Herringbone hardwood floors have become a distinguished choice for NYC developers and homebuyers looking to elevate apartment and townhouse interiors with a touch of sophistication. With its interlocking zigzag design, this classic flooring pattern dates back over 2,000 years to the Roman Empire, where it was first used for road paving due to its durability and stability. Today, herringbone floors are seen as a symbol of luxury and timeless style, bringing an element of visual interest to any space with their distinctive geometric pattern. Whether used in pre-war co-ops or contemporary new developments, these floors are a favorite among interior designers.
While herringbone floors certainly offer a beautiful aesthetic, they also come with a few practical considerations. The installation process is intricate and requires precision, making it more labor-intensive and costly compared to other flooring options. Additionally, maintaining the beauty of these floors, like other hardwood flooring, involves regular cleaning and occasional refinishing, especially since wood can be susceptible to water damage if not properly cared for. Despite these challenges, herringbone floors' longevity and elegance make them a worthwhile investment for many homeowners.
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One of the main advantages of herringbone hardwood flooring is its durability. The interlocking design makes it resistant to heavy foot traffic, making it an ideal choice for higher-traffic areas of the home. The flexibility of the design also allows for a wide range of aesthetic options, from different wood species to various stains and finishes, giving owners the freedom to match the floors to their specific tastes. Additionally, herringbone floors are often associated with increasing property value, as they add an element of refinement that can set a home apart on the market.
Herringbone floors were among the features actress Uma Thurman kept intact when she renovated and combined two apartments at 1 Lexington Avenue into one spacious apartment overlooking Gramercy Park. She purchased duplex Residence #8/9C for $2.65 million in 2006, embarked on a nearly five-year renovation, and combined it with the neighboring #8D in 2012 (h/t The New York Times).
The result is a well-proportioned home that combines classic details like herringbone floors, soaring ceilings, and wood-burning fireplaces with top-of-the-line kitchen appliances, new air conditioning, and smart thermostats. There is a private terrace, and the apartment comes with a key to Gramercy Park. Ms. Thurman sold the apartment for $6.6 million in 2016, and it is now back on the market asking $8.95 million (h/t Mansion Global).
As we previously mentioned, herringbone floors can be more expensive than standard wood floors due to the complexity of the pattern and the skilled installation required. Furthermore, while they are easy to maintain with regular sweeping or vacuuming, they do require prompt attention to spills and moisture to avoid long-term damage. Nevertheless, herringbone floors are a beloved choice for those seeking a luxurious, durable, and timeless flooring option. Find below a selection of homes on the market fitted with such wood floors.
Select recently listings apartments with herringbone floors
Castle Village, #10 (Compass)
535 West 110th Street, #15B (Coldwell Banker Warburg)
Charleswood, #2C (Sothebys International Realty)
Gramercy Arms, #10T (Compass)
The Ansonia, #979 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
233 West 21st Street, #2B (Compass)
Beekman Mansions, #8A
$1,495,000
Beekman/Sutton Place | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,370 ft2
Beekman Mansions, #8A (Compass)
Fabric Astoria, #703 (MNS)
300 West, #14J (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
The Austin, #202 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
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Wall by the Water, #8B
$1,825,000
Financial District | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, Unknown Baths | 1,512 ft2
Wall by the Water, #8B (Bizzarro Agency LLC)
220 Riverside Boulevard, #5L
$2,125,000
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,454 ft2
220 Riverside Boulevard, #5L (Sothebys International Realty)
Austin Nichols House, #B612 (Serhant)
Museum Tower, #12CJ (Serhant)
12 West 96th Street, #16A
$2,595,000
Central Park West | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 2,175 ft2
12 West 96th Street, #16A (Compass)
Colony House, #13A
$2,600,000
Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,450 ft2
Colony House, #13A (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
50 Clinton Street, #1A (POWERED BY DMT LLC)
The Normandy, #5K (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
The Ritz Carlton Residences, #19A
$3,150,000
Battery Park City | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,759 ft2
The Ritz Carlton Residences, #19A (Corcoran Group)
The Promenade, #8CD (Compass)
200 Central Park South, #28B
$4,150,000
Midtown West | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths | 1,450 ft2
200 Central Park South, #28B (Compass)
35 East 12th Street, #8B (Compass)
1100 Park Avenue, #14B (Compass)
The Four Seasons Private Residences, #50D
$5,500,000
Tribeca | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,265 ft2
The Four Seasons Private Residences, #50D (Compass)
The Shephard, #8C (Serhant)
Southmoor House, #6DE (Compass)
The 74, #2A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
1 Lexington Avenue, #89CD (Corcoran Group)
The Apthorp, #2ABC
$23,500,000
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 8,557 ft2
The Apthorp, #2ABC (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Walker Tower, #PH2 (DGSIR Realty)
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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