The skyscrapers of New York City have created the world’s most iconic skyline, but the low-rise townhouses lining certain streets are not to be overlooked. A certain class of buyer has always appreciated the idea of having an entire building to themselves, and that often includes private outdoor space. Some like living in a piece of New York history, while others embrace the challenge of bringing a rundown old house into the 21st century. Either way, townhouses offer more space and privacy than the typical New York City apartment.
Coignet Stone Company Building, 360 3rd Avenue (Nestseekers)
Whether historic rowhouses or a new class of modern mansions, New York has no shortage of architecturally appealing townhouses throughout the boroughs. Among them is the Coignet Stone Company Building, which was constructed in 1873 to make it the earliest known concrete building in New York City. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 2006, and is now on the market for $4.3 million. The listing cites its soaring ceilings and voluminous basement among the bones that would make it an appealing single-family home.
At this point, it is important to note that if a townhouse is an individual landmark or in a historic district, any alterations that will affect its protected architectural features cannot take place without the blessing of the Landmarks Preservation Commission (“Landmarks”). That was the case with the Lescaze House, the former home and studio of architect William Lescaze. Its status as New York’s first modern residence and the first with central air conditioning were instrumental in its designation as an individual Landmark, and it sold to an unidentified buyer in spring 2020. Landmarks recently approved updates that included extending and reconstructing the rear facade and building a rooftop addition.
Below, we take a look at some of the most appealing townhouses on the market. We invite you to take a look and vote for your favorite here.
Below, we take a look at some of the most appealing townhouses on the market. We invite you to take a look and vote for your favorite here.
↓ "Set on Brooklyn’s most prominent and revered street, 212 Columbia Heights is a grand and stately, mint condition, 25’-wide mansion." The home has six floors, a backyard, and several terraces.
↓ Brooklyn Heights is home to the largest collection of pre-Civil War buildings in the U.S. 212 Columbia was built in 1855 and was recently gut renovated and completely restored.
↓ The parlor floor is split between a sitting room and dining room and features approximately 14’ ceilings, original floors and fireplace mantels, and restored historic plaster moldings.
↓ The dining room has a wet bar set beside it and overlooks a spectacular vista of the promenade, New York Harbor, and the downtown skyline.
↓ Townhouses overlooking the promenade rarely come online and are among the most expensive homes in the borough. Earlier this year, 8 Montague Terrace, a five-story mansion overlooking the promenade sold for $25.5M, a new sales record for the borough.
↓ Situated one level below the parlor floor, the garden level has the kitchen with high-end appliances and ample storage space. The level also has an informal living room and access to the rear garden.
↓ Tucked just below the promenade is a lush backyard garden with a built-in sound system.
↓ The cellar level has a recreation/guest suite, a private wine cellar, a laundry room, storage and mechanicals.
↓ The third floor has the primary bedroom, en-suite bath, walk-in closet, library and study.
↓ The primary bedroom also has direct access to a terrace overooking incredible sunset views of New York.
↓ The fifth floor has space for a bedroom, lounge, storage, and a recreation room.
From the Listing: Set on Brooklyn's most prominent and revered street, 212 Columbia Heights is a grand and stately, mint condition, 25'-wide mansion. This astounding townhome was built in 1855, and has recently been gut renovated and completely restored. It is one of New York City's finest historic homes.
See floor plan and full details here.
↓ 2 Monitor is a one-of-a-kind home spanning 5,000 square feet and four levels. It was designed by LOT-EK architects and built from 21 shipping containers.
↓ "This truly exceptional home is a paragon of architectural design and contemporary style in a spectacular Williamsburg location." - Compass
↓ The four-bedroom home can be entered from the cellar level on Monitor Street or through a first level driveway along Richardson Street.
↓ The first floor is elevated above street level and features the living room, media room, dining area, and kitchen.
↓ "Industrial chic decor nods to the area's hip artistic vibe, while exquisite finishes and premium appliances create an effortless quality of life." The hearth is said to be New York City's last permitted wood-burning fireplace.
↓ Located to the rear, the kitchen features high-end appliances and fixtures that include a Grohe Blue faucet with chilled filtered water and sparkling water; a Capital dual-oven, six-burner range, and a built-in Miele deep fryer.
↓ Dining al fresco is irresistable as there is an outdoor terrace directly adjacent to the kitchen.
↓ The wood-paneled media room has stadium seating and a suspended 90-inch Samsung television and surround sound.
↓ A flexible den space with adjacent bedroom can be found on the cellar level. The floor also has a temperature-controlled, 2,000-bottle wine room and off-street parking.
↓ A custom steel stair whisks you up to the second floor where there is a home office, bedrooms, baths, and a den area. The level also has its own terrace.
↓ The uppermost third floor is home to the primary suite. It features a 22-foot-wide walk-in closet, twin powder rooms, and a massive soaking tub overlooking another private terrace.
↓ The top-floor terrace of the primary bedroom.
From the Listing: Ingeniously crafted from 21 shipping containers, this truly exceptional home is a paragon of architectural design and contemporary style in a spectacular Williamsburg location. Spanning 5,000 square feet, with three magnificent terraces, this iconic Brooklyn showplace is an entertainer's haven that delivers seamless indoor-outdoor living on every floor. See floor plan and full details here.
↓ Built in 1869 and listed in mid-March, 116 East 70th Street is a 20-foot wide townhouse on the Upper East Side with an elevator, five or six bedrooms, and four full bathrooms.
↓ The newly-renovated home is accessed by two entrances leading to an entry gallery which leads to the cozy den area and a chef's kitchen.
↓ Adjacent to the family kitchen is a large prep kitchen, with one of two laundry areas in the house, additional storage space, and a powder room as well as stairs leading to a second butler's pantry.
↓ Next to the chef's kitchen is a sun-filled, glass-enclosed breakfast area that opens onto a sunny private garden.
↓ The lush garden patio is a cozy space ideal for grilling and taking a breath outside.
↓ The second floor features the living room with its 12'6" ceilings, large bay windows, and wood-burning fireplace.
↓ The classic home retains much of its original details while all mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and windows have been recently replaced.
↓ The formal dining room has 11'9" ceilings, a terrace, and is adjacent to a butler's pantry that's accessible from downstairs.
↓ The third level has a library with 10'8" ceilings, built-in shelving, and curving bay windows overlooking 70th Street.
↓ The primary bedroom suite has large windows overlooking the garden and features two walk-in closets and a master bath with two sinks and a stall shower.
↓ The fourth and fifth floors host the secondary bedrooms which each have an en-suite bath.
↓ A skylit media room on the top floor can be used as a spare bedroom.
From the Listing: Located on one of the best townhouse blocks on the Upper East Side, this historic single-family home has been newly renovated and is ready to move in. Built in 1869, and reimagined in 1899 by master builder Michael Reed, this home is a jewel. All mechanical, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and windows were recently replaced, in addition to the floors on the top 2 levels, resulting in a truly mint home that offers every modern convenience in a classic space that retains many original details.
At 20 feet wide, with a distinctive stucco facade and 2 story copper bay windows, the house stands 5 stories with a full basement and elevator which services the first through the fifth floors. This stunning home features 5 or 6 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and 5 half baths. Prized outdoor space includes a 12' deep entry courtyard, a newly landscaped 26' deep south-facing garden off the breakfast room, and two southern terraces (off the second-floor dining room and fourth-floor bedroom), which bring exceptional light and air into the home. See floor plan and full details here.
At 20 feet wide, with a distinctive stucco facade and 2 story copper bay windows, the house stands 5 stories with a full basement and elevator which services the first through the fifth floors. This stunning home features 5 or 6 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and 5 half baths. Prized outdoor space includes a 12' deep entry courtyard, a newly landscaped 26' deep south-facing garden off the breakfast room, and two southern terraces (off the second-floor dining room and fourth-floor bedroom), which bring exceptional light and air into the home. See floor plan and full details here.
↓ 72 Middagh is a 25’-wide landmarked home in Brooklyn Heights with a contemporary modern addition, two-car garage, and indoor swimming pool.
↓ The ground floor features a private driveway, mud room, den and lounge, and a 21-foot-long swimming pool.
↓ The pool is skylit by the garden area above. Adjacent to the pool area are changing rooms, a sauna, and wine storage.
↓ One flight up from the mudroom is a wide-open chef’s kitchen, with an elongated island and seating for at least 12. The kitchen is outfitted with high-end appliances, custom cabinetry and overlooks the garden and greenhouse in rear.
↓ The great room overlooks tree-lined Middagh Street. The street has some of the oldest homes in Brooklyn Heights and was named after one of the many aristocratic land-owning families in the neighborhood.
↓ Just above, in the garden, the greenhouse is a stunning, south-facing space with windows on all sides. Perfect for a yoga or art studio, gym, office, or reading room.
↓ A spacious third floor bedroom has an en suite bathroom, walk-in-closet as well as a private covered terrace overlooking the garden. The spacious master suite is one floor up and has two walk-in closets, a large double vanity bathroom, and a sunlit sitting room with a wet bar.
↓ In addition to the master suite, the fourth floor has a sunlit sitting room with wet bar. It is surrounded by a glass NanaWall, which easily peels back to create an incredible indoor/outdoor space, with stairs that lead to the green roof deck.
↓ View of Brooklyn Heights from the green roof.
From the Listing:
There are few homes that offer this assortment of luxury, convenience, and thoughtful design. 72 Middagh Street truly offers the best of Brooklyn Heights, paired with the rare combination of a pool, elevator, and private parking. Only steps from the restaurants and shops along Henry Street and throughout the Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo waterfront, this home is easily accessible to Manhattan as well. Indeed, 72 Middagh Street is expertly designed and ready for its next owner. See floor plan and full details here.
(All images via Leslie J. Garfield)
↓ Recently renovated by architects Baxt Ingui and constructed by Taffera Fine Building & Finishes, the home sits on a 25'-wide by 109' lot.
↓ "141 State Street is a grand and stately townhouse that offers the rarest of opportunities in New York City" - Leslie J. Garfield Co.
↓ The home has been completely rebuilt with new top-of-the-line HVAC, plumbing, and electric underneath an immaculate restoration of period details.
↓ The chef's kitchen is illuminated by a wall of windows and a skylight above.
↓ A deck off the kitchen leads down to a charming, planted garden, surrounded by townhouse gardens.
↓ The large landscaped garden is surrounded by a spectacular array of greenery and trees, two terraces, and a roof deck with sweeping views of the Manhattan Skyline.
↓ The finished basement features ample storage and a climate-controlled wine cellar with space for ~1,500 bottles.
↓ A full-floor master suite occupies the third level, with a well-appointed master bath, massive walk-in closets, and a private sitting room and office.
↓ The fifth floor is a former attic, with vaulted ceilings, rustic wide-plank floors, a sitting room with a wood-burning fireplace, a full bathroom, and views of the Manhattan skyline.
↓ The private roof deck completes this home, with sweeping views of the skyline and Brooklyn, and privacy rarely found in outdoor spaces.
From the Listing:
Located in prime Brooklyn Heights, on a charming tree-lined street, 141 State Street is conveniently located only minutes from Manhattan, and is surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants in all directions. This incredible brownstone awaits the discerning purchaser seeking a combination of luxury and history like no other. See floor plan and full details here.
↓ Previously listed for $18.5M, 536 West 29th Street is located one block south of Hudson Yards and was originally built in 1904 for the theater set designer John H. Young. Young built sets for producers like David Belasco and Florenz Ziegfeld and this building was built with 34-foot ceilings to accommodate creating those massive backdrops.
↓ Additionally, Young had a huge library collection of over 10,000 photographs and 800 books that he used for historical and geographical reference for his designs and needed this space for.
↓ "The building was designed with two entrances on West 29th Street highlighting ultimate versatility leading to two separate spaces with dramatic 32' and 19' high ceilings across an architecturally impressive and columnless 25-foot-wide building structure."
↓ The staircase connecting the second and third floors and a glass and wood bridge connecting the den to the kitchen on the third floor.
↓ The cellar is currently programmed as a work studio.
↓ The third floor has 20' ceilings, a loft-like open-concept kitchen, and a dining and living area with cabinetry custom designed from California redwood and salvaged Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels.
↓ The skylit kitchen, dining room and terrace.
↓ The den/library can be converted to a third bedroom.
↓ The cozy, uppermost space is sheathed in hand-milled Hudson Valley walnut. The property has unused development rights that allows for an expansion of up to 12,000 square feet, effectively tripling the size of the three-bed 6,400 square foot home.
↓ Behind the building is a private garden framed by 22' tall Cor-Ten steel walls and topped with custom copper flashing.
From the Listing: 4 Masterfully restored and repurposed throughout the years, 536 West 29th Street is now a one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece that is the epitome of "urban zen" in the nexus of West Chelsea's vibrant art gallery district and Hudson Yard's new tech corridor and neighborhood. See floor plan and full details here.
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