Mercer Parking Garage to be Converted to Retail, Office Space

SOHO, NY — A piece of SoHo history is on its way out.

According to an application that was processed by the city on July 28, big changes are coming to the historic Mercer Street Garage at 165 Mercer St. The garage is set for a $5 million overhaul which will see it converted to retail on the first floor and office space on floors two through six. The building as it stands now is five floors, but the application also includes "vertically enlarging" the building.

The building itself has landmark status, and was built in 1871. The plan to build a sixth floor, replace the ground floor storefronts and remove the fire escapes on the front will go before Community Board 2 on Aug. 11.

The garage was purchased by the Mercer Parking Garage Corp. in 1969, and the same corporation ran the building until earlier this year. The building was sold by the Mercer Parking Garage Corp. in April after owning it for 47 years, records show.

No word on what the retail space will include, but Mercer Street has become a home to pricey retailers. There's already a Kenneth Cole location right across the street and Versace, Balenciaga and Vera Wang stores on the block.

Photo Credit: Google Maps Street View circa September 2014