Love Historic New York Style? These Homes Are For You

New York City is chock full of history, and any architecture fiend will nod directly to the buildings as monuments of that fact. Booming (and changing) industries gave way to warehouses, workman housing, carriage homes built for ponies, and more. And today, there are beautiful homes that feature original details from centuries ago, along with modern upgrades that make them so livable now. Here, 5 homes that will have you brushing up on your NYC history. Find these and more on StreetEasy, which has the most comprehensive, vetted, and verified apartment listings in New York.

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A Charming Carriage House in Gramercy

Listed By: Compass
Agent: Nick Gavin

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Talk about owning a piece of history. This adorable carriage house in Gramercy Park is a truly sought after property (and the backdrop for many Instagram photos). Part of “Block Beautiful,” featuring turn-of-the-century homes, this carriage house is said to date back to the early 1900s and is just shy of 2,500 sq. ft. It features two bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a basement, and great details like a living room skylight, two working fireplaces, and even a stained-glass ceiling light said to have been put in by a former tenant—the great-grandson of Winston Churchill. This historic carriage house is now part of a white-glove-service condo building, with all of the amenities, like a full time door staff and resident manager. But it stands alone with its own private entrance, so it’s the best of both worlds: historical bones with modern amenities (including central air). 

A Former Warehouse in Tribeca

Listed By: Corcoran Group
Agent: Danny Davis

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You could call the west side of Manhattan your home in this unique and beautiful building built in the late 1800s. The “Medium Lipstick Building,” as it’s known, is eight stories and was once among a series of warehouses in the area. In fact, in the mid-1800s Tribeca was one of the first residential neighborhoods in New York, before transitioning to industrial spaces and warehouses by the 1860s. It was then known as the Lower West Side. Once used as a spice storehouse, this building has now been converted to 16 residential units. This sprawling four-bedroom, four-bath home has Hudson River views that are protected—meaning they won’t ever be blocked by new construction. And the architectural details are stunning, including original exposed pine beams and columns. Outside, you’ll be able to access anything your heart desires—shopping, dining, and more—including Hudson River Park, 500 acres of waterfront green space and recreation centers.

A Gorgeous 19th Century Brooklyn Brownstone

Listed By: Corcoran Group
Agent: Gloria Weber

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Located in Boerum Hill, which was known by different names until the 1960s, when it was named for one of the first Dutch families to settle in the area, this home is a work of art. It has six fireplaces, etched white marble mantles, and cast-plaster ceiling moldings. Original pocket doors and carved mahogany door frames, lintels, and shutters give the four-bedroom, four-story home its charm, with an arched hood double-door entry that is quintessential Brooklyn brownstone. In the late 19th and early 20th century, most of the neighborhood’s buildings served as boarding houses or workman houses, and this building would have been no exception. 

A Beautiful Townhouse in Carroll Gardens

Listed By: Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Agent: Lindsay Barton Barrett

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The beauty is in the details in this historic home, located in prime Carroll Gardens (between the main streets of Smith and Court). Standout features include the original tin ceilings and marble fireplace, as well as pocket doors and 11-foot ceilings. Six bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms make this a truly massive NYC home (it’s 22 feet wide), and one with beautiful finishes that have been featured by the likes of Refinery29 and Domino. The one-of-a-kind historical property also has a private backyard with a patio and garden. 

A Mews House in Brooklyn Heights

Listed By: Corcoran Group
Agent: Deborah Rieders

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This turn-of-the-century mews carriage house is a sight to behold. Mews houses were built in the 19th century to house horses, with rooms above for household staff and caretakers. Hunts Lane features a row of these carriage houses and is one of the most charming blocks in Brooklyn Heights, harkening back to the days of a carriage-drawn past. Brooklyn Heights was originally known as Brooklyn Village, and its urban development dates back to the early 1800s (though it was settled before then). Many of the area’s beautiful brownstones and homes are still around thanks to the creation of the Brooklyn Heights Historic District, the first district of its kind in New York City, which regulated the amount of development in the area. (The district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.) This gorgeous home has three renovated bedrooms, 2.5 baths, plus a windowed basement that currently serves as an artist’s studio but could be rendered into an extra bedroom or living space. It also features a private garage (yes, you read that right) and two outdoor green spaces.