In the world of New York real estate, it’s not uncommon to hear about how a longtime office building in a now-hip neighborhood is being converted to residential use. In a rare reversal, however, following the 2014 sale of the 20,000-square-foot, 142-year-old brick co-op at 61-63 Crosby Street for $42 million, buyer L3 Capital made plans for an office conversion. Some of the parcel’s unused air rights will be used for a set-back, one-story addition. Plans filed with the city call for a bicycle repair shop on the ground floor and office space for up to four tenants.
The building’s location in the Soho-Cast Iron Historic District extension meant that approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission was required, and they got it in September 2016. Since then, the conversion with designs by David Grider Architect is well on its way to an estimated summer 2018 completion. The old fire escapes, which were said to be harmful to the building’s façade, have been removed. Façade repairs and re-coloring to that of the original brownstone are nearly complete. Interiors are being modernized and restored with original exposed brick and load-bearing arches. The addition will have clean, modern lines and an outdoor terrace looking out on downtown views.
The building’s location in the Soho-Cast Iron Historic District extension meant that approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission was required, and they got it in September 2016. Since then, the conversion with designs by David Grider Architect is well on its way to an estimated summer 2018 completion. The old fire escapes, which were said to be harmful to the building’s façade, have been removed. Façade repairs and re-coloring to that of the original brownstone are nearly complete. Interiors are being modernized and restored with original exposed brick and load-bearing arches. The addition will have clean, modern lines and an outdoor terrace looking out on downtown views.
Content Specialist
Michelle Mazzarella
Michelle is a contributing writer and editor for real estate news in New York City