A PROPERTY IN Sniffen Court coming on the market is a rare event, but two up for grabs at the same time must be a first. Like Grove Court, MacDougal Alley, or Washington Mews, this little alleyway is one of the most desirable of those little nooks and crannies that hide amidst the hurly-burly of Manhattan. Tradition holds that Sniffen Court was built as stables by one John Sniffen around the time of the Civil War, but there is no record of any Sniffen ever having owned the properties (some therefore presume he was the architect). They were converted, like many mews around the city, from stables to residences in the 1920s and all have gradually adapted and changed since then.
No. 2 Sniffen Court is currently home to clothing design firm Henry Jacobson.
Further down is No. 9 (above and below), also on the market.
No. 9 has its own rooftop terrace.
Who wants one? – Oh, me, me!!!
Let’s see – I think I have a million or so in pocket change lying around . . .
Seriously – I used to live across 36th St and this is the most adorable little mews row. The only problem I can see is the problem all of us on E 36th St had – trucks at all hours of the day and night as that street is a feeder for the Queens-Midtown tunnel. But if one was living in one of those adorable houses, perhaps it would be bearable – it’s a great neighborhood, and Fr. Rutler is your parish priest.
I would love one of these…I used walk by the mews and peer in the gate and dream…some day..some day
Meg Q – maybe we can go 50-50 on one.
PLK
Dear Andrew,
Your boss just sent me a most kind and gracious email. I must agree with him that you have indeed treated him in a most uncivilized manner.
Mrs. P
I have many fond memories of Sniffen Court having been, some years back, a member of the Amateur Comedy Club which occupies two of the houses. I still have friends and family who are members and enjoy attending the occasional production at that club, a jewel within a jewel in Manhattan.
Andrew,
I have been reading your blogs for months now and should have told you long before now how much I have enjoyed them. I somehow stumbled across your site when doing research about New York architecture and was hooked. How pleasant to find a 23-year-old with such a fine command of the King’s English. I am in Atlanta but dearly love New York. My paternal grandparents are from Brooklyn, and I have many happy memories of visits there. I also used to travel to the city frequently on business. Unfortunately, I am now going to Cleveland and Las Vegas. Uggghhh . . .
Anyway, keep up the good work!
Fran W.
My last name was Sniffen. Intill I got married. I dont know my fathers family. Where they came from. But I found out there are alot of Sniffen’s in New York. I seen this website and thought it was pretty cool.