Bleecker Street Conversion to Residential

By Brian J Pape, AIA, LEED-AP

This front view of the existing 43-49 Bleecker Street loft building shows the subway station stairs in front of the cast-iron storefront. Credit: Brian J. Pape, AIA.

The Community Board 2 Landmarks Committee reviewed a proposal for the adaptive reuse and residential conversion of 43-49 Bleecker Street, near the corner of Lafayette Street, a six-story masonry building in NoHo. The project involves substantial exterior modifications to the Classical Revival building, which was originally constructed in 1896 by architect Ralph S. Townsend for owner Harry Chaffee.

Since this is in a historic district, full restoration of the south (fronting Bleecker Street) façade will include repairs to cast-iron storefronts, cornices and other historic elements, with all existing windows throughout the structure being replaced, according to architect Noel Wong of ADB Associates.

At the ground level, the storefront openings will be reconfigured with new black-painted aluminum doors, display windows, and replicated historic iron grilles. The proposal presented accessibility upgrades such as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant ramp and landings at new entry configurations, since the ground floor is several steps above the sidewalk. These ramps will unfortunately create a very crowded condition on the sidewalk since the 6 train at Bleecker Street has a stairway directly in front of this building, severely hampering pedestrian movement. The B, D, F, and M trains are nearby at Broadway–Lafayette Street.

Zoning documents indicate the building will retain its existing height of 85 feet and maintain a lot coverage of 94 percent, as reported by Max Gillespie in New York Yimby’s August 30, 2025 issue. The development will yield 11 residential units, five of which are new conversions, across approximately 30,442 square feet of residential floor area. That’s 11 units on five floors, or about 2,700 square feet on average per unit. On the rooftop, new stair and elevator bulkheads and mechanical screening will be added, and balconies will be installed on the rear (north) façade as added amenities.

If approved, hopefully it will be with a careful redesign of the ramps so they don’t encroach on pedestrian space too much