New Rendering For 21-Story St. Augustine's Church Mixed-Use Project on Henry St.
Featuring… new retail and community space!
Not much of a change from last rendering but we do now have some more details regarding the 21-story tower going up at 290 Henry Street. Despite still lacking a public timetable for beginning and completion of construction, we know from plans released that there will be 130 units - all affordable - along with a 2,000 sq. ft. community facility and 4,000 sq. ft. in ground floor retail space. That's right, retail space is coming to east Henry Street. Just taking a glance at the map, could this be the first retail space developed east of Pitt/Montgomery and south of Delancey in the past 50, maybe 60 years? Finally!
The building is being built on a lot owned by historic and financially-strained St. Augustine's Church. A bit from my last article on this in 2023:
"On Monday, May 8th [2023], the CB3 Landmarks Committee heard St. Augustine’s proposal for a 21-story building meant to provide enough (semi) passive revenue to improve services and restore the building’s crumbling foundations.
The plan calls for major restoration efforts that were detailed by a preservation architect. This included the replacement of cracked brick and the installation of new windows more faithful to the original 19th century structure. Dilapidated steps are to be tossed out for fresh stone, and the wooden cornice will be redone.
Most of the church’s common areas will be retouched or completely renovated and the new building will take the place of the annex and the parking lot visible from Madison St."
Check out the last two photographs for a view of what St. Augustine's used to look like in a pre- tower-in-the-park Lower East Side when it was known as All Saints Free Church. According to The New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Edgar Allen Poe used to attend this church "on occasion", which was built in 1829. Be warned, ChatGPT tells me the claim is dubious.
Thanks for reading, and comment what you'd like to see in that retail space! No weed store please.
