Listing of the day
Location: East Village, New York City Price:$4,395,000
If you're of the mind that living above a synagogue requires you to have religious affiliation, think again: All you need is the desire to own one of the most unique penthouses in Lower Manhattan. Oh and did we mention it's a duplex?
Fusing contemporary design with a 1910 neoclassical limestone façade that features ornate details and original stained glass windows, the two-story apartment seamlessly embodies what living in New York means today—modern luxury that doesn't deny the city's rich history.
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"This building is the last standing synagogue from its era," says developer Joseph Cohen, the co-founder of East River Partners.
"We only have three apartments here, so three people buying would own a unique piece of history, a work of art," he says.
The property is a boon for a buyer looking for more than just the "flash" that comes with more conventional luxury apartments cropping up below 14th Street at lightening speed. A thinking man—or woman's—residence, if you will.
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"The buyer is probably somebody who has looked all over downtown for a home that has some sense of authenticity," says Mr. Cohen. "People love the idea of living in a loft or a historic building with character but when buyers see the prices of the really nice ones in Tribeca—and learn that many don't even have true bedrooms—they're put off. Here's a building that's totally practical and livable, has a sense of character and place, but doesn't cost a fortune, at least by New York City standards."
As of now, the Adas Yisroel Anshe Mezritch synagogue—built in 1910—will continue to run on the ground floor and in the basement. The penthouse occupies the building's fourth and fifth floors.
The stats
The contemporary three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom duplex penthouse clocks in at 2,564 square feet of interior space. It also has two terraces—one north facing and one south—that add over 800 square feet to the exterior.
Amenities
Keyed elevator, washer/dryer, dishwasher, energy-efficient heating and cooling system, outdoor space.
The neighborhood
Once the epicenter of both the city's rock n’ roll youth culture and its massive immigrant population, the East Village still retains its innate coolness. Known for its diverse residents, the neighborhood is also beloved for its access to top-notch food, retail, and public transportation.
"My favorite part of the East Village is the delicious, affordable restaurants you can find on the side streets," says Cohen, who used to live a few blocks away himself. Also, "the energy and authenticity associated with an area like this that still feels like a village and the proximity to other great neighborhoods ... Jane Jacobs would be proud."
Agents: Millie Perry and Cornelia Van Amburg, Stribling
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