38 West 9th Street, 3

Welcome to 38 West 9th St, Unit 3, in The Portsmouth. On one of Greenwich Village's loveliest tree-lined blocks, just off Lower Fifth Avenue, this renovated three-bedroom home with two wood-burning fireplaces blends old New York architecture with a European sensibility. Step inside and the city falls away. What remains is an apartment that feels quiet, atmospheric and entirely its own. Rather than stripping away the past, a thoughtful renovation preserved it. Original pocket doors and hardware remain, alongside restored millwork, original-style window moldings and custom built-ins. Ten-foot ceilings feel even taller beneath substantial crown moldings, and solid white oak herringbone floors run throughout. The home feels as though it evolved over time, not as though it was finished last year. The living room and kitchen were made for entertaining. The living room is large and gracious, anchored by a wood-burning fireplace with a custom marble mantel and a mirror designed specifically for the space. It opens into the windowed kitchen, so guests drift easily between the two. The gut-renovated kitchen is wrapped in Calacatta Gold marble, with fully custom Corian-faced cabinetry. At its center, a large island doubles as the dining table, seating six to eight guests. Lighting was designed as carefully as the architecture. Recessed fixtures provide bright, clean illumination when wanted. In the evening, sconces, decorative fixtures and illuminated bookcases create soft pools of warm light. Even the kitchen has purposeful ambient lighting, so it becomes part of the evening rather than a brightly lit work zone. At the rear of the home, the bedrooms are remarkably quiet. The primary suite looks directly into mature trees and features exposed brick, a built-in bed and bespoke cabinetry. Adjoining it is a private sitting room, dressing room and study with its own wood-burning fireplace, crown moldings and layered lighting. It is a true second room for reading, working or dressing, which lets the bedroom remain a retreat. This room could also be easily converted into a spacious third bedroom. The octagonal guest bedroom has paneled walls and crown molding that make its unusual shape part of its charm. An in-unit washer/dryer completes the home. The Portsmouth is a Queen Anne–style building designed by Ralph S. Townsend in 1882. It offers a full-time doorman and on-site superintendent, a mailroom with stroller storage and hanging space for dry-cleaning deliveries, and additional laundry. Citarella, LifeThyme, C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries, Jefferson Market Garden and Washington Square Park are all moments away. The 9th Street PATH and the West 4th subway hub are right outside the door.