Jean Doumanian

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This afternoon, quite a big listing popped up on the Brown Harris Stevens website.

But just how big is the Harkness House, aka the Harkness Mansion? "It's the widest house you can buy in New York," said BHS managing director Paula Del Nunzio, who has the exclusive listing. And it will cost you $55 million.

When the Trowbridge, Colt and Livingston-designed townhouse first went on the market in October 2005, the listing belonged to Prudential Douglas Elliman executive vice president Ann Cutbill Lenane. Ms. Lenane, who is traveling, could not be reached.

"When you have a wonderful shell, you can do so many things," film producer Jean Doumanian told The Observer earlier this year. "There are very few things you can't do in that house." Ms. Doumanian and her boyfriend, banker Jaqui Safra, own the mansion.

Ms. Del Nunzio, who would not comment on why the sellers switched brokers, pointed out that the 1896 Neo-French Renaissance mansion went off the market in December. Afterwards, it became the Kips Bay Designer Showhouse for 2006

"Now it's on full force," said Ms. Del Nunzio.

If you happen to buy the mansion, you'll live in the former digs of shipping magnate Nathaniel McCready, IBM-founder Thomas J. Watson, and Standard Oil-heriess Rebekah Harkness (who bought the place for her famous Ballet Arts school.)

So what's the big point? "The point now is $40 million was a record, but then that didn't last because $45 came along. Can $55 beat it? Can this one sell for more than $45?".  read more »

- Max Abelson

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