Tribeca office building will be reborn as 17 stories of apartments

When plans to renovate an existing office building in Tribeca fell through the cracks, the developers decided to go residential instead. The 15-story office building at 250 Church Street will now see a new future as a 107-unit apartment building, the Real Deal has learned.

The owner, Norvin Properties, filed plans with the city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) on Wednesday to move the conversion forward. This change in direction will see the addition of two new floors to the building, as well as a height increase to 231 feet from the existing 201 feet.

DOB records show that Handel Architects have been tapped to lead this conversion. Little else is known about the project so far apart from the apartment building’s amenities, which include a lounge, a gym, and a children’s room.

Early last year, the owner of this building unveiled plans to renovate the office tower to attract tech tenants. Designed by Gensler, that plan would have seen the creation of private outdoor terraces, a game room, and a gym for tenants in the building.

It’s not exactly clear why the developers decided to change course, but what we do know is that this building has been shrouded in some legal troubles in the past. In early 2015, investor Arnold Penner’s son sued Penner for allegedly convincing him to sell his stake in 250 Church Street for a paltry sum. The Real Deal reports that that suit was later dropped.

250 Church Street is located right next door to Herzog & de Meuron’s 56 Leonard. Along with 70 Vestry Street, 30 Park Place, and 111 Murray Street, 250 Church Street will likely be the latest pricey addition to Tribeca.

• Norvin Properties converting 250 Church to apartments [TRD]
• Drab Tribeca Office Building to Get Pocket Parks and Rooftop Lounges for Employees [6sqft]