The New York apartment once owned by architect Philip Johnson has escaped gut renovation, thanks to a pair of Texans who were enraptured by the place. Michael and Amy Cosgrove paid approximately $2.25 million for the 1,427-square-foot one-bedroom on the 11th floor of the Museum Tower.

So, aside from a swell view of the Johnson-designed garden at the neighboring Museum of Modern Art and a hefty "celebrity premium," what did the Cosgroves get? Josh Barbanel described the interiors in a recent New York Times article:

It has a coffered living room ceiling with a white marble floor, signed Andy Warhol Cow Wallpaper in the powder room, even a red towel matching the red in the Warhol wallpaper in the powder room, and a bar of olive soap.

In contrast to the many would-be buyers who planned to erase most of Johnson's touches (tearing out the ceiling and marble floors), the Cosgroves are determined to preserve the apartment, hiring architect Francois de Menil to undertake "respectful" repairs and restoration. Surely Johnson would approve. As he once said, "All architects want to live beyond their deaths."