This incredible, turnkey business in the Delaware River Valley, less than 120 miles from NYC, is ready to go with a three bedroom house included in the sale.
From an overgrown ruin, a new life has been breathed into this solid, concrete and brick structure built by Standard Oil in 1879. Fast forward 145 years – Cochecton Pump House has created an entirely one-of-kind restaurant, bar and event space; it’s also received an Excellence Award by the Preservation League of New York State. Tucked into the upper Delaware River valley, it’s conveniently located between two hotbeds of the Sullivan Catskills renaissance – Narrowsburg and Callicoon.
Historic building dating to 1879 | Turnkey business, currently with liquor license (new owners will have to reapply as a formality) | Approximately 3,600 square feet | Two modified containers: one for bar/ordering, the other a fully equipped kitchen | Sale includes three bedroom, one bathroom home | High ceiling from an 1890 firehouse | Approx 1900 sq ft home on ~3 acres (after subdivision) | Home is adjacent to business for staff housing | Asking $750,000
Listed by Erik Freeland, @catskills_living, at Country House Realty. Original listing with more information here. For showings or inquiries, email erik@countryhouserealty.com or call (646) 942-7099.
After three seasons, the Pump House has quickly become the talk-of-the-town local attraction. The sensation of eating some food, having a drink, and hanging with friends as the blue hour descends into a magical mix of blue and gold light creates an atmosphere that is truly incredible.
For history buffs, the pump house was built by John Rockefeller’s Standard Oil in 1879. There was a six inch pipeline originating in western PA; crude was piped along the Southern Tier of NY. The steam-powered pumps kept the oil flowing to a refinery in Bayonne, NJ in order to supply NYC.
Nowadays, there’s a myriad of possibilities at the Cochecton Pump House: live music, performances, weddings, dog shows, movie showings, private functions – the list goes on! Clients include a great mix of locals, tourists, second home owners and day trippers from NYC. Regular events bring in a steady flow of customers. Events from weddings, private parties, movie nights, pop-up restaurants, local beer competitions: a new owner is only limited by their own imagination.
A parking lot and handicap accessible walkway leads down to two fully equipped repurposed containers. One container takes food orders and serves local tap beers, wine and frozen drinks. The functional and equipped kitchen is in the other. There is a well on site and ample electric. A tidy and efficient bathroom trailer sits conveniently adjacent to the main area.
The home, thought to have been built in the late 1800s for the engineer in charge of the pump house, has three bedrooms, one bath and a finished attic. (See it in slides 13-19.) A renovation could add more bedrooms in the ~1900 square feet of space. The home would make an ideal place to house employees, a guest chef or musical guests.
To get a feel for the current business, check out Cochecton Pumphouse’s website and Instagram.
