Entry No. 14 — the New York City file — filed under: oddities
Creel and Gow
Set in the former stables of a historic Grosvenor Atterbury townhouse near Lexington and 70th, this luxe cabinet of curiosities was founded in 2012 by collectors Jamie Creel and Christopher Gow. Cases overflow with taxidermy birds, prehistoric fossils, rare minerals, coral, silver-coated shells and exotic decorative objects. It feels like stepping inside a wealthy 19th-century naturalist's private collection that happens to be for sale.
The story
Tucked into the former 19th-century stables of a Grosvenor Atterbury townhouse on East 70th Street, Creel and Gow feels less like Upper East Side retail and more like ducking into the private sanctuary of a hyper-wealthy Victorian naturalist. You step off a quiet block near Lexington Avenue into a dim, polished enclave lined with glass cabinets and dark wood shelving.
Collectors Jamie Creel and Christopher Gow opened the space in 2012, filling the historic carriage house with globally sourced specimens. Deep cases hold taxidermy birds, prehistoric fossils, deep-sea coral, raw mineral clusters, and sea shells dipped in silver. Everything is pristine, dustless, and arranged with museum-level precision—except every surreal piece of natural history in the building carries a price tag.
What it's like
Step inside and the neighborhood bustle vanishes into silent, velvet-padded luxury. You'll likely browse alongside interior decorators and discreet collectors quietly inspecting lapis objects or preserved plumage. The reality check: this is high-end Manhattan luxury, so expect serious collector pricing rather than flea-market finds. Unless you're prepared to drop serious money on a silver-coated nautilus, treat the room like a quiet, uncrowded natural history exhibit where you happen to be allowed right up to the glass.
The move: Wander the stable-turned-showroom admiring the taxidermy and mineral cabinets, then choose one small jewel-like object as a splurge or just leave inspired.
📍 Before you go Typically open about 10am to 6pm; it is a high-end boutique, so expect collector pricing on most pieces.
- 📍 Upper East Side, Manhattan
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 131 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- John M. Mossman Lock Collection — Pair a browse through natural curiosities with a head down to Midtown to see a quietly hidden 19th-century collection of intricate bank and vault locks.
- Astronomy Live at the Hayden Planetarium — Trade terrestrial fossils and silvered coral for a live, astrophysicist-guided trip through the stars directly across Central Park.
- Septuagesimo Uno — After scrutinizing indoor cabinets of rare specimens, cut across the park to sit in Manhattan's smallest pocket park squeezed between two Upper West Side townhouses.
Good to know
Where is Creel and Gow located?
It's at 131 East 70th Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
What kind of items do they sell?
The inventory focuses on luxe natural history objects, including taxidermy birds, rare mineral specimens, prehistoric fossils, coral, silver-coated shells, and exotic decorative pieces.
What are the shop's hours?
They are typically open Monday through Saturday from about 10am to 6pm, but call ahead (212-327-4281) to double-check before making a dedicated trip.
Is there another store location?
Yes, alongside the Upper East Side flagship, Creel and Gow operates a location in Millbrook, New York.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · m.yelp.com · 1stdibs.com · theselect7.com
last checked: 2026-06-23