Located in New York City’s West Village, this townhouse renovation transforms a historically significant multi-unit rowhouse into a single-family residence within the Greenwich Village Historic District. The Turett Collaborative (TTC) worked with the owners to reshape the building into a light-filled home organized around both interior and exterior spaces, including landscaped terraces, a rear yard, a music parlor, and a skylit gym, while working within the constraints of the protected façade and surrounding historic fabric. 

 

The project required close coordination with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and a wide group of consultants to address the complexities of the site. Due to the age of the building and the presence of a nearby historic cemetery, an archaeologist was engaged to monitor excavation and document subsurface conditions. As construction progressed, additional challenges emerged, including a higher-than-anticipated water table and the need to carefully protect neighboring structures, requiring ongoing coordination with the city’s Excavation Unit and project engineers. 

Throughout the process, TTC worked closely with preservationists, consultants, Community Boards, and adjacent property owners to guide the project through approvals and construction. At the same time, the design focused on creating a cohesive and livable environment within the existing structure. A reconfigured section introduces overlapping volumes of space, while a new rear elevation incorporates steel and glass to bring light deeper into the home. Improvements to the building envelope enhance acoustic and thermal performance, supporting a comfortable and durable residence. 

The result is a West Village townhouse residence that balances the demands of a complex site with the needs of contemporary family life, bringing clarity and continuity to a historic structure shaped through multiple layers of change.