**Nyumba ya Mjini ya Barbara Jakobson — Kito cha Usanifu Chenye Upana wa Futi 20 katika Upper East Side**

167 East 74th Street ni makazi ya kipekee ya Upper East Side yenye upana wa futi 20 na ghorofa tano, yakijumuisha zaidi ya futi za mraba 6,000 za nafasi ya ndani. Yakitofautishwa na ujazo wa kuvutia wa usanifu, ndani yenye mwanga mwingi, na sebule ya kuvutia yenye urefu wa mara mbili inayotazama bustani ya faragha, makazi haya yanatoa mchanganyiko adimu wa ukubwa, mwanga na uwepo wa kiusanifu ambao hupatikana kwa nadra sana katika nyumba za mjini za Manhattan. Ni muunganiko wa nadra wa sanaa, usanifu na historia ya familia; makazi haya yalinunuliwa na Barbara Jakobson, mshawishi mashuhuri wa ulimwengu wa sanaa na utamaduni, mwaka 1965 na yakabaki kuwa nyumba yake kuu kwa karibu miongo sita, yakigeuka kuwa mojawapo ya maeneo ya ndani ya kitamaduni ya faragha yenye ushawishi mkubwa lakini yasiyo na kelele katika New York.

Nyumba hiyo ilijengwa awali mwaka 1910 na kupanuliwa mwaka 1956 na mbunifu John Kingsland, na kwa muda mrefu imekuwa kivutio cha watu wabunifu. Kwa karibu muongo mmoja, ilikuwa makazi ya mtengenezaji mashuhuri wa filamu Elia Kazan, aliyeishi hapa alipokuwa akiongoza filamu za kisanaa zikiwemo *East of Eden* na *Splendor in the Grass*. Katika miaka hiyo, watu kama James Dean, Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty, Marlon Brando na Vivien Leigh walikuwa miongoni mwa wageni mashuhuri waliopita kupitia milango yake. Baadaye, chini ya uangalizi wa Jakobson, nyumba hiyo iliendelea kutumika kama ukumbi usio rasmi wa ulimwengu wa sanaa na fasihi, ukiwakaribisha watu mashuhuri wakiwemo Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, Philip Roth na Umberto Eco.

Kwenye East 74th Street, nyumba hiyo hutambulika mara moja kwa milango yake ya kipekee iliyopakwa rangi nyekundu inayong’aa, pamoja na sanamu pendwa za kima cha shaba zilizoundwa na mchongaji Jane Canfield—maelezo ya kuvutia ambayo kwa muda mrefu yameifanya nyumba hiyo ijulikane mtaani kwa jina la utani “Nyumba ya Kindi.” Sanamu hizo za kuchekesha ziliwekwa wakati wa umiliki wa mtafiti wa chini ya maji na mrithi wa himaya ya maduka makubwa, Peter Gimbel, na haraka zikavutia fikra za vizazi vya watoto wa mtaa huo.

Ndani, nyumba hiyo hujitokeza kwa hisia za utukufu na maigizo ya kiusanifu. Ukumbi wa kuingilia wenye matao matatu na karatasi maalum ya ukutani iliyobuniwa na msanii Peter Halley unaelekea kwenye chumba cha mapumziko chenye joto na mvuto, kilicho na mahali pa moto na kinachotazama sebule ya kuvutia yenye urefu wa mara mbili—mwonekano wa kwanza usiosahaulika ambao kwa kweli ni “wakati wa wow.”

Sebule hiyo, yenye dari zinazofikia takribani futi 19, hufichua ujazo wa kiusanifu wa ajabu ambao haupatikani mara kwa mara katika nyumba za faragha. Ikiwa imejaa mwanga wa asili unaoingia kupitia dirisha la paa lililo juu na kuzungukwa na kuta ndefu za matofali, chumba hicho kina ukubwa na uwepo wa jumba la faragha la sanaa. Madirisha yanayoanzia sakafuni hadi darini yanatazama bustani tulivu yenye ukubwa wa futi za mraba 350, na kuunda uhusiano wa kuvutia wa kimwonekano kati ya ndani yenye mvuto mkubwa na maeneo ya nje.

Chumba hicho ni ndoto ya mkusanyaji wa sanaa na mazingira ya kipekee kwa ajili ya burudani na mapokezi. Wageni huwasili kwa namna isiyosahaulika, wakishuka kwenye ngazi ya kupinda kwa umaridadi inayoteremka hadi sebule, na hivyo kuunda kuingia kwa kuvutia na kukumbukwa. Nafasi hiyo inaweza kuchukua kwa urahisi kazi kubwa za sanaa, huku ikiendelea kuwa yenye joto na mvuto kwa mikusanyiko midogo ya karibu au mikubwa ya kifahari. Kando ya sebule kuna eneo kubwa la kulia linaloelekea jikoni.

Mwanga wa asili huijaza nyumba hiyo kutoka pande zake zote mbili. Vyumba vinavyotazama kusini ni angavu na vyenye uchangamfu, vikivuna mwanga wa jua siku nzima, huku vyumba vinavyotazama kaskazini vikifurahia mwanga laini na sawia, pamoja na mandhari ya vilele vya miti na anga lililo wazi, na hivyo kuunda hali ya utulivu na ukaribishaji. Katika sehemu nyingine zote za nyumba, urefu wa dari unabaki kuwa wa ukarimu, ukiwa na dari za takribani futi 10 kwenye ghorofa kuu na futi 9.2 kwenye ghorofa ya juu, jambo linalozipa sehemu za ndani hisia ya uwazi na uwiano wa kawaida wa nyumba za mjini katika ghorofa zote tano. Kwa jumla, makazi haya yana zaidi ya vyumba vinane vya kulala, bafu sita na nusu, pamoja na mipangilio mbalimbali inayowezekana, na kuwawezesha wamiliki wa siku zijazo kuibadilisha nyumba hiyo kulingana na mitindo mbalimbali ya maisha huku wakihifadhi tabia yake ya kipekee.

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.