Aby Rosen’s RFR Realty received Landmarks Preservation Commission approval for its renovation of the Church Missions House at 281 Park Avenue South near Union Square.
The six-story, 45,000-square-foot building is set to become a mixed-use retail and office space. RFR will renovate the storefronts, expand retail to the building’s second level, and create a new lobby entrance on 22nd Street that will be offered as a dedicated entrance for an office tenant.
“Our view is that 281 Park Avenue South should work well for a wide variety of single users, including creative, digital, media, fashion, financial, non-profits, and foundations,” Rosen said in a statement. “While the single user scenario is ideal, given the special identity this building can provide, we will also consider different users for the office and retail portions in appropriate circumstances.”
Rosen purchased the building, which was listed for $50 million, last year.
Further downtown, Rosen is in the process of cleaning up another landmarked building at 190 Bowery, which he will convert to condos. — Tess Hofmann