1 West 123rd Street, a grand neo-Renaissance Revival townhouse, built in 1890 for John Dwight, co-founder of the company that became Arm & Hammer, is a rare piece of Harlem’s history. Funded by his successful baking soda business, the home showcases the craftsmanship and grandeur of the Gilded Age. Designed by architect Frank Hill Smith, it continues to make an impression.
More than a century later, this home has not only endured but thrived, thanks to an extraordinary restoration that earned it the 2022 Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award. The current owners worked with architect Samuel G. White, great-grandson of the legendary Stanford White, to carefully bring the house back to its original grandeur.
Unlike many New York City townhouses, which often have limited exposure to natural light, this one benefits from its coveted corner lot. Facing west, south, and east, the home is flooded with sunlight through an incredible 52 oversized windows.
Inside, the layout spans nearly 12,000 square feet across six levels, with a grand parlor floor featuring a reading room, library, and drawing room. The home includes two kitchens, two laundry rooms, multiple fireplaces, a wine cellar, ample storage space, and skylights.
The owners have done the heavy lifting to preserve the integrity of this home. They carefully restored the original floor plan, reinstalled period-appropriate details, and updated the mechanical systems.
What remains is an opportunity for the next owner to make it their own. The home is ready for someone who appreciates history and envisions its next chapter.
