The Inside Scoop on 51 5th Ave. in Greenwich Village

If you’re looking for a classic pre-war co-op in Greenwich Village, 51 Fifth Avenue is one of those buildings that rewards buyers who appreciate the details.

Located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 12th Street, it sits in the heart of the Village’s historic Gold Coast. The 16-story building was designed by renowned theater architect Thomas W. Lamb and completed in 1929. Unlike the flashy theaters Lamb was known for, 51 Fifth is a remarkably restrained Colonial Revival design—but look closely and you’ll see some of his theatrical instincts in the façade.

It has the pre-war details buyers love

This is one of the things that makes 51 Fifth special.

Depending on the apartment, you can find high, beamed ceilings, original moldings, hardwood floors, archways and even wood-burning fireplaces. Some apartments also have unusually high ceilings and, on the 12th Street façade, there are distinctive double-height windows marking some of the building’s original “studio” living rooms.

There’s a real sense of craftsmanship here that can be difficult to replicate in a newer building.

And there’s some history

The building has had some notable residents. Alfred E. Smith, the former New York governor and 1928 presidential candidate, lived at 51 Fifth Avenue after his campaign for president. Artist Jane Freilicher also lived here for nearly 50 years and painted many of her Village views from the apartment.

That history seems particularly appropriate for a building in this part of Greenwich Village, where art, architecture and New York history are all part of the neighborhood.

The building itself is full service

Despite its pre-war character, 51 Fifth offers the conveniences buyers expect today: 24-hour doorman service, a live-in superintendent, fitness center, basement storage and bike storage, along with a laundry room. The building is also pet-friendly.

And there's an important practical advantage: pied-à-terres, co-purchasing and gifting are permitted on a case-by-case basis.

Here's the inside scoop on the air conditioning

This is one of those quirky details that can actually matter.

Because the building has a historic façade, you won't see window air-conditioning units hanging all over it. The building began allowing through-wall air conditioning several years ago, subject to its requirements—including a brick-colored grille that helps it blend into the façade.

So if you’re looking at an apartment here, don't assume that the absence of a window unit means you can't have through-wall A/C. There are apartments that have it.

There's also a secondary entrance on East 12th Street, which can be a surprisingly useful shortcut when you're heading east.

The bottom line

What I like about 51 Fifth Avenue is that it gives you something that's increasingly hard to find: genuine pre-war character in a full-service building, in one of the best locations in Greenwich Village.

And because the building has only 89 apartments, it has a somewhat more intimate feel than some of the larger full-service co-ops nearby.

For buyers who appreciate architecture and original details—but don't want to give up a doorman, gym, storage and the convenience of a well-run co-op—51 Fifth Avenue is definitely worth putting on the list.

That's the inside scoop on 51 Fifth Avenue.