Walk down Bleecker towards the corner of Lafayette and you can't miss it. It's that massive, Romanesque Revival beast with the deep red brick and the arched windows that look like they belong in a cathedral rather than a condo building. This is 36 Bleecker Street NYC. Most people know it as The Schumacher. If you’ve ever scrolled through high-end Manhattan real estate listings and felt a pang of envy over double-height ceilings and private courtyard gardens, you were probably looking at this place.
It's old. Really old.
Originally built in the late 1800s, it wasn't always a place where celebrities and tech moguls hid away from the paparazzi. It was a printing plant. Schumacher & Ettlinger—a lithographic firm—ran the show here. They pumped out labels, posters, and fine art prints when NoHo was a gritty industrial hub, not the boutique-lined luxury corridor it is today. Honestly, the transformation of this specific block mirrors the entire evolution of Lower Manhattan. From ink-stained floorboards to white marble kitchens.
Why 36 Bleecker Street NYC Still Dominates the NoHo Conversation
NoHo is weird. It’s tiny—just a few blocks wedged between the East Village, Greenwich Village, and SoHo. But 36 Bleecker Street NYC is the anchor. When Stillman Development took over the property to convert it into luxury lofts around 2013-2014, they didn't just slap on a coat of paint. They hired Morris Adjmi Architects. If you know NYC architecture, you know Adjmi is the king of "industrial chic." He’s the guy who understands how to make a new steel beam look like it’s been there for a century.
The building is a "Queen Anne" style fortress.
The renovation was massive. They kept the soul of the 1883 and 1885 structures but gutted the insides to create 20 massive residences. We’re talking about ceiling heights that hit 13 to 15 feet in some units. That’s not normal for New York. Usually, you’re lucky to get nine feet without hitting your head on a sprinkler pipe. At 36 Bleecker, the scale is almost intimidating.
The Courtyard That Changed Everything
One of the most talked-about features isn't even inside the apartments. It’s the courtyard. Ken Smith—the landscape architect who did the MoMA roof garden—designed it. It’s this lush, hidden sanctuary in the middle of the building. Because 36 Bleecker Street NYC is so deep, the developers realized they could carve out the center to bring light into the middle of the floor plates.
It worked.
👉 See also: Why the Man Black Hair Blue Eyes Combo is So Rare (and the Genetics Behind It)
The courtyard isn't just a patch of grass. It’s a curated forest with a fountain and sculptural elements. Residents look out their windows and see green instead of a brick wall or a neighbor’s kitchen. In a city where "view" usually means "the guy across the street in his underwear," that’s a big deal.
Real Talk About the Real Estate Market Here
Let's look at the numbers because they’re kinda staggering. When units first hit the market a decade ago, they were setting records. We saw penthouses asking $20 million and up. Even the "smaller" two-bedroom units were moving for $4 million or $5 million.
Why?
- Scarcity. There are only 20 units. That’s it.
- The Floorboards. They used cold-rolled steel and massive oak planks.
- The Neighborhood. NoHo has a strict landmark status. You can’t just build a glass tower next door. Your light and air are protected.
I remember a specific 4-bedroom unit that sold for roughly $13.5 million a few years back. It had over 4,500 square feet. In Manhattan, that’s a mansion. It’s larger than most suburban homes. The monthly common charges and taxes alone on these units can exceed $10,000. It’s a playground for the 1%, obviously.
The Celebrity Factor
You can't talk about 36 Bleecker Street NYC without mentioning the people who live there. Or lived there. It’s been a magnet for names you’d recognize.
- Gigi Hadid. She famously owned a unit here (actually, she had two and combined them).
- Zayn Malik. Also had a bachelor pad in the building for a while.
- Other A-listers. Various financiers and fashion moguls who value the 24-hour doorman and the "discreet" entrance.
The building is set up for privacy. The lobby is grand but understated. It’s not flashy like a Billionaire’s Row tower in Midtown. It’s cool. It’s NoHo cool.
The Design Details Most People Miss
Morris Adjmi didn't just preserve the exterior. He played with the windows. The original arched windows are huge, but he added these blackened steel frames that give it a modern edge. Inside, the kitchens use "Calacatta" marble—the stuff that looks like it has grey veins running through a white clouds.
✨ Don't miss: Chuck E. Cheese in Boca Raton: Why This Location Still Wins Over Parents
Most lofts have crappy storage. 36 Bleecker is different. They built in custom cabinetry that actually reaches those 15-foot ceilings. You need a library ladder just to get your cereal. But it looks incredible.
The floors are worth mentioning too. They used wide-plank white oak. It’s rift-sawn, which means the grain is straight and consistent. It’s a small detail, but it’s why the rooms feel so calm. There isn't a lot of "visual noise."
The Infrastructure Upgrade
They didn't just make it pretty. They made it smart. The building has a state-of-the-art gym, a refrigerated storage room for grocery deliveries (kinda essential when you’re ordering from high-end butchers), and a bike room.
But honestly? The real luxury is the soundproofing.
Bleecker Street is loud. It’s full of tourists, shoppers, and people heading to the subways. But once you step inside 36 Bleecker Street NYC, it’s silent. They used multi-layered glass and thick masonry walls. You could have a parade outside and you wouldn't hear a peep in your living room.
Is NoHo Losing Its Edge?
Some people argue that buildings like The Schumacher have "sanitized" the neighborhood. Back in the 70s and 80s, NoHo was where artists like Basquiat and Warhol hung out. It was messy. It was cheap.
Now? It’s one of the most expensive zip codes in the country.
🔗 Read more: The Betta Fish in Vase with Plant Setup: Why Your Fish Is Probably Miserable
But here’s the thing: 36 Bleecker Street NYC actually saved a piece of history. Without the luxury conversion, that building might have fallen into disrepair or been chopped up into tiny, illegal office spaces. Instead, the facade was meticulously restored. The original cornice was repaired. The brickwork was pointed. It looks better now than it did in 1950.
It’s a trade-off. You lose the "gritty artist" vibe, but you keep the architectural heritage of the city.
What to Know Before You Look (or Dream)
If you’re actually in the market for a spot at 36 Bleecker Street NYC, you need to move fast. These units don't sit on the market. They often trade "off-market" through high-end brokers like Douglas Elliman or Compass.
- Expect high fees. The staff-to-resident ratio is high.
- Check the lighting. Because the building is deep, units on lower floors that don't face the street or the courtyard can feel a bit dark. Aim for a "through-unit" that gets light from both sides.
- The Board. It’s a condo, not a co-op, so the approval process is easier, but they still want to know who you are.
Actionable Advice for Real Estate Enthusiasts
If you’re a fan of NYC history or looking to invest in the area, here’s how to handle the NoHo market:
- Study the Landmarked Map. NoHo is a landmarked district. This means your view is less likely to be blocked by a new skyscraper. It’s a "safe" investment for light and air.
- Look for "Adjmi" Buildings. Morris Adjmi has several projects in the area (like 11 Bond and 211 Schermerhorn). His involvement usually adds a 10-15% premium to the resale value.
- Visit at Night. Bleecker Street changes after dark. If you're looking to buy, walk the block at 11 PM on a Saturday. You'll see the real traffic patterns and noise levels before you drop $5 million.
- Tax Abatements. Check if there are any remaining 421-a tax abatements. Many of these luxury conversions had them, but they are starting to expire, which means your monthly taxes could jump significantly in the next few years.
36 Bleecker Street NYC isn't just a building; it's a testament to how New York reinvents itself. It took a factory that printed paper and turned it into a fortress of glass, steel, and stone. Whether you're a buyer or just an architecture nerd, it's a landmark worth knowing.
The best way to experience it? Stand on the corner of Bleecker and Lafayette, look up at those top-floor arched windows, and imagine the view from the other side. It’s pretty spectacular.