Welcome to Madam Mae House, a four-story contemporary townhome in the heart of walkable downtown Hudson, rebuilt from the ground up in 2019 by Conklin Architecture and Furnari Construction as the city’s first modern four-story residence. Finished with the precision and material quality of a high-end custom build, every mechanical system is new, with a fully integrated central heat and air system that serves all four floors, for year-round energy efficiency and comfort. Two-story front windows flood the interiors with natural light, and out back, a three-tiered backyard with gardens, a grassy lawn, and private off-street parking is uncommonly generous for a downtown address.

A double-height living room rises to twenty feet, with windows framed by custom full-length drapes drawing natural light deep into the space, and a wood paneling feature wall surrounding a custom concrete gas fireplace. The chef’s kitchen is built around an oversized island in black leathered granite, with a deep farmhouse sink and stainless Samsung appliances. Off the kitchen, a herringbone brick mudroom with a half bath leads to the backyard with off street parking. The second floor holds two bedrooms sharing a Jack and Jill bath, with the mezzanine opening to the living room below. The entire third floor is given over to the primary suite, a private retreat with the feel of a self-contained apartment: a generous bedroom, parlor-style sitting area, walk-in closet, and a spa bath with soaking tub, glass-enclosed shower, and water closet. Below the main floor, the finished basement nods to the home’s Diamond District past: built in 1920, and home to Mae Gordon, one of the last madams to operate in Hudson’s once-notorious red light district, this cozy level is finished with wallpaper and paneling for an underground parlor feel, and functions as a fourth bedroom or family room with egress to Columbia Street.

Outside, the three-tiered backyard is as considered as the interior. Fire up the grill on the garden level, spread out on the grassy lawn on a summer afternoon, and end the evening at the upper tier with a drink in hand and unobstructed Catskill mountain views overhead. On clear nights the sunsets are worth staying home for. Alley access provides off-street parking with room to add a garage, guest cottage, or income-generating accessory dwelling unit.

Just steps from Warren Street’s galleries, boutiques, and restaurants, you can browse the antique markets, pick up coffee and a pastry at Mel the Bakery, or settle in for dinner at Feast and Floret, Via Cassia, or the Maker without ever needing a car. The Farmer’s Market is just up the street, and Hudson Amtrak station is a ten-minute walk, with trains to New York City in under two hours.