All over New York City, designers and developers have seen potential in the city’s retired churches and have converted them into luxury apartments. The result offers the best possible mix of old, grand architecture and modern-day amenities. Here are some of my favorite New York City churches that have been converted into heavenly homes – and some are currently on the market!
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Former St. Vincent de Paul Church, Williamsburg
163 N 6th Street near Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
$450/Night
For an Airbnb listing that puts all others to shame, check out the former St. Vincent de Paul Church. When it was purchased in 2011, the building was a real fixer-upper; so long neglected that a tree had grown in the bell tower. Since then, it’s been renovated into a bright, cozy loft filled with plants – and you wouldn’t suspect it’s ever been anything but perfect. The apartment features the original, ancient church beams and two skylights, and the brick walls are covered in modern art. The king bedroom has impressive floor-to-ceiling windows.
Former Cathedral College, Clinton Hill
555 Washington Avenue near Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Formerly the Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception, today this building is a 53-unit residence. The original architect didn’t hold back when designing the Gothic-style building, and it even features a few stone gargoyles. Previously a seminary, the building was converted into an apartment residence in 1988. The building’s two-feet wide walls made it a serenely quiet escape for aspiring monks, and provide the same comfort for today’s New Yorker who wants to avoid traffic noise. With marble archways, an incredible view of Clinton Hill, and a secluded courtyard where you can get away from the hustle and bustle, this building’s home are heaven.
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Former Pentecostal Church, Williamsburg
541 Leonard Street near Nassau Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11222
Converting a church into a livable housing unit is no easy feat, and some of the building’s most unique features often get nixed in the process. Not so for this former Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn, which still retains its arched ceilings, church casement windows, and original wooden beams. With spacious rooms and plenty of skylights, the apartment feels bright and open. A small garden in the backyard adds a touch of greenery to the building.
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The Abbey Condominium, Gramercy
205 E 16th Street near 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10003
$2.25 Million – $5.25 Million
The Abbey Condominium houses 31 residences. First built in 1888, the Romanesque Revival-style building served as a parish house for the adjacent St. George’s Church. It found a second life as a condominium in 2005. The building changed, but its best features remain the same: it still has its original stained glass windows and remarkably high ceilings. The jewel of the building is its lobby, with original tiling and brick archways.
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Novare, Greenwich Village
135 West 4th Street between 6th Avenue and Macdougal Street
New York, NY 10012
This building looks like the home of a character in a medieval fairy tale, but it’s located right in the heart of Greenwich Village. Built in 1860, it originally served as a Methodist church. After undergoing some serious renovations in 2006, it opened its doors as a condominium with 8 residential units. It maintained some of its more dramatic touches, like the 50-foot entry atrium and its original stained glass windows. The apartments have an open-air feel with patios and floor-to-ceiling windows.
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Former Old Saint Patrick’s School and Convent, NoLita
32 Prince Street near Mott Street
New York, NY 10012
$25 Million
Formerly part of the Old Saint Patrick’s School and Convent, this building combines Greek Revival architecture with a late Federalist style. The five-story building makes for a sunny, seven-bedroom home complete with an elevator and a cellar. The home evokes its former grandeur through original features like the oak floors, oculus window, and historic moldings. A curved staircase that spirals down all five stories of the house adds a dramatic flourish.
These churches once brought tranquility and peace to their congregations. Today, they’re bringing each new tenant a truly unique New York City home.
