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West Village (New York) – Neighborhood Spotlight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnJjVqNP_G4
In a testament to the enduring power of television tourism, a West Village brownstone owner has been forced to invest in significant security upgrades to combat the unintended consequences of pop culture fame. The property at 66 Perry Street, valued at over $10 million, gained unexpected notoriety as the fictional home of Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw in HBO’s hit series “Sex and the City.”
Barbara Lorber, who acquired the three-family historic property in 1979 for what industry experts estimate was under $500,000, secured approval from the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday for the installation of a protective gate. The decision marks a turning point in a decades-long struggle between private property rights and public entertainment culture.
“The commercialization of residential properties through streaming media has created unprecedented challenges for property owners in historic districts,” says Manhattan real estate analyst Jennifer Chen. “We’re seeing similar issues with locations featured in everything from ‘Friends’ to ‘Succession.'”
The brownstone’s Instagram popularity has surged particularly since HBO Max’s revival series “And Just Like That…” and Netflix’s recent acquisition of streaming rights to the original series in April 2024. Social media analytics indicate the location appears in over 100,000 posts monthly, creating what real estate experts estimate as $50,000-100,000 in annual security and maintenance costs for the property owner.
The approved security upgrade isn’t just any barrier—architect Isidoro Cruz has designed a bespoke steel and cast-iron gate estimated to cost upwards of $75,000, adhering to the strict guidelines of the Greenwich Village historic district. The investment reflects a growing trend among owners of “celebrity properties” who must balance preservation with protection.
“What we’re witnessing is the real estate impact of streaming’s long tail,” says media economist Mark Reynolds. “A show that ended its original run in 2004 is generating more foot traffic now than it did during its peak broadcast years, thanks to global streaming platforms and social media.”
Local preservation groups, including Village Preservation and the Victorian Society of New York, have thrown their support behind the measure, recognizing the unique challenges faced by historic properties in the digital age. Neighbor A.J. Parker characterized the situation as “one of the most egregious” examples of private property disruption driven by entertainment tourism.
For Lorber, who became emotional during her presentation to the commission, the decision represents a bittersweet victory. “That house shouldn’t be gated,” she admitted, “but what was beautiful in the late 19th century is unfortunately in need of more protection in our century.”
The approval comes as New York City grapples with a broader trend of entertainment tourism impacting residential areas. Real estate analysts estimate that properties featured in popular shows can see their insurance premiums increase by 15-25% due to increased liability risks from unauthorized visitors.
While fans can still photograph the iconic brownstone from the street, the new barrier will provide much-needed protection for a piece of real estate that has become, perhaps unwillingly, one of Manhattan’s most photographed residential facades. As streaming platforms continue to introduce classic content to new generations, property owners like Lorber are forced to adapt—at significant cost—to their homes’ unexpected roles as cultural landmarks.
Source: NYT