Celebrate your own "Christmas book flood" with these common libraries and built-in bookshelves

By CityRealty Staff | From Future New York Friday, December 23, 2022

December 24 is most commonly known as Christmas Eve, and will be the seventh night of Hanukkah in 2022. In Iceland, one of the most popular ways to celebrate on this day is with Jólabókaflóðið, which roughly translates to "Christmas book flood" and nods to a ritual of families giving each other books as presents on Christmas Eve and then immediately snuggling up to read the new books, usually in front of a fire or with a hot beverage.

The tradition dates back to World War II, when foreign merchandise was at a premium and paper was one of the few items not rationed in Iceland, thus making books an extremely popular gift. Since then, social media has brought Jólabókaflóðið to the attention of book lovers all over the world.

While built-in bookshelves are most likely to be found in prewar apartments, book lovers have not been forgotten by the developers of sleek new condos. Instead of putting built-ins in the new apartments, they make the most of the common libraries with comfortable seating and a thoughtful selection of books. Below, see a selection of New York City homes that would appear to be custom made for book lovers.

17 availabilities from $1,255,000

Claremont Hall is up the street from Columbia University in Morningside Heights' "academic acropolis," a mindset that extended to the building's amenities. Directly adjacent to the Study lounge with a fireplace and comfortable chairs is a library offering leatherbound editions of the classics that make up Columbia University's Core Curriculum.

Rose Hill, NoMad/Gramercy

12 availabilities from $1,585,000

Many of the amenities at Rose Hill, the first residential building from Rockefeller Group, were developed in partnership with local businesses. Among them was the building's library, which was curated by Strand Books. There is no shortage of places to enjoy the books, including a club lounge with a fireplace and access to a terrace.

Maverick Chelsea

9 availabilities from $1,495,000

Maverick Chelsea is located in a busy section of New York where Chelsea meets Midtown and Penn Station is up the street. But between the fireplace, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and custom artwork, the library offers a refuge from the bustle of the city.

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40 East End Avenue, Yorkville

8 availabilities from $4,685,990

Whether it's being used as a work-from-home space or a reading refuge, the library at 40 East End Avenue offers abundant natural light and multiple seating options. Moreover, architect Deborah Berke teamed up with East Hampton bookstore BookHampton to curate the library's collection of art, design, garden, entertaining, and children's books.

200 East 83rd Street, Yorkville

1 availability for $2,050,000

New Yorkville condo 200 East 83rd Street is almost completely sold out, with buyers being drawn to its classic design by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, impressive apartment proportions, luxurious interiors, and well-thought amenities. Among them is a library with arched windows, custom millwork, custom white oak shelving, and access to the building's landscaped courtyard.

30 Beekman Place, #6C
$549,000

Beekman/Sutton Place | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

30 Beekman Place, #6C (Keller Williams NYC)

From the Listing: This elegant and spacious one-bedroom, one-bathroom cooperative apartment is ready for your personal touch to make the home of your dreams, all while encompassing rare and sophisticated prewar details. Enter into the foyer lined with closets, which then opens to a breathtaking double-wide living room that includes dark oak wood floors, a beautiful decorative fireplace, and magnificent custom built-in bookshelves. With pin-drop quiet seclusion and a size that affords the ability to relax comfortably or entertain in a scale matched only by lofts, this room's original prewar detail allows it to still maintain a cozy feeling that is felt all throughout. The large primary bedroom is filled with light in the mornings that comes in through the east and north facing windows. See floor plan and full details here.

Park Ten, #21A
$1,295,000 (-5.8%)

Central Park West | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

Park Ten, #21A (Compass)

From the Listing: This corner home offers views to the east towards Central Park and views north towards 66th Street with Central Park, tons of sky and architecturally beautiful buildings. Unbelievable natural light floods through this home and has one of the most impressive living rooms that NY has to offer. An open kitchen with top-of-the-line Miele and Viking appliances, Dornbracht sink fixtures, and heated floors opens up to a wonderful dining area. This home has been fully luxuriously furnished and outfitted with custom built-in pieces which include a bar, built-in book shelves, and so much more. See floor plan and full details here.

1 Fifth Avenue, #13E
$1,485,000

Greenwich Village | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

1 Fifth Avenue, #13E (Ann Weintraub Ltd)

From the Listing: Situated on a high floor, sun floods in from the oversized, new windows and showcases the beautiful built-in bookshelves and the solid, wood plank floors in the living room. Massive in size, the living room easily accommodates room for a separate home office. The designer kitchen with an island has top-of-the-line appliances and a built-in dining banquette that is perfect for today's entertaining. The bedroom has an entire wall of built-in closets made from exquisite burl wood. See floor plan and full details here.

120 East 75th Street, #4A
$1,775,000 (-5.3%)

Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths

120 East 75th Street, #4A (Sothebys International Realty)

From the Listing: Apartment 4A is an elegant five room apartment, with two bedrooms, two marble baths, and a home office. A gut renovation was completed by the current owner and no detail has been overlooked. The open plan includes an eat-in kitchen with marble island, extensive storage, and top-of-the-line appliances. The sunny and gracious living room with three oversized windows also has a wood-burning fireplace and custom built-in bookshelves. The second bedroom is generously sized and has lovely windows with treetop views. The primary bedroom has custom built-in closets as well as a spa-like primary bath with double sinks, large tub/shower and abundant storage. Also on the bedroom hallway is the office that could be used a number of ways. See floor plan and full details here.

The Netherlands, #4B
$2,250,000

Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,817 ft²

The Netherlands, #4B (Compass)

From the Listing: Sprawling and unique prewar condo that exudes space, light, and air in the heart of the Upper West Side.! Enter into an enormous loft-like 26 ft wide living area with high ceilings and enjoy a river view from your wall of windows that are bathed in light. Floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves allow for plenty of storage and 8 huge closets can be found throughout the apartment. The extra-large entry is open and would make a perfect space for a home office. The primary bedroom has two large custom closets, and the other two bedrooms are complete with built-in desks and bookshelves. Common charges include heat, hot water, cable and HBO. See floor plan and full details here.

480 Park Avenue, #5G
$2,495,000

Midtown East | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

480 Park Avenue, #5G (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Spectacular design, style and craftsmanship are hallmarks of a modern renovation of a classic Emery Roth six room residence. This home has a twenty-eight foot living room, almost fourteen foot formal dining room, two bedrooms, a guest room and three full bathrooms. A bibliophile's love of art and joy in entertaining were the inspiration for this harmonious renovation maintaining the prewar elegance with modifications for today's lifestyle. Serene with a custom lighting plan, floor-to-ceiling bookcases complete with a sliding mahogany library ladder, a bar, travertine mantel surrounding the working fireplace, three oversized single pane windows, herringbone hardwood floors and 9'-6" ceilings. Walk through the built-in bookcases on either side of you, into a grand library and study. This was the second bedroom which was smartly opened into the adjacent living room, creating a dramatic focal point for the entertaining space. See floor plan and full details here.

25 West 15th Street, #DUPLEX
$2,600,000 (-8.8%)

Flatiron/Union Square | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 2,759 ft²

25 West 15th Street, #DUPLEX (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: History meets New York City loft-style living at this amazing duplex apartment at 25 West 15th Street in Flatiron. This beautiful 2 bedroom/2.5 bathroom property is ready to be your dream home! You'll be stunned by the professional chef's kitchen, which was actually home to a James Beard Award-winning and published professional chef. A long hallway doubles as an art gallery and opens into the grand living room and solarium, which is a spacious 19'x 22'. The living room has elegant built-in bookshelves to house your library and collectibles. The apartment also has an 11' x 7' home office area, with enough space for two work stations, and wall-to-wall shelving and cabinetry for all your home office storage. See floor plan and full details here.

30 Sutton Place, #2A
$3,100,000 (-13.8%)

Beekman/Sutton Place | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

30 Sutton Place, #2A (Sothebys International Realty)

From the Listing: This expansive classic seven has beautifully scaled rooms and an extraordinary level of finish, with more than forty feet of southern light overlooking the treetops of charming Sutton Place below. Every inch of this home has been meticulously renovated with the finest designer touch; no detail was overlooked. A gracious entry foyer with hand-painted, inlaid hardwood flooring opens in to the majestic living room featuring a wood-burning fireplace and a sunlight exposure from two large windows. This flows beautifully to the library or third bedroom with built-in bookshelves. The central foyer also opens in to the spacious formal dining room, allowing ample room to entertain. A storage bin conveys with this purchase. See floor plan and full details here.

1035 Fifth Avenue, #10A
$5,995,000

Carnegie Hill | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths

1035 Fifth Avenue, #10A (Compass)

From the Listing: With stunning views of Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the New York City skyline, this high floor, corner 3 bedroom 3.5 bath apartment is not to be missed. One end of the gracious entry hall opens to the perfectly proportioned living room, with a wood-burning fireplace, beamed ceilings, and large tilt & turn picture windows with spectacular views of Central Park and the changing seasons. At the other end of the entry gallery is an elegant and spacious formal dining room, which can easily accommodate large dinner parties and which doubles as a library, with a wall of built-in bookshelves. See floor plan and full details here.

The Beresford, #5F
$8,750,000

Central Park West | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths

The Beresford, #5F (Sothebys International Realty)

From the Listing: Located at the fabled Beresford, architect Emory Roth's masterpiece, this grand scale 8-room, classic 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath apartment, plus studio with en-suite bath on the main floor, has 40' overlooking Central Park West and direct Central Park views. The dramatic 22' entrance gallery with 10' ceiling and silvered wallpaper leads to the beautifully proportioned 29' living room filled with sun from three oversized windows overlooking Central Park, a fireplace with original mantel, 10' ceiling, and herringbone floor. The elegant formal dining room also with herringbone floor has a mirrored wall reflecting festive candlelit dinners, is adjacent, all adding up to a fabulous family gathering space and a grand space for entertaining. The private bedroom wing offers a sunny 23' primary bedroom overlooking Central Park, and features a huge custom walk-in closet the full width of the bedroom, and an en-suite bath, also overlooking Central Park, offering a large tub and walk-in shower. The generously sized second bedroom with 10' ceiling and lovely views of Central Park, is filled with light and has custom bookshelves and an en-suite bath. See floor plan and full details here.

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In this article:

17 availabilities from $1,255,000

12 availabilities from $1,585,000

9 availabilities from $1,495,000

Select which properties are of interest to you:

8 availabilities from $4,685,990

1 availability for $2,050,000

30 Beekman Place, #6C
$549,000

Park Ten, #21A
$1,295,000 (-5.8%)

1 Fifth Avenue, #13E
$1,485,000

120 East 75th Street, #4A
$1,775,000 (-5.3%)

The Netherlands, #4B
$2,250,000

480 Park Avenue, #5G
$2,495,000

25 West 15th Street, #DUPLEX
$2,600,000 (-8.8%)

30 Sutton Place, #2A
$3,100,000 (-13.8%)

1035 Fifth Avenue, #10A
$5,995,000

The Beresford, #5F
$8,750,000

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