131 Charles Street

The building at 131 Charles Street is a two-story brick townhouse with a symmetrical front facade, raised basement level, and a dormer window set into the sloping roof. Its construction features Flemish bond brickwork and still displays the original window frames and doors from when it was first built.

A stonemason named David Christie built this residence in 1834 when Greenwich Village was rapidly expanding as a neighborhood in lower Manhattan. The Federal style design reflected the architectural preferences of that era for New York City homes.

This house reflects the Federal style that became popular among New York's residents after American independence, shaping how many townhouses were built in the city. The symmetrical facade and careful detailing show how owners valued order and classical proportion in their homes.

The house sits on a street lined with other historic buildings in Greenwich Village and is easy to reach on foot throughout the neighborhood. As it remains a private residence, visitors can only view the exterior facade and its architectural features from the sidewalk.

A smaller structure attached to the main house, once used as a stable, became the studio and living space of renowned photographer Diane Arbus from 1959 through 1968. This unexpected use links the property to a significant chapter in New York's photography and artistic history.

Location: Manhattan

Inception: 1834

Architectural style: Federal architecture

Address: 131 Charles Street

GPS coordinates: 40.73444,-74.00778

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:23