Seaport Mews, 264 Water Street, New York, New York

Project Date: 1988

Architect: John Barton, AIA

Rendering by Juliana Bohem

Primary Materials: Adobe and Wood Frame Walls; Built Up Roofing; Interior Diamond Finish Plaster; Tile; Marble counter tops; Maple, Oak, and Walnut Flooring

Primary Preservation Focus: doors, windows, roof, porch, flooring, exhibition area, ADA compliance, lighting, work room upgrades


Located in Manhattan’s landmark designated South Street Seaport district, this 1835 “Mill” building was used as a warehouse and staging area by generations of rag merchants – a longstanding and respected trade. As business declined in the late seventies, developers James Buden and 264 Water Street Associates purchased the building with a first-rate restoration and luxury condominium conversion in mind. The first floor is to house commercial space, and the upper five floors and two story addition housing 24 luxury loft apartments. The building has views of the Seaport, the Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River. Under the auspices of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, careful attention has been paid in the current design to the Seaport Mews’ cast iron first floor facade and its Greek Revival detailing. Design themes from the Seaport area’s longstanding tradition of stone, iron and wood construction have been incorporated with state of the art security and convenience systems. Loft units will be easily convertible to one or two bedrooms. Many have expansive terraces and all are to have working fireplaces.