Here’s a rare opportunity to own a Soho loft that was the longtime home of an artist–most of the artist apartments of the 60s and 70s have since changed hands. This apartment at 64 Grand Street belonged to Bill Alpert, who was known for his abstract paintings and lived here from 1967 until his death last year. It is very much a raw space, with the original hardwood floors, exposed ceiling pipes, a fire escape view and walls high enough to hang nothing but artwork. We can’t imagine the price for it back in 1968, but now it’s asking just a hair over $3 million.
Any buyer will have an impressive 2,150 square feet to work with, not to mention three exposures and 10-foot ceilings. It’s a big enough room, the listing suggests, to be transformed into a two- or three-bedroom apartment.
The open kitchen is no frills, and is definitely not the focus of any true artist apartment. Before Soho was re-zoned for residential use, in fact, artists could only set up hot plates in their illegal warehouse conversions.
Despite this apartment being one long, narrow space, you’re getting great light from large windows at either end.
There’s an iconic NYC fire escape view from one end of the apartment. 64 Grand Street–located in the Cast Iron Historic District–is a seven-story brick building that was constructed in the early 20th century. It has since been converted to 17 co-ops, and we bet this is the last remaining “raw” artist loft of the bunch.