Elegant and exceptionally rare, this 10 room duplex home is situated on the top two floors of a desirable prewar building.  Built in 1908 and designed by Charles A. Platt, the distinctive 12 story Italian Renaissance style building exhibits the spacious proportions and lightness of the period.  This historic address is distinguished by a very deep and handsome cornice and impressive entrance portals flanked by massive columns with a pediment ringed with ironwork. One enters the lower floor of the duplex through the foyer which opens into a grand 27' long gallery with access to the library, living room and dining room creating a perfect flow for entertaining.  The gallery also features an elegant powder room that is secreted away as well as the original carved wooden staircase with turned and corkscrewed balustrades winding up towards a large skylight at the top of the stairs. The skylight, constant light streaming in from the north facing windows of the living room and library and the brilliant light from the south facing windows of the dining room combine to produce an open, sun flooded feel to the gallery and surrounding rooms.  The handsome library with working fireplace and a unique hand painted mantel boasts pocket doors that open into the expansive living room, with soaring beamed ceilings, two massive windows with open city views and another wood burning fireplace facing that of the library, creating an impressive 45' expanse between the two rooms. Across the gallery are the sunny dining room and kitchen from which a charming back stair ascends to the bedrooms above. In contrast to the grandeur of the public rooms of the lower floor, the upper floor of this duplex has the distinct feel of a rambling country home, with 4 roomy bedrooms, one with a wood burning fireplace, 3 full bathrooms, dressing room with beautiful built in closets, banquette and sink, laundry, three additional skylights, open city views and ample closets throughout.  This pet friendly building is located in a vibrant part of town easily accessible to all public transportation and features a common laundry room in the basement as well as a storage bin that conveys with the apartment.