An Upper West Side church conversion approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission two years ago is finally moving forward with construction. Developed by CMC Development Group and Epstein Development Group, and designed by DXA studio, the plan is to renovate the 19th-century Romanesque Revival church at 140-142 West 81st Street—known as the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church—to include both residential and worship space. There will be a new sanctuary and classrooms for community-based education programs, as well as condos designed to subsidize the entire endeavor. Five apartments will range from 3,400 and 4,200 square feet.
The church was in bad disrepair back in 2013, forcing the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Congregation to relocate. CMC Development Group was tapped to come up with a plan that gained not just the support of the LPC, but of Upper West Siders—who tend to hate this stuff.
Architect Jordan Rogove, of DXA, reports that site demolition has just begun and the team is gearing up for construction. He says, "We hope to be in full swing by early February with construction expected to be in the 14-15 month range." One of the biggest construction efforts will be installing a glass facade along the back of the church, to bring light into the apartments.
There’s no word yet on how the condos will be priced, or what they’ll look like, but you can see more exterior renderings below.
- 121-Year-Old Upper West Side Church Will Add Apartments [Curbed]
- Board Agrees to Residential Addition for Historic UWS Church [Curbed]
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