The saga of the "Sex and the City" steps continues as the owner of the famed 66 Perry Street, which served as the facade for Carrie Bradshaw's apartment, has reached out to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission with a serious plea: let her build a gate to fend off the constant flow of tourists. Details emerged in an application also shared by "Feed Me," a business and culture newsletter, painting a picture of more than a decade's worth of disruptions.
Despite efforts to deter uninvited guests with a simple chain and a "No Trespassing—Private Property" sign, the chain proved to be anything but effective against the ceaseless siege by fans itching to quickly snap a photo, strike a pose, or – inebriated by the cocktail of fandom and possibly quite literally – to sometimes even leave their marks with graffiti. As reported by the Gothamist, the owner's statement submitted to the commission lamented that fans "climb over the chain, pose, dance or lie down on the steps."
Plagued by years of hope that her stoop might fall out of fashion, the owner is now actively seeking a tangible solution with an application to the landmarks commission described in a full-page statement. The need for a more permanent deterrent crystallized after repeated violations of privacy and property. Moreover, the owner takes an emotional toll, reportedly blaming herself for the incessant tourist draw, referencing her past sympathy for the NYU Film School grad and location scout who locked down her home for the iconic series. This backstory and more on the issue were spotlighted by the New York Times, as characters from the show's history reminisced over the choice of the location and the neighborhood hotspot it became.
The in-depth proposal submitted by the owner outlines a steel and cast iron gate that aims not just to protect but to also complement the brownstone's historic aesthetic. It's stressed that any alterations to the facade of the property have to fall in line with the Greenwich Village Historic District's standards. The commission will convene to review and decide on the request, and as anticipation brews, former location scout of the show, Tyson Bidner, shared with the Gothamist, "I wish her luck."
With the advent of social media playing Robin to the Batman that HBO's flagship show became, the stoop's allure has been compounded to the chagrin of its actual residents. Candace Bushnell, author of the book that birthed "Sex and the City," understands the dilemma the building's occupants face in this new age of content creation and tagged photos. She told the New York Times, "Social media’s really changed a lot—people know about things and they make pilgrimages there for an Instagram photo." The decision regarding the gate at 66 Perry Street will be crucial in determining if residents can finally reclaim some semblance of privacy amidst the sites made famous by the show.
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