Photographer Jay Maisel's Bowery mansion is up for sale.
This 35,000 square foot structure has rested nicely at 190 Bowery since 1898. The building had been originally built as a Germania Bank and was officially designated as a New York City Landmark in March of 2005.
With its limestone detailing, six levels, including a basement and roof terrace, this historical piece of architecture is one of many RFR's large and unique property listings. The mansion was purchased by photography Jay Maisel in 1966 for $102,000 and has been the estate his family has called home for almost 50 years.
The family has remained private about the landmark over the years, but for those as curious as we are about the home, in 2008 Wendy Goodman shared her visit inside the graffiti-covered, late 19th-century product.
Many believe the property to be vacant for its hard exterior has given the impression of being unoccupied for years, but even in years past when Maisel claimed the Bowery mansion to be his home in 1966, it wasn't in a livable condition.
With garbage filling the ground level and being situated in a questionable location, Maisel has made this masterpiece an artistic undertaking of his own renovations. The first three floors have served as gallery floors for photography and art projects, one has been rented out on occasion to friends, while another level is full of workshops, but mostly adhering to the same interior since the Bank.
Among the floors and all that square footage, only one elevator exists with its original copper cage. Linda, wife of Jay, told NY mag, "You know what a sign of love is, in this family? It's if you come home and the elevator is on the ground floor."
This ink-crazed, mystery mansion had been said to be estimated up to $70 million six years ago. Can you imagine what it is listed at today? Affordable, right?
