55 West Ninth Street, gradska kuća široka 22 stope izgrađena 1840. godine, smještena je u srcu povijesnog West Villagea, u šarmantnoj ulici obrubljenoj drvoredom, a ipak nadomak baš svega.

Visoka četiri kata (uz dodatno uređeni podrum), obložena brownstoneom i uređena s klasičnom suzdržanošću, njezino je pročelje pomno obnovio arhitekt Jean-Gabriel Neukomm. Izvorni vijenac i ponovno fugirane opeke ostali su sačuvani, dok je sve ostalo — od stubišta do okvira prozora — precizno rekonstruirano pod vodstvom vrhunskih majstora. Svi su sustavi u kući modernizirani i unaprijeđeni, uključujući centralnu klimatizaciju te zvučni i sigurnosni sustav.

Autentičnost pročelja nadahnula je arhitekturu interijera, što je rezultiralo spojem klasičnog i modernog dizajna: francuski luksuz susreće njujorški šik u detaljima poput kamina u stilu Luja XVI., po mjeri izrađenih mramornih kamina, profilacija nadahnutih beaux-arts stilom, visokih stropova u cijeloj kući i hrastovih podova složenih u uzorak chevron, koji podsjećaju na Haussmannov Pariz. Elegantno zavojito stubište i profilacije, oblikovani prema beaux-arts dizajnu, daju interijerima tihu veličanstvenost.

Na salonskoj etaži do izražaja dolaze raskošne proporcije doma. Dnevni boravak istodobno je otmjen i gostoljubiv. Visoki stropovi, veliki prozori i pomno istražene beaux-arts profilacije daju prostoru bezvremenski ugođaj, dok hrastov pod složen u uzorak chevron unosi toplinu i teksturu.

Uz dnevni boravak nalazi se knjižnica s šarmantnom terasom koja gleda na uređeni vrt ispod. Knjižnica i dnevni boravak skladno se nastavljaju jedan na drugi, pa prostor može djelovati kao vrlo velika zona za druženje ili kao dva intimnija prostora. Prekrasan kamin na drva u knjižnici, s fino rezbarenim kaminom u stilu Luja XVI., prostoriji daje osjećaj dostojanstva. Neposredno uz knjižnicu nalazi se šarmantna soba za čitanje koja se otvara prema terasi.

Cijeli je gornji kat rezerviran za raskošan glavni apartman, zamišljen kao privatno utočište. Mramorna kupaonica obasjana krovnim prozorom, nadahnuta profinjenim interijerima Paula Dupré-Lafona, predstavlja arhitektonsko središte doma. Spavaća soba ima funkcionalni plinski kamin i lijepo uređeni kutak za sjedenje. Tu su i dva vrlo velika, pomno opremljena garderobna prostora.

Osim glavnog apartmana na gornjem katu, gradska kuća nudi dvije velike dodatne spavaće sobe, kao i dvije manje spavaće sobe na trećem katu. Prostrane i ispunjene prirodnim svjetlom, ove su sobe trenutačno prekrasno uređene, ali omogućuju i fleksibilnu namjenu. Na ovoj se etaži trenutačno nalazi jedna velika kupaonica, no lako je moguće dodati još jednu.

Na vrtnoj etaži nalazi se još jedna lijepa spavaća soba s vlastitom kupaonicom, gostinjski WC te impresivno oblikovana kuhinja za kuhara s blagovaonskim dijelom. Jednu stranu kuhinje zauzima dramatičan zid dug 30 stopa, s ormarićima pune visine i skrivenim spremištem, što suprotnoj strani, obloženoj neprekinutom površinom mramora Calacatta Gold, omogućuje da ostane upečatljivo nenarušena. Učinak je spokojan i skulpturalan: kuhinja koja djeluje manje kao arhitektonska izjava, a pritom izvrsno funkcionira. U njezinu središtu pozornost privlači štednjak Lacanche. Ručno izrađen u Burgundiji i obložen emajlom i nehrđajućim čelikom, nudi profesionalne performanse uz prisutnost koja djeluje bezvremenski. Veliki stol u seoskom stilu središte je kuhinje, dok se na kraju prostorije prema vrtu nalazi kutak obiteljske sobe za sjedenje.

Uređeni podrum jednako je lijep kao i ostatak kuće te ima prekrasno uređenu praonicu i obilje prostora za odlaganje.

Osim interijera, Miranda Brooks osmislila je vrt na dvije razine. Blagovaonska terasa opremljena je stolom i stolicama nadahnutima Donaldom Juddom, dok povišeni stražnji dio podsjeća na vrtove Palais Royala, s kolonama od šimšira, bijelim šljunkom, pletenom ogradom od lijeske i oblikovanim Judinim drvećem koje svakog proljeća procvjeta ružičastim cvjetovima.

55 West 9th pruža razinu detalja i kvalitetu gradnje kakve je gotovo nemoguće pronaći. Kuća je istodobno šik, zabavna i moderna, ali i vedra, osunčana i praktična. Lokacija i sama kuća savršene su.

55 West Ninth Street, a 22 feet wide townhouse built in 1840, is located in the heart of the historic West Village on a charming tree lined street but close to absolutely everything.

Four-stories tall (with a finished basement in addition) and trimmed in brownstone with classical restraint, its façade was meticulously restored by architect Jean-Gabriel Neukomm. The original cornice and repointed bricks remain, while everything else—from the stoop to the window surrounds—was recreated with precision by master craftsmen. Every system in the house has been modernized and upgraded, including central AC, sound and security systems.

That authenticity of the facade inspired the interior architecture, resulting in classical and modern design: French luxury meets New York chic in details such as a Louis XVI fireplace, bespoke marble mantels, beaux-arts–inspired moldings, high ceilings throughout and chevron-laid oak floors reminiscent of Haussmann’s Paris. The sweeping staircase and moldings, based on Beaux Arts design, anchor the interiors with quiet grandeur.

At the parlor level, the home’s grand proportions are evident. The living room is both stately and inviting. High ceilings, generous windows, and meticulously researched beaux-arts moldings give the space a timeless athmopshere, while chevron-laid oak floors contribute warmth and texture.

Adjacent to the living room is the library with a charming terrace overlooking the landscaped garden below. The library and living room flow gracefully allowing for the feeling of a very large entertaining space, or two more intimate spaces. The library's beautiful wood-burning fireplace with a finely carved Louis XVI mantel gives the room a sense of gravitas. Just off the library is a charming reading room which opens to the terrace.

The top floor is reserved entirely for the luxurious primary suite, conceived as a private retreat. The skylit marble bathroom, inspired by Paul Dupré-Lafon’s refined interiors, is an architectural centerpiece. The bedroom has a working gas fireplace and a lovely sitting area. There are two very large, beautifully fitted out closets.

In addition to the top-floor primary suite, the townhouse offers two large secondary bedrooms as well as two smaller bedrooms on the 3rd floor. Generously scaled and filled with natural light, these rooms are beautifully decorated now, but also allow for flexibility of use. Currently there is one large bathroom on this floor, but another can easily be added.

On the garden level is an additional lovely bedroom with a full bath, a powder room and an impressively designed chef's eat-in kitchen. One side of the kitchen is anchored by a dramatic, 30-foot wall of full-height cabinetry/concealed storage that allows the opposite wall, clad in a continuous sweep of Calacatta gold marble, to remain strikingly unbroken. The effect is serene and sculptural: a kitchen that feels less like an architectural statement but also functions well. At its center, the Lacanche range commands attention. Handcrafted in Burgundy and clad in enamel and stainless steel, it offers professional-grade function with a presence that feels timeless. A large farmhouse table is the center of the kitchen with a family room sitting area at the garden end of the room.

The finished basement is as nice as the rest of the house and has a wonderful laundry as well as extensive storage.

Beyond the interior, Miranda Brooks has designed a two-tiered garden. The dining terrace opens with a Donald Judd–inspired table and chairs, while the raised rear recalls the gardens of the Palais Royal, complete with boxwood columns, white gravel, woven hazel fencing, and pleached Judas trees that burst into pink bloom each spring.

55 West 9th provides a level of detail and quality in construction that is next to impossible to find. It is chic and fun and cool while also being cheerful and sunny and practical. The location and the house are perfection.