Before a new class of luxury cooperatives on Park and Fifth Avenues took the city by storm, well-heeled New Yorkers preferred to live in single-family homes on side streets. Over 100 years later, townhouses are having a moment as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Some families are eager for more space and privacy after months on lockdown in an apartment, while others crave the cachet of having a New York City building all to themselves. Still others appreciate the history of a townhouse - many are found in protected districts, and nearly half the celebrity-owned listings of July 2021 were townhouses belonging to luminaries like Eleanor Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller Jr., and Perry Ellis.
Owning a single-family home can mean extra work that apartment owners take for granted (think shoveling the walk and taking out the trash), but townhouse buyers are not deterred. Indeed, as the Landmarks Preservation Commission ("Landmarks") docket shows, owners are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to make their houses in historic districts feel like home. Last week, Landmarks sent the designers back to the drawing board for proposed rear yard addition at 267 Cumberland Street in Fort Greene. However, the commission did approve window shutters with modifications at 53 East 9th Street in Greenwich Village. Earlier this month, a redesigned facade at 160 East 70th Street was also approved with modifications.
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Whether it's a historic single-family home or a house unit in a new condominium development, the demand for townhouses shows no sign of slowing down. A beautifully converted Brooklyn Heights carriage house at 4 Hunts Lane entered contract after just over one month on the market, and we take a look at other townhouse listings with private outdoor space on the market.
All images of 4 Hunts Lane via Compass
From the listing: A once-in-a-generation opportunity to own an immaculate and historic carriage house with parking on one of Brooklyn Heights' most coveted private mews. A top-to-bottom renovation has transformed this special home into a mid-century modern masterpiece with notable focuses on comfort, light and privacy. Currently configured with 3-bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, a full-floor flexible use space in the windowed cellar could serve as a fourth bedroom, guest accommodations or an additional finished living space. Neatly tucked on a quiet row, enter the home through either the front door or directly through your private garage. Inside, grand double-height ceilings and a stunning oak and steel staircase greet you. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 856 Herkimer Street via Compass
From the Listing: 856 Herkimer Street is a legal two-family that is currently being used as one but can easily be converted back into a two-family. The garden level apartment features beautiful white oak flooring, a decorative fireplace with exposed brick, exposed ceiling beams, and a large bedroom which opens to a sizeable backyard. The parlor floor is an open floor plan and includes herringbone white oak flooring throughout, a second decorative fireplace with exposed brick and ceiling beams. The gorgeous chef's kitchen is equipped with high-end stainless-steel appliances, and a breakfast bar that doubles as extra storage. The kitchen opens up to a large deck that leads to the backyard. The second floor has three bedrooms, a beautiful marble bathroom, skylights and plenty of closet space. The home also has a fully finished basement, security system, central heating and A/C, and a stereo system.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 134 West 88th Street via Douglas Elliman
From the Listing: Live better al fresco! Wonderful oversized townhouse garden duplex on lovely tree-lined, Old World block. Sprawling living room and full sized dining room with freshly skim coated walls and newly refinished hardwood flooring open onto an utterly charming garden, just perfect for entertaining! Delightful covered porch leads to a large, south facing patio with surrounding garden and huge tree for your own Shangri La. Large front den/bedroom with original wood mantled decorative fireplace, wood framed windows and full bath en suite. Efficiently designed kitchen with glass paned cabinetry, second full bath and second bedroom complete the upper level. The lower level has a second large den with full en suite bath including oversized soaking tub. A fully finished office and storage space round out this marvelous home. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 16-16 Norman Street via Compass
From the Listing: Welcome to 16-16 Norman Street, a rare gut-renovated Renaissance Revival row house transformed for modern living with a prime location on the Ridgewood/Bushwick border.
This stately 2-family brick home measures 20 x 50 deep on a lot 27 x 100 deep featuring a coveted private driveway and swoon worthy garden oasis.
The owner's upper duplex is sun-filled with exposures east/south/west and spans nearly 2,000 sf with open living and dining areas, a chef's kitchen and full bath. Pass through the sliding doors and enjoy an outdoor oasis featuring an iron deck, landscape garden with privacy hedges and plantings, blue stone pavers and wood patio perfect for summer time enjoyment. The second floor has three spacious bedrooms with two full baths, plus a home office which can be converted to a fourth bedroom.
A garden level one bed apartment makes for a great income rental or guest suite.
Additional highlights include casement windows, individually controlled split-system heating cooling, tankless water heater, custom closets and window treatments.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 763 Hancock Street via Brown Harris Stevens
From the Listing: 763 Hancock Street is guaranteed to impress even the most discerning brownstone buyer. Located in the highly desirable Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, this well maintained two 2 family has the perfect blend of period details, modern upgrades and functional design. Currently configured as a lower duplex with a one bedroom rental unit on the top floor, this south facing brownstone boasts approximately 2,964 square feet and loads of original details including a working fireplace, pocket doors, wainscoting, stained glass, high ceilings with intricate icing cake details and medallions, beautiful hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, in unit washer/dryer, Additional highlights of this stunning home include a home gym and extra storage in the finished basement as well as a picturesque landscaped garden with your own grape arbor. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 708 Halsey Street via Corcoran
From the Listing: 708 Halsey Street was completely envisioned and redone. The property is enhanced with modern finishes and meticulous upgrades throughout featuring: solid oak floors, new AC throughout with WiFi, Nest thermostats for heat control, lighting details, all new windows throughout with high sound rating, highly sound rated doors, Tankless Navien gas boilers and washer & dryer on every unit. This 18’ wide legal two-family residence spans nearly 3,595 square feet and consists of two (2) duplexes with separate entrances. Perfect for the savvy homeowner looking to live-in one and have an income producing rental on the other. Or simply occupy the entire home.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of Williamsburg Townhouses via Compass
From the Listing: Enjoy stoop living at its best in a modern condominium townhouse on Williamsburg's coveted Northside. Mid-block and spanning 1,892 square feet across four floors, No. 143 is one of twelve single-family residences filled with bright light, immaculate finishes and nearly 900 square feet of private outdoor space. Enter off a sunny stoop into the open plan dining, kitchen and sky lit living area with ceiling heights ranging from 9 to 11 feet and a gas fireplace. Beyond the living room's floor-to-ceiling glass wall is a 400-square-foot private garden with a built-in barbecue and irrigation system, a 25-foot tall backlit Evergreen English ivy wall and a custom corten steel outdoor fireplace vented for natural gas. A long list of thoughtful upgrades and customizations can be seen on every floor and in every room of the house, making this opportunity a truly turnkey townhouse in the best possible Williamsburg location.
Owners benefit from very reasonable monthlies and a tax abatement until 2027. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 144 West 120th Street via Corcoran
From the Listing: Welcome home to an historic Harlem brownstone located on one of the most desired blocks in the Mount Morris Park Historic District. This brownstone beauty from the late 1800s combines Victorian era charm with modern comfort. Elegant handcrafted details abound beginning with an intricately carved mahogany staircase that greets you on entry, to oak wainscoting that courses through the parlor hallway and up the stairs. Other authentic architectural details include carefully preserved fireplace mantels, inlaid oak parquet floors, oversize pocket doors, a 12 foot high tin ceiling, and delicately decorated original plaster work. Contemporary improvements are also present, like the conversion of yesterday's dining room into the kitchen of today. The ample patio and garden is ideal for entertaining given the city's greatest luxury, space! In addition it is adjacent to a ground floor kitchen and bath and has ready access to a remarkably complete temperature controlled wine cellar. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 253 Hoyt Street via Compass
From the Listing: 253 Hoyt Street is a 20-foot-wide three-story two-family townhome located at the crossroads of coveted Brooklyn neighborhoods Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens and Gowanus. On the parlor level, a gracious entry foyer leads into an expansive great room, where a wood-burning fireplace anchors the room and generous dimensions allow for both a formal and casual seating area. At the southern end of this level, light streams into a windowed kitchen with top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances by Wolf, GE and Bosch. Adjacent to the kitchen, a formal dining area seats many and flows outside to a Cedar deck overlooking a lush and green garden oasis -- perfectly suited for seamless indoor-to-outdoor entertaining. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 423 West 141st Street via Compass
From the Listing: One-of-a-Kind 20-foot wide semi-detached Romanesque Revival single family townhome in the Hamilton Heights historic district offers triple exposures and thoughtful modern updates alongside immaculately preserved original details. This corner home sits at the West 141st Street entrance to Hamilton Terrace, directly across from the historic Hamilton Grange, with windows overlooking its park-like grounds and the neo-gothic towers of City College. From the wide exterior limestone staircase, a wood paneled vestibule welcomes you into the parlor level of the home.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 519 West 141st Street via Corcoran
From the Listing: Welcome to your state-of-the-art luxury smart home at 519 West 141st Street in the Hamilton Heights section of Harlem. This meticulously renovated single family townhome checks all the boxes. In addition to five bedrooms, five full baths and two half baths, this home is complete with high end finishes and all the bells and whistles. It features a home automation package within an Apple/Android Ecosystem, remote keyless entry, multisource Bluetooth audio system with wireless speakers in every room, three zone high efficiency HVAC system, a security monitoring system, gas fireplaces, beautifully exposed brick walls, oak herringbone floors with walnut inlays and a premier chef’s kitchen. At sixty feet deep, the house spans over 4,500 square feet across five floors which includes a finished basement with a laundry room. See floor plan and full details here.
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All images of 325 Convent Avenue via Compass
From the Listing: This charming five story brownstone situated in Hamilton Heights is truly a one of a kind single-family home. Each floor features unique period details that are truly a work of art. With approximately 4,471 square feet, this home has five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Bring your contractor and turn this mansion into the home of your dreams! The garden level features a large kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows. The sliding glass door leads directly to a lovely private outdoor space. The parlor level features two very large entertaining rooms on opposite ends of a beautiful sitting area showcasing a granite fireplace. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 364 East 69th Street via Brown Harris Stevens
From the Listing: Ideal for those who seek the splendor and freedom of townhouse living while retaining the financial benefits or personal convenience of substantial office space below, 364 East 69th Street is a move-in ready, beautifully appointed nearly 4,000-square-foot gem on a gorgeous tree-lined block in tranquil Lenox Hill. Ascend an elegant yet contemporary curved iron staircase to enter the glamorous private residence. Massive floor-to-ceiling picture windows draw in warm northern light, exaggerating the stately prewar soaring ceilings and elegant crown molding overhead and accentuating the custom millwork and built-ins found throughout the entirety of the home. Upon entry, a large dining room is adorned with the first wood-burning fireplace complementing the residence, beside which a serving window provides easy access to a central kitchen that is easily closed off behind a pair of panel doors when hosting. Facing south, a large square living room is bathed in sunlight and home to a handsome second fireplace with dramatic black stone mantle. Ideal for entertaining or lounging indoors and out, an elaborate wet bar with wine fridge sits opposite a pair of regal French doors which lead to a sprawling terraced garden outside. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 99 Butler Street via Leslie J. Garfield
From the Listing: 99 Butler Street is an incredibly rare opportunity - live in a beautiful oversized Cobble Hill carriage house while collecting over $100,000 of income from the 3-unit townhouse included in the sale! The rear carriage house is a fully renovated three-bedroom, two-bathroom home and a three-unit rental property in front. This incredible property offers strong existing cash flow in a prime location, making it perfect for investors or live-with-income purchasers alike. A stunning glass, brick, and steel facade adorns this charming building, allowing light to flow seamlessly throughout. Multiple skylights also allow light to pour in through the ceiling. Guests will be greeted by a completely private and gated garden, an incredible private outdoor oasis for entertainment. The open layout first floor has a spacious kitchen, dining area, living room, and full-bath. Above, on the top floor, are three bedrooms with ample closet space and a full bathroom. In the full-height basement, there is a gracious recreation space with ample space for seating.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 362 State Street via Brown Harris Stevens
From the Listing: Every part of this nearly 25-foot wide three-family townhouse has been renovated since 2006 with a full gut renovation of the owner's duplex. The house has all new windows, plumbing and electrical. The owners duplex has central air conditioning and radiators for heat. It is currently set up as a grand two bedroom, two and a half bathroom with a chef's kitchen (Thermador 6-burner stove/oven, vented hood, carrara marble counter tops, Kohler farmhouse sink, Grohe faucet, GE Monogram refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher and tons of cabinets), floor to ceiling glass doors leading to the deck and garden and much more. The third floor is a large one bedroom with high ceilings and the top floor is a two bedroom with skylight. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 148 Baltic Street via Corcoran
From the Listing: 148 Baltic Street is a beautifully renovated four-story townhouse with five bedrooms and three and a half baths in the heart of Cobble Hill. An artistic mix of 19th-century period details and modern detailing have been combined to create a truly special house. This two-unit home, used by the current owner as a single family residence, has preserved its 1854 brick façade, ironwork, window sashes, cornice, and interior details such as floral crown molding and wide plank floors. Modern updates include all mechanicals including central air, a stunning kitchen and baths, garden level media room, and a full floor primary bedroom suite. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 318 West 78th Street via Leslie J. Garfield
From the Listing: 318 West 78th Street is a beautifully renovated, single-family townhouse designed by the architect George F. Pelham in 1895. Features of this magnificent home include, approximately 6,300 square feet of living space, meticulously restored original details, a grand parlor floor entertaining space that spans the living room an expansive landing, the dining room and a butler's pantry, a chef's kitchen, 6 generously sized bedrooms, soaring ceilings, a finished English basement with lounge and fitness room, and a landscaped, south-facing garden surrounded by townhouses, providing abundant light and air throughout all five floors. Details of the renovation include radiant heat throughout the house, a Crestron controlled entertainment system, custom marble and tile in all 8 bathrooms, custom cabinetry in the kitchen, hand repaired and restored plasterwork, excavated basement, new lighting, irrigation, stonework and drainage in the garden, all new mechanical systems and roof, and more. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 165 East 94th Street via Elegran
From the Listing:
165 East 94th Street is a four-story garden oasis offering 5,100 square feet of meticulously renovated interior finished space, with four bedrooms and six baths. In addition, the townhouse provides a remarkable and rare 1,000 square feet of outdoor space in three separate areas of the home, which includes a garden, a terrace off the owner's suite, and a roof deck. The attention to detail in the renovation of this property is clear from the moment you step through the generous custom vestibule created with Bendheim Architectural glass. The expansive space and multiple levels provide an ideal environment for working from home and schooling.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 21 Cornelia Street via Brown Harris Stevens
From the Listing: History and luxury mingle to stunning effect in this unique 20-foot wide elevator townhouse with rear carriage house located on a quiet tree-lined block in Greenwich Village. Hidden behind a 19th-century brick facade, you'll find this contemporary loft-like residence featuring dramatic entertaining spaces, 7 fireplaces, a tranquil garden with plunge pool and a sun-drenched rooftop terrace with open views. A long entrance foyer ideal for displaying art leads to an architecturally striking staircase that connects you to the sun-drenched entertaining levels of this remarkable home. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 247 West 13th Street via Sotheby's International Realty
From the Listing: Light abounds everywhere in this pristinely renovated 20- foot 10-inch-wide single-family home with over 6,500 +/- square feet of beautiful interior living space and 1,400 +/- square feet of stunning outdoor space including four terraces and an impeccably landscaped and irrigated garden. Located in the coveted West Village with its unique ambiance, shops, and restaurants, it is moments from the excitement of the Meatpacking District, Little Island, the new Whitney Museum and the High Line Park.
This townhouse features 5 bedrooms, 6 full baths, and 4 powder rooms and is serviced by a centrally located elevator! It includes radiant heated floors throughout, and every imaginable feature has been incorporated for simple, easy, luxury living.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 328 West 23rd Street via Corcoran
From the Listing: 328 West 23rd Street is a 25-foot wide architectural townhouse gem originally built in 1927 and meticulously expanded by award-winning architect Alastair Standing. This stately home boasts approximately 9,025 feet of interior living space and 2,547 square feet of outdoor space with 7 bedrooms, 5 full bathrooms, 3 powder rooms, full-length roof terrace, 3 generous balconies and a 40-foot-deep garden.
For a long period of time this was the home of The Sisters of Saint Agnes, a charitable order. Mother Teresa stayed here when visiting New York.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 30 West 85th Street via Leslie J. Garfield
From the Listing: 30 West 85th Street is a magnificently renovated, elevatored, 21-foot wide, single-family home that is the embodiment of state-of-the-art opulence. Located on a beautiful, townhouse lined street just steps from Central Park, this elegant townhome contains over 7,500 square feet of total interior space, 8 bathrooms, 6 bedrooms, a family room, a den/office, a media room/yoga studio, an expansive garden, a roof deck, a terrace, a gym and a wine cellar. With its unparalleled renovation, 30 West 85th Street is the ideal home for the discerning buyer seeking to move right in to an immaculate architectural masterpiece. From the exquisite selection of stones and marbles, to the Lutron lighting and Savant audio/visual systems, to the Waterworks fixtures, to the 15 zones of humidified HVAC piped through invisible duct work, to the Officine Gullo custom 66" gas range, no expense was spared in creating what is among the finest townhouses on the Upper West Side. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 17 Jane Street via Compass
From the Listing: The final townhouse at the David Chipperfield-designed 17 Jane Street, the West Village's most successful condominium. 11 Jane Street encompasses 6,378 square feet over three levels and an immensely scaled 54-foot wide, 1,773-square-foot rear garden (the fourth largest garden downtown), featuring 4-5 bedrooms, four full baths, two half baths, and a private elevator. Enter though a private gate and doorway on Jane Street into this palatial residence, with soaring 13-foot ceilings and wide-plank white oak flooring in a custom stain throughout. See floor plan and full details here.
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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