Photography: Corcoran
There’s a lot of history packed into the walls of this offbeat 531 sq ft Manhattan loft, which has an unusual space-maximising layout and sits inside a 27-storey art deco skyscraper in the Upper West Side.
Architect Harvey Wiley Corbett designed the Master Apartments to originally house a museum, fine art institute and performing arts centre for Russian philosopher Nicholaus Roerich. The art deco high-rise was completed in 1929 and converted into a housing cooperative in 1979.
This former artist’s studio comprises a 500 sq ft lower level with kitchen, office and living room. A wooden staircase leads up to a mid-level bathroom and upper sleeping loft, capped by a vaulted skylight.
At its maximum, the apartment 314 soars to 17 ft in height, and its unorthodox split-level layout adds an extra 200 sq ft of interior space to the dinky dwelling.
The Manhattan property is on the market for $345,000 by Sabrina Seidner of Corcoran – a rarity in itself. But as the price reflects, it will need top-to-toe refurbishment and an owner that can embrace its kooky design. There’s plenty to inspire via stained glass windows, exposed rafters, timber cabinetry and hardwood flooring throughout.
