Daniel Arsham turned this SoHo firehouse into a $9M live-work space
Daniel Arsham turned this Manhattan firehouse into a modern SoHo live-work space listed for just under $9 million. The contemporary artist bought the 1887 Engine Company No. 55 building in summer 2022 for nearly $6 million, then customized the landmark with a mint-green spiral staircase, poured-concrete studio, and a rare private drive-in garage beneath historic industrial bones.
Key Takeaways
- Artist Daniel Arsham listed his converted SoHo firehouse at 185 Lafayette Street for just under $9 million with Nick Gavin Properties at Compass.
- He purchased the 1887 Napoleon LeBrun-designed building in summer 2022 for nearly $6 million and customized it as a studio, garage, and home.
- The roughly 2,100-square-foot property spans four stories with 13-foot ceilings, a mint-green spiral staircase, and a landscaped rooftop terrace.
- Interiors feature wide-plank oak floors, a Miele and Sub-Zero kitchen, and a full-floor primary suite—the home's sole bedroom.
- The listing includes smart-home systems and climate controls tailored for art preservation, but none of the displayed artwork is for sale.
Why is Daniel Arsham selling his SoHo firehouse now?
Arsham—best known for his "fictional archaeology" works that transform pop-culture objects into eroded, crystal-infused relics—has put his stylishly updated Lower Manhattan digs on the market. Nick Gavin Properties at Compass represents the listing.
The sale marks a new chapter for a building that has already lived several lives. Over the summer of 2022, Arsham paid nearly $6 million for the converted New York firehouse designed by official FDNY architect Napoleon LeBrun and completed in 1887 for Engine Company No. 55.
What makes this Manhattan firehouse listing so rare?
Spanning almost 21 feet wide across four stories, the landmarked 19th-century structure retains original patterned brickwork and cast-iron pillars topped with flame motifs. What sets it apart in Manhattan is the ground floor: Arsham repurposed it into a soaring studio and garage with poured concrete floors, custom bookshelves, and double-bay doors plus an existing curb cut.
That layout let him park his matching Porsche 964 Carrera 2 on site—a private drive-in garage is a genuine rarity in the city. Beyond the garage, the firehouse also boasts a landscaped rooftop with a built-in outdoor kitchen, a cabana, and panoramic downtown skyline views.
What design details define Arsham's live-work conversion?
Inside, light-filled upper levels showcase wide-plank oak floors, 13-foot ceilings, and large windows framing Lafayette Street. An iron spiral staircase painted in Arsham's signature mint green connects the floors and has become a defining visual element of the renovation.
Above the garage and studio sits a spacious living room beneath an exposed wood-beamed ceiling. The sleek kitchen features white oak cabinetry, an eat-in island, and top-tier Miele and Sub-Zero appliances. Per Artnet, interiors are decorated with works by KAWS, Josh Sperling, and Arsham himself, though none of the art is included in the sale.
How is the home laid out across four stories?
The full-floor primary suite—the home's sole bedroom—is dressed in wallpaper inspired by an installation Arsham created in Paris. It includes a bespoke walk-in closet and a bath with Vola fixtures, a sculpted sink, and a windowed steam shower.
The basement holds storage, laundry facilities, and a flexible recreation area. Integrated high-tech systems include smart-home automation, security systems, and multi-zone climate control tailored for art preservation. For more standout properties like this, browse our Luxury Real Estate & Dream Homes coverage.