Sex and the City

For discerning buyers seeking a distinguished West Village brownstone, Columbus International offers unparalleled expertise in Manhattan’s luxury market. Reach out today: info@columbusintl.com

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

New York’s West Village is famed for its assortment of iconic fictional properties, such as the Friends’ apartment and Carrie Bradshaw‘s residence from Sex and the City. Presently, you have the opportunity to possess a residence in close proximity to some of the city’s most renowned TV dwellings with this $9.4 million abode at 70 Perry Street—a mere stone’s throw from Bradshaw’s TV abode. This spectacular property was once the abode, individually, of three celebrities and prominent figures: renowned chef and restaurateur Jeffrey Zakarian, comedian Louis C.K., and the esteemed Associated Press reporter and editor Charlie Grumich.

All, at one juncture, were occupants within the edifice. It also served as the backdrop for The Back-Up Plan featuring Jennifer Lopez and The Brothers McMullen starring Edward Burns. This townhouse, measuring 20 feet in width, is a multi-family building encompassing four units and was constructed in 1867 by Walter Jones, who fashioned the structure in the French Second Empire style. This style is distinguished by ornamental elements, such as the mansard roofs adorning this edifice, along with iron frameworks and glass skylights. The four units are interlinked by means of a centralized staircase, and the owner’s unit, comprised of seven rooms, occupies the initial two floors of the building. The owner’s unit incorporates one bedroom, two bathrooms, a parlor adorned with ornate ceilings and a library, a living room, a formal dining room, a spacious kitchen, and a garden. The kitchen, designed in a country-style, offers an expanse with one of four fireplaces and opens up to the landscaped garden—a verdant oasis in the heart of the city. There’s a paver patio, a stone brick wall, latticework, and ample space for outdoor furnishings. The parlor room showcases exquisite molding, with ornamental 12-foot ceilings and pocket doors that lead to the library, affording views over the charming, tree-lined Perry Street.

The owner’s unit additionally features an office/study, a laundry area, and an expansive pantry. The entire building uniquely accommodates three distinct one-bedroom apartments, each equipped with kitchens, a living area, a dining space, in-unit laundry facilities, and an office. Alternatively, the building can be transformed into a unified family residence, rendering it a multi-bedroom private townhome. There are a total of four fireplaces, and each room exudes the quintessential charm of pre-war New York City.

This townhouse, designated as a landmark within the Historic District, has been affectionately preserved and boasts lofty ceilings, broad-plank floors, and expansive windows that flood sections of the residence with natural illumination. This marks the first instance in 45 years that the townhouse has been placed on the market. It is positioned in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in New York, with picturesque, leafy avenues: West Village is renowned for its enchanting streets, upscale dining establishments, luxury boutiques, and quaint cafes. Bradshaw’s fictitious apartment is situated at 66 Perry Street, merely a stone’s throw away, and the exterior was utilized for filming scenes outside the residence—even though Bradshaw purportedly resided on the Upper East Side in the series. West Village is distinguished for its opulent real estate offerings, celebrity inhabitants, and artistic legacy.

Source: Forbes