ban sha’awa da ya daɗe yana sa mazauna unguwar kiran gidan da laƙabin “Gidan Kurege.” An girka waɗannan siffofi masu ban dariya a lokacin da Peter Gimbel, mai binciken ƙarƙashin ruwa kuma magajin babban kantin sayar da kayayyaki, yake mallakar gidan. Ba da daɗewa ba siffofin suka mamaye tunanin tsararraki na yaran unguwar.

A cikin gidan, komai yana bayyana cikin ɗaukaka da wasan kwaikwayo na gine-gine. Babban zauren shiga mai baka uku da takardar bango ta musamman da mai zane Peter Halley ya tsara yana kaiwa zuwa wani ɗaki na hutawa mai dumi da gayyata, wanda ke da murhu kuma yake kallon falon mai tsayin hawa biyu—wani kallo na farko da ba za a manta da shi ba, wanda ainihi “lokacin ban mamaki” ne.

Da rufin da ya kai kusan ƙafa 19 a tsayi, falon yana bayyana wani faɗin gine-gine na musamman wanda ba kasafai ake samu a gidajen zaman kansu ba. Haske na halitta daga tagar sama yana cika ɗakin, yayin da bangayen tubali masu tsawo suka kewaye shi, suna ba ɗakin girma da martabar wani gidan baje kolin fasaha na kashin kansa. Tagogin da suka tashi daga ƙasa zuwa rufi suna kallon lambun mai natsuwa, wanda yake da murabba’in ƙafa 350, suna ƙirƙirar kyakkyawar alaƙa ta gani tsakanin cikin gidan mai ban sha’awa da sararin waje.

Ɗakin mafarki ne ga mai tara fasaha, kuma wuri ne na musamman don karɓar baƙi. Baƙi suna isa cikin salo da ba za a manta da shi ba, suna saukowa ta matakalar lanƙwasa mai kyau wadda ke shiga falon cikin ƙayatarwa, ta samar da shigarwa mai kama da wasan kwaikwayo kuma mai tunawa. Sararin yana karɓar manyan ayyukan fasaha cikin sauƙi, yayin da har yanzu yake da dumi da gayyata ga tarurruka—ko na kusa da juna ko manya. A gefen falon akwai babban wurin cin abinci wanda ke kaiwa zuwa kicin.

Haske na halitta yana cika gidan daga ɓangarorin biyu. Ɗakunan da ke fuskantar kudu suna da haske da annashuwa, suna karɓar hasken rana tsawon yini, yayin da ɗakunan da ke fuskantar arewa suke samun haske mai laushi da daidaito, tare da kallon saman bishiyoyi da sararin sama, suna samar da yanayi mai natsuwa da gayyata. A sauran sassan gidan, tsayin rufi ya kasance mai yalwa; manyan benaye suna da rufi mai kusan ƙafa 10, yayin da matakin sama yake da rufi mai tsayin ƙafa 9.2. Wannan yana ba cikin gidan jin faɗi da kuma daidaitaccen salo na gidajen jere na gargajiya a dukkan hawa biyar. Gaba ɗaya, gidan yana da fiye da ɗakunan kwana takwas, banɗakuna shida da rabi, da kuma tsare-tsare daban-daban da za a iya amfani da su, wanda ke ba masu mallaka na gaba damar daidaita gidan da salon rayuwa iri-iri, tare da kiyaye halayensa na musamman.

The Barbara Jakobson Townhouse - A 20-Foot-Wide Architectural Gem on the Upper East Side

167 East 74th Street is a remarkable 20-foot-wide, five-story Upper East Side residence encompassing over 6,000 square feet of interior space. Distinguished by dramatic architectural volume, luminous interiors, and a spectacular double-height living room overlooking a private garden, the home offers a rare combination of scale, light, and architectural presence seldom found in Manhattan townhouses. A rare convergence of art, architecture, and family history, the residence was acquired by iconic tastemaker Barbara Jakobson in 1965 and remained her primary home for nearly six decades, evolving into one of New York's most quietly influential private cultural interiors.

Originally constructed in 1910 and expanded in 1956 by architect John Kingsland, the house has long attracted creative life. For nearly a decade it was home to legendary filmmaker Elia Kazan, who lived here while directing cinematic classics including East of Eden and Splendor in the Grass. During those years, figures such as James Dean, Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty, Marlon Brando, and Vivien Leigh were among the notable visitors who passed through its doors. Later, under Jakobson's stewardship, the house continued to serve as an informal salon for the art and literary worlds, welcoming luminaries including Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, Philip Roth, and Umberto Eco.

On East 74th Street, the home is immediately recognizable by its distinctive red lacquer doors and the beloved bronze squirrel sculptures created by sculptor Jane Canfield-a charming detail that has long earned the property the neighborhood nickname "The Squirrel House." Installed during the ownership of underwater explorer and department-store heir Peter Gimbel, the whimsical figures quickly captured the imagination of generations of neighborhood children.

Inside, the house unfolds with a sense of grandeur and architectural theatre. A dramatic entry hall with triple arches and custom wallpaper designed by artist Peter Halley leads to a warm and inviting den with fireplace overlooking the spectacular double-height living room-an unforgettable first impression that is truly a "wow moment".

With ceilings rising approximately 19 feet, the living room reveals an extraordinary architectural volume rarely encountered in private homes. Bathed in natural light from a skylight above and framed by soaring brick walls, the room possesses the scale and presence of a private gallery. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the tranquil 350-square-foot garden, creating a striking visual connection between the dramatic interior and outdoor spaces.

The room is an art collector's dream and an exceptional setting for entertaining. Guests arrive in unforgettable fashion, descending the graceful curved staircase that sweeps elegantly into the living room, creating a theatrical and memorable entrance. The space effortlessly accommodates large-scale works of art while remaining warm and inviting for gatherings both intimate and grand. Off the living room is a large dining area which leads to the kitchen.

Natural light fills the home from both exposures. South-facing rooms are bright and cheerful, capturing sunlight throughout the day, while north-facing rooms enjoy soft, even light with views of treetops and open sky, creating a serene and welcoming atmosphere. Throughout the remainder of the home, ceiling heights remain generous, with approximately 10-foot ceilings on the principal floors and 9.2-foot ceilings on the top level, lending the interiors a sense of openness and classic townhouse proportion across all five stories. In total, the residence offers over eight bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms, and multiple possible configurations, allowing future owners to adapt the home to a wide range of lifestyles while preserving its remarkable character.