Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Narrowest House in New York City


All photos will enlarge if clicked on

I was in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan a week ago and was surprised to see 75 1/2 Bedford Street, between Commerce and Moore St, was for sale. This 9 1/2 feet wide, 42-foot-deep house has long been known as the narrowest in Greenwich Village. What makes it really unique, however, is that it is also known as a house whose occupants have included Edna St. Vincent Millay, anthropologist Margaret Mead, actors John Barrymore and Cary Grant and the cartoonist William Steig. The home was constructed around 1873 in a carriage drive between two homes that led to horse stables. Now the backyard is shared by all the surrounding residences.

A plaque on the wall outside announces that Poet Edna St. Vincent Millay lived here between 1923 -1924, during which time she won a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for "The Ballad of the Harp Weaver and Other Poems." Millay later moved to a house in the Berkshire foothills where she spent the rest of her life.

So what is the current asking price for this charming little house? Around 2.5 million dollars, which is actually reduced from the original asking price of 2.7 million!

It is a cute little doll's house with lots of history, but would you like to live in it? I personally would not know where I'd put all my "stuff"! No, I'm not thin enough or rich enough for this house, but it does have the location factor that will tempt someone, I'm sure!


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37 comments:

~Cheryl said...

Well, it IS charming! I doubt that I'm creative enough to figure out furniture or practical enough to wear jeans & tee-shirts? No closet? Thanks for giving me so much to ponder!

Krystal Kats said...

That's a really cute house, very expensive but very cute. Nice history on the house, thanks for sharing. Have a lovely evening.

Anonymous said...

Morning

I enjoyed watching the video of the house. For a rich, slim, fit person it might be ideal, I am not in any of those catagories, sadly!!! ;-) Jackie.

Gracie said...

I first read about the house on Hooked on Houses here is the address http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/09/21/the-narrowest-house-in-new-york-city/
And yes, I'd like to live there, it has a charme on its own.

Anonymous said...

I have always lusted after the NYC Brownstones!! I just love them... BUT... I am afraid at my age I could never treck all the stairs in this house.
Question??? How do you decorate a 9 foot wide room?? LOL!!
Hugs,
Marilyn

Lorrie said...

Pat this is a neat house inside and out, but I think I would feel claustrophobic after a while living there. I would love to actually go inside to get the feel of what the dimensions are.

Candy said...

Cute and charming and loaded with history but I am a country gal. I need trees and space. Thanks for sharing this bit of New York.
Wednesday OD Blessings ;-)

Kammy said...

I should buy that home for an extra...LOL ! I can't believe how expensive they are....Thanks for sharing !
Kammy

Arlene Delloro said...

It always amazes me how much "knowledge" and "exposure" we collect over a lifetime. I recognized the house immediately because of the connection to Edna St. Vincent Millay. Can't believe the price!!!!!!!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a fascinating house, Pat! I love the architecture on the exterior. I wonder what the interior looked like before it was modernized.

Love the fact that Cary Grant lived there as he is one of my favorite stars...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Regina said...

Nice place. Thanks for sharing.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Thanks for the link, Gracie! I love the Hooked On Houses blog but I haven't had a chance to read it for awhile. I think the high price tag attracted a lot of attention, but it has since been reduced as obviously the bad economy is effecting even the usual competitive Manhattan housing market.

Joyce said...

Guess there are no plans to film the biggest loser show in this space:)
Joyce

Anonymous said...

Fun! I remember seeing this house in NYT. (Yes, we subscribe here in NC.)

After I read about Outdoor Wednesday, I linked my blog to it. Unfortunately, I'd posted photos of the ugly pipes running through our are right now. My neighbors will be so proud. Thanks for telling about that!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for sharing the info. I would not want to live there - don't like a "closed" in feeling.

Judy said...

Charming it is...but I am accustomed to space...inside and out. It definitely has an interesting history.

I am laughing at Jackie's comment...that it would be ideal for a rich, slim person!

Tracy said...

WOW... Millay lived there??!! I love her poetry... That is such a beautiful, tiny place. I would LOVE to see inside! Imagine the decorating challenges?! This was such fun to see. :o) Happy Day, Pat! ((HUGS))

Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

I looked at the listing and the video. Wow, $2.5 million is a bit over my budget. I must say, it has charm.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

How interesting! And what a wonderful history! But a little small for me! lol...Debbie

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I think I'd be willing to put up with 9 foot rooms to live in that house, but the $2.5 mil price tag is a bit of a problem.

Mary Bergfeld said...

I've spent way too much time here. What a wonderfully interesting post. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I hope you are having a wonderful day.

happyone said...

It sure is a cute little house with some really neat small house ideas built in it. I think if I had the money I would like to live in it. I like small cozy places.

Keelie said...

I am so excited I found your blog. I love NYC. My husband and I have made it our unoffical goal to visit once every 2 years for the rest of our lives!! SO far I have been 5 times. I absolutely love learning anything about the city--landmarks, attractions, history--anything! I can tell I am going to spend way to much time catching up on your blog..
Yea!!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

How interesting. I saw this on the news but not nearly in as much detail as you have here. What a lot of famous occupants. Thanks for dropping by my kitchen. I want to look around more on your blog. Lots of interesting things here.
Sam

Claudia said...

So sweet and I remember the house well. Too spoiled with my yard and ability to gain weight and still fit in my house - put as a pied a terre - it would be fun!

Happily Retired Gal said...

Interesting photo and information. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs and blessings,

Lori E said...

That is a little narrow for my liking too. I will have to pass up the chance to live there...not that anyone offered it.
By the way I leave my rosemary in the garden all year round. In B.C. it usually survives just fine.

James said...

That's really cool. I love finding unusual buildings when I walk around Philadelphia. I almost went to NYC today but I was too lazy. :)
Next time I go I'll look for this narrow building.

Ebie said...

Like you, I would not know where I'd put the rest of my stuff! Expensive house, but I am sure there is a buyer you have extra $$ to spare.

Thanks for the historical info.

Unknown said...

wow..that is really narrow..can we have a peek inside. happy weekend Pat, love/M

Ms. Bake-it said...

Very interesting! It is a wee bit small for my liking but it certainly does have its own unique charm.

Thank you for sharing it with us!

~ Tracy

Melissa Miller said...

Pat how charming is this sweet home and so fascinating too!
Love it!

Many Blessings, ~Melissa :)

Susie Q said...

It is awfully chamig and has such a wonderful past! i will look through my change jar to see if I can some up with the down payment. : )
Hmmm...but then again. I might not FIT inside!!
Love,
Sue

Krystal Kats said...

Should be there soon enough! those are lovely photos of the park in Brooklyn NY!
Thanks for sharing and visiting with me!

Nola said...

I saw that house on some tv special on unique homes. The inside was quite charming. Still, I can't imagine 7 1/2' wide! I'm a little too claustrophobic.

CatHerder said...

PAT...regarding your post on my blog..Salem is SO NOT a sleepy little town anymore!! The month of Oct. is hopping for "haunted happenings" look it up on the web...one of my all time fave spots...i was so humbled to be able to sell my jewelry at the cat the crow and the crown (laurie cabots store)..i just ADORE Salem!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

If money were no object that would totally be my city pied a terre! ;-) I just saw this in the NYT and thought it would be a great (albeit expensive!) second home. Just too small for all my junque if it were the only place. But a great location, and an easy exodus to the shorehouse. :-)