N
estled in Manhattan’s quiet Beekman cul‑de‑sac on the East River, the duplex at 444 E. 52nd St. has re‑entered the market after a sharp price cut. The 1929 Art Deco co‑op, once home to F. Scott Fitzgerald and Dorothy Parker, is now listed for $4.5 million—down from $6 million earlier this year—making it the first time the penthouse has been offered in decades.

    The residence occupies the 10th and 11th floors, offering nearly 3,000 sq ft of interior space plus a 1,400‑sq‑ft wrap‑around terrace that opens onto the East River and Midtown skyline. Inside, a dramatic 60‑foot arched gallery leads to a living room with a wood‑burning fireplace, hand‑pegged oak floors, and French doors that frame the terrace view from almost every room. The formal dining room overlooks the garden, while a chef’s kitchen boasts mahogany cabinetry, granite countertops, and an adjacent staff room now used as an office.

    The three‑bedroom, 5.5‑bath layout includes a primary suite with dual windowed bathrooms, a dressing room, and generous mahogany‑lined closets. A second fireplace graces one of the guest bedrooms. The building itself retains its original charm: thunderbird sculptures crown the façade, a limestone lobby is serviced by full‑time doormen and a live‑in superintendent, and the co‑op’s design by De Pace & Juster preserves its prewar elegance.

    Owner Mel Lewinter, a music executive who acquired the property sometime in the 1970s, has kept the penthouse off the market until now. The listing, managed by Bonnie Goldner and Paul Anand of Brown Harris Stevens, highlights the unit’s literary pedigree. Dorothy Parker moved into the building in 1934, describing it as “far enough east to plant tea,” while Fitzgerald, her close friend, frequented the apartment as he prepared “Tender Is the Night.” The Beekman block, frequented by Hemingway, John O’Hara, and Alexander Woollcott, became a hub for 20th‑century writers and intellectuals.

    With its blend of historic architecture, panoramic views, and storied literary connections, the penthouse offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of Manhattan’s cultural heritage at a significantly reduced price.