Fort Greene Rental in Gothic Chapel-Turned-Condo With Soaring Ceiling, Stained Glass Asks $4,100

An unusual space that includes a vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows, skylights and a spiral staircase, this Fort Greene rental also comes with some intriguing history. The two-bedroom apartment is on the top floor of a former chapel turned condo building at 264 Cumberland Street.

It’s located in the Fort Greene Historic District, but the report describes the history of the building, known as the Capilla Catolica San Juan at the time of the 1978 designation, as “ambiguous,” with a possible construction date of the 1880s. It took some digging, but taking up the research gauntlet uncovered that the neo-Gothic facade dates to 1885, when architect Mercein Thomas was hired to extensively renovate an existing building on the site. Then known as 266 Cumberland Street, it became the new home of the Church of the Blessed Hope.

The building Thomas renovated likely dated to the 1860s and was originally built as the Cumberland Street Lecture Hall. Later known simply as the Chapel on Cumberland Street, in 1874 it became the Church of the Incarnation. Thomas’ Gothic-inspired exterior alterations from 1885 seem to have survived a remodeling in 1897 for yet another congregation, the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity.

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The former chapel was converted to condos and dubbed The Sanctuary, with the 13 units hitting the market for the first time in 2008. The condo up for rent is on the top floor, which accounts for its dramatic appearance.

The apartment has an open-plan living area and kitchen under the peak of the roof, which means a soaring ceiling with exposed beams as well as a rose window and multiple Gothic-arched windows. In addition, two skylights bring light into the space.

The open-plan kitchen has a large marble-topped peninsula, white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.

A spiral staircase in the living area leads up to a lofted bedroom that manages to fit in some built-in storage and a closet that holds the washer/dryer. There’s another bedroom on the main level that doesn’t appear to have windows but does have two skylights and a large closet. There’s another closet off the foyer and next to it is the one full bath in the apartment.

The latter is perhaps a bit dated in style but looks to be in good shape. It has brown wall tile and a jetted tub.

Listed by Orrie King and Vanesa Lazo of Compass, the apartment is asking $4,100 a month. Spark your interest?

[Listing: 264 Cumberland Street, #9 | Broker: Compass] GMAP

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