Contemporary NYC townhouses on the market include potential Brooklyn Heights record-breaker

By CityRealty Staff | From Great Listings Tuesday, March 11, 2025

295 Hicks Street, #TH (Douglas Elliman)

New York City is known around the world as a home for apartment dwellers, but this phenomenon is a relatively new one. About 100 years ago, Manhattan's most affluent had grand townhouses and mansions built, while multi-family dwellings were the domain of the less affluent. As time passed, though, a combination of spacious layouts, extra convenience, and savvy marketing would win the wealthiest over to a new crop of prestigious apartment buildings, thus setting a trend throughout the city.

Apartments far outnumber single-family homes in modern-day New York City, but townhouses have proven popular in recent years. The Covid pandemic and accompanying lockdown of 2020 drove home the appeal of the space, separation, and privacy single-family homes have to offer. Five years later, they regularly rank among Manhattan's top contracts, and in a reversal of past years when they might have been converted to multi-family buildings, some multi-family brownstones are being converted to single-family homes.

Others seek to build new houses, but this is not without its challenges in the city's historic districts. The owners of 221-223 Waverly Avenue know this firsthand: In October 2024, they filed permits to build a pair of single-family townhouses, both of which would have four bedrooms, a library, a home gym, a wine room, and a roof deck, on a vacant lot that once held a garage. Renderings by StudiosC depicted a contemporary design, albeit one with a height congruent with its neighbors and featuring context-sensitive materials like terracotta and brick.

All renderings of 221-223 Waverly Avenue via StudiosC for Landmarks Preservation Commission

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As the site is located in the Clinton Hill Historic District, the construction could not take place without the blessing of the Landmarks Preservation Commission ("Landmarks"). The commissioners generally supported the modern approach, but expressed concerns about the buildings' scale, proportions of fenestration, and materiality in December 2024. In March 2025, the team returned with a revised presentation. It contained an enlarged first floor, enlarged windows to create a lighter atmosphere, altered mansards, darker bulkhead materials, and greater division between the two buildings to keep them from looking like one large building.

Local preservationists expressed opposition; however, Landmarks approved the project.Commissioner Frederick Bland went so far as to say the design recalled brownstone Brooklyn for its similar, if not identical, rows of buildings.

295 Hicks Street, Brooklyn Heights townhouse

295 Hicks Street, #TH (Douglas Elliman)

As we wait for 221-223 Waverly Avenue to take shape, we look at other contemporary townhouses on the market. As an example, 26 Hicks Street is a rare new construction townhouse in Brooklyn Heights. The land it was built on sold for $4 million in 2021, and the owners constructed a six-story, 27.5-foot wide house with such features as a snow melt system for the surrounding sidewalks, smart home automation, a state-of-the-art chef's kitchen, a full-floor primary suite, a 2,000+ bottle wine room, a basement gym with sauna and meditation room, and a rooftop terrace with private pool. If it sells for this price, it would set a new residential sales record for Brooklyn, one previously held by a prewar brownstone (h/t New York Post).

Modern townhouses for sale in NYC

146 Newel Street, #TH
$3,895,000

Greenpoint | Townhouse | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths

146 Newel Street, #TH (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Welcome to 146 Newel Street, an architecturally striking and meticulously crafted townhouse that redefines urban living in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. This newly constructed gem spans nearly 3,200 square feet across four levels and is crowned by an exquisite 795-square-foot private roof terrace. Designed with every detail in mind, this residence offers a harmonious blend of elegance, functionality, and contemporary design. See floor plan and full details here.

357 Henry Street, #TH
$6,995,000

Cobble Hill | Townhouse | 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths

357 Henry Street, #TH (Serhant)

From the Listing: Nestled on a picturesque tree-lined street, this home is a masterpiece of design, where impeccable attention to detail meet sleek, modern elements to create a truly one-of-a-kind space. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by soaring ceilings, oversized windows, and an open, airy layout that maximizes space and natural light. The show-stopping all-glass rear facade floods the home with sunshine, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. See floor plan and full details here.

145 Conselyea Street, #TH
$7,500,000

Williamsburg | Condominium | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 5,500 ft²

145 Conselyea Street, #TH (Compass)

From the Listing: Welcome to 145 Conselyea Street, a stunning new development luxury residence nestled in the heart of Williamsburg. This exquisite property offers a versatile living experience, functioning as a multi-family home, townhouse, or single-family residence or condo conversion. spread across an impressive 5,500 square feet. With 18 rooms, including 7 spacious bedrooms and 7 elegantly designed bathrooms, this home is perfect for those seeking ample space and comfort. See floor plan and full details here.

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21 Greenwich Avenue, #TH
$7,500,000

Greenwich Village | Condominium | Studio | 3,437 ft²

21 Greenwich Avenue, #TH (Buchbinder & Warren Realty Group LLC)

From the Listing: Buchbinder & Warren Realty Group, LLC has been retained as the exclusive agent for the sale of 21 Greenwich Avenue aka 128 West 10th Street. This world class corner offers an individual buyer an opportunity to develop a one-of-a-kind mega townhouse with an income producing retail space or a potential investor or developer to create an incredible income producing residential and retail asset or condominium conversation. This vacant property will be delivered with approved DOB plans, as well as LPC approval. See floor plan and full details here.

The 74, #TH
$14,500,000

Lenox Hill | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 5,069 ft²

The 74, #TH (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Having it all begins here, with the rare and singular modernist masterpiece Townhouse offering at THE 74 discreetly situated on a coveted block of Manhattan's fabled Upper East Side. With the privacy and exclusivity of a standalone, new construction townhome and the services and amenities of a white-glove condominium, the best of both worlds come together in renowned Pelli Clarke & Partners' first ever townhouse. Behind a white glazed terracotta facade, the glass-wrapped and light-filled four stories comprise 5,069 interior square feet with four bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, and a private elevator. See floor plan and full details here.

32 East 74th Street, #TH
$15,000,000

Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 7,182 ft²

32 East 74th Street, #TH (Douglas Elliman)

From the Listing: Designed in 1935 by renowned architect William Lescaze, a pioneer of the European International Style, this exceptional townhome offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of modernist history in one of Manhattan’s most lucrative neighborhoods. Meticulously renovated from top to bottom, including the addition of a large elevator, this residence harmoniously blends the original mid-century design with contemporary luxuries. See floor plan and full details here.

The Henry, #THEAST
$16,950,000

Broadway Corridor | Condominium | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 7,733 ft²

The Henry, #THEAST (Credit: Naftali Group)

From the Listing: Townhouse East is the rarest of finds: a 42-foot-wide townhouse with a garden, located in a full service, highly amenitized, condominium. TH East represents the best things about townhouse living with none of the downsides.It has width, space, security, outdoor space and ceiling heights ranging from 11 feet to 18 feet. The first floor of the Townhouse consists of a 42-foot-wide living room facing a stunning garden, and eat-in kitchen, complete with enormous pantry adjacent to a den or formal dining, a bedroom or library with its own full bath and a discrete and charming powder room. See floor plan and full details here.

23 Beekman Place, #TH
$17,500,000 (-5.4%)

Beekman/Sutton Place | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 9,296 ft²

23 Beekman Place, #TH (Sothebys International Realty)

From the Listing: The Paul Rudolph Townhouse at 23 Beekman Place presents a rare trifecta of iconic design, breathtaking views and a coveted address. Originally built in 1867 as a single family home in a row of elegant townhouses, the townhouse was purchased by the architect Paul Rudolph in 1976. With its 4 levels and 5 private terraces, the penthouse literally cantilevers over Beekman Place, affording breathtaking river views. See floor plan and full details here.

295 Hicks Street, #TH
$26,000,000

Brooklyn Heights | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths

295 Hicks Street, #TH (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Welcome to an extraordinary residence-an impeccably designed, brand-new 27.5-foot-wide six-story townhouse in prime Brooklyn Heights. This one-of-a-kind modern masterpiece seamlessly blends old-world charm with cutting-edge luxury, offering an unrivaled living experience for the discerning buyer. Every detail has been meticulously crafted to deliver the pinnacle of luxury. See floor plan and full details here.

145 Reade Street, #TH
$34,000,000 (-15%)

Tribeca | Townhouse | 4 Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 10,582 ft²

145 Reade Street, #TH (Compass)

From the Listing: 145 Reade Street is a spectacular, 23.5 foot wide, limestone and brick townhouse, situated in the heart of Tribeca. The home features four bedrooms, seven bathrooms (plus four half bathrooms) and nine fireplaces (three wood burning). The property was originally built in 1910 and was subsequently rebuilt in 2013 with the use of only the finest available finishes. No expense was spared in the ultra luxury renovation. In all, the home is 10,582 square feet with multiple outdoor areas (totaling 1,231 square feet) including an outdoor kitchen and patio, as well as a coveted pool with city views. See floor plan and full details here.

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In this article:

Modern townhouses for sale in NYC

146 Newel Street, #TH
$3,895,000

357 Henry Street, #TH
$6,995,000

145 Conselyea Street, #TH
$7,500,000

Select which properties are of interest to you:

21 Greenwich Avenue, #TH
$7,500,000

The 74, #TH
$14,500,000

32 East 74th Street, #TH
$15,000,000

The Henry, #THEAST
$16,950,000

23 Beekman Place, #TH
$17,500,000 (-5.4%)

295 Hicks Street, #TH
$26,000,000

145 Reade Street, #TH
$34,000,000 (-15%)

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