Manhattan Penthouse in Excelsior Co-Op Has 'Floating Staircase' (House of the Day)

This Manhattan penthouse in the ritzy Excelsior co-op knocks guests on their heels as soon as they arrive with a "floating staircase" in its entry. The steps ascend beneath an arched skylight to a second floor that opens into the 5,000-square-foot home's living room.

That room (pictured above) is a stunner in itself. Encased in glass, it sports what the listing describes as "baronial" decor. (Hinting at "old money"?) The five-bedroom, three-bathroom home priced at $7.9 million also boasts a gourmet kitchen, breakfast room, office and media room.

To top it all off, its sprawling 2,500-square-foot terrace offers a panorama of the Big Apple's glittering skyline.

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This House of the Day comes from Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate (@DouglasElliman), and it's the winner of last week's #housepornthurs contest -- edging out a jaw-dropper from stalwart contest participant Estately (@Ryan_Estately). See that rival listing here.

The#housepornthurscontest is a weekly Twitter conversation hosted by @aolrealestate. Tweet listings every Thursday to AOL Real Estate -- with the hashtag #housepornthurs -- for a chance to have one of your submissions featured as a House of the Day the following week.

Click on the images below to view other homes for sale in New York, N.Y.