Find Historic Brownstone Warmth and Manhattan Convenience at This Chelsea Duplex Rental

It’s hard to resist historic brownstone interiors with their high ceilings, graceful plaster molding and tall townhouse windows. Living on two floors of a townhouse feels pretty much like you’ve got a whole house to yourselves. Throw in a wood-burning fireplace–and, even better, a tasteful renovation–and we can’t imagine a better place to settle in and get ready for winter. Just one flight up, this gorgeous three-bedroom duplex at 322 West 20th Street is on the rental market for $9,800 a month; at 1,800 square feet, it’s not house-sized, but it beats the average Manhattan apartment by a city mile–and many a sleek downtown duplex rents for as much or more.

On a lovely and leafy block in the Chelsea Historic District, lined with landmarked churches and elegant townhouses, this brownstone duplex offers charm inside and out. Interiors have been recently and thoughtfully renovated and all modern conveniences are here, yet graceful details and beautiful old-house bones and proportions remain.

Enter after one flight up and you’ll find a gracious living room with tall ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace overlooking the gardens below (though a bit of outdoor space to do more than just gaze upon might make this apartment’s ambitious rent more justified). A large, comfortable eat-in kitchen offers the added bonus of a washer/dryer.

Just beyond the kitchen, a separate dining (or sitting, if you prefer) area makes use of the grand center hall. The apartment fills with both northern and southern light by day.

Upstairs, a big, bright master bedroom has a decorative fireplace and an en suite bath; two smaller (a lot smaller: bring your twin bed.) bedrooms can be found on the opposite side of this floor; use them both as a bedroom-plus-office-or-closet.

Baths are stylishly renovated, and pretty historic details–like a stained glass skylight and gracefully curving stair rail–make this apartment feel more like a house–and a home.

While having the sheltering advantage of a classic and lovely historic block, this sought-after Chelsea location is known for its endless offering of shops from Trader Joe’s to Tiffany’s, restaurants, and destinations like the High Line, Chelsea Market and many more. Several subway lines are within blocks, as are several other great downtown neighborhoods.

[Listing: 322 West 20th Street #2 by Sandra Colbert Thompson at Stribling]

[Via CityRealty]

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 Images courtesy of Stribling.