• A Fifth Avenue mansion built during the Gilded Age just sold for $46 million.
• The 11-bedroom, 10-bathroom home features ornate details and original features.
• The mansion was designed by architect Stanford White and spans over 16,000 square feet.

One of the last remaining Gilded Age mansions in New York City was just snapped up for $46 million.

The 16,000-square-foot home — the only fully restored Stanford White-designed mansion on Fifth Avenue — has seven levels and looks out over Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The home was reportedly initially listed for $80 million in 2021. After multiple price reductions, it was relisted for $49.9 million by the Corcoran Group in February, and the property sold earlier this month for $46 million, city records show.

A representative for Corcoran told Business Insider earlier this year that $300,000 in new upgrades was spent in preparation to list the property "to enhance the current owners' $15 million renovation after their purchase of the mansion in 2012."

Not much is known about the new owner, but sources told The New York Post that it's a finance-industry family from outside New York.

Take a look inside this historic Gilded Age mansion.

The Fifth Avenue mansion "embodies the height of Beaux-Arts design and old-world European craftsmanship," according to its listing.

The home is located near the corner of Fifth Avenue and 79th Street in Manhattan. It occupies 25 feet of prestigious Fifth Avenue real estate.

Henry H. Cook, the original commissioner of the building, hired the architectural firm of McKim, Mead, and White to lead the project.

Construction on the building began in 1902 and was completed in 1907, two years after Cook's death in 1905.

There are only a few Beaux-Arts-style mansions still remaining in New York City.

Key characteristics of Beaux-Arts architecture, which was popular in the US in the late 19th century and early 20th century, include "a focus on symmetry," classical features like columns or pediments, and "highly decorative surfaces," such as carved doorways and crown molding, according to the Chicago Architecture Center.

The historic home was designed by Gilded Age architect Stanford White.

White is one of the most famous architects in history. He is known for his style inspired by the Italian Renaissance and is one of the most famous architects to emerge from the Gilded Age in Manhattan.

He is also famous for his death, which was shrouded in scandal.

On the night of June 25, 1906, Pittsburgh millionaire Henry Shaw shot and killed White at Madison Square Garden because of a prior relationship between White and Thaw's wife, chorus girl Evelyn Nesbit, the National Park Service reported. Nesbit was just 16 when she met White.

White was 52 when he died, and much of his architectural legacy was tainted by the scandal in the years after his death.

However, he is now recognized as one of the most influential architects of the early 20th century.

The home is the only fully restored Stanford White-designed mansion on Fifth Avenue.

In the decades following the Gilded Age — and amid financial challenges and changing tastes and values — many of the largest mansions in New York City were torn down or repurposed.

Corcoran's Andres Perea-Garzon — who listed the property with Carrie Chiang and Lesley Schulhof, also of the Corcoran Group — told Mansion Global that the home is one of only five mansions designed by Stanford White still in existence in New York City.

Of those, only two — including this one — are single-family townhouses in Manhattan.

The floorplan has been updated from White's original design but retains many of his choices.

After its previous owners purchased it in 2012, the home underwent a multi-year restoration project.

The renovated morning kitchen, pictured above, has a Carrara marble waterfall island that reflects more modern trends.

The home has also been updated to reflect 21st-century living, with upgrades like a "modernized" elevator and nine restored wood-burning fireplaces, per the listing.

It was transformed into an entertainer's paradise.

The home has five separate kitchens, including a family kitchen, a chef's kitchen, a butler's pantry, a staff kitchen, and a serving kitchen.

The scullery and butler's pantry also each have a dumbwaiter to accommodate service across the entertaining levels.

Despite the upgrades, the home has retained its Gilded Age grandeur.

Many of the home's most impressive features, including its limestone flooring and staircase with a wrought-iron railing, have been restored to their original condition.

The primary bedrooms have dressing areas and en-suite bathrooms.

The mansion, which spans over 16,000 square feet and has 11 bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and three half-baths, was cut from its original price of $80 million in 2021, The New York Post reported.

The home's details include French stained-glass windows and marble fireplaces.

Inside the home's double grand parlors, there are 16-foot-high ceilings fitted with wooden beams as well as hand-carved marble fireplaces, according to the listing.

One living space features crown molding and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The home embodies upper-crust living with a climate-controlled wine cellar, a steam room, a linen room, and a silver and jewelry vault.

The mansion has also undergone more practical upgrades.

Every room across its seven floors has a separate HVAC zone, per the listing. Humidifiers and a water purification system were also added.

The home was marketed as a single-family home but the listing noted it could also be repurposed into an art gallery.

The listing states that the home can be used as a private residence, an embassy or mission, a nonprofit foundation office with a limit of 50 employees, or a non-commercial art gallery.

One of the home's most jaw-dropping features is its views of Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The home is located on Cook Block, a zoning district that restricts buildings to six stories or fewer for a full city block. This prevents new construction from restricting the home's sweeping views.

The mansion also has a private courtyard for indoor-outdoor living.

"As one of the last private mansions of its kind, 973 Fifth Avenue is an irreplaceable masterpiece, fully restored to its original grandeur while discreetly integrating modern luxury at the highest standard," the listing read.

• I've traveled to all 50 states and love exploring the country's lesser-known state parks.
• Letchworth State Park in New York and Matthiessen State Park in Illinois have gorgeous waterfalls.
• Utah's Kodachrome Basin State Park feels like stepping into another world.

National parks have never been more popular, with record-breaking visitation in 2024. I understand why so many people flock to these iconic landscapes to see some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.

However, after traveling solo to all 63 US national parks and all 50 states, I've discovered that some of the most stunning and underrated places aren't part of the national park system — they're state parks.

These hidden gems offer the same beauty, adventure, and solitude, often without the crowds, reservations, or permit hassles that come with national park visits. Here are some of my favorites.

Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin has something for everyone.

Despite being Wisconsin's most-visited state park, I find that many people I talk to don't know about Devil's Lake in Baraboo. However, it's my favorite of Wisconsin's 50 state parks.

In my opinion, the park's East and West Bluff trails offer some of the best panoramic views in the Midwest. Additionally, the massive rock formations — like Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway — make it a favorite for hikers and rock climbers alike.

Beyond the cliffs, the park offers kayaking, swimming, and peaceful lakeside picnic areas, making it a perfect year-round destination.

Letchworth State Park in New York is home to stunning waterfalls.

Often nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park is a natural wonder where the Genesee River carves through a deep gorge, creating three stunning waterfalls framed by towering cliffs.

With 66 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, Letchworth is a paradise for nature lovers.

The park is especially magical in the fall, with its vibrant autumn foliage, making it one of the most spectacular leaf-peeping destinations in the Northeast.

Coopers Rock State Forest in West Virginia is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

West Virginia is another one of my favorite states for outdoor recreation. Its state park system is full of gems, but I always recommend visiting Coopers Rock State Forest.

I love hiking in this park or simply enjoying a sunset at Coopers Rock Overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the Cheat River Gorge.

The park also has many unique rock formations scattered throughout the forest along the miles of scenic trails.

Matthiessen State Park in Illinois feels magical.

Matthiessen State Park is a hidden gem known for its dramatic canyons, cascading waterfalls, and towering forests, creating a stunning, almost magical landscape.

With peaceful trails and fewer crowds than nearby Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen is a must-visit for nature lovers in the Midwest. I especially love visiting in the fall to enjoy the changing foliage.

Visiting Utah's Kodachrome Basin State Park feels like stepping into another world.

When visiting Utah, many travelers aim to see one (or all) of the state's "Mighty Five" national parks. However, Utah is also home to 46 state parks — my favorite being Kodachrome Basin.

Just over 20 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin feels like stepping into another world entirely.

The less-crowded landscape is a stunning mix of red, orange, and yellow hues, and striking "sand pipes" — tall, thin spires of rock that the park is known for.

Hike, camp, or drive through the rock formations of this hidden gem park for a peaceful adventure.

Eldorado Canyon is one of my favorite state parks in Colorado.

With four major national parks and over 40 state parks, Colorado is known for outdoor recreation. However, I've found that, outside of the locals, many people don't know about one of my favorite places to visit — Eldorado Canyon State Park.

Just 9 miles outside Boulder, the park is known for its dramatic canyon views, rock climbing, and scenic hiking trails. Its towering golden sandstone cliffs make it one of the top climbing destinations in the US, with over 500 routes.

Visitors can also choose to cross-country ski or snowshoe in the winter months.

• Darrel and Patrice Maxam started renting out bedrooms in their Atlanta home on Airbnb in 2015.
• They ended up building additional units — tiny homes and treehouses — on the property to rent out.
• Their latest project: a group of wooden cabins in upstate New York that make over $30,000 a month.

When Darrel and Patrice Maxam moved from Connecticut to Georgia, they bought a 1956 bungalow for $249,400. Because they'd used most of their money to buy the home, they struggled to afford the $1,400 monthly mortgage payments.

"When we moved to Atlanta, we were really broke," Darrel Maxam told Business Insider. "We literally spent all of our money on a down payment — we had $1,000 in our bank accounts."

They decided to list a bedroom in the three-bedroom bungalow on Airbnb. Then they rented the entire house. Later, they began renting out a tiny house on the property. Eventually, the Maxams filled their two-and-a-half acres with nine different short-term-rental units: the main house, a tiny home, a converted barn, a triplex, and three "treehouses."

Now, the Maxams build and operate short-term rentals full-time. They sold the Atlanta property in September of 2024; Fulton County property records show it sold for $655,000. Their focus is a village of 13 custom-built cabins and properties in upstate New York that brings in between $30,000 and $60,000 a month.

Read on to see how the Maxams built their Airbnb empire.

They evolved from renting a single room to renting out the entire house

Renting out rooms brought in about $1,000 a month in profit, Maxam said, and renting out the entire home doubled that amount.

Maxam recalled packing up every weekend during the summer and vacating the premises while Airbnb guests were staying in their Atlanta home.

He said the couple would take 10% of his weekly paycheck, 10% of his wife's weekly paycheck, and 10% of the amount they were making from Airbnb and use it to find a hotel within 300 miles that worked within that budget.

"If we only had $400, we were going to plan a trip for $400," he said. "We would go as far south as Destin, Florida, as far east as Mississippi, and as far north as the Carolinas and Tennessee area."

Maxam figured the more units they put on the Atlanta property, the more money they would make.

First, the Maxams partnered with the HGTV show "Tiny House, Big Living" to build a tiny home on their property, which Maxam said earned them an extra $2,500 a month in profit.

"I was hooked at that point," Maxam said. "We had a barn in the backyard. I converted that barn to another livable space. Then, another year after that, I ended up building three more units. After the fifth unit on the property, we were generating roughly $15,000 a month."

At one point, the Maxams had their main house, a tiny home, a barn, a triplex with three rentable units, and three treehouses on the property. They took the tiny home with them when they left.

Maxam resigned from his full-time job working for the Department of Aviation and made hospitality his career.

They've built a village of cabins in upstate New York

In 2022, the Maxams' main project became Finger Lakes Treehouses in Sodus, New York, a small town 33 miles east of Rochester.

They partnered with Red Falls Timber, a New York-based firm that sources its wood from Finland, to build five A-frame cabins.

Each one has a kitchenette, a bathroom, air conditioning, and a private wood-fired hot tub. Nightly rates are around $250, according to the Maxam Hotels website.

Each A-frame structure cost him about $65,000, Maxam said. Since launching in 2023, the five cabins have brought in anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000 a month, he added.

"We don't touch a project unless we can be cash-flow positive within 18 months," he said.

The Maxams are planning to build five non-A-frame cabins with Red Falls Timber on the Sodus land this year.

Both cabin styles are prefabricated, which means they can be put together quickly, cutting down on both time and cost per unit.

"It'll take about three days to get them erected," Maxam said.

"You, right now, can come on site, look at my plans, and be able to put my building together," he added. "That's how easy they are — they're like Lego."

The Maxams have other dreams for the Sodus development.

"We have three Airstreams on the property right now, so by the start of the season, we'll have 13 units total," Maxam said. "Next year, we're going to go into phase three. We have these really luxury-style safari tents, and we'll build a bathhouse for them, also."

The plan is to have 19 total units in Sodus by next year, he added.

The couple has also purchased land in Belize with plans for a beach-centered venture in 2026 or 2027.

They believe slow and steady is the best growth

The Maxams entered the short-term-rental world humbly, but now feel like they are thriving.

Maxam said to get here, they took their time, using proceeds from one unit to build the next one.

"Everyone wants to rush and rush and race to do the largest project — and they don't know what they're getting themselves into," Maxam said.

"The only advice I have to someone starting out like me is to stay small enough, long enough, because soon enough you'll be big enough," he added.