Robert and Melvyn Kaufman erected unusual office buildings in Lower Manhattan, including 200 Water Street.
The 32-story building, designed by Emery Roth & Sons and Corchia-de Harak Assocs., featured a large corrugated steel tunnel entrance and the world's largest digital clock.
200 Water Street was originally built in 1971 as 127 John Street, a 32 story office building designed by Emery Roth & Sons and Corchia-de Harak Assocs. under Rudi de Harak. Developed by Robert and Melvyn Kaufman of the William Kaufman Organization, the building made a striking impression at the entrance to the South Street Seaport with its corrugated steel neon lit tunnel entrance on Water Street, cascading canvas canopies on Fulton Street, and the world's largest digital clock at its base. The Kaufmans were known for creating buildings with unusual public amenities, believing architecture should serve the community.
In 1997, Rockrose Development Corporation undertook an $80 million conversion that transformed the property into 576 residential apartments, marking the first time in New York that a first class postwar office building was converted to purely residential use. The building's address was changed to 200 Water Street, though it's also known as 32-38 Fulton Street and 240-266 Pearl Street. The conversion retained the building's distinctive curtainwall façade, a rarity in residential construction due to cost, but modified it to include operable windows. The base was converted to approximately 100 duplex apartments of about 1,800 square feet featuring two story living rooms. The building includes eight elevators, three more than would typically serve a residential building of this size.
Apartments feature hardwood floors, high ceilings, and oversized windows, with many units offering river and bridge views. Kitchens are equipped with dishwashers, microwaves, stainless steel appliances, and natural stone countertops, while bathrooms include soaking tubs, marble finishes, and stainless steel fixtures. The duplex units in the base offer particularly dramatic two story living spaces, while studios and convertible two bedrooms are available throughout the tower.
The building operates as a full service, pet friendly rental with a 24 hour concierge and doorman. Amenities include a roof deck with cabanas, fitness center, billiards room, cinema room, residents lounge, valet service, and WiFi in common areas. The property also houses a gourmet deli and pharmacy. After serving as NYU at the Seaport student housing, Rockrose reconverted the building back to market rate rental apartments in 2009.
Major building at entrance to South Street Seaport
On site gourmet deli and pharmacy
Distinctive curtainwall facade by Emery Roth & Sons
WiFi in common areas
Valet service
Billiards room
Cinema room
Residents lounge
Close to Subway
Great jumble of entrance canopies
River and bridge views from many units
Hardwood floors throughout
Full service building with 24 hour concierge and doorman
Pet friendly building
Roof deck with cabanas
Fitness center
Historic 1971 architectural design
High ceilings
Oversized windows
Duplex units with two story living rooms
Eight elevators
Stainless steel appliances
Natural stone countertops
Marble bathrooms
Soaking tubs
No sidewalk landscaping
Many apartments
Large building with 576 units
Converted office building
CityRealty Rating
32
/44
Architecture
+
33
/36
Location
+
13
/39
Features
+
8
Editor’s Points
=
86
CITYREALTY RATING
How is the CityRealty Rating calculated?
Architecture
30+ remarkable
20-29 distinguished
11-19 average
< 11 below average
Location
27+ remarkable
18-26 distinguished
9-17 average
< 9 below average
Features
22+ remarkable
16-21 distinguished
9-15 average
< 9 below average
CityRealty’s Ratings Explained
Building Management
Founded in 1970, Rockrose Development Corp. is one of New York's most pre-eminent and prolific developers. As an all encompassing property owner, developer and manager, their visionary stance and commitment to excellence have established them as a leading force in New York City real estate.