Carrie Bradshaw's Brownstone Gets a Makeover in Season 3 of 'And Just Like That'
Fans of "Sex and the City" were in for a surprise as they tuned into the third season of "And Just Like That..."—the familiar West Village brownstone was nowhere to be found.
Once a staple of Carrie Bradshaw's glamorous life, the original address at 66 Perry Street was replaced by a different location on West 12th Street. The change stemmed from construction issues and financial disagreements with the property owner, making it impossible to film at the iconic site.
“It was disappointing all around,” remarked Miguel López-Castillo, the production designer, reflecting on the challenges faced during filming. He described the situation as “a perfect storm,” noting that renovations nearby complicated matters further.
“We saw that there was a big renovation underway, like two doors down, scaffolding, all the things that Michael Patrick [King, director] hates,” he elaborated. The location owner’s demands also played a crucial role; negotiations fell through as financial terms could not be agreed upon.
The popularity of the Perry Street location has been a double-edged sword for its owner, who has previously sought city assistance to manage the influx of fans ignoring her “No Trespassing-Private Property” signs. Attempts to maintain privacy have proven challenging.
With no option to film at the original brownstone, the production team quickly pivoted to find an alternative. “Building the stoop was not an option because by then, it was pretty late in the schedule and it would be pretty expensive for a one-off,” López-Castillo explained, estimating costs could exceed $700,000.
The new location on West 12th Street offered visual similarities that made it an appealing substitute. “Starting with the trees, the railings, the details on the doors,” he noted, highlighting how closely it resembled the original setting.
Despite their efforts to create continuity, some modifications were limited. The owners of the new location permitted only minimal adjustments, allowing for tree ties but not trimming. “They only approved three hours of prep and to shoot it in another three or four hours,” López-Castillo said.
After airing, he took to social media to clarify the changes to observant fans. “Here’s what happened with the final shots of Carrie’s stoop: as so many of you noted, the doors don’t match because it’s a different location,” he explained in two Instagram posts.
Reactions from fans varied, with one expressing frustration: “We deserve better.” The shift in location has sparked discussions among viewers about the impact of such changes on beloved characters and their stories.
