East Village parking garage to become luxury, red-brick condo with 18 loft-style apartments

An East Village parking garage plagued by structural issues is getting new life as an attractive red-brick condo with 18 loft-like residences. Designed and developed by Arcus, the project at 220 East 9th Street converts the shuttered 175-space garage into a six-story boutique building with one- to four-bedroom apartments, each with a distinct floor plan. Currently under construction, the condo will feature a hand-laid red brick facade punctuated by oversized arched and factory-style windows, and includes private on-site parking, a rarity in downtown Manhattan.

The residences feature board-formed concrete ceilings, custom oak-finished kitchens, and handcrafted details. Seven homes have large private terraces, including three penthouses on the upper floors.

Residents will enjoy a 24-hour attended lobby and a suite of wellness-focused amenities, including a sauna, fitness center, Pilates studio, pet grooming station, and a tranquil Japanese-style garden.

Roger Bittbender, principal and founder of Arcus, said the building aims to capture the charm and authenticity of the city’s classic lofts.

“With 220 East 9th Street, we set out to create something that really feels like it belongs Downtown — a building that captures that classic, New York architectural character. We were inspired mainly by the old masonry loft buildings of the area, and we wanted to bring that same kind of charm and authenticity, but of course with the comfort and quality of new construction.”

He continued: “Everything, from the hand-laid Roman brick on the façade, to the board-formed concrete ceilings and the building’s integrated landscaping, was designed to feel special—like no two residences are the same—which in fact they aren’t, as each unit features its own unique floor plan.”

The development replaces a troubled five-story parking garage, owned by Manhattan landlord Walter & Samuels, which closed in spring 2023 after an inspection uncovered serious structural issues.

The city ordered the inspection following the fatal collapse of a Financial District garage at 57 Ann Street, operated by the same company that ran the garage at 220 East 9th Street, according to Crain’s.

In March 2024, Arcus bought the building for $14 million. The developer is known for building houses in the Hudson Valley and condos in Soho.

David Burley, a partner at Walter & Samuels, acquired the 22,500-square-foot midblock property in the late 1970s. According to Crain’s, Arnold Penner, the late prominent real estate investor and owner of the acclaimed Midtown restaurant P.J. Clarke’s, once held a stake in the property alongside Burley.

In May, developers filed permits to convert the garage into a six-story residential building. The work involves partially demolishing the existing structure. Construction is now underway, and the developer expects to launch sales this fall.

Clayton Orrigo and Stephen Ferrara of the Hudson Advisory Team at Compass will exclusively handle sales.

“In a market where so much feels mass-produced, 220 East 9th stands out. It’s rare to see a developer this hands-on—and this talented—bring something so intentional to market,” Orrigo and Ferrara said.

“Every home here blends thoughtful design with real functionality: private outdoor space, custom layouts, and elevated finishes. It’s a true one-off—built for buyers who don’t want what everyone else has.”

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