Today, the term Carriage House has a romantic appeal that belies its humble beginnings as an outbuilding for horse-drawn carriages and tack. The structures sometimes contained living quarters for grooms and liveried coachmen. The animals themselves were commonly kept in a separate barn nearby, although occasionally the carriage house served as a home for the horses as well. Also historically known as a remise or coach house, carriage houses on large estates were transitioned to serve as as detached garages with the advent of the horseless carriage, commonly with second-floor living space for chauffeurs and staff.
Today, carriage houses both large and small are restored, modernized and converted for use as guest houses, offices and workshops, supplementary living space, and separate homes. Upper floors can be simple or grand, most often accessed by a private, outdoor stairway; in a city setting, the detached dwelling can constitute a completely separate home for rental purposes. A carriage house is an obvious solution for multi-generational families. In a city setting, it can provide income as a rental unit. Or it can serve as a private retreat or short-term solution for temporary housing. Carriage houses that are part of historic estates frequently are converted for use as modern office or gallery space, restaurants and tea rooms, museums and gift shops. Often their original purpose is no longer obvious, but historical societies throughout the country have restored old carriage houses and returned them to their original purpose to display historic coaches.
Where to look for a carriage house
In contemporary culture, two of the best examples of carriage house living are depicted in film. The classic Audrey Hepburn movie favorite, “Sabrina,” depicts carriage house life in a class-conscious household in New York. And America’s favorite greaser, the Fonz, lived above the Cunningham family garage in “Happy Days.” Another carriage house, this one located in Brooklyn, N.Y., was used to film parts of the Julia Roberts film, “Eat, Pray, Love,” and reportedly was sold in 2014 to songstress Norah Jones for many millions of dollars.
Today, you can find carriage house apartments, or modern homes converted from carriage houses, in cities large and small all across the country. In smaller towns, carriage house homes tend to be small and simple, but rural carriage houses might possess an idyllic quality with pastoral views of fields or meadows, or they can be a part of a larger compound with multiple outbuildings. There is a difference between a carriage house and a barn. The best carriage houses today have a character that is unique to their original function and they often retain their large carriage doors. Whether they have been modernized as single-family homes or, as is sometimes the case, adapted for use as two separate apartments, one above the other, they are often recognizable as carriage houses.
Carriage houses typically reflect the style of the main house. In old New England towns, for example, they may have the same simple pitched roof and clapboard siding as the main house; or they may boast Victorian character and the same embellishments as the more elaborate home. Depending on the size and lot configuration, the carriage house might be located toward the rear of the lot, or it might be set aside the main house. There are few rules.
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Your best chances of locating a carriage house, whether you’re looking for a rental or a home of your own, is in the historic cities of the South, including Savannah, Charleston, New Orleans and some parts of Atlanta. In the Dallas area, turn-of-the-century mansions along Swiss Ave. and Turtle Creek have carriage houses; and in Philadelphia, Chicago or Minneapolis, you are likely to find both grand and simple carriage houses in older residential areas. San Francisco carriage houses can look like smaller versions of the familiar “painted ladies” that characterize the city. In New York City, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., you will find carriage houses for sale if you are persistent.
In Western states like Montana, Wyoming and Arizona, a few rustic coach house still exist, reminiscent of frontier days in the mining towns of the time and along the stagecoach trails. You will find few carriage house in newer cities and neighborhoods, and even detached garages (with or without second-floor apartments) have fallen from favor in most locales. There are, however, some stunning examples of modern design returning to the tradition. As they say, “What goes around, comes around!”
Because they are sought after, your search for a carriage house to call your own may involve an investment of time and a lot of sleuthing. Word of mouth is often the best source of information for property that includes a carriage house. Depending on the condition you find it in, transforming an old carriage house into a modern dream home will involve some vision and a lot of hard work. But for most people, the allure of living in a special property with a romantic history is well worth it.
2 Point Highlight
Also historically known as a remise or coach house, carriage houses on large estates were transitioned to serve as as detached garages with the advent of the horseless carriage, commonly with second-floor living space for chauffeurs and staff.
In smaller towns, carriage house homes tend to be small and simple, but in the country carriage houses might possess an idyllic quality with pastoral views of fields or meadows, or they can be a part of a larger compound that once possessed many outbuildings.
