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The Sugar Loaf Building: 155 Franklin Street

A historic Tribeca building filled with delightful architecture and famous faces.

If you are in the market for a historical residence with plenty of flair, 155 Franklin Street is the place to be. Dating back to 1882, the Sugar Loaf Building is an architectural gem known for its historical past and exciting present. It was built by George W. DaCunha, and Franklin Baylies renovated the building in 1912.

At its inception, the Sugar Loaf Building was built for storage, and it continued to be used for that purpose until 1996. The transformation into private residences began at that time.

In 1996, the building went through its first major remodel. At that time, condos were constructed, and some of its first tenants moved in. Throughout the years, condominiums have been sold to real estate investors, NYC residents, and celebrities alike.

Each of the 10 condominiums and single commercial unit of the Sugar Loaf building feature many of its original details. Across the 40,682 square feet of living and storage space, wooden beams line the ceilings and exposed brick highlight the outer walls. Steel columns in the original floorplan still line the interiors of the residences.

Taylor Swift’s Neighbors With Famous Faces

Walking by the Sugar Loaf Building, you just might walk past a myriad of entertainment and sports’ famous faces, but none will be more popular than singer Taylor Swift. Ms. Swift is a long-time resident of the Sugar Loaf Building and owns two separate condos, as well as a townhouse.

Ms. Swift bought her first residence at the Sugar Loaf Building in 2014 for $19.95 million from Peter Jackson-director of Lord of the Rings. This condo extends across the entire top floor of the building and is roughly 8,000 square feet. Taylor Swift purchased her second condo for $9.75 million in an off-market deal. This 3,540-square-foot condo is on the second floor.

Taylor Swift isn’t the only celebrity to have owned a residence in the Sugar Loaf Building. Comedian Aziz Ansari and actor Orlando Bloom have both owned homes at 155 Franklin Street.

Currently, there are no active listings in the building, but there are neighboring residences for sale ranging from $5.8 to almost $14 million. How would you like to be Taylor Swift’s new neighbor?

PH7W at 36 N Moore for sale for $5.85 million, right next door to Taylor Swift’s building. RealtyHop listing

Tribeca

Located in the borough of Manhattan, Tribeca is an upscale neighborhood teeming with popular faces and low-key yet upscale venues. Coined “Triangle Below Canal Street,” by many, Tribeca is an incredibly sought-after area of Manhattan.

In the early 1900s, the Tribeca neighborhood was a bustling area focused on textiles and dry goods. Once the 1960s arrived, those businesses moved out of the neighborhood. Soon, groups of artists found homes in the vacant warehouses. Art flourished in the area, and large galleries such as Bortolami and Postmasters Gallery call Tribeca their home today.

Originally known as the Butter and Egg District and Washington Market by local vendors, in the 1970s, the artists of Lispenard Street decided to name the neighborhood after the three streets that form a triangular block-Church Street, Broadway, and Canal Street. The artists employed the services of city planning members to “map” out the area and help them name their home, similar to the process that the SoHo Artists Association took and named their association, The Triangle Below Canal Block Association. However, later on, a reporter mistakenly assumed that the name was for the entire neighborhood, not the triangular shape of the three streets, and the neighborhood’s title was cemented as Tribeca.

Over the years, the area has grown to nearly double the size of nearby SoHo and now extends east of Broadway to Centre Street, toward West Street, and downtown to Vesey.

Architecture and the Tribeca Neighborhood

Investors and real estate connoisseurs around the globe love the buildings in Tribeca for a reason, and the Sugar Loaf Building is no exception. The majority of the neighborhood’s pre-Civil War architecture is still proudly standing.

In Tribeca, you will find one of the world’s largest groupings of Neo-Grec design. This gorgeous architectural marvel is reflected by the neo-classical style, with heavy Greek influences.

Loft-style condos pepper the streets of this trendy neighborhood, and low-rises with wrought-iron facades are coveted by many, like the Cast Iron House and the Worth Building. Tribeca and Soho have earned the bragging rights of having the largest amount of iron facades in the world.

The Cast Iron House in Tribeca. RealtyHop listing

Residents and visitors to the building have many options for entertainment and dining nearby. The Frenchette is perfect for date night or for bringing family from out of town. Locanda Verde is a great spot for breakfast or brunch.

Families will find everything they need in Tribeca while living at the Sugar Loaf Building. TriBeCa Community School and Independence School are just a few of the possibilities. Take the kids to Washington Market Park for a great afternoon of playing with their friends, and maybe chat it up with your new neighbor Taylor Swift?

Kristi Hill is a freelance writer who loves to travel, cook and watch college football. When she isn’t writing, she’s usually listening to classic rock and spending time with her dog, Chico.

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