CityRealty Insider > Houses of Worship: Converted Churches Become Coveted Residences

Houses of Worship: Converted Churches Become Coveted Residences

NOVEMBER 4, 2008

Former churches become heavenly homes when property values rise

Converting houses of worship into living spaces is nothing new—their spaciousness, unconventional layouts, and solid construction makes them ideal for residents looking for something beyond than the cookie-cutter apartment or standard-issue loft space.

New York's best-known religious conversion—so to speak—may be the former Limelight night club run by club don Peter Gatien in Chelsea in the 1980s. The building was originally constructed in 1846 as the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, but those who remember its second coming as a house of nightlife worship will recall the way its collection of cozy, hidden chambers and vast spaces lent themselves to creative revelry.

Manhattan real estate is accorded near-religious status by so many of the city's residents, so it's no surprise that converted churches represent a desirable option. A prime example: the former Washington Square Methodist, in which FLAnk Architecture created Novare, featuring eight luxurious apartments, six of them with original stained glass, that have sold for upwards of $3 Million each. The former Harlem Gospel Temple Church at 2056 Fifth Avenue was recently converted to luxury condos as well.

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