Mark Rothko's Former Studio Returns to Market for $9.5 Million USD
A five-bedroom residence where the artist painted in the 1960s.
Summary
- Rothko painted here in the 1960s, using the skylit upper floor to create immersive works
- Co-owned by a private family and the Urasenke Tea Ceremony Society
A historic carriage house in New York City once used by Mark Rothko as his studio is now on the market for $9.5 million USD. Originally built in 1884 by architect William Schickel, the red-brick property situated on the Upper East Side has evolved from a horse stable into a five-bedroom residence complete with arched windows, a wood-burning fireplace, elevator, rooftop garden, wine cellar and a traditional tea room with Shoji screens.
But what sets the 4,700-square-foot home apart is its cultural legacy. Rothko painted here in the 1960s, using the skylit upper floor to create the immersive works now housed in Houston’s Rothko Chapel. He even covered the skylight with a parachute to control the light while working. In the 1950s, the space briefly operated as a music studio where Elvis Presley recorded part of Love Me Tender.
Today, the residence is co-owned by a private family and the Urasenke Tea Ceremony Society, a Japanese nonprofit dedicated to preserving traditional tea culture. The society operates part of the home as a tea study center and maintains the ceremonial space. The listing includes only the family’s share, but a clause allows for a full buyout in 12 years, offering a rare chance to eventually own the full property.
The building is held under a 50-year tenants-in-common agreement, with a required sale in 12 years that includes the third floor, offering potential for strong future returns. “The property will be worth a lot more at that time,” listing broker Jeremy Stein told the New York Post.
