75½ Bedford St, Historic residence in West Village, Manhattan, United States
The building at 75½ Bedford Street is a narrow three-story house that measures just 9.5 feet wide on the exterior, squeezing into a slim parcel of land in the West Village. Inside, the space narrows further to roughly 8.5 feet at its widest points, with a spiral staircase running through the center and kitchen elements built ingeniously into the stair base.
The house was built in 1873 during a smallpox epidemic that swept the city, constructed on what had been a carriage entrance to the adjoining stables of a neighboring property. This circumstance led to the creation of a building with remarkably unusual dimensions.
The house has long drawn creative people and intellectuals seeking homes in the bohemian neighborhood, creating a reputation as a retreat for artists and writers. Its appeal reflects the Village's role as a gathering place for independent thinkers.
The residence is visible from the street, but keep in mind it is a private home and only the exterior can be viewed from the sidewalk. The best vantage point is from the opposite side of Bedford Street, where you can fully see how narrow the building actually is.
The building holds the distinction of being New York's narrowest residential structure, with interior widths that vary between less than 3 feet and 8.5 feet along its 42-foot length. Despite this extreme constraint, the house functions with three living levels, multiple fireplaces, and all necessary rooms, making it a remarkable study in spatial design.
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