Arcus Development Files Plans to Convert East Village Parking Garage into Housing

Arcus Development, a Manhattan-based firm known for its luxury residential projects, has filed plans to transform a former parking garage in the East Village into a six-story residential building. The parking garage, located at 220 E. Ninth St., has been closed since last year due to structural concerns.

Acquisition and Background

Roger Bittenbender, head of Arcus Development, purchased the property in March for $14 million from Walter & Samuels, a Manhattan landlord. The acquisition followed an inspection that revealed structural issues in the garage, which was prompted by the collapse of a similar garage in the Financial District.

New Residential Building

Arcus Development has submitted permits to the Department of Buildings to partially demolish the condemned structure and construct a new residential building with 18 units. The type of units—whether rentals or condominiums—has not been disclosed. Despite the property's current use as a parking garage with 175 spaces, no rezoning is required for the residential project.

Project Costs and Details

The demolition and renovation project is estimated to cost over $10 million. The new building will include 10 enclosed parking spaces. This conversion follows the city-mandated inspections of parking structures after the fatal collapse at 57 Ann St., which revealed issues in the East Ninth Street garage.

Architectural Design

The design for the new building is being handled by Brooklyn-based Coldberg Architecture, with Eugene Coldberg as the principal architect. Both Bittenbender and Coldberg declined to comment on the project.