Turn of the 20th-century print shop turned eclectic co-op
“The area south of Union Square, where Greenwich Village meets the East Village, is a unique and dramatic confluence of history and heterodoxy; commerce and culture; art, architecture, and activism,” photographer Dylan Chandler writes in a description for the Village Preservation group’s website. “It’s where great leaps forward in social movements, literature, music, and industry took place, in buildings displaying a smorgasbord of 19th- and early 20th-century styles.” He spent many years documenting these well-constructed Beaux Art and late Victorian-style structures. Though a handful of these industrial and early commercial edifices have been adapted for different civic and private uses over the decades, a good many have been torn down in favor of “bigger and newer” developments and because most haven’t been given landmark status. One building that has been able to stave off this purge is University Mews. Erected by era-defining architecture firm Cleverdon & Putzel in 1897 as a printing press, the eight-story building — comprising three combined structures — was turned into a full-service co-op in 1980, just as economically depressed Lower Manhattan was beginning to flirt with the idea of urban renewal. Today, its diverse offering of 95 loft-like and oft-combined units retain vestiges of its industrial past.
In the third edition of The American Institute of Architect’s Guide to New York City, published in 1988, editor Elliot Willensky notes "regrettably the newly added ironwork facade is not hefty enough and therefore unsympathetic to the buildings' robust nature." Regardless of this critique, this distinct — once anachronistic — feature remains in place today and is now, arguably, part of the building’s history as well. Coated in a deep blue with gold accents, this ornamental element clads the first two floors and boldly frames University Mew’s main entrance.
Solid boned post-industrial lofts with plenty of possibility for individualized renovations
A 2015 6sqft blog article reports that the building features 14-foot-high barrel-vaulted ceilings upheld by cast-iron columns emerging from original solid oak wood floors. There are also exposed brick walls and oversized street-facing apertures, most of which have been updated with state-of the art windows in the past decade. The article cites one close to 1,000-square-foot studio with renovated kitchen and bathroom selling for $1.5 million at the time.
As is to be expected with any part of highly sought-after Lower Manhattan but also New York’s especially volatile real estate market, prices have fluctuated significantly in the past decade. In summer 2024, a near 1,500 square-foot gut renovated two bedroom unit with preserved historic features was selling for just over $2 million. A slightly larger penthouse with a private, fully finished roof terrace was selling for $3.2 million. That unit was outfitted with premium finishes including Piatto Black Caesarstone countertops; striking architectural features such as a custom-designed steel and natural maple staircase. Its kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line Miele, Wolf and Sub-Zero?appliances. The unit has unobstructed views of the Empire State Building to the north and the Woolworth Building to the south. Like with any older building, but especially an industrial-loft conversion, unit layouts and conditions vary quite a bit. University Mews has everything from studios to three bedrooms but also combined triplexes that resemble townhomes. Former residents have also added additional half floors within double-height spaces. There’s plenty of opportunity for new homeowners to introduce their own alterations as well. The co-op allows residents to rent their units and utilize them as pied-a-terres but unfortunately, dogs are not allowed.
Standard amenities but also all the thrills of being downtown
Though a co-op, University Mews has decent amenities including a 24/7 door attended lobby, full time porter, a live-in super, a common rooftop, and a well-equipped laundry room in the basement. For a structure of this age, having newer, not formerly industrial, elevators is a luxury. There’s no question that the building’s main draw is its centrality. While Union Square and its highly rated four time a week Greenmarket is just two blocks north, Washington Square Park is six short blocks south. Along the way, University Place is lined with a wide array of culturally diverse restaurants, coffee shops and bars frequented by students attending either New York University or The New School, both within the vicinity. A central transit hub for much of Manhattan — served by 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R and W Subway lines — Union Square also has a Whole Foods, Regal cinema and Barnes & Noble flagship. However, the area’s true historic character, what Chandler described, is embodied in the legendary Strand Book Store, just down the street. This institution used to be part of a mini “literary” district populated by hundreds of independent retailers specialized in rare first editions and other printed matter. Sadly, most have since gone out of business. The adjacent East Village neighborhood abounds with even more quaint owner-operated haunts popular with a younger crowd whereas the West Village has a posher vibe. In-between, Greenwich Village incorporates many long-established entertainment venues like the Comedy Cellar and the Zinc Bar jazz club.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
93/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
100/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Union Square Park
4 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Cooper Triangle
7 min walk
Trails
Washington Square Park
8 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Manuel Plaza
10 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Stuyvesant Square
10 min walk
Dog Park
Trails
Events
Mercer Playground
11 min walk
Playground
Christopher Park
12 min walk
Picnic Area
West 4th Street Courts
13 min walk
Basketball
Peter's Field
14 min walk
Basketball
Multi-Purpose Field
Schools
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