Building: 165 Spring Street

169 Spring Street Owners Corp is comprised of 2 buildings. 169 Spring Street and 165 Spring Street (aka 408-410 West Broadway. The entrance to the cooperative is 169 Spring Street. In 1979, the building was converted to 12 cooperative units; 2 retail stores and 10 residential units. 169 Spring Street is a five-story, neo-Greco style loft building designed by architect, Increase M. Grenell in 1882-83 for Lewis Livingston at a time when large factories, stores and lofts were being built transforming the SoHo area from the city’s entertainment district to a center for the mercantile and dry goods trade. The building’s projecting window sills, angular lintels, and bracketed cornice are characteristic of the neo-Greco style as applied to modest industrial buildings. The building was occupied by a variety of commercial tenants over the years, including McClain Bros., wholesale hardware (1896); a basket manufacturer, a tailor, and an embroiderer (1899); Spring Street Books (1989-97). It is now occupied by Arc’Teryx, a high end outdoor apparel company.

408-410 West Broadway (aka 165-167 Spring Street) circa 1898 was designed by architect Franklin Baylies as a 6-story,Romanesque Revival style warehouse. It was converted to offices and joined internally with 169 Spring Street in 1962. They share on elevator and stairwell. Over the years, the building was occupied by a variety of tenants, including Rein & Green, umbrella stand manufacturers (1910); the Crescent Leather Goods Co. (1914) and by the Arnulf Rainer Gallery (1974); Hilton Fine Arts, Ltd. (1980); Ad Hoc Softwares, designer linens (1982-2000); and the Emporio Armani (2006- 2010).

The cooperative is known for full floor lofts with high ceilings, exposed brick walls and large windows. There is an elevator, video intercom security and key locked elevator and a large staircase with original railing. The building installed keyless entry locks. The cooperative allows pets, pied-a-terre residences and subletting. There is a management company and superintendent. Located in the landmark SoHo Cast-iron district. Every loft and floorplan is unique. These real artist lofts are chock full of character and a very special find.

Description Provided By: Mara Flash Blum