BROWNSTONER: Bushwick Church Converts to Rentals

By Harley Courts

Every day is a blessed one to any fortunate soul who rents at The Saint Marks. That’s because the building is a renovated Lutheran church, and its Gothic ceilings inspire not only awe but solemnity.

The 99-unit project includes an adjoining school at 626 Bushwick Avenue, also renovated, and two new structures — a seven-story building (with elevator) and a four-story infill building between the church and school. Leases on a mix of studios, one- and two-bedrooms, and duplexes are now available.

In the church, built in the 1890s and located at 618 Bushwick Avenue, the architecture expresses itself uniquely in every unit — different shaped brickwork, an archway here, a facade there, as well as distinctive windows.

In the new infill building, renters get multiple historic views — one of the school, and one of the church, both Victorian Gothic structures made of Philadelphia brick and Nova Scotia sandstone.

The cathedral ceilings can be found in six duplex units on the third floor of the church. With a dramatic slope more than 20 feet high, these duplexes also have private outdoor terraces that can be accessed through the bedroom.

“The visuals of this project are really drawing people,” says Alexandria Lust, listing manager, Nooklyn. “It’s something a bit more Gothic and lofty than what they’ve been looking at.”

Amenities include bike storage, indoor and outdoor parking, and Zipcar on premise in the garage. Each apartment has air conditioning, and laundry units are scattered through the building. There’s outdoor space too, with private and common roof decks, while some of the first floor units have a deck patio outside.

There’s plenty to do in the neighborhood, with restaurants and bars (Skytown, Birdy’s, Little Mo), a reading room and library (Mellow Pages) and, of course, warehouse parties.

And there’s easy access to the J/M/Z trains at Myrtle Avenue.

Units start at $2,300 a month. The landlord is offering six weeks free on a 12-month lease.