Photography: Sylvester Zawedzki / Meridian Capitol Group
Cult artist Jean-Michel Basquiat lived and worked at 57 Great Jones Street from 1983 until his untimely death in 1988. Now the Bowery property is available for longterm rent – for the sum of $60,000 per month.
The NoHo space belonged to Andy Warhol, who bought the building in the 1970s and rented it to Basquiat shortly after the pair struck up one of the art world’s most iconic friendships.
Dating from around 1860, the building has a pretty interesting history independent of its famous inhabitant. In 1904 gangster Paul Kelly brought the brick warehouse for his New Brighton Athletic Club – described as ‘one of the seediest, deadliest dance halls and drinking dens of the Lower East Side’, that was also the HQ of his Five Points Gang. It’s also been a metal works, kitchen supply store and most recently, the home of Japanese restaurant Bohemian.
Its graffiti-covered exterior features crescent-shaped windows and has a plaque dedicated to Basquiat, who started as one-half of graffiti duo SAMO. It reads: ‘Basquiat’s paintings and other work challenged established notions of high and low art, race and class, while forging a visionary language that defied characterization.’
Meridian Capital Group has the listing and is seeking a long-term commercial tenant (for a minimum of 10 years.) It offers 6,600 sq ft over three floors, with huge skylights above the ground and second floor. Per the description, ‘All uses are being considered.’
