James Beards' Former NYC Home Is On The Market. Take A Peek Inside

James Beard, known as "America's first foodie," was a prolific cookbook author, food television host, and cooking school instructor who took a serious interest in traditional American food and ingredients (via Britannica). Born in Portland, Oregon in 1903, Beard eventually made his way to New York City, where he opened the James Beard Cooking School in 1955; The school, whose curriculum and ingredients list were inspired by his frequent travels, ran through 1985 (via James Beard Foundation). Along the way, Beard penned more than 20 cookbooks, several of which have become classics, including "Cook It Outdoors," "The James Beard Cookbook," and "James Beard's American Cookery."

Today, the name James Beard is indelibly associated with the James Beard Foundation, the nonprofit organization founded in 1985 after Beard's death in order to preserve his legacy as well as his promotion of American cooking culture, according to the group's official website. Taking up residence in Beard's Greenwich Village brownstone, the Foundation has gone on to host many culinary events, including its prestigious annual James Beard Foundation Awards, which recognize excellence in the food and beverage industries. The Foundation is housed in Beard's former townhouse at 167 West 12th Street, where the cookbook author lived from 1973 until his death (via NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project), but prior to that, Beard lived in another West Village home that has just hit the market for the first time in 50 years.

As noted by New York real estate agency Compass, which holds the listing for American food personality James Beard's former Greenwich Village home, the townhouse for sale at 119 West 10th Street is "a stunning display of elegant wallpaper, drapes, wonderful old sinks and a kitchen all from a bygone era." 

In the dining room of Beard's former home, a few large windows are seen on one wall as a fireplace is seen on another and a chandelier hangs from the ceiling; The floors are wood and there is a light beige wallpaper draping the four walls, which feature crown moldings and base boards.

Listed in March, the three-story brownstone with two bedrooms and three bathrooms has an asking price of $4.95 million. And, as seen in the photos accompanying the listing, is heavy on the charm, featuring a sizable kitchen, funky wallpaper, and a large garden.

Among the home's 2,268 square feet of living space is a library leading out to the garden. In a photo shared by the real estate agency, a home in Beard's townhouse is seen with several shelves and a wooden desk. And, on these shelves are several books leaning up against one another.

According to the New York Post, the house was built in 1849 for beer heir Samuel Smith; Beard resided in it from 1959 until 1973, selling the building for $125,000 after moving to the townhouse that now houses the James Beard Foundation. The 1974 listing described Beard's former home as a "charming small townhouse – 3 story brownstone with full cellar – handsome walled garden – 6 rooms, 3 baths – centrally air conditioned – gas heat – heavy duty wiring – brass plumbing," according to the Compass listing.

Not surprisingly, Beard's former home boasted a very large kitchen, which has been adorned with wooden accents, a ceiling fan, and a tile backsplash.

Jean Manon, the agent who holds the listing, told the Post that James Beard's former residence is a "jewel of a townhouse" and noted that it overlooks the Jefferson Market Gardens and "comes with historical significance." "Offered for the first time in 50 years, the townhome is a step back in time to the elegance of entertainment, where James Beard cooked and gathered with his friends, including Julia Child," she explained.

In one of the home's three bathrooms, small, light green tiles drape the walls as silver hardware is seen throughout.

As the listing explained, James Beard's former residence is located on a "lovely Greenwich Village block" and was built to feature storefronts on the home's ground level while the homeowner's living spaces were found above. 

The house is part of a row of five homes on West 10th Street, which has shopping and food options nearby, including The Happiest Hour, a restaurant and bar that is famous for its stellar burgers, and Rosemary's, which is known for its seasonal salads, handmade pastas, and rooftop garden that overlooks Jefferson Market Garden.