In 1867 the completion of this Italianate style home at 255 East 78th Street became one of a long row of identical, three story brick faced residences with a discreet charm and storybook provenance. Originally the home in 1890 of New York Senator John Gilmore Boyd and most recently the former residence of New York Literary Icon John Leonard, literary, television, film and cultural critic, author, Former Editor of the New York Times Book Review, and a Featured Critic for CBS Sunday Morning for 16 years. This unique home has hosted many literary giants such as Nobel Prize-winner Toni Morrison to name a few. Rarely today with the vast large scale of so many townhouses presented for purchase does a home of this unique size and disposition become available for acquisition in Manhattan. Approximately fourteen feet wide and fifty feet deep with nearly 2,700 square feet of interior space. There are air rights available to add two upper set back floors if desired. Originally a single family home until around 1955 when it was converted to a two family class, currently the home consists of four floors plus a basement, four bedrooms, two full and two half bathrooms with a large eat-in windowed kitchen on the second floor. There are period wood floors, beams, a skylight, spiral staircase, high ceilings and a large rear yard. Bring your imagination and architect. This historic home is ready for its next chapter.