Built-in 1873 at 75½ Bedford Street, a historic home located in New York City’s West Village neighborhood. It is famous for being the narrowest house in New York at just 9 feet 6 inches (2.9 meters) wide.
Discovering the History and Notable Residents of 75½ Bedford Street
Over the years this house has been replaced by poet Edna St. It has hosted many notable people, including Vincent Millay, writer Ann McGovern, cartoonist William Steig, and anthropologist Margaret Mead. The house is sometimes referred to as the Millay House, which is indicated by a plaque on the exterior of the building.
While the home is located in the Greenwich Village Historic District, it is not designated as an individually marked building by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. However, the house remains an iconic and beloved part of the West Village’s architectural landscape.
It’s fascinating to learn that the interior of the house is only 8 feet 7 inches (2.62 m) wide and only 2 feet (0.61 m) wide at its narrowest point. It’s no surprise that the house is considered the narrowest townhouse in New York City.
Previous guests of the house
The history of the house is also quite interesting. It was built in 1873, probably during the smallpox epidemic, for Horatio Gomez, trustee of the Hettie Hendricks-Gomez Estate, on what used to be the adjoining property’s former car entrance. It is possible that the house was built earlier, as the style appearing in a 1922 photograph is typical of the Italian architecture of the 1850s that was prevalent in the area at the time.
The house even inspired a children’s book called “Mr. Skinner’s Skinny House,” written by former resident Ann McGovern and illustrated by Mort Gerberg. This narrow house has changed hands among many people over the years. Finally, George Gund IV, son of George Gund III, became the owner of the house by giving it $3.25 million.
Exploring the Interior of the Iconic Narrow Townhouse
When you enter this rare value house located in a historical district, its narrowness is not noticed at all Thanks to the preferred white color. The lowest floor of the house, which was built as 4 floors, was considered a basement. The basement, which is descended with a wooden step ladder, was generally used as a warehouse.
On the ground floor, there is the living area and the kitchen. Most of the storage areas are located here. Wooden flooring is very suitable for the spirit of the house. In the modern designed kitchen, all appliances are available as the latest models.
Nostalgic Details and Original Woodwork: Bedrooms and Bathrooms on the Upper Floors
You reach the other floors with the stairs extending from the side of the kitchen. The first floor you reach has the first bedroom and the first bathroom. The ceilings are made of wood belonging to the first structure of the house. It looks like the first one. These woods have hardly been tampered with.
There is also a lot of storage space. A little more attention has been given to the bathroom here too. The large tub in front of the door opening to the balcony gave the house a nostalgic detail.
You come to the third and last floor in the continuation of the stairs. There is also a bedroom and a bathroom on this floor. The bathroom, which is simpler than the other, is again built in front of the window overlooking the balcony.
Owning a Piece of New York City History: The Price of 75½ Bedford Street
Now this historic house is waiting for its new owner. If you want to become the new owner of this magnificent historical narrow house with the stories of the lives lived here, you have to pay $4,199,000.
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