The Katharine – originally built in 1930 as a residence for young women pursuing education and careers – has been reborn as an eight-unit boutique apartment that combines historic architecture with high-end designer interiors.
Almost every home was sold shortly after launch. Today, only one remains: the 3,981-square-foot penthouse, recently put on the market for $22.5 million.
A New York City landmark with a unique history
The building began its life as The Katharine House for the Ladies Christian Union, one of the last purpose-built women’s residences in New York City.
It offered safety, community and affordability at a time when opportunities for single women in the city were expanding but still limited.
Nearly a century later, developers and architects approached the building with deep respect for its legacy. BKSK Architects restored the brick facade, garden and historic windows, while preserving a rare piece of village streetscape.
A completely redesigned interior by Nate Berkus and BKSK Architects
The project focused on the interior Nate Berkus in his very first complete residential building.
His signature palette – warmth, texture, earth tones and lived-in comfort – runs through every room. Rather than a dramatic overhaul, Berkus’ approach emphasizes sophistication and longevity, the idea that a New York home should feel both timeless and deeply personal.
The services are equally discreet: a 24-hour doorman shared by just seven homeowners, underscoring how boutique the building really is.
The penthouse opens directly from a private elevator
The last remaining residence is the penthouse, which occupies the top level and roof portion of the building.
An elevator opens directly into a checkerboard-tiled foyer – a subtle pre-war nod – before nearly 4,000 square feet of living space unfolds over two floors.
Large south-facing room with space to entertain
The main level focuses on a sunlit great room, framed by south-facing bay windows.
With ceiling heights of 9′-5″ and an open flow between formal and informal living areas, the layout is designed for hosting without feeling intrusive. The light pours in all day long and the bowl creates a rare sense of tranquility above the village.
A chef’s kitchen, equipped for serious cooking
Off the great room is an exceptional windowed kitchen sheathed in Arabescato marble. Top-tier appliances include LaCanche, Sub-Zero and Bosch – choices that reflect Berkus’ preference for functionality combined with classic style.
The dining arrangement makes it suitable for both Sunday pancakes and dinner parties.
A rare U-shaped floor plan creates two private bedroom wings
The shape of the penthouse – unusual in Manhattan – ensures a well-thought-out separation of spaces.
The private bedroom wings face each other, creating both discretion and flexibility.
A primary suite with classic NYC views and a Calacatta Gold marble bathroom
One wing houses the master suite, anchored by a large south-facing window that frames typical village roofs.
The Calacatta Gold marble bathroom exudes old New York glamor and the suite has a walk-in closet with ample storage space.
Three additional bedrooms, all with private bathrooms
The opposite wing contains two further bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, deep wardrobes and classic proportions. A fourth bedroom is located in the northwest corner and works equally well as a guest suite or office.
An upper floor with skylight for entertaining
A staircase leads to the penthouse’s top floor, where an airy recreation room is enveloped in floor-to-ceiling windows.
It’s the kind of flexible bonus room that can change shape with its owners: media room, lounge, studio or all of the above.
A private terrace overlooking Wall Street
The relaxation area opens onto a 39 square meter terrace through high French doors. The southern view extends all the way to Lower Manhattan, making it feel like you have your own private outdoor living room above the Village.
A wet bar on this level means everything from morning coffee to sunset cocktails happens seamlessly.
Carefully curated facilities outside the penthouse
The building offers a landscaped roof terrace shared only by residents, plus a fitness center with natural light and access to the outdoor area.
Each house also has a private storage room – essential in pre-war buildings and incredibly rare in new conversions.
A location between two iconic neighborhoods
The Katharine sits in the natural boundary between Greenwich Village and West Village, putting residents close to Jackson Square Park, Washington Square Park and the cultural energy of both neighborhoods.
Restaurants, boutiques, jazz clubs and galleries are located in every direction, with Chelsea, Union Square and the Meatpacking District just steps away.
A final residence in a building that embodies both past and present
Katharine’s penthouse embodies the full story of this building: a respectful preservation of its 1930s roots, combined with a warm, contemporary vision of New York life.
Because almost every home has already been discussed, the $22.5 million penthouse is the last chance to participate in one of the most thoughtful transformations of the village: a transformation in which history is not erased but taken to a higher level.
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