Originally crafted in 1903 by the illustrious Gilded Age architect Horace Trumbauer for socialites John and Alice Troth Drexel, the Upper East Side apartment underwent a transformative journey. Changing hands over the years, it later evolved into an intimate nine-unit apartment complex during the 1930s. In 1987, a year after the passing of her husband Edgar Rosenberg, Joan Rivers bid adieu to her Los Angeles abode and embraced her roots by acquiring this remarkable New York penthouse.

With a spirited determination, Joan poured her creative fervor into adorning the space with opulent aesthetics that harmoniously embraced the underlying French-themed architecture. Over a span of 28 years, she held court in this palatial haven, hosting an array of luminaries, including the iconic Princess Diana.

A private elevator entrance segues into a captivating two-story gallery, seamlessly connecting to a sun-drenched living room, both graced by wood-burning fireplaces. The reception areas boast lofty 23-foot ceilings and exquisite parquet-de-Versailles flooring. A generously proportioned corner-paneled library and an elegant formal dining room showcase intricate 18th-century French panels, each adorned with original wood-burning fireplaces and affording vistas of a south-facing terrace.

Spanning four bedrooms across three levels, the triplex indulges in expansive entertainment spaces, featuring a resplendent ballroom, a harmonious music room, and adorned with antique columns. Joan’s signature lavishness is palpable throughout the decor, mirroring her own larger-than-life persona. In her own words, she playfully quipped, “It’s what Marie Antoinette would have done if she had money.” This distinctive abode, as Joan eloquently summarized, blends the grandeur of Louis XIV with the enchantment of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, resulting in a residence that captures the essence of an era while exuding Joan’s unmistakable charm.