Inside Jane Jacobs’s Historic West Village Townhouse | Open House Tour

In this Open House feature, join Missy Modell for a tour of 555 Hudson Street: the former West Village home of urbanist Jane Jacobs. Constructed in 1842, this historic rowhouse is where Jacobs lived for 21 years and wrote 'The Death and Life of Great American Cities,' the influential work that reshaped modern urban planning and helped preserve neighborhoods across New York, including downtown Manhattan. Jacobs purchased the home for $7,000, a detail that underscores just how dramatically the city has evolved. The main entertaining level unfolds as a loft-like living and dining space with unexpected ceiling height, two original wood burning fireplaces, and custom millwork. From these front windows, Jacobs observed what she famously called the sidewalk ballet, the everyday choreography of neighbors, shopkeepers, and passersby that defined her philosophy of vibrant city life. The rooms are airy and bright, with generous wall space suited for art and gatherings alike. (Even the presence of interior shutters feels like a rare and intimate nod to another century.) Just off the dining room, the updated eat in kitchen offers abundant storage and tranquil garden views. Open the doors and light streams from front to back, reinforcing the home’s easy flow and welcoming atmosphere. There is a quiet rhythm here that feels distinctly residential despite the address. As for the upstairs area, a cozy guest bedroom with exposed brick contrasts beautifully with the ethereal primary suite overlooking Hudson Street. Though positioned above one of the Village’s most storied blocks, the bedroom remains remarkably peaceful. Built ins provide ample shelving and storage, and the primary retains the only original floors in the house along with an original wood burning fireplace. There is ample space for a king size bed, additional seating, and layered furnishings. Moreover, you'll also find a private refuge right above the street where leafy views soften the surrounding architecture and make it easy to imagine enjoying a quiet morning coffee or unwinding in the evening. Overall, this home offers a rare opportunity to inhabit a space where ideas that shaped modern cities were written, debated, and embodied. Subscribe to Open House TV on YOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/openhouseyoutubesub Open House TV INSTAGRAM: https://bit.ly/2T0aorL Open House TV TWITTER: https://bit.ly/2szkqEX Open House TV FACEBOOK: https://bit.ly/2TXSztC