Three decades ago, a young location scout knocked on the door of 66 Perry Street in Manhattan’s West Village. The homeowner, who hesitantly allowed filming on the front steps, could never have imagined that this modest three-family building would become a cultural icon, widely recognized as Carrie Bradshaw’s home in HBO’s sex and the city

You Can Have ‘Sex and the City,’ Just Not on the Front Stoop

However, living in this historic brownstone has been far from idyllic, as detailed in a letter from the current owner to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. First reported by Emily Sundberg in the Substack newsletter FeedMe, the letter outlines the challenges residents have faced since the show premiered in 1998. The building’s stoop has turned into a “global tourist destination,” with a constant influx of fans whose enthusiasm often comes at the expense of the residents’ peace and privacy.https://wordpress.com/

“At all hours of the day and night,” the letter states, “groups of visitors gather in front of the house, taking flash photos, talking loudly, posting on social media, making TikTok videos, or simply celebrating the moment.”

In response, the owner has submitted a request to the commission for permission to install a gate across the stoop. The goal is to protect the building from overzealous visitors and allow the residents to reclaim some quality of life. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, where the proposed plans will be reviewed and a decision will be made.

After a while, the building’s owner strung a chain out front to deter trespassers — to no avail. While many people did respect the chain, others did not. The letter to the commission notes that visitors climb over the barrier to “pose, dance or lie down on the steps.”

Hoping that a gate will serve as a better (and more aesthetically pleasing) deterrent, the owner hired the architect Isidoro Cruz to design one that matches the building’s facade. The brownstone was built in 1866 and is part of Greenwich Village’s historic district, meaning that any updates must be approved by the commission. The owner’s letter is followed by a detailed application describing the gate’s proposed steel and cast iron design.

Candace Bushnell, author of the book that inspired Sex and the City, recalls how the building became a fan magnet after the show’s success. “I used to walk by all the time,” she said. “Around 2002 or 2004, we’d pass by and just laugh at how popular it had become.”

Attempts to deter visitors have been made before. At one point, the owner installed a chain to block access to the steps, but it was largely ineffective. While some fans respected the barrier, others climbed over it to take photos, dance, or even lie down on the steps.

Hoping for a more effective and visually harmonious solution, the owner enlisted architect Isidoro Cruz to design a gate that complements the brownstone’s historic facade. Built in 1866, the building lies within Greenwich Village’s historic district, meaning any alterations require approval from the landmarks commission. The application includes detailed plans for a steel and cast-iron gate designed to blend seamlessly with the structure.

Sex and the City aired on HBO from 1998 to 2004, but its cultural legacy remains strong, bolstered by two films, the 2021 spinoff series And Just Like That…, and a recent move to Netflix in April 2024, which introduced the series to new audiences. Social media platforms like Instagram have further cemented the stoop as a must-visit location for fans, leading to countless photos and videos taken there.

While Bushnell is amazed by the enduring impact of her work, she sympathizes with the building’s residents. “Social media has really changed things,” she said. “Now people hear about these places and make special trips just for a photo. I understand why the residents are asking for help. It’s something I never anticipated when I first started writing Sex and the City.”