Shepherd House pitches fewer units in $20M renovation

Landmarked building on West 10th would go from 145 units to 42

From left: Barry Sternlicht and 277 West 10th Street
From left: Barry Sternlicht and 277 West 10th Street

Following the $68.2 million purchase of the West Village’s Shepherd House last month, it appears further change is now afoot for the nearly 137,000-square-foot landmark building.

An application processed today by the city Department of Buildings shows an estimated $20 million renovation to bring the existing 145 residential units down to a total of 42.

The proposal calls for a collection of duplexes to occupy the cellar and first level of the building, located at 277 West 10th Street. It also envisions three apartments per floor between levels 2 and 11. The building currently has 12 units per floor on these levels.

In addition, a seemingly large apartment is proposed for the 12th floor, which currently houses 12 homes. That will be topped with the duplex’s Upper Level And A Roof Terrace.

The property dates back to 1893. Formerly an industrial building, Henry Elghanayan’s Rockrose Development converted it into apartments in 1979.

Barry Sternlicht’s Starwood Capital Group bought the building in May from an entity named Vill-Shepherd Equities Corp, as The Real Deal reported.

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A representative for Starwood did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Jeremy Romine, listed as the resident leasing manager for the building, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The building, a rental, has studio to three-bedroom homes with an average rental price of $63 per square foot, StreetEasy shows.

What appears to be a teaser site for the building details luxury apartments with views of the Hudson River. They include studios, one-bedrooms, one-bedrooms with recreational space, two-bedroom rentals, duplexes and a private townhouse, according to the site.

Carlos Cardoso, a partner and the director of construction administration at architectural firm Beter Blinder Belle, is listed as the applicant of record. He did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Michael Witek, the executive vice president of construction at the Naftali Group is listed as the site owner. Naftali did not immediately respond to a call seeking clarification and comment.

It was not immediately clear whether condominiums will be offered in the mix. DOB records do not show a proposal to turn the property into condos.