14 Gay Street was landmarked as part of the Greenwich Village Historic District in 1969, and made famous by author Ruth McKenna, who lived in the basement apartment and described her time there in the book and film “My Sister Eileen,” which became the basis for the Broadway show and movie “Wonderful Town.” In 2022 a new owner performed illegal work undermining the structural integrity of the building, which then had to be dismantled to prevent it from collapsing and damaging other neighboring historic properties. Village Preservation protested the demolition and failure of city oversight, and demanded the owner be penalized and required to rebuild the structure as it was.

14 Gay Street via Google Streetview.