53 Wooster Street

Beautiful Multi-floor Retail Space in the heart of SoHo

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Square Footage

Duplex Store: 1200 SF Lower / 1300 SF Upper

2nd/3rd Floor Office (furnished): 2600 SF Total

Ceiling Height

1st Floor: 8 ft

Penthouse Duplex: 9 ft

Live & Work

Frontage

18 ft

First Floor Only

Asking

Retail: Upon Request

2nd/3rd Floor Office: ASKING $18,000 / MO N

Availability

Rented

Building Description

This remarkable live/work property also serves as a prime residence, offering endless possibilities for those seeking the perfect blend of luxury living and professional space. Ideal for a sophisticated office, captivating showroom, flagship store, creative studio, or an elegant home with integrated workspace, this exceptional property delivers unmatched versatility. Past pop-ups, including Alton Lane and Spring Street Social, have seen resounding success at this coveted address.

The building spans four impressive levels, featuring a 1,200 SF lower level with rear-facing windows and a cast-iron street entrance. The property is equipped with 400-amp electrical capacity, supporting a wide range of retail, gallery, office, showroom, and creative uses. Step through the gated marble stoop to the main townhouse level, complete with a vented commercial kitchen and one full and one-half bathroom. The second level offers a spacious open floor plan and two full bathrooms, while the third floor features a stunning 700 SF space with a vented commercial kitchen and French doors opening to a 600 SF private terrace. A spiral staircase leads to the rooftop deck, creating an exceptional outdoor retreat.

Whether you're looking for a prime residence, an inspiring live/work environment, or a prestigious commercial address, this one-of-a-kind property offers exceptional flexibility in a highly sought-after location.

Please note that pets are not permitted, with the exception of one furry companion weighing less than 20 pounds. This is a rare opportunity to secure a truly distinctive property that seamlessly blends residential comfort with commercial functionality.

Creative History

Choreographer Trisha Brown used the rooftop of 53 Wooster in her 1971 performance Roof Piece, which spanned multiple buildings across SoHo and helped define the era’s experimental site-specific dance. By the late 1970s, the building’s ground floor had become a gallery space. In the early 1990s, it housed Giuliano Bugialli’s Florence-based Italian cooking school.

Historical Overview

53 Wooster Street was originally built around 1825 as a two-and-a-half-story brick residence with a marble stoop, part of a modest but respectable stretch of middle-class homes. As the neighborhood shifted toward commercial and transient uses by the mid-19th century, the building transitioned accordingly. In 1870, the attic was expanded into a full third story, a cast-iron storefront was installed, and the façade was updated with bracketed sills, cornices, and fluted pilasters, giving the building its present form in the neo-Grec style. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it housed a sewing machine shop, a French dyeing establishment, a commercial printing firm, and a suitcase frame factory. In 1945, it was acquired by Plymouth Marine Contractors, who remained through the postwar era. As SoHo evolved into an arts district in the 1970s, the building became part of that transformation, notably serving as one of the rooftop sites for Trisha Brown’s 1971 performance piece Roof Piece. The structure now contains retail and residential units, and its preserved 19th-century storefront remains a rare example of pre-Civil War fabric still visible amid the cast-iron streetscape. It is listed as a contributing building in the SoHo–Cast Iron Historic District Extension.

Retail Description

Step into a world of authentic charm and historic appeal with this extraordinary retail space. The building’s cast-iron storefront and hardwood floors make for a unique shopping experience. The large storefront boasts three windows and five French doors, allowing ample natural light to grace the space.

The retail space also includes an additional 1,200 SF selling basement, perfect for expanding your business. Past pop-ups, including Alton Lane and Spring Street Social, have seen resounding success at this coveted address. And with generous TI concessions offered, you can customize the space to fit your brand’s unique aesthetic. All reasonable offers will be considered, and brokers are protected. Contact the owner for more information and to schedule a viewing.

Penthouse Description

Welcome to the luxurious triplex in the heart of SoHo, where urban utility meets distinctive design. With two floors of stunning natural light and two spacious roof decks, this one-of-a-kind space is a true gem. The first floor features a full-sized kitchen with a dishwasher, ideal for private events or commercial use.

The second level offers 1,350 SF of open space with two full bathrooms and a flexible floor plan, suitable for a showroom, gallery, or creative workspace. All reasonable offers will be considered.

The third floor boasts a 700 SF space with a vented commercial kitchen and French doors leading out to the 600 SF terrace. Ascend the spiral staircase and enjoy the rooftop deck above the third floor. This space offers a striking setting for any ambitious venture. For lease by owner with full commission.