Have you ever wondered what it feels like to live at the very top of New York city? Not just in any building, but in a place that breathes history and whispers stories of the elite? Today, we are stepping inside the Alexis Stewart house, a stunning $12 million penthouse located in the legendary Belnord building.
Alexis Stewart, the daughter of the lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart, has always had an eye for the finer things. Her home isn’t just a place to sleep; it is a masterpiece of design, a sanctuary in the sky, and a symbol of Upper West Side luxury. This Alexis Stewart house represents a perfect marriage between old-world New York charm and the sleek, polished finish of modern high-end living.
The Belnord: History and Prestige of Alexis Stewart’s Building
You cannot talk about the Alexis Stewart house without talking about the building that houses it. The Belnord is not just an apartment complex; it is a full-block landmark. Located at 225 West 86th Street, this building is one of the few remaining “apartment palaces” in New York city.
Built in 1908, the Belnord was designed by the famous architectural firm Hiss and Weekes. It was meant to be a city within a city. When you walk through its massive arched gates, you are transported away from the noise of Manhattan and into a serene, private courtyard. This courtyard is one of the largest in the world and serves as the grand entrance to the Alexis Stewart house.
Architectural Highlights
The architecture of the Belnord is nothing short of breathtaking. It features a Renaissance Revival style, which means you will see ornate limestone, grand moldings, and classical proportions. The building was designated a New York city landmark in 1966, ensuring that its beauty will be preserved for generations to come.
Inside the lobby, you are greeted by marble floors and high ceilings that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The Alexis Stewart house benefits from this historic grandeur, as the penthouse units often retain the original “bones” of the building while being updated with the latest technology.
Celebrity Connections
The Belnord has always been a magnet for the rich and famous. It isn’t just the Alexis Stewart house that draws attention; the building itself has a starring role in pop culture. If you are a fan of the show Only Murders in the Building, you might recognize the courtyard! The fictional “Arconia” is actually based on the Belnord.
Living here means sharing an address with legendary figures from the worlds of art, literature, and business. This sense of community and history adds a layer of value to the Alexis Stewart house that you cannot find in a brand-new glass tower.
Inside Alexis Stewart’s $12M Penthouse: Layout and Size
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. What does a $12 million penthouse actually look like? The Alexis Stewart house is massive by New York standards. Spanning over 4,000 square feet, this home offers the kind of space that most city dwellers can only dream of.
The layout is designed for both privacy and grand entertaining. With 5 spacious bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, there is plenty of room for guests. The ceilings are a staggering 12 feet high, which makes the already large rooms feel even more expansive. When you stand in the middle of the living room, the sheer volume of the space is enough to take your breath away.
The room-by-room breakdown of the Alexis Stewart house includes:
- The Grand Foyer: A wide entrance that sets the tone for the rest of the home.
- The Living Room: Featuring massive windows that flood the space with natural light.
- The Gourmet Kitchen: Equipped with professional-grade Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances.
- The Primary Suite: A private retreat with a spa-like bathroom and walk-in closets.
- The Library/Home Office: Perfect for quiet reflection or remote work.
- The Private Terrace: A 1,000-square-foot outdoor oasis.
Every inch of the Alexis Stewart house layout has been carefully considered. There are no “dead zones” or wasted corners. Instead, the floor plan flows naturally from the social areas to the private quarters, making it a highly livable home despite its grand scale.
Luxurious Features and Interior Design of Alexis Stewart House
When you walk through the Alexis Stewart house, you notice that the luxury is in the details. This isn’t about flashy gold faucets; it’s about the quality of the wood, the thickness of the stone, and the precision of the craftsmanship.
Kitchen and Entertaining Spaces
Given her family background, it’s no surprise that the kitchen in the Alexis Stewart house is a masterpiece. It features custom cabinetry and white marble countertops that stay cool even when the ovens are roaring. There is enough counter space to prep a Thanksgiving dinner for twenty people.
The dining area is adjacent to the kitchen, allowing for a seamless transition from cooking to serving. It’s an “open-concept” feel but with enough definition to keep the spaces distinct. Imagine hosting a dinner party here, with the city lights twinkling in the background through the oversized windows.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
The bedrooms in the Alexis Stewart house are designed to be sanctuaries. The primary suite is imposing. It isn’t just a place to sleep; it’s a suite that includes a sitting area and a massive walk-in closet that would make any fashionista jealous.
The bathrooms are draped in Italian marble. They feature deep soaking tubs, rain showers, and heated floors. In a city as hectic as New York, having a bathroom that feels like a five-star spa is the ultimate luxury.
Outdoor Terrace and Views
The “crown jewel” of the Alexis Stewart house is undoubtedly the terrace. In Manhattan, outdoor space is the ultimate status symbol. This penthouse offers roughly 1,000 square feet of private outdoor space.
From this vantage point, you can look out over the treetops of Central Park and see the iconic skyline of the Upper West Side. Whether you are drinking your morning coffee or watching the sunset with a glass of wine, this terrace offers a sense of peace hard to find in the “city that never sleeps.”
Smart Home Tech and Sustainability
While the building is over a hundred years old, the Alexis Stewart house is firmly rooted in the 21st century. The home is equipped with a Crestron automation system. This allows the owner to control the lighting, climate, and security from a smartphone or tablet.
Sustainability was also a priority in the renovation. The home features eco-friendly insulation, high-efficiency appliances, and sustainably sourced wood flooring. It is a home that respects the past but looks toward the future.
The $12M Price Tag: What Makes Alexis Stewart’s House a Smart Buy?
You might be asking yourself, “Is any apartment really worth $12 million?” In the world of Manhattan real estate, the answer is often a resounding yes. The Alexis Stewart house is priced at approximately $3,000 per square foot. While that sounds high, it is actually quite competitive for a renovated penthouse in a landmark building.
The value of this property comes from its “unreplaceability.” You can build a new glass tower anywhere, but you can have only one penthouse at the Belnord. The combination of the historic address, the massive square footage, and the private terrace creates a “triple threat” in the real estate market.
Price Comparison Table
To give you a better idea of how the Alexis Stewart house stacks up against other luxury properties, take a look at this table:
FeatureAlexis Stewart House, Typical UWS Luxury Condo, Modern Billionaire’s Row Unit
Size 4,000+ sq ft 2,500 sq ft 3,500 sq ft
Outdoor Space 1,000 sq ft Terrace Small Balcony (if any) Shared Roof Deck
Historical Status Landmark Building Modern Construction New Development
Price per Sq Ft ~$3,000 ~$2,200 ~$5,000+
Ceiling Height 12 Feet 9-10 Feet 11-14 Feet
As you can see, the Alexis Stewart house offers a middle ground. It provides more character and space than a standard condo but is more “affordable” than the ultra-luxury towers on 57th Street. For an investor or homeowner, this represents a solid asset likely to appreciate over time.
Lifestyle in Alexis Stewart’s NYC Penthouse
What is it actually like to live in the Alexis Stewart house? Imagine waking up in the morning and seeing the sun hit the limestone carvings of the Belnord courtyard. You head down to the fitness center for a quick workout, then stop by a local bakery on 86th Street for a fresh croissant.
The Upper West Side lifestyle is all about balance. You have the culture of Lincoln Center and the American Museum of Natural History just a short walk away. You have the greenery of Central Park and Riverside Park acting as your front and back yards.
Pros of living in the Alexis Stewart house:
- Privacy: The gated courtyard and 24-hour doorman ensure total security.
- Convenience: You are minutes away from some of the best dining and shopping in the world.
- Space: You have enough room to live, work, and play without feeling cramped.
- Prestige: Telling people you live at the Belnord carries a certain weight in New York social circles.
Cons of living in the Alexis Stewart house:
- Maintenance: Historic buildings require significant upkeep, resulting in higher monthly fees.
- Tourist Attention: Because the building is a landmark, you will often see people taking photos of your front door.
Ultimately, the lifestyle offered by the Alexis Stewart house is one of quiet sophistication. It’s for the person who wants the best of New York without the “look at me” flashiness of other neighborhoods.
Market Insights: Upper West Side Luxury Real Estate Trends
As we move through 2026, the luxury market in the Upper West Side remains incredibly resilient. While other parts of the city see fluctuations, the demand for “trophy properties” like the Alexis Stewart house stays high.
Inventory for large, five-bedroom apartments is currently at a historic low. This means that when a property like this hits the market, it often sparks a bidding war. Experts suggest that properties in landmark buildings like the Belnord are seeing a 5% year-over-year appreciation.
Buyers today are looking for “turn-key” homes. They don’t want to deal with the stress of a two-year renovation. Because the Alexis Stewart house has already been meticulously updated, its value is even higher. It is a “move-in ready” masterpiece in a neighborhood that never goes out of style.
Where Does alexis stewart Currently Live?
Alexis Stewart currently lives in a luxury duplex penthouse in Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood, specifically in the Belnord building.
