West Village Townhouse
history meets modernity

Summary

Classic in character yet contemporary in spirit, a progressive and exacting renovation of this historic townhouse in Greenwich Village preserves it for generations to come.

Idea

Historic townhomes line the quiet streets of Greenwich Village. From the outside, they can appear indistinguishable, yet each offers its own archaeology. Granted a rare chance to reimagine one of the neighborhood’s properties, we discovered remnants of a storied history and sought to meld a historic character with a contemporary feel. 


Expression

Here, the ostentatious glamour of old New York is filtered through a restrained, contemporary lens: clean lines supplant ornate detailing, rounded lighting replaces glitzy chandeliers and sconces, and oak herringbone replaces black and white marble floors. New architectural gestures evoke the original style, but with a more refined, understated approach: a marble fireplace, subtle crown molding, steel-framed windows. The period’s classic grand staircase is reinterpreted as a softly curving sculpture with a slender wood handrail. White walls, light wood millwork, and marble accents form the material palette. In the backyard, the garden draws inspiration from London terrace houses, incorporating new landscaping, discreet privacy measures, and distinct programmatic tiers.  


Impact

We believe preserving New York’s iconic old homes is vital to maintaining the city’s spirit and character, but preservation does not require that a building be frozen in time. By carefully updating this historic townhouse for contemporary life, it is now better equipped to sustain life today and an archaeology of tomorrow.