Candy Factory Loft Full of Leather and Animal Skins Wants $11.5M
Mitch Alfus—self-proclaimed Leather King, owner of a leather and animal skins supplier, and man we would cast in a remake of “Crocodile Dundee”—has just listed his loft at 285 Lafayette Street for $11.5 million. Alfus purchased the unit ten years ago for a considerably less $3.4 million and has since renovated the pad, adding a fourth bedroom and an interestingly placed master bathtub.
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The 4,060-square-foot loft has a keyed elevator and a 70-foot western wall lined with 10-foot windows. The massive 48-by-35-foot living and dining room features 12-foot ceilings, cast iron columns, and well-preserved exposed wooden beams.
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Off the entertainment space, the chef’s kitchen features dark cabinetry, black granite countertops, high-end stainless steel appliances, and an extra large wine refrigerator. The north-facing master has a seating area and remixed master bathroom with two walls of custom closets and the aforementioned tub—a deep-soaking Waterworks model that demands attention by floating on display right in the middle of the room. All three additional rooms are generously sized.
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285 Lafayette Street was built in the 19th century and used to be home to the famous Hawley & Hoops candy factory. In 1999 Costas Kondylis transformed the building into a luxury full-service condominium. The intimate ten-story building has only 21 ultra-private residences. Past and present residents include David Bowie and Iman, Courtney Love, hotelier Ian Schrager, and actor Saul Rubinek from “Frasier” (see his former loft here).
[Listing: 285 Lafayette Street #2B by Jessica C. Campbell of Nest Seekers]
[Via CityRealty and Curbed]
Photos courtesy of Nest Seekers












