July 25, 2025 | New York City
Brooklyn-based developer Shimshon Grunstein is moving forward with plans to convert a former church in East Harlem into an 88-unit residential development. The site, located at 442 East 119th Street, previously housed the Roman Catholic Church of St. Paul and Holy Rosary. Grunstein acquired the property in an all-cash $5 million deal last month and intends to add three stories to the existing structure, creating a six-story residential building with rooftop outdoor space.
The building’s first five floors will host 16 units each, while the top floor will have 8 units, totaling 88 residences. The property’s long history of stalled redevelopment efforts includes a previously failed demolition attempt and an abandoned museum plan, which was scrapped due to a projected $44 million repair bill. Grunstein’s construction estimate filed with the Department of Buildings sits at $6.4 million, though actual costs are expected to be higher.
This project is part of a broader citywide trend where churches and other religious properties are being repurposed as housing. As faith-based institutions sell off assets to manage finances, developers are eager to adapt these architecturally unique properties into residential uses.
There is currently no word on plans for the adjacent rectory at 444 East 119th Street, which was also part of the acquisition. Grunstein has not commented publicly on the construction timeline or unit breakdown.