Throughout Tribeca, industrial warehouse buildings from the 19th and early 20th century are being converted to luxe loft residences suitable for 21st-century living.
When one thinks of Tribeca, the area’s cobblestone streets and magnificent industrial loft buildings are likely top of mind. With much of the neighborhood protected by historic district designations, opportunities for development fall largely to converting these handsome, protected structures for residential use. Thanks to these prominent conversion projects, Tribeca will continue to be a neighborhood that effortlessly melds historic flavor with world-class luxury.
443 Greenwich St. (Image: Wikimedia)
Billed as “where landmark meets luxury,” 443 Greenwich Street converts a massive industrial warehouse building to 45 luxury loft homes and eight oversized penthouses. Built in 1883 by the Trinity Church Corporation, a major landholder in lower Manhattan to this day, the Romanesque Revival building was constructed as a rental space for manufacturers and was occupied by the American Steel Wool Manufacturing Corporation, bookbinding firms and glass companies, among others. Designed by CetraRuddy, interiors for the conversion are sleek and modern while diligently acknowledging the building’s industrial past. Amenities at the reimagined structure include an ultra-private, tiled underground garage allowing discreet arrivals and departures, a lush central courtyard, 75-foot lap pool and state-of-the-art fitness center, and a full staff including 24-hour concierge and doorman, live-in building manager, and abundant porters and handymen. The triplex Penthouse PHA, offering 8,569 square feet of interior space and 3,599 of exterior space, including a private pool, is currently listed for $55 million.
The Cast Iron House at 67 Franklin
67 Franklin St. (Image: Wikimedia)
Built in 1882, the James White Building at 67 Franklin was one of the last cast-iron commercial structures built in Lower Manhattan and frequently regarded as one of the most beautiful. At six stories tall and with a corner footprint spanning six bays wide on Franklin and 18 bays wide on Broadway, the neoclassical structure is also one of the largest cast-iron buildings in the city. In the careful hands of architect Shiberu Ban, the landmarked structure has been re-branded The Cast Iron House and converted to 13 luxury residences, including the discrete addition of two modern glass and steel penthouses on the rooftop. These sprawling penthouse residences feature fully retractable glass walls that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor spaces, while the remaining units boast dramatic, double-height living spaces that deliver unprecedented light and openness. Amenities include a fitness center with hydrotherapy spa, sauna, steam room and yoga studio, 24-hour doorman, resident’s lounge, playroom and storage.
Another CetraRuddy project, 15 Hubert presents 12 loft homes with a focus on preserving the building’s original warehouse details, including wide open spaces, sky-high ceilings, columns and swaths of original exposed brick. Built in 1867 primarily for storage purposes, the utilitarian Italianate building functioned as a warehouse for cheese, baked goods and the Embassy Grocery Corporation. Details are given priority throughout the conversion with ribbed architectural glass, burnished steel doors, wide-plank oak flooring, blackened steel accents and Sugar White marble. Amenities are modest in this small development; there is a part-time attended lobby and package reception, and a stunning landscaped roof deck.
The Sterling Mason at 71 Laight Street
71 Laight Street is a unique and artful combination of warehouse conversion and new construction from architect Morris Adjmi. At the corner of Laight and Washington streets, the original 1905 terra cotta and brick structure, once owned by the Ragus Tea & Coffee Co., has been joined by a mirror-image replica clad in metal. The name, Sterling Mason, is a reflection of the opposing finishes of each structure. Combined, the two buildings create a breathtaking, landscaped central courtyard not unlike that at 443 Greenwich. Within the residences, designers sought to meld the best of downtown loft living with the coveted features of grand uptown homes. The result is chic open spaces outfitted with handcrafted details. Penthouse PHC, currently listed at $20 million, offers 4,986 square feet of living space across two floors and a sweeping 1,065-square-foot private terrace.
The Woolworth Tower Residences at 2 Park Place
The Woolworth Building (Image: Wikimedia)
One of the most highly anticipated conversion projects in the city, The Woolworth Tower Residences places 33 stunning homes — including the dizzying seven-story Pinnacle penthouse — atop one of the world’s most iconic, historic skyscrapers. Executed by renowned French architect Thierry W Despont, the residences feature the breathtaking city views, understated elegance and premium finishes one would expect from such a marquee project. Known for his artful restorations, Despont has painstakingly restored and repurposed many of Frank W. Woolworth’s own coveted features. The ornate, coffered ceiling that once topped his office is now a focal point of the residents-only lobby on Park Place, and the swimming pool originally commissioned by Woolworth has been revived and enhanced with spa features including a sauna and hot tub. According to the offering plan, the much-whispered-about Pinnacle penthouse is set to provide 9,403 square feet of living space plus an observation deck at the building’s cupola for $110 million, or $11,698 per square foot.