A Rooftop Farm in NoHo
Liev Schreiber maintains a surprising feature atop his New York City apartment: a working chicken coop. The actor, known for his roles in Ray Donovan and X-Men, keeps five hens named Grandma, Sizzurp, Fern, Pico, and Miu Miu. This setup sits on the rooftop of his converted 19th-century industrial space, which was designed by the landscaping firm Brooklyn Grange. The addition allows his wife, Taylor Neisen, to maintain a connection to her agricultural roots in South Dakota, where she grew up around livestock.
Schreiber once feared chickens. He attributes this to his childhood experiences in a Canadian commune where he encountered the birds frequently. Despite this history, he now poses for photos with the hens, and Neisen often keeps them in the living space. The birds remain a central part of the family dynamic, even in the heart of a dense urban environment.
Evolution of a Triplex
Schreiber initially acquired the property in 1998 as a bachelor residence. Over nearly three decades, the home has shifted to accommodate his changing life, including his time living there after his 2016 separation from Naomi Watts. The current iteration serves as a family home for Schreiber, Neisen, and his three children. The interior design leans into the industrial history of the building, featuring exposed brick walls and original ceiling structures.
Designers Ariel Ashe and Reinaldo Leandro led the recent renovations. They focused on stripping away unnecessary additions to reach the bones of the structure. The lowest floor underwent a complete change of purpose, with the kitchen and living areas moved to accommodate new bedrooms for the children, a den, and a private office for Schreiber. This office provides a space for the actor to focus on screenwriting and voice-over work.
Curated Vintage Interiors
The home reflects a specific aesthetic through its furniture choices. The dining room contains 1940s grass-seated walnut chairs by George Nakashima. A 1950s Teak Pierre Jeanneret table resides in the bedroom, while the living room features a snake-shaped sectional sofa from the 1970s by de Sede. These pieces contrast with the blackened-steel spiral staircase that serves as the main architectural feature connecting the levels of the triplex.
These design choices follow years of development. When the home was finished, Schreiber expressed surprise at the final result, noting he never imagined living in such a space. The home now functions as both a private retreat and a practical workspace. It balances the starkness of an industrial conversion with the warmth of family life, punctuated by the unusual presence of livestock on the roof. The project highlights a shift in urban living where high-end design often incorporates elements of traditional rural utility.