West Village

han never to have loved at all.” We’re pretty sure poet Lord Tennyson wasn’t talking about West Village apartments when he wrote those immortal words, but we can’t help but feel they are more than appropriate in the case of this three-bedroom charmer at 23 Bank Street. While the home is only available as a rental, one look will tell you that loving it and then losing it upon lease end is definitely better than never having experienced its classic beauty at all.
Read on to see if you'd be able to love it and leave it

Distinctive Homes

September 11, 2014

Let Architect Kevin Bergin Create Your Dream Home in this Minimalist Chelsea Pad

It looks like someone is trying to accomplish a pretty impressive flip. Since September 2012 an investor has gradually acquired the three units that occupy the sixth floor of the Porter House, paying almost $13 million. Now the entire floor is back on the market as one potential dream home package for a whopping $22 million. (Now that’s appreciation if we’ve ever heard of it.) While the nearly double asking price may raise a few eyebrows, there are a few incentives for prospective buyers in the form of a fresh paint job and a masterfully crafted floor plan by up-and-coming NYC architect Kevin Bergin. Admittedly, it’s not a complete remodel, but it’s a start. Let’s take a look inside so you can judge for yourself.
Take a look inside, here

Distinctive Homes

September 10, 2014

Whimsical Chelsea Duplex with Hot Tub Asks $3.9 Million

There’s something about the grotto-esque garden duplex at 121 West 15th Street that makes us feel like we just stepped into a Disney movie. Perhaps it’s the soft edges and delightfully crooked banisters, or the whimsical fireman’s pole—yes, there’s a fireman’s pole. Whatever the case, this magical apartment may not be “the happiest place on earth,” but it will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.
Take a look inside here

September 8, 2014

This Art-Filled West Village Penthouse Also Features an Unbelievable Rooftop Terrace

It looks like the penthouse at 221 West 13th Street had a bit of trouble selling back in 2011, which is good news for some lucky prospective renters because the beautifully decorated West Village duplex is now available, fully furnished, for $25,000 per month. We’re pretty sure there’s a saying for that: one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. Apparently, the space was originally designed as two separate residences, which may have had something to do with its trouble finding a new owner… well, that and the fact that price kept increasing. Whatever the case, this three-bedroom townhouse has quite a few surprises up its sleeve.
Take a look inside here

Distinctive Homes

Coffee Culture: Are Neighborhood Cafes the First Sign of Gentrification?

Photo: Cafe Grumpy in Greenpoint by Premshree Pillai cc

September 3, 2014

Coffee Culture: Are Neighborhood Cafes the First Sign of Gentrification?

By Michelle Cohen

From “coffices” to lab-like minimalist gourmet coffee meccas to cozy neighborhood hangouts, neighborhood cafes are a fine example of the essential “third place” mentioned in discussions of community dynamics: that place, neither work nor home, where regulars gather and everyone’s welcome. Along with yoga studios, art galleries, community gardens, vintage clothing shops, restaurants with pedigreed owners and adventurous menus and, some say, a change in the offerings on local grocery shelves, cafes are often the earliest sign of neighborhood change. The neighborhood cafe serves as a testing ground for community cohesiveness while adventurous entrepreneurs test the still-unfamiliar waters around them. Beyond the literal gesture of offering sustenance, cafes provide a place where you can actually see who your neighbors are and appreciate the fact that at least some of them are willing to make an investment locally.
Get a fleeting glimpse of old New York City cafe culture in the West Village, meet the future of coffee distribution in Red Hook.

September 2, 2014

INTERVIEW: Andrew Berman, Executive Director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation

There's been a lot of controversy around preservation in New York City as of late, and through it all, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP) seems to always make its voice heard. From debunking myths about affordable housing and historic districts to advocating for the Village's next great landmark, GVSHP remains on the front lines of the field. Founded in 1980 to preserve the architectural heritage and cultural history of the Village, the organization now includes the East Village, South Village, Far West Village, Noho, and Meatpacking District in its purview. Part of the reason for GVSHP's expansion stems from the tireless efforts of its longtime Executive Director, Andrew Berman. Since 2002, he has overseen the research, educational programming, and advocacy of one of the city's leading preservation nonprofits. We recently sat down with Andrew to learn more about his views on the current state of preservation in the city and where he hopes to take GVSHP in the future.
Read our full interview here

August 26, 2014

When is a Stable Not a Stable? When It’s This Unique MESH-Designed West Village Loft

Given the history of New York City, converting factories, carriage houses and yes, even stables, into beautiful, functional living spaces isn’t a novel idea. But trust us, MESH Architectures' transformation of this former horse’s quarters on Horatio Street takes novel to a whole new level. The only thing still stable-like about this gorgeous residence is its nearly square shape and a few original wood support columns scattered about. But you hardly notice either when you encounter the utterly unique giant glowing cube or “lantern” smack dab in the middle of the apartment.
See the interior of this glowing room and more

August 19, 2014

Quirky West Village Co-Op Has Beams Made from Salvaged Ship Parts

For some bizarre reason the owner of this remarkable home decided to put her stamp on it, then vacate. Well, life’s too short to contemplate all of its mysteries. Instead we’ll just accept this twist of fate as the perfect opportunity to take a glimpse behind the private gate on Greenwich Street, and inside a truly unique West Village co-op. You’ll feel like a kid in a candy shop the minute you step inside this 3,000-square-foot, oversized playhouse at 719 Greenwich Street. Unit 1S is filled with whimsy, from the salvaged sailing ship beams that adorn its nearly 13-foot ceilings, to the international door collection, which includes a few beveled glass models from a hotel in Fleury, France.
Take a look inside this charismatic loft here

August 18, 2014

This West Village Remodel by HS2 Architecture Wows with a Greenhouse Dining Room

It’s rare that you see a townhouse as grand and spacious as this 6,500-square-foot West Village dwelling. So, it’s no wonder the team at HS2 Architecture was delighted for the opportunity to renovate the historic house of their clients, the family of a work-from-home author. The goal was to create a home that reflected the clients’ lifestyle, transforming the space into a residence that makes a strong architectural statement while maintaining a level of comfort and functionality.
Take a look inside this Greenwich Village remodel here

August 8, 2014

Olympic Figure Skater Sasha Cohen Snags a Pretty Plain Waverly Place Pad for $1.6M

By Annie Doge

It looks like Olympic figure skater Sasha Cohen will be boxing up all her medals for a move to the West Village. According to city records, Cohen is leaving her Times Square pad for a corner one-bedroom apartment at 136 Waverly Place. Cohen dropped $1.595 million for the pre-war digs, which are much more quaint and simple that what we'd expect for the skating star who had a Project Runway episode dedicated to designing a skating dress just for her.
Peek inside the home here

August 1, 2014

$2.2 Million West Village Artists’ Loft with Tin Ceilings Is Quite the Muse

The pre-war details of this loft would serve as inspiration to any artist—which is perfect because it just so happens that 799 Greenwich Street is an artist’s co-op. That’s right. Accountants need not apply. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take a peek at this beautiful abode, which is apparently home to a budding young musician.
Let's take a look

Distinctive Homes

July 17, 2014

Corcoran Broker Susan Lamia Sells Off Her Charming West Village Townhouse for $10.75 Million

By Diane Pham

As the saying goes: If you want something done right, do it yourself. And that's exactly what Corcoran broker Susan Lamia did with her stunning Greek Revival townhouse at 54 Charles Street in the West Village. After just 21 days on the market, the property traded hands for $10.75 million, according to city records filed today. Susan and her husband originally purchased the home for $4.92 million nine years ago, turning a pretty nice profit on the recent sale. Though the buyer has yet to be disclosed, whoever they are, they've sure lucked out with their purchase. The spacious home not only sits along one of Manhattan's most picturesque streets, but also boasts many of the building's original, historic details.
See more of this lovely home here

July 13, 2014

Architect Andrew Franz Restored This West Village Townhouse to its Historic Glory

By Patty Lee

In recent years, the West Village has become one of the hippest areas in New York City, thanks to a slew of celebrity residents and its reputation as the epicenter of the cupcake boom. But at its heart, the neighborhood is still one of the most picturesque and charming in town, dotted with historic townhouses that have been around for decades. Tasked with restoring one of those iconic brick buildings, architect Andrew Franz sought to maintain its original character, while giving the owners a home that's both spacious and functional.
There's a gorgeous rooftop garden you just have to see...

July 11, 2014

Matthew Baird’s Greenwich Street Townhouse Brings Meatpacking Style to the West Village

One of the things we love most about New York's historic neighborhoods is that they each have their own distinct architectural style. So we were a little discombobulated (in a good way) when we saw Matthew Baird Architects's Greenwich Street Townhouse, which has infused the industrial, rough-edged style of the Meatpacking District into a traditional West Village-rowhouse streetscape. When they embarked on the project, both the architect and the client sought a contemporary, reductive exterior design to contrast with the warm ambiance and simple materials of the 5,000-square-foot interior. Baird's interest in prefabrication inspired the construction of the façade from a single piece of raw steel, which was lifted from a truck and bolted into place. When the 40' x 14' slab was transported, the inbound lanes on one level of the George Washington Bridge had to be closed!
Get a look inside this unique home

July 10, 2014

Funky Apartment in Flipper-Favorite 166 Perry Street Sells for $2.5 Million

166 Perry Street, the futuristic, Asymptote-designed condo with a vertical undulating façade, has become notorious for its failed flipping attempts. But the curse might be lifted at the eight-story West Village residence thanks to the recent $2.5 million sale of apartment 1B, a 2BR/2.5BA duplex that has been outfitted with modern touches and funky details. The 2,526-square-foot unit initially sold in 2010, a year after the building's completion, for $1.756 million. When the pad went on the market this time around in January 2013, it was listed for $3.995 million. Though today's owner had to lower the asking price, she still made a profit of nearly $1 million.
Check out the colorful digs here

July 8, 2014

$35 Million Richard Meier Penthouse up for Resale for First Time Ever

The penthouse of Pritzker Prize-winning starchitect Richard Meier’s last residential masterpiece is on the market for the first time since it was built in 2005. You know what that means. It means we get to glimpse inside the stunning West Village pad so we can begin brainstorming fundraising ideas to get this hot $35 million trophy. As if it’s not impressive enough that this 165 Charles Street penthouse sits atop an iconic building that won the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects 2005 Housing Design Award, this condo was designed by the starchitect himself. Now, if that’s not something to brag about, we don’t know what is.
Take a look inside the masterfully designed penthouse here

July 8, 2014

West Village Federal Rowhouse with Surprise Attic Space Sells for $6 Million

Attics get a bad name as the cobweb-laden crawl space to store holiday decorations, the makeshift bedroom for the angry teenager in the house, or the unknown room that no one even dares enter. But behind the dormer windows of 651 Washington Street is a modern, spacious attic space that has been transformed to fit two sunny bedrooms, one of the many factors that likely led to its recent $6 million sale. Other selling points of the five-story, 2,800-square-foot home include four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a full-floor finished basement outfitted with a home gym, a private outdoor garden, and two separate dining rooms. The lucky buyer is Charles Modica, Co-Founder and Chancellor of St. George's University located in Grenada, West Indies.
See what else Mr. Modica will get to enjoy in his new residence

July 1, 2014

$3.45 Million West Village Loft Accented with Glazed Glass Sells for Asking

The sprawling 3,200-square-foot loft at 377 West 11th Street has just sold for asking, according to city records. Apartment 1A is currently configured as a 3BR/2BA loft, but one of the bedrooms can be a guest bedroom or study, depending on what the new owner desires. The $3.45 million airy loft is accented by glazed glass throughout, making for an even more light-filled space. This architect-designed co-op doesn’t do anything halfway, with a spectacular foyer greeting you and ushering you into a living/dining room with 15-foot ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, and custom bookshelves. And we’re not talking just a few books, here. Get out your library card because these bookshelves have their own second story.
Want more? Look here

June 23, 2014

West Village Rental in Renowned Bing & Bing Condominium Offers a Lot of Bang for the Buck

Celebrity sightings are not uncommon in the West Village and along the quiet, leafy street named Christopher filled with charming homes owned by the likes of the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman and comedienne Amy Sedaris. But residents here take it all in stride, and that low-key vibe permeates the walls of this beautifully appointed 3-bedroom, 2-bath condo at 45 Christopher Street. This corner unit’s original beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, and light-filled rooms offer a perfect setting to the city views greeting you to the north and west.
See more pics of this Christopher Street charmer

Distinctive Homes

June 9, 2014

Country-Chic Apartment in Village Townhouse Finds a Buyer for $1.8M

No, we didn't get these pictures from the pages of Country Living magazine, but this stylish home most certainly could grace its cover. The 3BR/2BA apartment in a Greenwich Village Greek Revival townhouse recently sold for $1.795 million through a listing held by Corcoran. Apartment 3FR at 288 West 12th Street is a 950-square-foot, floor-through unit that has been thoughtfully restored to emphasize the home's pre-war character. Original details include three wood-burning fireplaces, wide-plank yellow pine floors, and leaded-glass windows.
Right this way for more design details

June 5, 2014

Rooms with a View: Sprawling West Village Penthouse Hits the Market for the First Time at $12.25M

Virtually every inch of this distinctively laid out 3,600-square-foot duplex at 140 Charles Street showcases some of New York’s most coveted views: the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Freedom Tower, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Hudson River unfold before you in all their majestic splendor. It’s no wonder this home hasn’t been on the market since it was built as part of the The Memphis Downtown (designed by RKTB Architects) in 1985. Perched on the 21st and 22nd floors of the West Village’s tallest condominium, this dramatic residence was professionally designed by award-winning architect Henry Myerberg, founder of HMA2, and those exterior views are yours forever thanks to the visionary work of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.
See the rooms, see the views

Distinctive Homes

May 5, 2014

Links We Love: Happy Birthday to the World’s Oldest Man; Is Graffiti the New Must-Have for Luxury Buildings?