Located in New York City’s West Village, this townhouse renovation transforms a former garage structure into a single-family residence within a compact urban footprint. Originally used as a coal delivery garage in the early 20th century and later converted to parking with a small residential unit above, the building was reimagined by The Turett Collaborative (TTC) as a cohesive home organized around light, section, and spatial continuity.
The design began with a study of the building section to identify opportunities to introduce natural light and expand the sense of space. Much of the existing structure was selectively removed and rebuilt, allowing the ground floor to be lowered, upper levels to be reconfigured, and a penthouse addition to be introduced at the roof. A three-story glass wall at the rear brings daylight deep into the interior, while a large structural skylight defines the main living space, combining kitchen, dining, and living functions within a single volume.
Outdoor space is distributed across three areas integrated into the organization of the house, including a rear yard, a terrace formed above the main living space, and a roof deck connected to the upper level. Together, these spaces extend the interior and introduce varying degrees of openness and privacy.
While the interior was largely rebuilt, select elements of the original structure were retained and reinterpreted. Timber from the existing building was repurposed for stair treads, and portions of the historic brick party walls remain exposed, adding texture to the main living areas. The front façade is partially preserved and complemented by new steel and wood elements, establishing a dialogue between the building’s industrial past and its current use as a private residence.
The result is a West Village townhouse residence that reworks an unconventional structure into a clear and livable home, using light, section, and material continuity to create a sense of openness within a constrained site.