West Village Walking Tour

Please join me for a pleasant walk through the quaint streets of New York's West Village neighborhood and learn about its history, culture, facts and apocrypha.

Begin by taking the #1 subway train to the Christopher Street/Sheridan Square station.

 

Starting Point and Stop 1: Village Cigars, 7th Ave South and Christopher St. 

You are standing in front of the iconic Village Cigars. Notice in front of the door the small mosaic: "Property of the Hess Estate which has never been dedicated for public purposes." In the 1910s, the City planned to widen 7th Ave South as they expanded the IRT subway under your feet. 

Imminent Domain had taken possession of over 300 buildings, which were demolished, in order to cut the subway. Varick St., to the south ended at Carmine and Clarkson Sts, and 7th Ave. proper to the north ended at 11th St. Instead of buildings over the subway cut, a street was laid out. This connector is called 7th Ave. South. One of the properties demolished was the Voorhis Hotel, a 5 floor structure on this site, belonging to the Hess family. The family noticed that this small triangular parcel of land had actually escaped the survey of the land, and, technically, still belonged to the Hesses. 

The City asked them to turn it over legally, which they refused, and shortly thereafter, mosaicists were commissioned to lay the tiles. In 1938, this little plot of real estate was sold to the cigar store for $2 per square in., valued in the day at $1000, and considered to be the smallest plot of viable real estate in the City.

Walk south on 7th Ave South and turn right on Commerce St. Stop in front of Nrs.11 and 17 Commerce St.

Stop 2: 11 Commerce St, the “Washington Irving, Jr. House”; 17 Commerce St, the Aaron Burr House; 24-28 Commerce St.

11 Commerce St-Irving House

Washington Irving, the famed author of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van Winkle  and A Knickerbocker’s History of New York remained childless after his fiancée died at the age of 17, and his father’s name was William Irving, Sr. So, historically speaking there IS NO Washington Irving, Jr. The plaque on the face of the building tells not of the truth. Charming as the detail sounds, either the plaque on 11 Commerce St. was placed by someone claiming to be his son, or it is an apocryphal detail of the street.

Nonetheless, built in 1826, it is a fine example of federal period row house, which are still abundant in this and several other downtown neighborhoods. With 4 beds and 4 baths and 2,900 sq. ft. its estimated worth as of 2016 is $10m.

A few houses over to your left, another mysterious plaque between the windows on this building at 17 Commerce St. is telling more headless tales.

17 Commerce St-"Burr" House


While Aaron Burr did own this land in 1801, this house was built in 1830, and the Burr estate, Richmond Hill, was actually little further south on Varick St. and Charlton St. What IS the truth is that he WAS the Vice President under the Jefferson administration. He WAS at constant odds with the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, who always tried to intervene on Burr's pull for power and the potential presidency. The two DID fight it out in a duel in Weehawken, NJ, at the dawn of July 11, 1804, and that Hamilton shot skyward, but Burr shot straight ahead and landed a .56 caliber bullet to Hamilton's abdomen. The injured and partially paralyzed Treasurer was ferried back to New York, and died the next day from his injuries in the William Bayard residence on Horatio St (despite another historically inaccurate plaque at 82 Jane St, both not far from where you are standing right now.) Hamilton lies in repose at Trinity Graveyard down by Wall St.

17 Commerce St-Aaron Burr House-Garden detail

The “Aaron Burr House” is another lovely example of a Federal period row house. The building was actually built by a stonecutter, who razed a tiny house on this site after a series of cholera and smallpox outbreaks swept through lower Manhattan. The curvy, narrow, haphazard and impromptu street pattern was laid out by the local landowners before the Commissioner’s Plan of 1811 imposed the rectangular numbered street pattern north of Houston (HOW-ston) St. The West Village is ideologically, culturally, mentally, metaphorically and literally “OFF THE GRID!!”

The West Village street pattern is so erratic that W4th St. and W10th St. actually dissect each other here. And the narrow street layout is most unfriendly to large vehicles that when an unwary intruder enters in a moving or delivery truck, traffic chaos and gridlock results.) But, this small-town layout is how this special neighborhood is able to retain its quaint character. 3 beds 2.5 baths 2,200 sq. ft., (204.39 m²) 17 Commerce St's estimated value as of 2016, $6.96M, Rentable at $19,700/mo.

Continue walking down Commerce St and look at Nrs. 24-28 across the street. These 1826 homes were built by shoemakers, one each for them to live, and one to rent. Nr. 24’s value is $4.3M and nr. 26’s value is $6.2M, as of 2016.

Continue down Commerce St and turn left at Bedford St.

Stop 3: 75 ½ Bedford St/77 Bedford St.

This narrow little dwelling tucked between 75 and 77 Bedford St. (dubbed 75 1/2) was built in 1873 as a result of one of the of a smallpox epidemic. Its width is merely 9 ½ ft. (less than 3m.) wide and 30ft. (9m.) It occupies an old carriageway which led to stables in the back. Notable residents here include Pulitzer Prize winning author, Edna St. Vincent-Millay (“My candle’s burning at both ends/It will not last the night/But Oh my foes, and Ah my friends/It sheds a lovely light”), John Barrymore, Cary Grant, the founder of the Cherry Lane Theatre around the corner. With 2 Beds, 2 baths, 1000 sq. ft. (92.9 m²). Sold in 2013 for $3.25M. A 2016 estimate details $8.62M, rentable at $11k/mo. Nr. 77 Bedford is a rare building from the 18^th century, built in 1799. The Issac's/Hendricks house, formerly a farmhouse, and once owned by Harmon Hendricks, a copper merchant who supplied Robert Fulton with materials used to make the boilers used on the steamboat, the Clermont, in 1807.

Go back to Commerce St and Turn left. Continue until the street bends to the right.
 

Stop 4: 38 Commerce St, The Cherry Lane Theater; and 48 Commerce St. (Alexander Stewart residence.)

The Off-Off-Broadway, Cherry Lane Theater resides at number 38 since 1924 in a an 1836 building which was once a brewery and box factory. The term, Off-Off-Broadway does not refer to its remote locale, instead of the number of seats. Off-Off-Broadway refers to up to 99 seats. Off-Broadway refers to up to 499 seats, and a “Broadway Theater” has more than 500 seats). Despite its unassuming stature, it has hosted productions by some of the greatest playwrights including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Elmer Rice, Eugene O’Neill, Gertrude Stein, T.S. Eliot, Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson and David Mamet, and an even more impressive list of actors who include Barbra Streisand, Gene Hackman, Beatrice Arthur, James Earl Jones, Colleen Dewhurst, Cicely Tyson, Harvey Keitel, Judd Hirsch, Tony Curtis, Gary Sinise, Jerry Stiller, Rue McClanahan, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Roy Scheider, Frances Sternhagen, F. Murray Abraham, Peter Falk, Tom Bosley, Frank Langella, Tyne Daly, Estelle Parsons, Geraldine Page, Kevin Bacon, Lee Strasberg, Roscoe Lee Browne, and Dennis Quaid.

Cherry Lane Theater

The 90 degree bend at this location marks the demarcation of the land holdings of Wouter Van Twiller, the successor of Peter Minuit as Governor-General of the New Netherland colony.

48 Commerce St was the residence of Irish merchant Alexander Turney Stewart, founder of A.T. Stewart & Co. and made a multi-million dollar fortune in his “Marble Palace” on Broadway and Chambers St. (Building still extant). Buried in St. Mark’s in the Bowery Graveyard in the East Village, his remains were exhumed and held for ransom, but it remains unclear if the remains returned were those of Mr. Stewart!

Turn to your right and find across Commerce St. the “Twins of Commerce Street”, two identical houses built in 1831, so the story goes, for the feuding daughters of a sea captain. But this may be yet another charming detail that has no basis on fact.

The "Twins" of Commerce St

Most likely, they were built by a “milkman’’ which apparently was a high-paying profession at one time. The slanted mansard roofs were added in 1873, as the Second Empire was very fashionable at the time.

70 Barrow, at the end of Commerce St. was built as a firehouse in 1851.

Walk to the corner and turn right at Barrow St. and then left on to Bedford St.

Stop 5: 86 Bedford St, Chumley’s

Chumley’s was a popular pub, restaurant and Prohibition-era speakeasy located in the  building at 86 Bedford St. A recent chimney collapse in 2007 forced the rebuilding of the edifice, and Chumley’s has finally reopened in October of 2016. A long-time hang of literaries include E.E. Cummings, William Faulkner, Edna St. Vincent-Millay and John Steinbeck, and many movers of the Beat Generation. It is believed the term “86ed” originated here when unruly customers were escorted out the Bedford St. door. The establishment was equipped with trap doorways and secret stairs. Prohibition-era police raids were thwarted by the multi-faceted entryway of uneven stair height, low overhangs and several turns on rickety wooden stairs leading in to the bar, and with all the commotion and confusion patrons would scram out the side door, the “Garden Door,” opening to Pamela Court around the corner (left on Barrow St.), the door being disguised as a bookcase with artificial books. Like a “Keystone Cops” clip, I could imagine it quite comical!

Continue along Bedford St. Turn Left at Grove and Stop at Grove Court, at the bend in the Street, on the left.

Stop 6: Grove Court/17 Grove St. /90 Bedford St.

The street geometry of this narrow tucked-away corner of the West Village forces the area behind the Grove Court gate to open into a rather sprawling courtyard, for New York Standards. Built between 1848 and 1852 in the Greek Revival style, it was quite a risky venture, as no respectable pre-Civil War family would buy a house that doesn’t open directly onto the street.

Grove Court

So, Samuel Cocks, owner of a nearby grocery store, built dwellings for a potential clientele, tradesmen and laborers, and as usual, artists and literaries joined the mix and the large courtyard was often the scene of debaucherous gatherings, it was nick-named “Mixed-Ale Alley.” Actress, Angela Lansbury lived in Nr.12. It was also used as the setting for O’Henry’s short story, “The Last Leaf,” about an ailing artist living in the little commune. The story includes specific details including the ivy vine crawling up the wall on the right hand side inside the gate. (“The Last Leaf” is a quick read easily found online.)

Turn to your left and go to the corner.

Notice the 3-floor wooden frame house on the corner. 17 Grove St. Built in 1822 as a two-floor building, additional level, 1870 with the Italianate cornice added with the addition. Wooden framed homes are extremely rare in NY due to its history of devastating fires.


The "Barbie" House

Built by William Hyde, a sash maker, replete with a workshop in the back, now rented out. We can assume the house’s double hung windows were built by its owner. OK. Here’s where charming is true. 1987 the house was sold to Kenneth Handler, son of Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel and creator of the Barbie and Ken dolls. By the way. Barbara is Ken’s real-life sister.

"Twin Peaks" Interior Detail

"Still further along Bedford St., behind Mr. Hyde’s workshop is Nr.102, the “Twin Peaks” of Greenwich Village. This 1830 construction was redesigned in 1925 to emulate a Swiss chalet.

 It has always been a haven for artists, even if you don’t want to call Douglas Fairbanks, Walt Disney, Cary Grant and Miles Davis artists. It went on the market in 2013 for $7.5M. 

Friends' House-Grove and Bedford Streets

Now look across Grove St. at the 6 floor walk-up at 90 Bedford (b.1898). Many people will recognize this building where Monica and Rachel lived across the hall from Joey and Chandler in the popular ‘90s TV show “Friends.” Uhm. No balconies in tenement walk-ups.

Walk east along Grove St. Technically, it is not a “STOP,” rather a “STROLL-BY”



32 Grove St

On the right side of the street is a sumptuous row of turn of the 20^th century townhouses.

A “brownstone” is not a “brownstone” if it does not have BROWN STONE.




32 Grove St-Interior Detail

Otherwise it is just a townhouse. Many of these homes retain their original details or have been faithfully restored. Nr.32 is a gem sold in 2015 for 11.25M. Nr.34 is just as beautiful.


32 Grove St-Backyard

Feel free to try and take a peek into the interiors. If the curtains or shutters are open they are allowing you to do so, BUT PLEASE REMEMBER TO RESPECT THE RESIDENTS’ PRIVACY AT ALL TIMES and never walk up the steps (the STOOP) at any time!



Continue to the corner of Bleecker St and turn left. Continue 4 block north and turn right on Perry St.  NOTE: The following detail might be interesting to some, but it leads to a private residence whose owners are very protective of their privacy!! Therefore I am not calling it as a “STOP” on the tour.

Sarah-Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw at 64 Perry St.

Going left, Bleecker St heads in a north-west direction. Follow it to Perry St and turn right. This is a street lined with true brownstones. Half-way down on the right is Nr.64. This is the setting for Carrie Bradshaw’s townhouse in “Sex and the City.”

Turn back around and go back to Bleecker St. and turn right.

On the south-east corner, on your right is the original Magnolia Bakery for cupcakes, pies and cookies. This is another popular establishment also featured in the movie “Sex and the City.”

My tour will conclude here. If you would like to return to the starting point at Village Cigars, continue south on Bleecker St. and turn left at Christopher St. One block further is Grove St, where left around the corner are a few popular piano bars (Marie’s Crisis, Rose’s Turn, Arthur’s Tavern) if you would like to sit and listen to some music and have a cocktail.

Further down Bleecker St. crossing 7th Ave. South you have a very authentic NY Pizzeria, John’s of Greenwich Village, Murray’s Cheese Bar, Babbo (to the left at the corner of Cornelia St.) Crossing 6th Ave (Avenue of the Americas) and there is a lively district of famous, trendy and ethnic eateries, several notorious Speakeasies, cafes, coffee houses, rock clubs, comedy clubs, bohemian hangouts and other venue. Turn left at MacDougal St.


Monte’s Trattoria and Minetta Tavern (Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O'Neill, E. E. Cummings, Dylan Thomas) are old-time stand-bys, Café Wha (Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor), Caffè Reggio (featured in The Godfather II, Shaft, Serpico, Inside Llewyn Davis) and further along Bleecker St as well are all great places to walk. Past Sullivan St. and Thompson St. And just a few blocks north of you is Washington Square Park, with its famous arch; a wonderful place to have a seat and watch New Yorkers be themselves.

On behalf of all New Yorkers I want to thank you visiting my City. Thank you also for your interest in our neighborhoods. I hope you enjoyed our little walk through the West Village. My name is Richie. Licensed Tour Guide since 1988. I hope you enjoy the rest of your visit!

Intellectual Property of Richard Reiss, 2017

 

Un Tour à Pied Dans le Quartier Pittoresque et Historique-Le West Village

Veuillez vous me-joindre pour une promenade agréable dans les rues pittoresques du quartier West Village de New York et connaître son histoire, sa culture, ses faits et ses apocryphes.

 

 

Pour commencer, prenez le metro no.1 à la station Christopher Street/Sheridan Square.

 

 

 

Point de départ et Arrêt 1: Village Cigars, 7e Avenue Sud et Christopher St.

 

You are standing in front of the iconic Village Cigars.

Vous êtes devant le magazin emblématique “Village Cigars”. Notice in front of the door the small mosaic: "Property of the Hess Estate which has never been dedicated for public purposes." Regardez devant la porte à la petite mosaïque: “ La propriété du domaine Hess qui n'a jamais été consacrée aux fins publiques.” In the 1910s, the City planned to widen 7th Ave South as they expanded the IRT subway under your feet. Dans les années 1910, la Ville prévoyait d'élargir la 7ème avenue sud alors qu'ils étendaient le métro IRT sous vos pieds. Imminent Domain had taken possession of over 300 buildings , which were demolish ed , in order to cut the subway. Domaine éminent avait pris possession de plus de 300 bâtiments, qui ont été démolis, afin de construir le métro. Varick St., to the south ended at Carmine and Clarkson Sts , and 7th Ave. Varick Street, au sud terminais aux rues Carmine et Clarkson, et la 7e Aveproper to the north ended at 11th St. propre au nord a pris fin à la rue 11. Instead of buildings over the subway cut, a street was laid out. Au lieu des bâtiments sur la coupe du métro, une rue a été aménagée. This connector Ce connecteur is called 7th Ave. s'appelle 7th AveSouth. Sud. One of the properties demolished was the Voorhis Hotel, a 5 floor structure on this site, belonging to the Hess family. Une des propriétés démolies était l'Hôtel Voorhis, une structure de 5 étages sur ce site appartenante à la famille Hess. The family noticed that this small triangular parcel of land had actually escaped the survey of the land, and, technically, still belonged to the Hesses. La famille a remarqué que cette petite parcelle triangulaire avait effectivement échappé l'étude de la terre et, techniquement, appartenait encore aux Hesses. The City asked them to turn it over legally, which they refused, and shortly thereafter, mosaicists were commissioned to lay the tiles. La Ville leur a demandé de le renoncer légalement, ce qu'ils ont refusé, et peu de temps après, les mosaïstes ont été chargés de poser les carreaux. In 1938, this little plot of real estate was sold to the cigar store for $2 per square in., valued in the day at $1000, and considered to be the smallest plot of viable real estate in the City. En 1938, cette petite parcelle immobilière a été vendu au magasin de cigares de $2 par mètre carré, une valeur dans la journée à $ 1000, et considérée la plus petite parcelle immobilière viable dans la ville.

Walk south on 7th Ave South and turn right on Commer c e St. Promenez  vers le sud le 7 Ave Sud et tournez à droite sur Commerce St.Stop in front of Nr s . Arrêtez devant Nos. 11 and 17 Commerce St.11 et 17 Commerce St

 

No.11 Commerce St-Irving House

Stop 2: 11 Commerce St, the Arrêt 2: 11 Commerce St, la“ Washington Irving , Jr. House ” ; “ Washington Irving, Jr. House “;17 Commerce St, the Aaron Burr House; 17 Commerce St, “la Maison Aaron Burr”; 24-28 Commerce St. 24-28, Commerce St

Washington Irving, the famed author of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow , Rip Van Winkle and A Knickerbocker's History of New York Washington Irving, l'auteur célèbre de la Légende de Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van Winkle et de L’Histoire Knickerbocker de New Yorkremained childless after his fiancée died at the age of 17 , and h is father's name was William Irving, Sr. So, historically speaking there IS NO Washing ton Irving, Jr. T he plaque on the face of the building tells not of the truth. est resté sans enfant après que sa fiancée est mort à l'âge de 17 ans, et le nom du père était William Irving, Sr. Alors, parlant historiquement il n'y avait jamais tel Washington Irving, Jr. Donc, la plaque sur la face de l'immeuble ne dit pas la vérité. Charming as the detail sounds, e ither th e plaque on 11 Commerce St. was placed by someone claiming to be his son, or it is an apocryphal detail of the street. Charmant que le détail sonne, ou la plaque sur 11 Commerce St a été placé par quelqu'un qui prétend être son fils, ou il est un détail apocryphe de la rue.Nonetheless , built in 1826 , it is a fine example of federal period row house, whic h are still abundant in this and several other downtown neighborhoods. Quel qu'il soit, construit en 1826, il est un bel exemple de maison en rangée de la période fédérale (1780-1830) qui sont encore abondantes dans ce districte et plusieurs d’autres quartiers du centre-ville. With 4 beds and 4 baths and 2,900 sq. ft. its estimated worth as of 2016 is $10m. Avec 4 chambres à lits et 4 bains et 2.900 pieds carrés (269.4 ‎m²), sa valeur estimée à partir de 2016 est de $10 millions.

A few houses over to your left, a nother mysterious plaque between the windows on this building at 17 Commerce St. is telling Quelques maisons sur votre gauche, une plaque mystérieuse entre les fenêtres de ce bâtiment à 17 Commerce St. est révélateur desmore headless tales . autres contes sans tête.While Aaron Burr did own this land in 1801 , this house Alors que Aaron Burr était propriétaire de cette terre en 1801, cette maisonwas built in 1830 , and a été construit en 1830, etthe Burr estate, Richmond Hill, was a ctually little further south on Varick St. and Charlton St . la domaine Burr, Richmond Hill, était un peu plus au sud Varick St et Charlton St.What IS the truth is that he WAS the Vice President under the Jefferson administration. Ce qui est vrai, il était le vice-président sous l'administration de Thomas Jefferson.He WAS at constant odds with the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, who always tried to intervene on Burr's pull for power and the potential presidency. Il était en contradiction constante avec le Secrétaire du Trésor, Alexander Hamilton, qui a toujours essayé d'intervenir sur l'attrait de Burr pour du pouvoir, et la présidence potentielle. The two DID fight it out in a duel in Weehawken, NJ, at the da w n of July 11, 1804, and that Hamilton shot skyward , Les deux avaient un duel à Weehawken, NJ, l’11 Juillet 1804, et Hamilton a fusillé vers le ciel, but Burr shot straight ahead and landed a .56 caliber bullet to Hamilton's abdomen . mais Burr a fusillé tout droit et a lancé une balle de calibre .56 à l'abdomen de Hamilton.The injured and partially paralyzed Treasurer was ferried back to New York, and died the next day from his injuries in the William Bayard residence on Horatio St (despite another historically inaccurate plaque at 82 Jane St, le Trésorier, blessé et partiellement paralysé a été convoyé à New York, et mourut le lendemain de ses blessures dans la résidence William Bayard sur Horatio St (malgré une autre plaque historiquement inexacte à 82 Jane St, both not far from where you are standing right now. pas loin de l' endroit où vous vous trouvez en ce moment) Hamilton lies in repose at Trinity Graveyard down by Wall St.). Hamilton est au repos au Cimetière Trinity sur Wall Street

 

17 Commerce St-Aaron Burr House

 

 

Aaron Burr House-Patio

 

The “ Aaron Burr House” is a nother lovely example of a Federal period rowLe “Aaron Burr House” est un autre bel exemple d'une utre maison en rangée de la Période Fédérale. The bui lding was actually built by a stonecutter, who razed a tiny house on this site after a series of cholera and smallpox outbreaks swept through lower Manhattan. Le bâtiment a été effectivement construit par un tailleur de pierre, qui rasa une petite maison sur ce site quand une série d'épidémies de choléra et de la variole ont balayé Manhattan plus au sud. The curvy, narrow, haphazard and impromptu street pattern was laid out by the local landowners before the Commissioner's Plan of 1811 imposed the rectangular numbered street pattern north of Houston (HOW-ston) St. La forme de la rue sinueuse, étroite, spontanée et impromptue a été aménagé par les propriétaires locaux avant que le Plan du Commissaire de 1811 a imposé la matrice au nord de Houston (HOW-ston) St. The West Village is ideologically, culturally, mentally , metaphorically and literally “OFF THE GRID!!” The West Village street pattern is so erratic that W4th St. and W10th St . Le West Village est idéologiquement, culturellement, mentalement, métaphoriquement et littéralement “ hors du plan!! “ Le modèle de la rue West Village est si erratique que W4th St. et W10th St. actually dissect each other here . en fait se dissectent l'un à l’autre. A nd the narrow street layout is most unfriendly to large vehicles that when an unwary intruder enters in a moving or delivery truck, traffic chaos and gridlock results .) Et la mise-en-page des rues étroites est le plus hostile aux gros véhicules que lorsqu'un camion de livraison intrus pénètre le districte, un chaos de la circulation résulte.) But, t his small-town layout is how this special neighborhood is able to retain its quaint character. Mais, cette mise-en-page chaotique est comment ce quartier spécial est capable de conserver son caractère pittoresque. 3 beds Avec 3 chambres à lits,2.5 baths 2 1/2 bains,2,200 sq. 2.200 pied² (204,39 m²), 17 Commerce St est estimaté à une valeur de 6.96M $, louable $19.700/mois, à partir de 2016.

Continue walking down Commerce St and look at Nrs. Continuez à marcher sur Commerce St et regardez Nos. 24-28 across the street . 24-28 dans la rue. These 1826 homes were built by shoemakers, one each for them to live , and one to rent. Cettes maisons ont été construites en 1826 par des cordonniers, en chacune pour eux de vivre, et une à louer. Nr.24's value is $4.3M and nr.La valeur de 24 est de 4,3 Millons $ et de No. 26 est de 6,2 M $, à partir de 2016.

Continue down Commerce St and turn left at Bedford St. Continuer le long de Commerce St et tourner à gauche à Bedford St.

Stop 3: 75 ½ Bedford St /77 Bedford St. Arrêt 3: 75 ½ Bedford St / 77 Bedford St.

 

75 1/2 Bedford St

 

This narrow little dwelling tucked between 75 and 77 Bedford St. (dubbed 75 1/2) was built in 1873 as a result of one of the of a smallpox epidemic . Cette petite maison étroite piégée entre 75 et 77 St. Bedford (surnommé 75 1/2) a été construit en 1873 à la suite d'un des d'une épidémie de variole.Its width is merely 9 ½ ft. (less than 3m.) wide and 30ft. Sa largeur est de seulement 9 ½ ft. (moins de 3m.) de longueur et 30 pieds (9m.) It occup ies a n old carriageway which led to stables in the back. (9 m.) Elle s’occupe une vielle chaussée qui a conduit à des écuries à l'arrière. Notable residents here include Pulitzer Prize winning author, Edna St. Vincent-Millay ( “My candle's burning at both ends/It will not last the night/But Oh my foes, and Ah my friends/It sheds a lovely light ”), John Barrymore, Cary Grant , the founder of the Cherry Lane Theatre around the corner. Résidents notables sont ici incluent lauréate du Prix Pulitzer, Edna St. Vincent-Millay, “Je brûle ma bougie aux deux extrémités”, John Barrymore, Cary Grant, le fondateur du Théâtre Cherry Lane autour du coin. With 2 Beds, 2 baths, 1000 sq. ft. (92.9 m²). Avec 2 lits, 2 salles de bains, 1000 sq. Ft. (92,9 m²). Sold in 2013 for $3.25M. Vendu en 2013 pour 3,25 M $. A 2016 estimate details $8.62M, rentable at $11k/mo. Une estimation de 2016 indique 8,62 Millons, rentable à $11k/ mois.

77 Bedford is a rare building from the 18 ^th century, built in 1799. The Isaacs/Hendricks house, formerly a farmhouse, and once owned by Harmon Hendricks, a copper merchant who supplied Robert Fulton with materials used to make the boilers used on the steamboat, the Clermont, in 1807. Le 77 Bedford est un bâtiment rare du 18^e siècle, construit en 1799. La maison Isaacs-Hendricks, autrefois une ferme, et une fois la propriété de Harmon Hendricks, un marchand de cuivre qui a fourni Robert Fulton avec des matériaux utilisés pour fabriquer les chaudières employées sur la Steamboat, le Clermont, en 1807.

Go back to Commerce St and Turn left. Revenez à Commerce St et tournez à gauche. Continue until the street bends to the right. Continuez jusqu'à ce que la rue se penche vers la droite.

Stop 4: 38 Commerce St, The Cherry Lane Theater ; Arrêt 4: 38 Commerce St, Le Théâtre Cherry Lane;and 48 Commerce St. ( Alexander Stewart residence. ) et 48 Commerce St. (résidence Alexander Stewart).

Le Théâtre Cherry Lane

 

The Off-Off-Broadway, Cherry Lane Theater resides at number 38 since 1924 in a reused box factorLe théâtre “Off-Off-Broadway”, Cherry Lane Theatre réside au numéro 38 depuis 1924 dans une usine de boîtes réutilisées. The term, Off-Off-Broadway does not refer to its remote locale, instead of the number of seats. Le terme Off-Off-Broadway ne fait pas référence à ses paramètres régionaux distants, au lieu du nombre de sièges. Off-Off-Broadway refers to up to 99 seats. Off-Off-Broadway se réfère à jusqu'à 99 sièges. Off-Broadway refers to up to 499 seats, and a “Broadway Theater” has more than 500 seats). Off-Broadway se réfère à jusqu'à 499 sièges, et un "Broadway Theatre" compte plus de 500 sièges). Despite its unassuming stature, it has hosted productions by some of the greatest playwrights including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Elmer Rice, Eugene O'Neill, Gertrude Stein, TS Eliot, Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson and David Mamet, and an even more impressive list of actors who include Barbra Streisand, Gene Hackman, Beatrice Arthur, James Earl Jones, Colleen Dewhurst, Cicely Tyson, Harvey Keitel, Judd Hirsch, Tony Curtis, Gary Sinise, Jerry Stiller, Rue McClanahan, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Roy Scheider, Frances Sternhagen, F. Murray Abraham, Peter Falk, Tom Bosley, Frank Langella, Tyne Daly, Estelle Parsons, Geraldine Page, Kevin Bacon, Lee Strasberg, Roscoe Lee Browne, and Dennis Quaid En dépit de sa taille modeste, il a accueilli des productions par certains des plus grands dramaturges F. Scott Fitzgerald, Elmer Rice, Eugene O'Neill, Gertrude Stein, Luigi Pirandello, TS Eliot, Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson et David Mamet, et une liste encore plus impressionnante des acteurs qui comprennent Barbra Streisand, Gene Hackman, Beatrice Arthur, James Earl Jones, Colleen Dewhurst, Cicely Tyson, Harvey Keitel, Judd Hirsch, Tony Curtis, Gary Sinise, Jerry Stiller, Rue McClanahan, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Roy Scheider, Frances Sternhagen, F. Murray Abraham, Peter Falk, Tom Bosley, Frank Langella, Tyne Daly, Estelle Parsons, Geraldine Page, Kevin Bacon, Lee Strasberg, Roscoe Lee Browne et Dennis Quaid

The 90 degree bend at this location marks the demarcation of the land holdings of Wouter Van Twiller, the successor of Peter Minuit as Governor-General of the New Netherland colony. Le coude à 90 degrés à cet endroit marque la délimitation des propriétés foncières de Wouter Van Twiller, le successeur de Peter Minuit comme Gouverneur Général de la colonie de la Nouvelle Netherland.

48 Commerce St was the residence of Irish merchant Alexander Turney Stewart, founder of AT Stewart & Co. and made a multi-million dollar fortune in his “Marble Palace” on Broadway and Chambers St. (Building still extant). 48 Commerce St était la résidence du marchand irlandais Alexander Turney Stewart, fondateur d'A.T. Stewart & Co. et a fait une fortune de plusieurs millions de dollars dans son "Palais de Marbre" sur Broadway et Chambers St (bâtiment encore existant). Buried in St. Mark's in the Bowery Graveyard in the East Village, his remains were exhumed and held for ransom, but it remains unclear i f the remains returned were those of Mr. Stewart! Enterré dans le cimetière ‘St. Mark’s in the Bowery’ dans l'East Village, ses restes ont été exhumés et rançonnés, mais il reste peu clair si les restes retournés étaient ceux de M. Stewart!

No.48 Commerce St-Résidence-A.T. Stewart

 

 

No.48 Commerce St-Détaille Patio

 

Turn to your right and find across Commerce St. the “Twins of Commerce Street” , two identical houses built in 1831, Tournez à droite et trouver sur le commerce St. “ Les Gemelles de Commerce St”, deux maisons identiques construit en 1831, so the story goes, for the feuding daughters of a sea captain. Donc l'histoire va, pour les fougueuses filles d'un capitaine de mer. But this may be yet another charming detail that has no basis on fact. Mais ce peut être encore un autre détail charmant qui n'a aucune base sur le fait. Most likely, they were built by a “ milkman'' which apparently was a high-paying profession at one time. Plus probablement, elles ont été construites par un “ crémier “ “ qui était apparemment une profession bien rémunérés à un moment donné . The slanted mansard rooves were added in 1873, as the Second Empire was very fashionable at the time. Les toits mansardés ont été ajoutés en 1873, alors que le 2e Empire était très à la mode à l'époque.

 

Les Gemelles de Commerce St

 

No.70 Barrow St

70 Barrow, at the end of Commerce St. was built as a firehouse70 Barrow, à la fin de Commerce St. a été construit comme une station de pompiers en 1851.

Walk to the corner and turn right at Barrow St . Marchez jusqu'au coin et tournez à droite à Barrow St and then left on to Bedford St . et puis à gauche sur Bedford St

Stop 5: 86 Bedford St, Chumley ' s Arrêt 5: Le 86 Bedford St, Chumley’s

 

 

Chumley ' s was a popular pub, restaurant and Prohibition-era speakeasy located in the building at 86 Bedford St. A recent chimney collapse in 2007 forced the rebuilding of the edifice, but Chumley's has yet to reopen despite hopes and promises. Chumley's était un pub et restaurant populaire pendant Prohibition “Speakeasy” situé dans le bâtiment à 86 Bedford St. Un effondrement de la cheminée récente en 2007 contraint la reconstruction de l'édifice, et Chumley’s a finalement rouvrert en Octobre de 2016. A long-time hang of literaries include EE Cummings, William Faulkner, Edna St. Vincent-Millay and John Steinbeck, and many movers of the Beat Generation. Longtemps un lieu de rassammblement dáuteures et artistes qui comprennent E.E. Cummings, William Faulkner, Edna St. Vincent-Millay et John Steinbeck, et de nombreux figures de la “Beat Generation”. It is believed the term “86ed” originated here when unruly customers were escorted out the Bedford St. door. On croit que le terme commun en anglais “86ed” est né lorsque des clients indisciplinés ont été escortés dans la porte de Bedford St.. The establishment was equipped with trap doorways and secret stairs. L'établissement était équipé de porte pièges et des escaliers secrets. Prohibition-era police raids were thwarted by the multi-faceted entryway of uneven stair height, low overhangs and several turns on rickety wooden stairs leading in to the bar, and with all the commotion and confusion patrons would scram out the side door, the “Garden Door , ” opening to Pamela Court Saisies policières pendant Prohibition ont été contrariés par la voie d'entrée à multiples facettes, d’hauteur des marches inégale, bas surplombs et plusieurs tours sur un escalier en bois branlantes menants à la barre, et avec toute l'agitation et la confusion clients se fugaient par la porte latérale,  “porte-jardin “, ouvrante à  Pamela Court around the corner ( left on Barrow St. ) , autour du coin ( à gauche sur Barrow St), the door being disguised as a bookcase with artificial book s . la porte étant déguisé en étagère artificielle de livres. Like a “Keystone Cops” clip, I could imagine it quite comical! Comme un clip "Keystone Cops", je pourrais l'imaginer tout à fait comique!

Chumley's avant l'effondrement de la cheminée

 

Continue along Bedford St. Turn Left at Grove and Stop at Grove Court, at the bend in the Street , on the lContinuez le long de Bedford St. Tournez à gauche à Grove et arrêtez à la “Grove Court”,au virage dans la rue, à gauche.

Stop 6: Grove Court /17 Grove St . Arrêt 6: Grove Court / 17 Grove St. / 90 Bedford St. / 90 Bedford St. e street geometry of this narrow tucked-away corner of the West Village forces the area behind the Grove Court gate to open into a rather sprawling courtyard, for New York Standards.

 

Grove Court

 

Intérieure No. 5 Grove Court



 La géométrie de la rue à ce coin étroit et caché du West Village oblige la zone derrière la porte de Grove Court à s'ouvrir dans une cour plutôt étendue, pour les normes de New York. Built between 1848 and 1852 in the Greek Revival style , it was quite a risky venture, as no respectable pre-Civil War family would buy a house that doesn't open directly on to the street. Construit entre 1848 et 1852 dans le style néo-grec, il était tout à fait une entreprise risquée, car aucune respectable famille pré-Guerre Civile achèterait une maison qui nóuvre pas directement sur la rue. So, Samuel Cocks, owner of a nearby grocery store , built dwellings for a potential clientele, tradesmen and laborers, and as usual, artists and literaries joined the mix and the large courtyard was often the scene of debaucherous gatherings, it was nick-named “Mixed-Ale Alley.” Ac tr ess, Angela Lansbury lived in Nr.12. Ainsi, Samuel Cocks, propriétaire d'une épicerie à proximité, construit des habitations pour une clientèle potentielle, les commerçants et les ouvriers, et comme d' habitude, les artistes et littéraires ont rejoint le mélange et la grande cour était souvent un théâtre de rassemblements rauques et ivres, elle était surnommé “Alley de Mixtes-Bières“ Actrice Angela Lansbury a vécu dans No.12. It was also used as the setting for O'Henry's short story, “The Last Leaf , ” about an ailing artist living in the little commune. Il a également été utilisé comme décor pour histoire courte d’O'Henry, “La Dernière Feuille”, d'un artiste vivant en difficulté dans la petite commune. The story includes specific details including the ivy vine crawling up the wall on the right hand side inside the gate. L'histoire comprend des détails spécifiques, y compris la vigne de lierre qui rampe le mur sur le côté droit à l'intérieur de la porte. (“The Last Leaf” is a quick read easily found online.) ("The Last Leaf" est une lecture rapide facilement disponible sur l’Internet). 



 

No.17 Grove St-Maison "Ken"

Turn to your left and go to the corner. Tournez à votre gauche et allez au coin. Notice the 3-floor wooden frame house on the corner. Notez la maison en bois sur le coin à 3 étages. 17 Grove St. Built in 1822 as a two-floor building, additional level, 1870 with the Italianate cornice added with the addition. 17 Grove St. Construit en 1822 comme un bâtiment à deux étages, l’étage supplémentaire de 1870 avec la corniche italate ajoutée avec l'addition. Wooden framed homes are extremely rare in NY due to its history of devastating fires. Les maisons en bois sont extrêmement rares à New York en raison de l'histoire des incendies dévastateurs. Built by William Hyde, a sash maker, replete with a workshop in the back, now rented out. Construit par William Hyde, un fabricant de chassis de fenêtres, rempli d'un atelier à l'arrière, maintenant loué. We can assume the house's double hung windows were built by its owner. Nous pouvons supposer que les fenêtres à double pendule de la maison ont été construites par son propriétaire. OK. D’accord. Here's where charming is true. Voilà où le charme est vrai. 1987 the house was sold to Kenneth Handler, son of Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel and creator of the Barbie and Ken dolls. En 1987, la maison a été vendue à Kenneth Handler, fils de Ruth Handler, co-fondatrice de jouets Mattel et créatrice des poupées Barbie et Ken. By the way. Au fait. Barbara is Ken's real-life sister. Barbara est la soeur en vie réelle de Ken.

 

Atelier de No.17 Grove St et "Pics Jumeux"

 

Still further along Bedford St. , behind Mr. Hyde's workshop is Nr.102, the “Twin Peaks” of Greenwich Village. Toujours plus loin le long á de Bedford St., derrière l'atelier de M. Hyde est Nr.102, les “Twin Peaks “ (Pics Jumeaux) de Greenwich Village. This 1830 construction was redesigned in 1925 to emulate a Swiss chalet. Cette construction 1830 a été remanié en 1925 pour imiter un chalet suisse. It has always been a haven for artists, even if you don't want to call Douglas Fairbanks, Walt Disney, Cary Grant and Miles Davis artists. Il a toujours été un abri pour les artistes, même si vous ne voulez pas appeler Douglas Fairbanks, Walt Disney, Cary Grant et Miles Davis “artistes”. It went on the market in 2013 for $7.5M. En 2013, il est entré sur le marché immobilière 2013 pour $7,5 Millons.

 

No. Bedford St-La Maison "Friends"

 

Now look across Grove St. at the 6 floor walk-up at 90 Bedford (b.189Maintenant, regardez à travers Grove St. a l’edifice de 6 étages à 90 Bedford (1898). Many people will recognize this building where Monica and Rachel lived across the hall from Joey and Chandler in the popular '90s TV show “Friends.” Uhm. Beaucoup de gens vont reconnaître ce bâtiment où Monica et Rachel ont vécu dans le couloir de Joey et Chandler dans les années 90 “populaire TV show “Friends“ Hein? No balconies in tenement walk-ups. Pas de balcons ou terraces.

Walk east along Grove St. Technically, it is not a “STOP,” rather a “STROLL-BY.” Promenez le long de l' est Grove St. (Techniquement, ce n'est pas un “ ARRÊT“, plutôt un “ PROMENER A PIEDS“

On the right side of the street is a sumptuous row of turn of the 20 ^th century townhouses . Du côté droit de la rue est une somptueuse rangée de maisons de ville du 19-20^e siècle. A “brownstone” is not a “brownstone” if it does not have BROWN STONE. Un "Brownstone" (grès brun) n'est pas un "Brownstone" s'il n'a pas brun! Otherwise it is just a townhouse. Sinon, ce n'est qu'une “maison de ville”. Many of these homes retain their original details or have been faithfully restored. Beaucoup de cettes maisons conservent leurs détails originaux ou ont été fidèlement restaurées. Nr.32 is a gem sold in 2015 for 11.25M . No.32 est un petit bijou vendu en 2015 pour 11.25M. Nr.3 4 i s just as beautiful. No.34 i est tout aussi beau. Feel free to try and take a peek into the interiors. N'hésitez pas à tenter de regarder aux intérieurs. If the curtains or shutters are open they are allowing you to do so, BUT PLEASE REMEMBER TO RESPECT THE RESIDENTS' PRIVACY AT ALL TIMES and never walk up the steps (the STOOP) at any time! Si les rideaux ou les volets sont ouverts, ils vous permettent de le faire, MAIS S'IL VOUS PLAÎT RETENIR POUR LA PROTECTION DES RENSEIGNEMENTS PERSONNELS RESPECT DES RÉSIDENTS EN TOUT TEMPS et ne jamais monter les marches (le ‘stoop’) à tout moment!

No.32 Grove St-Détaille Interieure

 

No.32 Grove St

 

Continue to the corner of Bleecker St aContinuez jusqu'au coin de Bleecker St et tournez à gauche. Continue 4 block north and turn right on Perry St. Continuez 4 blocs vers le nord et tournez à droite sur la rue Perry   NOTE: The following detail might be interesting to some, but it leads to a private residence whose owners are very protective of their privacy!! REMARQUE: Les détails suivants peuvent être intéressants pour certains, mais cela conduit à une résidence privée dont les propriétaires sont très protecteurs de leur vie privée! Therefore I am not calling it as a “STOP” on the tour. Par conséquent, je ne suis pas l'appeler comme “ARRÊT “ officiel.

Going left , Allez à gauche,Bleecker Bleecker S tSt heads in a north-west direction. Vers la direction nord-ouest. Follow it to Perry St and turn right. Continuez jusqu’à Perry St et tourner à droite. This is a street lined with true brownstones. C'est une rue bordée de vrais grès bruns. Half-way down on the right is Nr.64. À mi-chemin vers la droite voyez No. 64. This is the setting for Carrie Bradshaw's townho use in “Sex and the City.” Ceci est le réglage pour l'utilisation de maison de Carrie Bradshaw dans “ Sex and the City. “

 

No.64 Perry St-Maison de "Carrie Bradshaw"

No.64 Grove St-Detaille Interieure

 

Turn back around and go back to Bleecker St. and turn righRetournez-vous et retournez à Bleecker St. et tournez à droite.

On the south-east corner , on your right is the origin al Magnolia B akery for cupcakes, pies and cookies. Dans le coin sud-est, sur votre droite est l’originale Magnolia Bakery pour les petits gâteaux, tartes et biscuits. This is a nother popular establishment also featured in the movie “Sex and the City.” C'est un autre établissement populaire également reconnu dans le film “Sex and the City.“

My tour will conclude here. Mon tour se terminera ici. If you would like to return to the starting point at Village Cigars, continue south on Bleecker St. and turn left at Christopher St. One block further is Grove St, where left around the corner are a few popular piano bars (Marie's Crisis, Rose's Tur n , Arthur's Tavern) if you would like to sit and listen to some music and have a cocktail. Si vous voulez retourner au point de départ à Village Cigars, continuez vers le sud sur Bleecker St. et tourner à gauche au sur Christopher St. La prochaine est Grove St, où tournant à gauche au coin il y a plusiers de bars de piano populaires (Marie’s Crisis, Rose’s Turn, Arthur’s Tavern) si vous voulez vous asseoir et écouter de la musique et boire un cocktail. Further down Bleecker St. crossing 7th Ave. Plus en bas, Bleecker St. traversant la 7th AveSouth you have a very authentic NY Pizzeria, John's of Greenwich Village, Murray's Cheese Bar, Babbo ( to the left at the corner of Cornelia St. ) Crossing 6th Ave (Avenue of the Americas) and there is a lively district of famous, Sud vous avez une très authentique pizzeria newyorkais, John’s of Greenwich Village, Murray’s Cheese Bar, Babbo (à gauche à l'angle de Cornelia St). Traversant la 6th Ave (Avenue des Amériques) il y a un quartier animé de la célèbre, trendy and ethnic eateries, several notorious Speakeasies, restaurants branchés et ethniques, plusieurs Speakeasies notoires, cafes, coffee houses, rock clubs, comedy clubs , bohemian hangouts and other venue . cafés,  clubs de Rock, Blues, clubs de comédie, refuges bohèmiens et d'autres sites. Turn left at MacDougal St . Tourner à gauche sur MacDougal St. [ Monte's Trattoria and [Trattoria et Monte, Minetta Tavern (Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O'Neill, EE Cummings, Dylan Thomas) are old-time stand-bys, Café Wha ( Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor) , Caffè Reggio (featured in The Godfather II , Minetta Tavern (Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O'Neill, EE Cummings, Dylan Thomas) sont lieux locaux typiques, Café Wha (Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, Bill Cosby et Richard Pryor), Caffè Reggio (présenté dans le film Godfather II, Shaft ,Shaft, Serpico , Serpico) est le café qui a servi le Cappuccino a New York par première fois.] Inside Llewyn Davis ) ] and further along Bleecker St as well . Ce quartier me fait souvenir un peu au Quartier Latin à Paris, car cést aussi un quartier universitaire, (cést la Cité U de NYU) et à seulement quelques rue au nord de vous, vous avez Washington Square Park, avec son célèbre arc, inspire de l'Arc de Triomphe à  Paris, dédié pour le centenaire de l’inauguration de Pres. Geo. Washington. Ainsia wonderful place to have a seat and watch New Yorkers be themselves. un endroit merveilleux pour s'asseoir et regarder les New-Yorkais être eux-mêmes.

 

Les Piano Bars de Grove St

 

On behalf of all New Yorkers I want to thank you visiting my City.

MacDougal St-"Quartier Latin"

 Au nom de tous les New-Yorkais, je vous remercie de choisir ma ville pour votre visite. Thank you also for your interest in our neighborhoods. On vous remercie également de votre intérêt pour nos quartiers moins connus. I hope you enjoyed our little walk through the West Village. J'espère que vous avez apprécié notre petite promenade dans l’historique et pittoresque West Village. My name is Richie. Je m'appelle Richie. Licensed Tour Guide since 1988. Enjoy the rest of your visit! Guide de visite sous licence depuis 1988. Profitez du reste de votre visite!  

Intellectual Property of Richard Reiss Propriété intellectuelle de Richard Reiss