Steven Van Zandt paid $6 million for a penthouse inside an 1860 New York church; after a two-month overhaul, the 3,504-sq-ft home is back asking $18.995 million, 27% above its June price
Some New York homes come with an address; others come with a past. Musician and actor Steven Van Zandt’s Greenwich Village penthouse has both. According to a report by Realtor, housed inside a former 19th-century church, the dramatic duplex blends stained glass, timber beams and industrial details with the kind of theatrical interiors that feel perfectly suited to the E Street Band guitarist and actor. Van Zandt and his wife, Maureen Van Zandt, bought the three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence in 2008, a year after The Sopranos ended, paying $6 million for the 3,504-square-foot home. Nearly two decades later, the property is back on the market with a dramatically different price tag. Now, the penthouse is listed for $18.995 million, following an earlier $15 million asking price in June, states the online report. The latest figure represents a 27% increase from that initial listing, the report adds.
A history-rich transformation
The building, now known as Novare, was originally the Washington Square Methodist Church, constructed in 1860. It was converted into an eight-unit condominium development in 2006, preserving several of its most distinctive architectural details. Inside Van Zandt’s duplex, those remnants of the building’s former life remain central to its character. Original stained-glass windows sit alongside exposed timber beams, while steel, glass and visible ductwork introduce a distinctly contemporary edge, the Realtor report states.The upper level is anchored by a soaring great room with 20-foot wood-clad ceilings. An open-plan layout creates a natural setting for entertaining, with a bold chef’s kitchen stealing much of the attention. Black cabinetry, a large island and a black-and-white harlequin-patterned backsplash give the space a suitably rock-and-roll personality.
Designed for drama
The home’s theatrical streak continues outdoors. An accordion-style glass door connects the main seating area to a 500-square-foot private terrace, a particularly valuable luxury in Manhattan. The terrace also comes with an additional kitchen, making it as practical for gatherings as it is for quiet city escapes.The lower level is reached via a leopard-print staircase and houses two large bedroom suites with a media room between them. The space could also function as a third bedroom, elaborates the online report.The primary suite retains several of the residence’s stained-glass windows, tying it back to the building’s ecclesiastical origins. Its bathroom takes maximalism several steps further, with purple walls, graphic ceiling artwork featuring stars and peacock feathers, and a double vanity. A home office, dressing area and walk-in closet complete the private quarters.
A fresh market debut
Before returning to the market, the apartment underwent a two-month overhaul. The work included painting, repairs to floors and stonework, updated lighting and professional staging, giving the highly individual residence a refreshed presentation, informs the report by Realtor.Its location adds another layer of appeal. Positioned at the intersection of Greenwich Village, the West Village and SoHo, the penthouse sits close to Washington Square Park, Hudson River Park and the High Line, with several subway lines nearby.For Van Zandt, the listing comes as his creative life continues to expand. With longstanding ties to New Jersey and recent work reportedly focused on television scripts set in the Garden State, the musician appears to be making room for another chapter, while leaving behind one of Manhattan’s most unconventional homes, concludes the online report.Images Courtesy: Wikipedia and Realtor
