With Several Startups on Board, 135 Bowery Becomes a Tech Incubator
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Can it be? Yup, looks like the troubled 135 Bowery finally has its first tenant. In a further boost to the burgeoning startup scene on the block, another tech newcomer called Breather just moved into the fifth floor.
The choice location – 135 Bowery – was previously home to a wood-framed, Federal-style row house dating to 1818. Unfortunately, the de-landmarked structure was leveled in 2011 (thanks are in order for Margaret Chin), leading to construction of the seven-story office building now on the block. Developer First International Bank initially intended to use much of the space for its offices, but unsurprisingly backed out and sold out. Caspi Development acquired the rebuilt property for $16.2 million last October, and is betting big that this nook of the Bowery becomes a high-tech sibling of Astor Place (it’s not fuckin’ Midtown South).
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Breather operates a “network of beautifully designed, multifunctional workspaces” throughout the city. These breather rooms, if you will, are essentially whitebox spaces for super-short-term rentals. Their literature explains how customers typically use the service. But we can’t help but think that some afternoon delight might happen, too. Cost seems to be upwards of $30 per hour, depending on location. 135 Bowery is not yet added to their map, though.
But Breather won’t be alone at 135 Bowery. We’re told that Caspi already has several other companies signed on, including RTS Ventures, Yesh Media, ATTN:, and Liquid Talent.
Caspi also owns 161 Bowery up the block, converted into luxury offices for start-up tenants like Kik Interactive.
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