See this skinny little townhouse in Greenwich Village? It was built in 1873 in what was once just an alley. It’s a tight squeeze inside with living space that’s just 8 1/2 feet wide and 42 feet long. The photo above was taken of it in 1939 (I love old pics), and here’s how it looks today (via VirtualTourist.com):
It’s on the market for $2.7 million. According to the listing by Corcoran agent Alex Nicholas, the house has a parlor, kitchen, and dining area on the first floor, a double living room on the second floor, and a master bedroom suite on the third. The kitchen floor has a trapdoor that leads to a finished basement.
Its narrow dimensions aren’t its only claim to fame, however. Plenty of famous people have lived here over the years, including Cary Grant, John Barrymore, and the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay.
You can read more about the house in articles here, here, and here.
It really seems like they’ve made the most of the space they’ve got with this house, even extending to balconies in back:
You can see more photos and get more information from the listing. Many thanks to all of the people who sent me links about this house–but especially to Kelly from Design Ties!
Now check out Toronto’s Littlest House, Tumbleweed Tiny Houses, and The Spite House in Virginia.
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Wow, that is amazing. They really did a remarkable job with such a narrow space.
.-= Paula Grace´s last blog ..Fun Friday Winner and Answers! =-.
Wow! That is very cool!!!
.-= Carmen´s last blog ..Halloween Party =-.
That would be a great little vacation home in the city. I love it!
.-= Jocelyn Stott´s last blog ..Fowey, How I Love Thee =-.
I just don’t know. I think I’d love it if I could forget it’s only 8 1/2′ wide.
.-= Terry Kearns´s last blog ..Westside Art Walk, September 19, 2009, Atlanta =-.
Hello Julia, I did a post on my blog about this house just last week! I have you on my daily peeps blog roll; just love reading about houses and interiors. Cheers from Oz.
.-= alaine´s last blog ..DEEP IN SPRING =-.
Great house…I think the balconies are wonderful. We are all about getting the best use out of small spaces around here!
I enjoy the post!
~Kim
.-= Kim @ Forever Wherever´s last blog ..Down By the Sea =-.
Enjoyed…I enjoyed the post. Don’t you hate when you click “submit” and then realize there’s something wrong? I’m a dork!
~Kim
.-= Kim @ Forever Wherever´s last blog ..Down By the Sea =-.
Wow! That would be quite the little house. I don’t think I could do it with kids and pets though..
.-= Shannon´s last blog ..Picture Frame Gets A Makover =-.
I just wish someone would get pictures of the trapdoor leading to the basement. In all the posts I’ve read about this home, they’ve only mentioned it. At least this builder built up. I still can’t understand the tiny house in Toronto, Ontario, Canada that is this small but only one level.
I love the upper windows in the 1939 photo! The use of space is quite amazing. I expected to see…well, I’m not sure what, but that looks to be one functionally cute little abode!
.-= Christine´s last blog ..m…o…n…d…a…y =-.
Love it!! I would love to stay there !
I know I don’t know New York real estate, but I am still amazed at the price for that tiny house!
.-= Gayle at Mountain Moma´s last blog ..Visiting a Dahlia Farm =-.
I just saw a story on television about tiny little houses such as these. That show called them “spite” houses because they either deliberately or unintentionally spited the other houses of view or rear access, etc.
.-= Paula´s last blog ..The Powder Room =-.
Looks straight out of Amsterdam! As an advocate for downsizing and living with only what is necessary, I Love this house!
Especially the garden right off the kitchen–beautiful. The price is right for NYC–actually maybe a little low (but, just about everything real estate is right now).
Ooooh! Thanks for this post! We always take a little walk by this house when we’re in NYC. I’ve always wanted to see what it looks like inside. Now I know!
.-= kyslp´s last blog ..Good Morning =-.
Love this!!! What fun and what imagination and creativity the owners have!
.-= Pam Kersting´s last blog ..Spotlight on Westover Landscape Design =-.
Great example of utilising the limited space to maximum effect. Having the walls painted white and good lighting….very impressive!
It may be narrow and small, but it has lots of character. The way it’s set up inside you’d never think that it’s that small. They did an amazing job with it.
Thanks for the post
Emina
six26studio
Isn’t that a great little house??
Not sure if I could live in it — I like having lots of space!! — but it’s so charming and filled with character. The kitchen & skylights are great, and I love the black-framed windows on the front 
You’re welcome for the links & research — happy to help
Kelly
if I had the money id buy it tommorrow just because my fav poet Millay and another women I greatly admire Mead lived there.I also love that area – the one time I went to NYC I spent most of my month there not knowing its incredible history at all being australian, but the energy of the people that have lived there must have remained.
Looking at the 1939 photo, this house is typical of Flemish-style architecture, as many still remain standing in Brussels, Belgium. The inside is disappointing, though (I was expecting some lovely stained dark woodwork).
.-= Pascale´s last blog ..We found a house…I think (01-19-10) =-.
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