A Church Turned Condo Sparks Community Outrage
This isn’t just any residence; it’s supposed to be homely.
A brutally transformed church in Greenpoint has now become a condominium, upsetting local residents. McGorrick Park, which recently entered the rental market, is seeing rental prices that have only added to community frustrations.
Listings for seven apartments in the striking white building on Russell Street show rents starting at $7,500 and reaching up to $12,500 monthly, as per recent postings.
These high-priced apartments, flaunting “unprecedented high ceilings” and “new interior renovations,” didn’t catch a break from local neighbors last summer. The developers decisively stripped away the cherished façade of the church, leaving behind what many call a soulless eyesore.
In a baffling turn of design, an off-center window has been installed above the front door.
“Behold the grand opening of a former church transformed into a luxurious living space with layouts like no other in New York City,” reads one listing. It’s riddled with typos, notably pointing out the extremes the listing goes to capture attention.
This property once housed the Park Church Co-op, which the community fought hard to preserve. Ultimately, it was sold for $4.7 million to Sarah Rottenberg, a Dutch social media influencer, and GW Russell LLC.
The new high-end units reflect a modern, somewhat bland aesthetic typical in today’s city developments, leaving behind the church’s majestic allure.
Among them, the priciest unit, renting for a staggering $12,500, includes four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Remarkably, it’s one of just two units with access to a backyard.
Don’t worry, though—there’s an enticing offer. Renters who sign an 18-month lease can enjoy one month free.
For a slightly lower price of $11,300, another expansive 3,000-square-foot unit showcases five bedrooms across multiple levels.
The least expensive option is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit going for $7,500.
In contrast, Greenpoint’s average rent in 2025 hovers around $4,698, according to StreetEasy.
A spokesperson from Triboro Realty, when contacted by The Post, didn’t provide a compelling reason for the inflated prices, only asserting that “this is a fair market.” They maintained the listings are reflective of the luxury apartments offered.
Curiously enough, even with their lackluster charm, there seems to be interest in living within these renovated churches. Some listings reportedly showed as “Leased/Expired” within just 24 hours of becoming available.
While Triboro Realty couldn’t confirm if all units were rented, they insisted the property remained listed, despite its absence from general searches. Community members claimed it was pulled amidst backlash from discontented Greenpointers.
Comments surfaced online, with one person noting, “I’m deleting all my lists—I think she’s hated too.”
Another remarked on the absurdity of the pricing, stating “What a literary theft,” while further comments echoed shared disbelief and frustration.
Local residents have been vocal since the church’s sale last year, yet anger peaked when recent construction revealed the removal of a beautiful stained-glass arch, a demolished ornate staircase, and the entire brick façade painted over in dull white.
One neighbor, who also works as an architect, lamented, “You have to be a terrible architect to do this. They prioritize money over everything else. It’s all about cutting costs.”
