The Listings: Conversions

Five creative, second-life homes on the market right now

October 23, 2018 9:00 am

This is The Listings, a monthly rundown (with pictures!) of some of the most over-the-top properties currently on sale in or around this fair(ish) city.

This month, we’ve rounded up five homes that are not what they seem. From a converted carriage house to a cathedral-cum-bachelor pad, you’ll have not only a swanky, new home … but also conversation starters galore.

555 (5 images)

Photos: StreetEasy

555 West End Avenue
Upper West Side
Price: $18,000,000
Converted from: A Catholic school
The basics: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3,420 sq-ft
Notable features: Formerly the school’s gymnasium, the Solarium penthouse has 19-foot arched ceilings leading into a swoon-worthy glass terrarium. There’s also a larger-than-life terrace for outdoor parties or simply bragging rights.

11 (6 images)

Photos: Sotheby’s

11 Scholes Street
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Price: $5,200,000
Converted from: An 1899 firehouse
The basics: 3 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 partial baths, 4,652 sq-ft
Notable features: Three levels of heaven with a “garage” that doubles as the bottom floor’s living room, a fireplace and a rooftop terrace complete with an outdoor shower.

481 (5 images)

Photos: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

481 Washington Street
Soho
Price: $4,150,000
Converted from: The Spice Warehouse
The basics: 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4,000 sq-ft
Notable features: An open layout with 13-foot ceilings, radiant floor heating, a dual-pedestal soaking tub and, thankfully, a 56-bottle wine cooler — because we are definitely coming over.

spire (5 images)

Photos: StreetEasy

The Spire Lofts
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Price: $6,125/month
Converted from: A cathedral
The basics: 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1,800 sq-ft
Notable features: In a very Williamsburgian way, the listing merely states, “This is hands-down one of the sickest buildings on the market.” Eyerolls aside, we’d have to agree. Original beams and exposed brick galore, and the unit also has its own private terrace.

167 (6 images)

Photos: Leslie J. Garfield & Co.

167 East 69th Street
Upper East Side
Price: $16,950,000
Converted from: A 1908 carriage house
The basics: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 7,000 sq-ft
Notable features: The triplex touts garage and studio space with 14.5-foot, skylit-lined ceilings, 400 square feet of landscaped terrace and a wood-burning fireplace.

Main photo: StreetEasy

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.