The Van Ness House 333 West 20th Street in the Chelsea Historic District stands as one of the neighborhood's most thoughtfully realized residences. Twenty-five feet wide and approaching 8,000 square feet, this historic townhouse has been completely rebuilt behind its original 1855 faade. The interiors, conceived with AD100 designer Miles Redd, preserve the home's architectural character while reimagining every aspect for contemporary living.
The result is a residence of remarkable coherence, where historic proportions meet uncompromising craftsmanship. Five expansive floors plus finished basement are connected by elevator, with ceilings approaching ten feet and rooms filled with natural light. Handcrafted plaster moldings, chevron-pattern white oak floors, five wood burning fireplaces, radiant heated floors, and bespoke millwork establish a quiet sense of permanence throughout. Every fixture and finish was purposefully selected, from heritage plumbing fittings and custom hardware to professional-grade appliances and finely crafted stonework.
The garden level is designed for both everyday living and gracious entertaining. At its heart is a chef's kitchen that flows effortlessly into the dining room before opening through French doors to a beautifully landscaped private garden. Framed by limestone paving and mature linden trees, the garden offers a rare sense of privacy and tranquility in the heart of West Chelsea.
One floor above, the formal entertaining level unfolds with exceptional scale. An open gallery with space for a grand piano leads into the principal living room, distinguished by coved ceilings and graceful architectural detailing. French doors open onto a terrace framing picturesque views across the historic facades of West 21st Street. Richly layered and beautifully composed, it is a room that holds an elegant evening as naturally as a solitary morning.
Five bedroom suites occupy the upper floors, each with its own ensuite bath. The full-floor primary suite serves as a private retreat, complete with dual dressing rooms, two spa-inspired bathrooms, and a discreet midnight kitchen.
Outdoor living culminates on the rooftop garden, where sweeping city views are punctuated by the illuminated bell tower of Saint Peter's Church that glows against the evening skyline. Together with the landscaped garden and private terraces below, the home's outdoor spaces move easily between intimate gatherings and expansive ones. A finished recreation level and fully integrated modern building systems provide comfort and ease throughout every season.
The Van Ness House is nestled within the Chelsea Historic District, where rows of landmarked townhouses, mature trees, and quiet residential streets create one of Manhattan's most enduring neighborhoods. Steps from the Atlantic Theater Company, the High Line, and Hudson River Park, the home offers the rare opportunity to inhabit a historic New York townhouse without compromise, where nineteenth-century architecture and twenty-first-century craftsmanship exist in complete harmony.
Five Bedrooms Six Full Baths Three Powder Rooms Five Stories Finished Basement Elevator Landscaped Garden Two Terraces Roof Deck