Nestled on one of New York City’s most picturesque blocks, Bob Dylan’s former residence at 242 E. 49th St. is up for grabs at $7.25 million.
This five-story Turtle Bay Gardens townhouse boasts a rich history of celebrity tenants, including Hollywood royalty, Broadway legends and Dylan — one of America’s most iconic musicians — according to Curbed, which first reported the listing.
The house, built in the 1920s as part of an ambitious development by Charlotte Sorchan, features private access to Turtle Bay Gardens — a shared oasis tucked between 48th and 49th streets, and Second and Third avenues.
Known for its charm and exclusivity, the block has attracted its fair share of luminaries. But few match the mystique of Dylan, who lived here with his family in the 1970s before purchasing the home outright in 1990.
“It was a time when Bob was being very private and the kids were young,” Michael Leshner, Dylan’s fix-it man during his Turtle Bay years, told Curbed. “He didn’t want anyone messing with his kids, and he lived a little bit like a hermit for a number of years.”
Leshner recalls driving the music legend around in an unassuming “beat-up” car to avoid paparazzi. Dylan initially rented the property from playwright and screenwriter Garson Kanin, who owned the home with his wife, actress Ruth Gordon.
Over the years, the townhouse has hosted an impressive roster of creative minds. Gordon and Kanin’s friend Katharine Hepburn recommended the property to them.
Later, it became a temporary haven for director Mike Nichols, who added the home’s intercom system, and Mary Tyler Moore, who converted a room into a dance studio.
Even director Franco Zeffirelli made use of the space, transforming a bedroom into a study to work on operas for the Met.
When Dylan moved in, he made a few changes of his own, including installing a screen door so he could hear the sounds of the street below, Jesus Rodriguez, the garden’s handyman for four decades, told the outlet.
The home itself is a rare gem. Its parlor-level living area opens onto a 19-foot-wide terrace overlooking the lush gardens — a feature unique to this property in Turtle Bay.
Made up of five bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, the 5,400-square-foot home features a private walled yard, two terraces and an elevator.
The primary suite on the fifth floor also has its own private terrace, while the walled backyard offers a serene escape.
Inside, original details like arched doorways and wood floors remain intact, complemented by modern updates, including an elevator — a much-needed addition, according to former tenant Kati Marton.
“My most vivid memory is endlessly going up and down stairs,” Marton said, recalling her time in the house in 1983 when her husband, Peter Jennings, was named anchor of ABC World News Tonight.
Despite its star-studded history, the house has seen surprisingly few owners in 70 years.
After Dylan sold it in 2005, it passed into the hands of property groups, which have maintained its charm while modernizing certain elements.
Still, the listing price might raise eyebrows; Stephen Sondheim’s former home just two doors down, considered grander, sold earlier this year for $7 million.
Lisa Larson and Angela Wu of Sotheby’s International Realty hold the listing.