A distinctive sixth-floor penthouse in Manhattan’s West Village, long owned by developer David Puchkoff and writer Eileen Stukane, is now on the market for $10.5 million. The unique residence combines elements of a rural retreat with sweeping views of Midtown Manhattan, located atop a six-story brick building converted from a 1906 warehouse.
Mr. Puchkoff acquired the building in 1974 for approximately $220,000 and transformed it into a 12-unit cooperative while retaining the top-floor apartment. In the early 2000s, he added an irrigated green roof spanning roughly 1,100 square feet and constructed a cottage-like structure featuring two-paned windows and a wooden porch connected to the main living area. The outdoor space is adorned with a lush garden containing flowering sedums, herbs, vegetables, and a prominent Japanese maple tree.
The penthouse spans about 3,000 square feet and offers four bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The interior incorporates exposed wood columns, girders, brick walls, oak flooring, and high ceilings. Large windows provide extensive views of both Midtown and Lower Manhattan. The living room centers on a wood-burning fireplace crafted from cobblestones that Mr. Puchkoff collected from city streets in the 1970s. A stainless-steel staircase with a nautical design leads to the rooftop structure, which includes a kitchenette and porch with seating for family gatherings.
The open kitchen features butcher block countertops, a mahogany breakfast bar, oak cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances. The primary bedroom includes a bathroom with a hot tub and views of the Hudson Yards development. An office space is situated in one of the bedrooms, reflecting Ms. Stukane’s work as a writer.
Mr. Puchkoff, 87, and Ms. Stukane have lived in the home for several decades and hosted numerous social events on the rooftop porch. The couple credits a visit to a friend’s rural Pennsylvania lake house as the inspiration for creating their urban garden retreat. The rooftop installation involved logistical challenges, such as hiring a structural engineer and transporting soil via a tube alongside the building.
Despite their affection for the property, the couple said they are ready to move on, citing a desire to focus more on their children and grandchildren. They are unsure whether they will remain in Manhattan or relocate to the Hudson Valley, where porches are more common. “It’s all in flux right now,” Mr. Puchkoff said.
Reflecting on their time in the West Village, the couple noted the neighborhood’s transformation from a “wild, unruly area” to its current status. Mr. Puchkoff expressed hope that the next owners will continue to shape the property according to their own vision. The penthouse is listed by Compass agents Jim St. André, Michael Maniawski, and Trevor Stephens, with monthly maintenance fees of $5,468.