In a real estate twist fit for the silver screen, the legendary Upper East Side home and studio of the late celebrity photographer Carl Fischer is up for grabs for $13.5 million, The Post has learned.
Located at 121 E. 83rd St., this historic gem holds a treasure trove of memories from Fischer’s illustrious career, offering potential buyers a chance to own a true piece of New York history.
Fischer, who called this eclectic abode home for more than four decades, recently passed away at the age of 98.
The property exudes a bohemian charm that’s as unique as Fischer’s photographs.
Standing on a picturesque block adorned with other romantic carriage houses, this residence offers more than just four walls; it’s a living piece of the city’s artistic soul.
Fischer’s claim to fame includes capturing the legendary Muhammad Ali in his white shorts, a photograph that graced the cover of Esquire Magazine and is etched into the annals of photography history.
He was also known for photos of past United States politicians, such as Lyndon Johnson and Robert Kennedy.
Fischer’s sons, Doug and Ken Fischer, recall their childhood spent in the company of greatness within these hallowed halls.
“I got to be there when Ali was there,” said Doug, now 67. “And that was sort of exciting. It was like meeting God.”
In a surprising twist, Doug adds that he stumbled upon Ali’s famed white shorts decades later, hidden away in a forgotten corner of his brother’s belongings, where they were repurposed for a rather casual game of basketball.
Beyond the star-studded encounters, Doug fondly remembers his father’s photo sessions with the legendary Walt “Clyde” Frazier, securing an autograph as a prized memento.
“The three kids had the third floor to themselves, which was great,” Doug said of his brother and older sister. “The outdoor space on the third floor was an unusual thing and we spent time out there, snowball fights, sneaking cigarettes … The second floor was where the grownups were, meals, parents and their friends.”
In 1969, Carl Fischer also produced Andy Warhol’s “Soup Can” photograph.
The ground level, once Fischer’s studio, is currently rented to a plastic surgeon, with the lease set to expire soon.
As Doug put it, “We lived in a big house, and that was out of the ordinary. A carriage house is 25 feet wide, even wider than a brownstone.”
With additional floor area ratio allowing for expansion to 10,420 square feet, this 7,825-square-foot marvel boasts that ground-floor commercial space, a basement and a duplex residence that once echoed with the creativity of Fischer himself.
As it currently stands, the living space boasts four bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Ken, now 62, recalled, “He used to say that he lived above the candy store, so to speak, because his photo studio was on the ground floor, which had very high ceilings.”
“When you look at my father’s work, and you realize that much of his work was in the studio in that space, and much of it is iconic. It just, you feel very special walking in the space, knowing that all that happened.”
Built by Hamilton & Mesereau as one of Frank W. Woolworth’s private stables, this Flemish-bond variegated brick-face building has also been home to illustrious figures, including Murray Guggenheim.
Fischer converted the lower floors into his photographic studio in 1965.
With the lease set to end in the fall of 2024, the opportunity to renovate, live, or earn rental income is ripe for the taking.
Beyond its historic allure, the residence boasts exposed brick walls, tiled and wood floors, and leaded glass doors.
With its prime location near Central Park, renowned museums like the Met, upscale dining and easy access to transportation, this property is a slice of New York’s Upper East Side heaven.
Michelle Griffith with Douglas Elliman holds the listing.
