MELROSE > LANDMARK PROPERTY | FEB. 12, 2025
The Old Bronx Borough Courthouse is Still on the Market; Now Asking $35M
Pictures: Courtesy of Tri State Commercial Realty Services
The historic 121,000-square-foot building has graced the corner of 878 Brook Ave in the Bronx since 1914 and is ready for its next opportunity. The Beaux-Arts style building was listed for sale in March 2024 for $40 million and is remarkably still on the market after a $5M price drop. The Old Bronx Courthouse underwent a $10 million restoration in recent years to restore its historic details. Inside, the courthouse is unfinished, a blank canvas with some of its architectural integrity and architectural value still intact. In the entry you will find barrel-vaulted ceilings and a grand rotunda with terrazzo floors; above the entrance, a statue of Lady Justice.
Over the years everything was stripped and little remains of the original courthouse interior. Gone are the judge’s quarters, the jail cells and the upper levels remain unused. The renovation efforts introduced new windows, elevators, updated electrical and plumbing systems, three mezzanines, and repurposed the basement and attic, creating 115,000 square feet of usable space across nine floors. The building now features modern mechanical systems, including a cold-water booster, underground plumbing, a new generator, a fire pump, and is fully thermally insulated with fireproofed perimeters.
Despite having a hefty price tag, the roughly 121,000-square-foot building needs framing, drywall, plumbing, and flooring and it may take several million dollars for the building to be out-fitted for its new owner.
Designed by the acclaimed architect George B. Post, in 1905 the Courthouse immediately captured attention with its stately limestone façade, grand columns, and elaborate carvings. The building was constructed from stone and granite, featuring lavish interiors, chandeliers, intricate ornaments, and its stained glass windows. Its magnificent lobby boasted high ceilings, detailed stonework, marble staircases, and ornate wood paneling, exuding an aura of opulence.
The building originally housed three courtrooms, a coroner’s office, and a jail in the basement. For decades, it thrived as the Bronx’s judicial hub, bustling with activity and shaping the borough’s legal landscape.
According to the city historians, from 1900 to 1930 the Bronx’s population skyrocketed from approximately 200k residents to 1.25 million. This growth was largely driven by an influx of immigrants, particularly from Eastern Europe.
This unforeseen growth prompted the city to retire the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse and construct a new, larger facility to meet the borough’s expanding needs. The city invested $8 million into building a new Bronx County Courthouse in 1934. The majority of the departments moved to the spacious facility, leaving only a police court at the Third Avenue site until 1977, when the building was officially closed by the city.
In 1981 the Old Bronx Borough courthouse was designated a New York City landmark, ensuring its historical and architectural significance would not be forgotten. The landmark status preserved the building from demolition but left its future uncertain.
History of ownership:
- 1996: The city held an auction at 1 Police Plaza and the courthouse was sold for $130,000 to Gus Kitkas, the owner of Five Borough Electrical Supply Corporation.
- 1998: It was auctioned again and sold for $300,000 to Henry Weinstein (Liberty Square Realty)
Since closing in 1977 the building remained empty with the exception of an art exhibit in 2015.
In 2016, the courthouse was considered as a location for the Universal Hip Hop Museum, but this was later dropped.
The Courthouse is located in the heart of the South Bronx, close to the NYC Charter High School for Architecture, and Boricua College. The Melrose neighborhood offers its residents restaurants, coffee shops, and attractions such as Third Avenue BID aka The Hub; the Bronx busiest intersection outside of Time Square and The Bronx’s oldest shopping district with the highest concentration of banks. You will also find the Bronx Music Heritage Center and The Bronx Music Hall. Melrose has been lovingly called the unofficial downtown of the Bronx and in 2019 listed as one of New York City’s hottest neighborhoods.
Public transportation includes the 2/4/5 trains at 149th Street and Grand Concourse or 2/5 at 3rd Avenue and 149th Street and the Melrose Metro North Station at 162nd Street.
With its historical and architectural charm, landmark properties from the 1900s offer timeless craftsmanship, intricate details, and unique styles that are hard to replicate today. These features add undeniable character and makes this building stand out and also creates a profound connection to the past. While the timing of a new buyer may be uncertain, the appeal of such a property will ensure it remains highly sought after.
Tri State Commercial® Realty has the listing, and the property is priced at $35M. What do you think?
I would love to see a Trader Joes in the area.
*This article is based on publicly available sources and is intended for informational purposes only. We do not claim ownership of the content used and encourage readers to refer to the original materials from their respective authors.
