Sex and the City Brownstone to Get Gate to Deter Tourists

Tags: Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw Brownstone, Greenwich Village, NYC Landmarks

A Gate to Protect an Iconic Stoop

The iconic brownstone used as the exterior of Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment in Sex and the City will soon feature a metal gate to deter tourists. The Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved the application after Barbara Lorber, the building’s owner since 1978, expressed frustration over the ongoing disruption caused by fans gathering at the location.

For decades, visitors have flocked to the Greenwich Village property to snap photos on the famous staircase, creating what Lorber called “endless interest” in her home. Despite efforts like chains and “no trespassing” signs, fans of the show continue to crowd the stoop, prompting the need for more substantial measures.

Fans and Neighbors React

Local residents have long complained about the nuisance caused by tourists, with one neighbor testifying that current deterrents have been ineffective. While some fans, like Anthony Gillbee from Australia, sympathized with the homeowner, they also noted that adding a gate could alter the building’s iconic appearance.

“It’s an iconic venue,” Gillbee said, “but with a gate, it might not feel like Carrie Bradshaw’s house anymore.”

The Legacy of Sex and the City

Sex and the City ran for six seasons starting in 1998, following Carrie Bradshaw and her friends as they navigated relationships and life in New York City. Although the show’s storyline placed Bradshaw on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the real-life brownstone is located in the West Village, far from the fictional setting.

The show’s legacy has endured through two films and the sequel series And Just Like That…, further cementing the brownstone’s status as a cultural landmark.

Design Plans Moving Forward

With the commission’s unanimous approval, Lorber’s architect will collaborate with staff to finalize the gate’s design. This move aims to balance preserving the aesthetic of the historic property while addressing the concerns of its owner and neighbors.

For now, fans may have to rethink their plans of posing on the famous stoop with a cupcake and cosmo.