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n Lower Manhattan, two neighboring townhouses at 105‑107 Bank Street have been fused into a six‑story, 13,000‑square‑foot mansion listed for $75 million, the Wall Street Journal reports. If it sells at asking, the price would eclipse the current downtown record.

    The project exemplifies a growing trend among ultra‑wealthy buyers who seek expansive, single‑unit homes in a market that increasingly favors standalone properties. By combining units, buyers can sidestep strict landmark rules that limit façade alterations, a strategy that has become more attractive as the luxury market tightens.

    “Width is where you get the square footage,” says Jonathan Miller, president of Miller Samuel. “A double‑wide home offers a far larger living space than a traditional townhome.” In downtown neighborhoods, lot depths are often shallow, so expanding horizontally is the only viable option for those wanting more room.

    The Bank Street conversion was undertaken by RoundSquare Builders in partnership with architect Robert A.M. Stern. The 20‑month renovation preserved the historic facades while gutting the interiors. The result is a 40‑foot‑wide residence that boasts a spiral staircase, a living and dining area that spans the entire width, a basement gym, a screening room, and a rooftop terrace. The staircase, illuminated by a skylight, rises six stories and features 470 hand‑painted balusters. Italian stone and custom moldings adorn the bathrooms, and the former Lennon residence’s terrace staircase has been retained.

    This “Frankenmansion” concept is not new to New York. In 2021, an Upper West Side mega‑mansion listed for $85 million, and earlier, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick’s West 11th Street home—$34.5 million—was created by merging two townhouses. Facebook co‑founder Sean Parker purchased two five‑story townhouses in 2016 to build a carriage‑house‑style compound. The trend extends beyond downtown: Roman Abramovich’s four‑unit complex on East 75th Street and Madonna’s triple‑wide Upper East Side property illustrate the appetite for wide, high‑end homes across the city.

    Developers and brokers note that the market for such large, combined units remains small but increasingly powerful, reflecting a widening wealth gap. Miller observes that while these transactions are outliers, their frequency is rising and they are spreading to more neighborhoods. He cautions against labeling “Frankenmansions” as a full‑blown trend, suggesting instead that they signal a shift in the ultra‑luxury segment.

    RoundSquare Builders acquired the Bank Street walk‑ups in 2021 and 2022 for a combined $18 million. The project’s cost per square foot can exceed $2,000, underscoring the premium on craftsmanship and design. The new mansion’s price of $75 million, while steep, reflects the meticulous attention to detail and the unique opportunity to own a historic structure reimagined for modern luxury.

    The current downtown sales record—$72.5 million—was set last year by another West Village double‑wide. The Bank Street property, with its 13,000 square feet and 40‑foot width, could easily surpass that benchmark. Its combination of historic preservation, expansive interior space, and high‑end amenities positions it as a landmark listing in the city’s evolving luxury market.