‘Exceptional Quirks’ and Reclaimed Materials Abound in This Historic Williamsburg Church Conversion
One of the neighborhood’s oldest landmarks, the Saint Vincent De Paul Church at 167 North Sixth Street in Williamsburg‘s uber-trendy North Side was recently converted into 40 rental apartments known as the Spire Lofts. We know that converted churches get people’s attention at the very least–but like many historic building conversions, they can be a disappointment. The apartments here don’t try to be especially historic–but the interiors differ somewhat from the usual boilerplate rental “lofts” that tend to spring up like weeds in North Brooklyn.
The building’s recently-listed batch of two- and three-bedrooms ranges from $6,400 to $8,000 (the spoken-for one-bedrooms started at $4k), so they’re pricey. The interiors are somewhat innovative, though. The listing promises “…modern details and state-of-the-art finishes [that] blend flawlessly with expertly salvaged materials, including original exposed brick, reclaimed Heart Pine pillars and beams, arched stained glass windows, custom steel work and exceptional quirks around every corner.” On the down side, there’s no floor plan and no mention of square footage.
The building’s entry offers dark leather walls and inlaid wood floors made from 100-year-old shipping boxes.
Apartments have a rustic-industrial loft feel, with reclaimed wood staircases leading to a mezzanine, and some interesting layouts, with ceilings 20 feet high in places.
Also in evidence is the growing trend toward open shelving and minimalist cabinetry in the kitchen, which can look a lot better than cheaply done traditional cabinets. And while the stove looks to be electric, there also appears to be a vented hood, rare in rental apartments. There are Caesarstone countertops, penny tiled marble backslashes, and a “gourmet appliance package” that includes Bosch washer/dryers, Fisher-Paykel dish drawers and stainless steel Bloomberg appliances.
Cooling is via split-system zoned central air conditioners, which generally do a great job, though it’s unclear whether this is also the means of heating the units in the winter.
Additional interesting features include catwalks made of distressed cast iron suspended above the first floor in duplexes, exposed beams, a variety of windows and skylights, and hefty wooden sliding loft doors. Oversized, arched windows fill the rooms with sunlight; wide plank hardwood floors lend a loft-like feel.
Bathrooms have reclaimed brick walls, pressed tin ceilings, steam showers and custom-built vanities (the jury’s out on the questionable choice of exposed brick in the shower, unless it’s seriously sealed and coated).
You can’t get much more prime than North 6th Street; the street itself or its nearby neighbors are now home to high-end shops, cafes, bars and eateries as well as popular chains like Urban Outfitters (known by its stealth moniker, Space Ninety 8), J. Crew and Madewell (with a Whole Foods coming soon), plus longtime favorites like the Music Hall of Williamsburg and Hotel Delmano within blocks. The East River State Park is a five minute walk, which means Smorgasburg and summer concerts and movies are practically on your doorstep, as is the Bedford Avenue stop on the L train; McCarren Park is a few blocks away as well.
[Listing: The Spire Lofts, 167 North 6th Street by Carey Larsen for aptsandlofts.com]
[Via CityRealty]
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Images courtesy of aptsandlofts.com
