A historic three-story brick building on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, once a synagogue and later the home of prominent Abstract Expressionist artists, is on the market for $10.95 million. Located at 80 Forsyth Street, the 6,800-square-foot property dates back to 1874 and features a mikvah, or ritual bath, on its lower level—a rare architectural element reflecting the neighborhood’s Eastern European Jewish heritage.
The current owners, artist Dana Barnes and her husband, private investor Dale Westhoff, purchased the building in 2013 for $6.4 million after outbidding several other parties. Barnes, recognized for her large-scale fiber sculptures and mixed-media works, used the space as a studio and gallery, displaying vibrant textiles and hosting art events. The building also served as the residence and creative space of Abstract Expressionist painters Milton Resnick and Pat Passlof from the 1960s until their deaths in 2004 and 2011 respectively.
“We fell in love immediately; it was like being in a time portal to another era,” Westhoff said. The couple also maintain a home and studio loft in Soho but said they have been using the Forsyth Street space less frequently. Barnes, who has recently been dividing her time between New York and Amsterdam, explained that with their two daughters grown, it was a fitting moment to consolidate her workspaces.
The building retains many original features including large casement windows, cast-iron columns, wood and concrete floors, skylights, fireplaces, and stone seating in the mikvah area. Architectural details such as the fire escape, which incorporates Stars of David in wrought iron, and the pointed arch windows from its synagogue days remain intact. Additionally, the upper gallery mezzanine and pine-paneled walls were constructed by Resnick and Passlof in the 1960s and have been preserved.
Listing agents from Sotheby’s International Realty noted that the property is not located within a landmark district, allowing for potential development opportunities. Approximately 10,000 square feet of additional air rights accompany the sale, which could appeal to buyers interested in expanding the structure.
The building includes two vintage kitchens, two and a half bathrooms, a laundry area, and two wood-burning fireplaces. Although there is no elevator, there are two staircases, and the lower level boasts ceilings over 18 feet high. The top floors provide views of the nearby Sara D. Roosevelt Park, and the roof could be converted into an entertaining space. A small fenced outdoor area at the rear adds to the property’s amenities.
The former mikvah space is no longer functional as a ritual bath but has been integrated into Barnes’s studio, offering usable space unlike typical basements. Westhoff recalled their children’s initial excitement about the mikvah, likening it to a pool, before realizing it would remain dry.
The couple acknowledged the unique nature of the building and their role in its preservation. “We’ve been its stewards, really,” Westhoff said. “You don’t really own a building like this. We’re just a stage of the next chapter.”