Updated 2025-11-09T12:55:01Z
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A truly historic and architecturally unique property located in Manhattan’s West Village has entered the market with an asking price of $4.195 million. Measuring less than ten feet across, this townhouse stands as a remarkable example of New York City’s inventive use of spatial constraints. Recognized as the narrowest residential structure in the entire city, it has long captured the curiosity of locals and tourists alike who pause to admire the slender façade nestled between its larger neighboring buildings. Over the decades, this narrow home has served as a refuge and creative sanctuary to an impressive roster of distinguished past residents, including at least one Pulitzer Prize–winning author.
Constructed in 1873, the building at 75 1/2 Bedford Street is now officially listed for sale at a price that reflects both its historical significance and its striking rarity within the city’s competitive real estate market. Perfectly positioned between two adjoining townhouses in the West Village, just about half a mile from Washington Square Park, the property occupies one of the neighborhood’s most charming and sought-after corners. According to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, this petite townhouse holds the distinction of being the narrowest building in the metropolis.
Although its claim to fame lies primarily in its unusually narrow dimensions, the structure also possesses an exceptionally rich cultural narrative. Over the years, it has hosted a series of noteworthy tenants such as celebrated film legends Cary Grant and John Barrymore, as well as the acclaimed cartoonist and writer William Steig. Property records reveal that its current owner, Tandra Hammer, purchased the home relatively recently in 2023 for $3.41 million. According to reporting by The New York Times, the residence currently serves as the home of Hammer’s daughter, Donte Calarco, who resides there most of the time yet is now preparing to put the townhouse back on the market.
Before Hammer’s ownership, the property was acquired in 2013 for $3.25 million by a previous set of buyers who undertook a series of thoughtful renovations designed to preserve the home’s historic charm while introducing modern conveniences. Subsequently, the property reached a peak listing price of $4.99 million in 2021, according to data provided by StreetEasy. The market for unusually narrow “skinny homes,” though small in number, continues to thrive across the United States, often demanding premium prices or at least generating widespread fascination among architectural enthusiasts and curious pedestrians alike.
This remarkably slender structure, measuring just under nine and a half feet wide, offers roughly one thousand square feet of interior space distributed gracefully over multiple floors. Originally constructed during the nineteenth century, the property was built in what had once been an open alleyway or passage between two established homes. A blog post published by Village Preservation in 2011 suggests that this in-between space may originally have served a utilitarian purpose, perhaps providing horses access to the rear stables that once occupied the backyards of neighboring homes.
Today, the townhouse continues to attract admirers not only for its petite proportions but also for the illustrious names attached to its history. Donte Calarco, reflecting on the constant stream of sightseers and photographers visible from her front windows, told The New York Times that this persistent public interest adds to the neighborhood’s unique character rather than detracting from it. She embraces the curiosity of strangers, viewing it as an integral part of the West Village’s vibrant and storied atmosphere.
Among the property’s many famous former residents are the Pulitzer Prize–winning poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, classic Hollywood actors Cary Grant and John Barrymore, and artist William Steig, who is best known for having written and illustrated the children’s book that ultimately inspired the successful animated film adaptation released decades later. Outside the home, a commemorative plaque notes that Millay allegedly composed her Pulitzer-winning poem within these very walls. However, literary historian Elizabeth Barnett, the late executor of Millay’s estate and representative of the Millay Society, has expressed skepticism over the claim, explaining to amNew York that the poet likely wrote ‘The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver’ during her stay in Europe.
Throughout its existence since the 1800s, the narrow townhouse has undergone substantial renovations to improve habitability and structure, yet it retains several of its original nineteenth-century architectural details. These preserved elements include exposed wooden ceiling beams and charming Dutch doors that reflect bygone design sensibilities. Meanwhile, newer owners have introduced modern upgrades such as marble countertops, contemporary kitchen appliances, and other refined finishes. Tandra Hammer, who acquired the home most recently, chose to implement relatively minor modifications, focusing primarily on improving comfort and livability rather than undertaking an extensive redesign. As her daughter Donte Calarco explained, the pair simply adjusted the previous renovations to make the home more functional for daily life.
Despite its remarkably slim footprint, the townhouse still provides three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and an impressive four wood-burning fireplaces strategically placed to enhance warmth and atmosphere. The third floor, once reserved as a writer’s studio during Millay’s residence in the 1920s, overlooks Bedford Street and remains a highlight of the property, serving as both a historical touchstone and a practical creative retreat.
The exterior space is equally notable. For a house of such compact width, the backyard is surprisingly spacious, measuring approximately ten by forty-two feet. This outdoor area includes a private garden designed for solitude or intimate gatherings, with an additional shared garden space accessible through the rear, a rare feature that connects the home to its broader community. According to The New York Times, this tranquil greenery enhances the townhouse’s appeal, offering a quiet counterbalance to the density of city life just beyond the front door.
Although the residence serves as Calarco’s home for much of the year, both she and her mother maintain a keen interest in real estate renovation projects, frequently acquiring historic properties in need of attention. Their passion for revitalizing classic homes aligns with their affection for the architectural fabric of New York City itself. ‘We love the city, and we love flipping old houses,’ Calarco remarked to The New York Times, emphasizing that even as they prepare to move on from Bedford Street, their enthusiasm for creative restoration remains undiminished. Ready for their next challenge, the family’s story mirrors that of the townhouse: a blend of respect for history, adaptability, and an unyielding fascination with the artistry of urban living.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-new-york-city-narrowest-townhouse-famous-tiny-home-2021-4
