Woody Buys $25.9 M Townhouse

Fresh off his critical success with Match Point, director Woody Allen is treating himself to a $25.9 million townhouse, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. Last week, the acclaimed filmmaker signed a contract for a 20-foot-wide, Georgian-style townhouse on East 70th Street, which had been listed with broker Louise Beit, of Sotheby’s International Realty. Designed by Trowbridge & Livingston in 1901, the stunning 16-room home includes 11-foot ceilings, ornate moldings, 10 fireplaces, and a Georgian staircase. In addition, there are five bedrooms, formal dining room, library, family room, media room, staff room, and a garden. Certainly, Mr. Allen is no stranger to exquisite Manhattan properties. In 1999, he paid $17.7 million for a 40-foot-wide mansion on East 92nd Street. The palatial home measured in excess of 15,000 square feet. About five years later, he sold the Carnegie Hill townhouse to former Goldman Sachs executive Barry Volpert, for $24.5 million. However, the years spent in Carnegie Hill were not completely idyllic. Mr. Allen and some of his well-heeled neighbors (including Sony chief Howard Stringer and author Peggy Noonan) attempted to block the construction of a 10-story luxury condominium nearby. However, the state’s highest court ruled against them. Since moving out, Mr. Allen has searched for an Upper East Side home, albeit smaller than the mansion he owned previously, according to real estate sources. In July 2004, Mr. Allen was reportedly under contract for a different East 70th Street townhouse; however, it was later reported in September that the deal fell through. In the mean time, Mr. Allen has been reportedly renting a single-family residence at Madison and 85th Street for $25,000 a month. Representatives for Mr. Allen did not offer any comment, as of this morning. Ms. Beit declined to comment on the listing. -Michael Calderone