It is expected to become more difficult to take commemorative photos on the stairs of a brownstone house in New York known as the home of Carrie Bradshaw from the popular American drama series "Sex and the City."
On the 16th (local time), the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission reported that it approved a proposal to install a gate on the brownstone stairs in Manhattan. Barbara Rober, who has owned the building located in Manhattan's Greenwich Village (the Village) since 1978, noted that she has endured considerable inconvenience for decades due to fans of the drama.
Rober said at the meeting, "The endless interest in the famous stairs has lasted too long," adding, "I have waited for decades for it to fade, but now I must accept that this situation will not change easily."
Currently blocked by a 'No Trespassing' sign and rope, residents pointed out that this measure is ineffective in preventing fans from visiting. One neighbor complained to the Commissioner that "the influx of fans is causing significant inconvenience to residents' lives."
The Commission unanimously approved the installation of the gate during the day, and the building owner will finalize the gate design in consultation with the Commission. The stairs of this brownstone are famous as the filming location for the exterior scenes of the apartment where the character Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) lived in "Sex and the City." Although the drama sets Carrie’s residence on Manhattan's Upper East Side, the actual filming location was Greenwich Village. Fans of the drama captured the atmosphere by taking commemorative photos on the stairs while holding cupcakes favored by the protagonist.
Anthony Gilby, a tourist from Melbourne, Australia, expressed regret in an interview with the AP, saying, "While having people crowd in front of the house may be really inconvenient for the homeowner, this is an iconic place, and if the gate is installed, the overall look of the building will change, making it no longer resemble Carrie Bradshaw’s home."
Meanwhile, "Sex and the City," which aired from 1998 to 2004, depicted the lives and loves of the protagonist Carrie and her three friends, gaining worldwide popularity. It was later made into two films, and in 2021, a sequel titled "And Just Like That: Sex and the City" was released.