Category Archives: Manhattan NY

A historic New York City townhouse has been opened up to the public for the first time in more than 100 years—revealing a fascinating glimpse at the incredible original features that have been painstakingly maintained since the property was built in 1841.

Located in Manhattan‘s storied West Village, the extraordinary four-bedroom property, which spans 3,450 square feet, has been owned by the same family for more than a century, during which time it has been “meticulously maintained.”

However, the dwelling has now been brought to the market for the first time, with an asking price of $11.99 million, in what listing agent Warner Lewis, the founder and partner of the Harkov Lewis Team at Brown Harris Stevens, describes to Realtor.com® as a “truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Images of the Greek Revival abode reveal a glimpse at the unique features that can be found inside the home, including the original wood-burning stove in the kitchen, untouched gold leaf detailing, multiple fireplaces, and—perhaps the most special element of all—an incredible two-story greenhouse that is attached to the back of the dwelling.

Yet there are also aspects of the property’s incredible past that are invisible to the casual observer, Lewis explains, such as its connection to the Underground Railroad.

“As a native New Yorker, I have always been fascinated by the history of the city and what it must have been like to live here 100, or more, years ago,” he shares. “My favorite fiction is historical fiction—whether it be ‘The Alienist’ or ‘Gangs of New York’—and when I’m not reading fiction, reading about the actual history of New York has always interested me.

“We have a major link to that history: 29 Grove St. was a stop along the Underground Railroad, and there are copious original details going back to 1841.”

Before the dwelling was officially listed on June 2, the Harkov Lewis team revealed a sneak peek behind its doors in an Instagram post that highlighted some of the other unique features found inside the abode, from a hand-painted blue-and-white porcelain sink that has remained in place since the 1980s to a vintage doorbell that “predates electricity.”

According to Lewis, the property’s charming original features make it one of the most unique listings to hit New York’s real estate market in the last two decades, not least because so many of its historic elements have been so carefully maintained—rather than being stripped out to make way for more modern amenities.

“In 20-plus years of doing real estate in the city, never have I had the pleasure of working on a piece of New York history like 29 Grove,” he said. “Every time I’m in the house, I see a feature that takes me back to a time we can only read about in books or see in movies.

“The historical details of this house are not to be missed and make it a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for its next owner.”

While it retains many of those details, however, the house has undergone some updates, with the listing description noting that the facade of the 21-foot-wide home has been completely restored, while a new roof has also been added within the last seven years.

Additionally, the backyard, which can be accessed via the greenhouse, has been leveled to provide a more spacious and usable space.

“Thoughtful updates over the last seven years—a new roof and restored facade, cellar, doors, railings, rear chimney, and bluestone pavers—preserve the home’s integrity as it enters its next chapter,” the listing states. “The backyard has been leveled, creating an open and functional space.”

Inside the home itself, there are plenty of opportunities for additional upgrades to be carried out, including a significant expansion of the home.

“There is also potential to add approximately 1,375 square feet, subject to verification by an architect, allowing for future expansion tailored to your vision,” the listing adds.

A future buyer could also choose to reconfigure the home, which is currently set up with four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, but offers ample living spaces that could be transformed for another use.

On the main story, referred to as the parlor level, an enormous great room boasts 11-foot-high ceilings as well as a stunning original fireplace and a built-in mirror with gold leaf detailing around its edges. That special design feature is flanked by two floor-to-ceiling windows that help to flood the space with light, while delicate crown molding adds a very luxurious feel to the room.

This room spans the entire length of the property and has been outfitted with two separate seating areas, making it the ideal space for entertaining guests. A long hallway leads out to a large enclosed terrace that serves as the upper portion of the two-story greenhouse, with a spiral staircase that leads down to the ground floor.

Downstairs on the garden level, there is a large kitchen, where an exposed red brick wall has been accessorized with hanging copper pots that sit above the home’s original wood-burning stove—although the current residents have chosen to add a more modern oven and stovetop for convenience.

Elsewhere on this level, a formal dining room with restored wood floors also houses an additional fireplace, as well as ample room for a very large gathering.

Beyond the kitchen, the enormous sunroom, which is part of the greenhouse space, can be accessed through the hallway or via the spiral stairs that lead down from the upper story. The greenhouse-turned-sunroom effectively serves as a gateway to the garden, where additional seating areas can be found.

The second floor of the dwelling is home to a large primary bedroom, with its own fireplace and a cozy seating area, as well as built-in storage, a large walk-in closet, and an in-room sink. This space shares a full bathroom with a second bedroom on the floor.

The other two bedrooms are located on the third floor, where they are separated by a large den. There is also another full bathroom on this story.

What the listing makes clear, however, is that the dwelling could well be seen as a blank canvas for more industrious buyers who are seeking to write a new chapter for the property, one that incorporates many of the extraordinary details from its earliest days.

“Exquisite original details include a gold leaf pier mirror, beautiful crown molding throughout, and stunning front and interior doors,” the listing description states.

“Historic details such as the five black and gold-veined marble mantles, original shutters, and the original wood-burning kitchen range showcase the home’s 19th-century character. Also remaining are the original cast-iron boot scraper and functioning bell-pull doorbell at the entry.”