One of NYC’s rare rooftop ‘cottages’ is for sale, asking $3.5M in the East Village

The listing calls the two-unit, three-story property that tops the condominium building at 72 East 1st Street “the most unique property in the East Village,” and while it may not be the entire city’s most interesting, it’s definitely among them. The lower unit is a full-floor penthouse duplex, above which is perched a perfect replica of a New England cottage. The property is for sale for $3.5 million; while much has been written about the city’s handful of rooftop cabins and cottages, they rarely appear on the market. In this case, the Nantucket-style cottage is an artists’ studio, which makes it even cooler.

6sqft has previously reported on those unique houses-on-the-rooftop, such as this one in Chelsea that popped up for rent last December and this West Village homestead that wasn’t even for sale but merely fascinating.

In this case, the lower apartment itself is a large and luxurious home, in a prime corner location with open views of Lower Manhattan, two wood burning fireplaces and over 3,000 feet of space inside and out. The three bedroom duplex on the fourth and fifth floors of the classic pre-war condominium building begins with a sun-filled double height great room/atelier with 18-foot ceilings, exposed beams and a private balcony.

The second level of the atelier allows offers space for entertaining overlooking the floor below that could also yield additional rooms, a small kitchenette and renovated marble bath.

Accessible from both levels of the atelier, the living quarters feature a sunken living/dining room anchored by a wood-burning fireplace and framed by five corner windows. On the fourth floor is also renovated kitchen, a guest bedroom and a powder room.

Up a “cottage style” staircase the second level of the living quarters features the master bedroom with a wood-burning fireplace, a massive dressing room with a washer/dryer, and an en-suite bath. A second bedroom offers direct access to the atelier next door.

Clearly the main event here, though, is that roof cottage, a loft penthouse with weathered shingles, a cupola and a wraparound terrace. Up-to-date and ready for cottage living, this unique space boasts new Marvin divided-light windows and a glass block wall that frame extraordinary open views through three exposures. Access to the private roof terrace is provided through double french doors; the cottage includes a full bathroom and kitchenette.

The building itself is an historic condominium–we might add here that it’s a walk-up building, one of the only drawbacks we can see–known as the Minthorne House. Built in 1841, the building was part of the 50-acre Minthorne Farm which was purchased Philip Minthorne in the 18th century. The building contains only three residential units, so you’ll probably really get to know your downstairs neighbors.

[Listing: 72 East First Street #PH by Nick Gavin and Josh Doyle for Compass]

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Images courtesy of Compass.