Two Lower East Side lofts to be converted into new residences

Real Estate Weekly, Nov 14, 2001

Two contiguous loft buildings that run between Essex and Ludlow Streets in the newly-designated Lower East Side Historic District are being converted by first-time developers from the mostly empty home of a yarn and notions business into a community-minded new, 22-home residential community arranged around a courtyard. Construction on the new development, designed by Meltzer/Mandl Architects of New York City, began in early July and will be completed in June, 2002.

Courtyard Living: The $9 million conversion/addition project is the first for co-developers Harris Barer and Barbara Rohregger. The center of the through-block site will become a European-style garden courtyard - an intermediate space between residents' apartments and the street. Each building has been "turned around" so the residential lobbies open onto the this courtyard. The apartments will include duplex penthouse homes; and one-, two-and four-bedroom apartments. Every apartment will have a balcony.

Historic District: "This is the kind of project that the Lower East Side needs if the historic district designation is to succeed in protecting the neighborhood's culture and character," said Marvin H. Meltzer, president of Meltzer/Mandl.

The Essex Street building features one and two bedroom apartments, ranging in size from approximately 1,200 to 6,000 SF. The Ludlow Street building boasts two apartments, both two-story duplexes, each with approximately 1,500 SF. Two retail spaces totaling 2,010 SF will front Essex Street. One 2,463-SF retail space will open onto Ludlow.

Demolition and Restoration: The architects are starting with two contiguous loft buildings at 149-151 Essex Street that are five and three stories high. The lower building runs through to Ludlow Street with a one-story extension, which has the address 152 Ludlow.

To redesign and restore the buildings, Meltzer is replacing the one-story Ludlow Street building. The Essex Street buildings will be combined and floors will be added to give the project's highest floor seven stories of height. The original facades of white terra cotta had deteriorated enough to make a new facade necessary. It will consist of EIFS panels similar to stucco and metal panels, which together give the buildings a clean updated look, yet allow the architect to repeat the forms of the original facades.