The Closer: 312 East 53rd Street

There aren't many of these left - a wood-frame house in Manhattan is sitting on the market just waiting to be snatched up. At 312 E. 53rd St. (below), the little white house with a slate mansard roof is as charming as a snowy full-moon night in New England. On the market for $2.6 million with annual taxes of almost $20,000, the historic home was built in 1866 by Robert and James Cunningham. Standing 18 feet wide with five fireplaces, three bedrooms, open kitchen, backyard and original wide-plank wood floors, the house is 2,280 square feet. Sandwiched between Beekman and Sutton Place in walking distance of Midtown's Restaurant Row and the United Nations, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for someone who wants a home, investment and story to tell. The house has some pedigree: Past residents include Lincoln Kirstein, founder of the New York City Ballet, and Muriel Draper, a society maven who was friends with Gertrude Stein and Henry James. Corcoran's Patrick Lilly and Christine Toes share the listing. Call them at (212) 941-2551.