Legendary actress Susan Sarandon put her co-op loft in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan up for sale, and if you’re looking for a residence in the city, and you have the $7.9 million, you might want to have a look. Or, even if you aren’t, or you don’t. It’s an unusually fine property, and seeing it is a positive tonic for the overwrought moodiness and emphasis on flashy material surface that sells so many newer high-end Manhattan units.

The nine-story building went up in 1923. The unit in question is an upper-floor duplex, partial-floor lower and full-floor upper. It measures about 6,000 square feet. Hardwood floors run throughout the gracefully cerebral and very warm residence; especially pleasing touches include the built-ins, the wet bar, the curving set of steps that stands as transition to the main living area and, especially, the library.

The building’s history comes through in the angles and the occasional bit of exposed plumbing, but the degree of craftsmanship, sense of openness and uncluttered feel are the design sensibilities that give this spot its soul. Renovate at your spiritual peril; bring in bookmatched marble and you’re entirely lost to the void of conspicuous laissez-faire. Don’t do it, mensch!

The oversize panes blur that pesky, disruptive interiority/exteriority demarcation, but you can get even a little closer to the city views by way of the master balcony.

Sarandon won the Academy Award for Best Actress for 1995’s Dead Man Walking.