Inside a Stylish Firehouse-Turned-Townhouse in the Manhattan

April 22, 2025

Old World charm meets streamlined contemporary panache in this fashionably transformed 19th-century firehouse, which offers a generous collection of spaces for living and entertaining, enviable outdoor areas, and a finished four-car garage in the heart of New York City’s West Village.

Since at least the late 20th century, “reduce, reuse, recycle” has been a familiar refrain when discussing best practices for the use of resources, and while it most commonly applies to household goods and clothing, in the most rarefied cases—particularly in historic locales such as Manhattan’s West Village—it can pertain to buildings as well. That principle has been impressively effected in this vintage firehouse, dating to roughly 1900, its handsome façade carefully maintained and its spacious, lofty interiors adapted to serve as dramatic modern living spaces accented with 19th-century charm.

New York, New York | The Stein Team, Sotheby’s International Realty – Downtown Manhattan Brokerage

Spanning five levels linked by a stairway, a convenient elevator, and the building’s original spiral stairway—carefully updated—the 6,850-square-foot residence is a haven of magnificent volume and light offering a generous collection of rooms for living and entertaining, three peaceful bedrooms with en suite baths, enviable outdoor areas on multiple floors, and a finished four-car garage—exceedingly rare for this storied neighborhood. Here and there, exposed wood beams and rugged brick walls hint at the building’s provenance.

On the main level are a dining room with a vast soaring skylit ceiling; a warm, welcoming living room with a wood-burning fireplace, and a cook’s kitchen with colorful cabinetry, streamlined stainless-steel appliances, an island with counter seating, and a casual dining area. French doors bordered by bright windows open to a sunny terrace with an outdoor kitchen enveloped by walls of thriving greenery thoughtfully maintained by irrigation. The skylight of the spacious media room below peeks up through the stone tile paving of the terrace.

On the levels above are luminous bedrooms—two of which run the length of the building’s impressive 25-foot width. The primary bedroom benefits from southerly light and is accompanied by an en suite marble bath and a walk-in closet. On the uppermost level is a versatile bedroom that can easily serve as a den, studio, or office; it gives way through a dazzling wall of paned glass to its own enchanting terrace—an ideal oasis for alfresco lounging. Baths and powder rooms feature such sophisticated elements as elegant stone countertops and striking tilework.

At street level, an arched gate leads to a four-car garage that once housed fire engines. The building has been zoned for multiple uses, allowing this space to serve as a gym, an office, additional living space, or a gallery, among many alternatives. Secluded on the floor below is a cool lounge with a stage, hand-painted murals, a powder room, an office, and a wine cellar.

Contemporary comforts are plentiful throughout: a Lutron lighting system, motorized shades, multizone air conditioning, a wine cellar, and the elevator. Yet reminders of history—the home’s and its city’s—are never out of view. Just outside are the delightful tree-lined streets, other 19th-century townhouses, and Old World ambience of the West Village, which for decades has drawn artists, writers, intellectuals, and members of the avant-garde. Lively shops and restaurants, coffeehouses once favored by members of the Beat Generation, and nightlife landmarks like the Village Vanguard are steps away.