The Katharine Penthouse: A Modern Chapter in Greenwich Village History

November 10, 20252 min read

Donna Dotan

Address: 118 W 13th St #PENTHOUSE, New York, NY 10011

Price: $22.5 million

Presented by: Compass

The Katharine, an early 20th-century landmark reborn as eight private residences, captures the spirit of Greenwich Village with a rare balance of history and modernity. Its final offering—the penthouse—stands as the project’s defining statement: a collaboration between Slate Property Group, BKSK Architects, and designer Nate Berkus in his first full-building residential commission.

The Katharine was originally built in 1910 as a women’s boarding house, and that legacy is honored in its careful restoration, where the building’s pre-war brick façade, original windows, and modest awning remain intact. Inside, eight residences reinterpret classic proportions through a contemporary lens, offering a sense of calm within one of Manhattan’s most dynamic neighborhoods.

Donna Dotan

The penthouse opens through a private elevator into a checkerboard-tiled foyer. From there, nearly 4,000 square feet unfold in an open, light-filled layout. The great room, framed by south-facing bay windows and 9-foot-5-inch ceilings, is designed as both a gathering place and a quiet retreat. The adjacent kitchen, outfitted with LaCanche, Sub-Zero, and Bosch appliances, reflects Berkus’s signature attention to texture and proportion: Arabescato marble surfaces, understated hardware, and views across the Village’s rooftops.

Donna Dotan

The residence’s U-shaped plan separates public and private zones with intention. The primary suite, positioned along the southern wing, features a Calacatta Gold marble bath and expansive walk-in closet. Two additional en-suite bedrooms occupy the opposite wing, while a fourth room serves flexibly as a guest suite or office—each space designed for privacy without disconnecting from the home’s flow.

Donna Dotan

A staircase leads to a glass-enclosed recreation room where light floods through floor-to-ceiling windows. A wet bar and adjacent terrace extend the living area outward, offering a private outdoor setting with southward views that stretch toward Lower Manhattan.

Donna Dotan

The Katharine’s amenities reflect its boutique nature: a landscaped rooftop terrace, a light-filled fitness studio, and private storage for each residence. Positioned between Jackson Square and Washington Square Park, The Katharine is within walking distance of the Whitney Museum, the High Line, and the neighborhood’s many cafés, boutiques, and historic music venues.