NYC home owned by ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ author asks $7.5M

A Manhattan townhouse that’s been owned by the same family for 60 years—and was even formerly owned by the author of the famous “Twas the Night Before Christmas” poem—has hit the market for $7.5 million. Done, Post learned.

Located in Chelsea, the residence was originally designed by Clement C. Moore was a part of the estate. (Fun fact: Beyond a poet, Moore was also a real estate developer.)

In all, the 5,100-square-foot townhouse at 324 W. 22nd St. has had only three different owners since it was built in 1843.

Composed of seven bedrooms and 5.5 baths, the home has come on the market following the passing of its most recent owners, William and Susan Shannock.

The late couple fell in love with the house and spent all their money buying and remodeling it in the 1960s.


The house is spread over 5,000 sq ft.
The house is spread over 5,000 sq ft.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

access road.
access road.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

Formal living area.
Formal living area.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

kitchen.
kitchen.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

Her daughters also loved the house and told The Post about their mom’s dressing room, which had special secret storage compartments where holiday gifts could be stashed away from children’s curiosity.

The dressing room was also used as a nursery for their eldest daughter, Victoria.

There is a grand staircase at the entrance which was hand built by the family. He also added an extension to the house. And the first generation Aaga Chulha has been made.

Arezu Sohn, Paul Kolbusz and Melissa Sargeantson of Corcoran own the listing.

Meanwhile, Moore’s family contributed majorly to the development of New York City.


A view of the open floor plan.
A view of the open floor plan.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

Library.
Library.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

Bedroom.
Bedroom.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

In 1750, Moore’s grandfather Captain Thomas Clarke, a retired British Army officer, purchased a 94-acre farm which he turned into a country estate. Clarke named the property Chelsea, an homage to a famous veterans’ hospital in London. When he was 14, Moore inherited the property from his grandfather, which stretched from what are today Eighth to 10th Avenues and West 20th to West 28th Streets in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Moore intended to keep the land as a summer country residence, but the city had other plans with the Commissioner’s Plan of 1811, which designed the city’s rectangular street grid and turned his land into city blocks.

Although at first dissatisfied with the city’s plans, Moore eventually saw the implementation of the grid as a business opportunity to increase the value of his property.


Bedroom.
Bedroom.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

Roof.
Roof.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

backyard.
backyard.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

To develop his property, Moore began leasing out lots—but placed restrictions on the types of structures he would allow in order to preserve the character of the neighborhood. He wanted “upscale, fashionable homes” that were of good quality and free of fuss.

in 1843, builder Peter b. doremus built townhouse, It became the home of Isaac Phillips, whose grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War and was an aide-de-camp to George Washington—and who himself had a strong presence in the Jewish community, being one of the first Jewish hospital executives in the United States.

The property includes four levels with a basement and 700 square feet of private outdoor space, the listing notes.


Clement C Moore
Clement C Moore.

mural.
A mural inside.
Alison Lubo for The Corcoran Group

Features include a library, front and rear yards, and a south-facing terrace off the primary bedroom.

The study of the primary bedroom boasts a mural painted by artist Neil Bate as a gift to the owners.

“Additional separate two-bedroom, two-bathroom garden apartment has its own entrance and provides an ideal area for a guest suite, live/work or additional income opportunity,” the listing says.

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