Welcome home to this dramatic townhouse-style four-bedroom, three-bathroom sanctuary where gilded-age elegance meets new-world opulence. Situated just off Fifth Avenue and in the center of it all, yet it is so remarkably quiet from inside, you could hear a pin drop.Enter on the main level into a grand side-by-side living and dining area perfect for entertaining and gathering with dramatic 9'10" ceilings and oversized windows allowing for exceptional natural light. Architectural significance abounds with a turn-of-the-century decorative fireplace, soaring ceilings with crisp moldings, and zero shared walls throughout allowing for maximum privacy from the rest of the world.The current owners underwent a complete transformation in 2015 with brand new electric, plumbing, and insulation installed, and top-of-the-line craftsmanship evident in every room. Solid Oak strip flooring were installed along with additional soundproofing in both the floors and ceilings. German double-pane insulated and soundproof insulated windows with maximum security were also installed. A built-in Bose speaker system was installed as was Legrand dimmer lighting in every room. All of the moldings are crisp and all of the millwork was handcrafted. Absolutely no detail was spared in this thoughtfully reimagined masterpiece.The renovated windowed chef's kitchen is equipped with premier German appliances including a Gaggenau stovetop and oven, Miele recirculating hood, Miele refrigerator, and a Miele dishwasher. There is also a Miele washer & dryer on the lower level. Both bedrooms on the main level can be accessed through the gallery and each have been outfitted with floor-to-ceiling closets.Seamlessly situated off the kitchen is the home's private backyard space where you can literally smell Central Park just 300-feet away. Bordered by a lush rose bush, hydrangea flowers, and equipped with dawn-to-dusk bulbs, it is an ideal getaway for morning coffee or an afternoon morsel, and functions perfectly for those prolonged summer night meals we all live for.Upon entering the cozy lower level there is an immediate sense of old-world charm brought together by exposed wood-beamed ceilings, an exposed stone wall, and double-pane German windows and glass French doors with the maximum level of sound insulation and safety protection. Although the owners originally envisioned the lower level as their primary suite, its natural separation from the rest of the home allowed it to function perfectly as a proper play area and doubles flawlessly as a media room or den. The lower level also includes access to the outdoor patio through French doors and contains an additional bedroom/office area tucked away in the back for extra privacy.The spa-like bathroom on the lower level promotes health & wellness in every corner with radiant heated floors, a wood sauna, exposed wood beams, a glass rain shower, restored barn doors, and a separate toilet room with modern vanity and deep farmhouse sink. Shortly after purchasing apartment 1B, the owners bought the adjoining studio apartment on the main level (unit 1A) and combined both units to create a one-of-a-kind floor-through home that spans over 100-feet long from front to back. The oversized guest suite in 1A has a private entrance, soaring 10'4" ceilings and large pre-war style south-facing windows with treetop views and ample light throughout the day.Built in 1896, 9 East 97 Street is an intimate pre-WWI co-op building situated on a tree-lined street half a block from Central Park. The building is in impeccable physical and financial shape with very low monthlies, minimal maintenance increases, & 80% financing permitted. The building is pet-friendly and permits pied a terres, subletting, co-purchases, and foreign purchases upon board approval. Building amenities include a laundry room, full-time superintendent, storage, elevator & video intercom system. There is a 2% flip tax.