Empty nesters in Summit trade their 1905 Georgian Colonial for a three-story townhouse.

Beautiful House

For sale: $5,250,000. 17 Commerce Street - West Village Townhouse Treasure! Built in 1830 and known as the "Aaron Burr" house this home teems with history and charm. 17 Commerce is a sun-filled single family gem with 2 bedrooms, an office/study and 2.5 bathrooms. Original details abound from the wide plank hardwood floors to the door hardware. Add in an enchanting garden and 4 fireplaces and this becomes an opportunity of a lifetime to own a piece of one of the most authentic neighborhoods…

Learn about the history of French Colonial architecture, as well as the elements of this building style that's commonly found in the southeastern United States.

photo by Alice Lum The first years of the 20th century saw a renewed interest in things “Colonial;” an interest that was reflected in domestic architecture. Suddenly, interspersed among the marble and limestone chateaux and palazzos of New York’s wealthy were brick-and-stone neo-Federal and neo-Georgian structures like Andrew Carnegie’s 1903 mansion on upper Fifth Avenue. In November 1902 William M. Benjamin purchased three brownstone houses at Nos. 119, 121, and 123 East 73rd Street. The…