Escape to this charming live-work-play gem – Up North – in the western Catskills’ North Branch, NY. Originally built in 1950 as a butcher shop, this handsome one-story brick building has been masterfully renovated into a mixed-use space that blends original character with modern luxury. Find daily inspiration in the surrounding landscape of natural tranquility and small-town charm, while building a dream career or business.
Entire property features: Combination commercial & residential space, spanning 900 square feet on .67 acres | Built in 1950, renovated by local designer & shop owner in 2023 | Visible main street location | Backyard with private sauna and Buck Brook Creek | Rustic barn for photo shoots, events, or storage | Turn key | Opportunity for expansion | Short term rental friendly |
Commercial space: 300 square foot storefront | Half bath | Visible main street location | High ceilings | Abundant natural light from oversized windows |
Residential space: 600 square foot residential unit | One bedroom, one bathroom plus loft | Full bathroom with soaking tub and separate stone-tiled shower | Wood-burning stove | Gallery nook | Kitchen with custom-painted cabinetry, butcher block countertops, and brand-new appliances | Hidden trap door to the basement with washer/dryer hookups and storage
Asking $475,000. Exclusive listing by Erica Keberle and Jill Borenstein at Catskill Mountain Houses. For inquiries, or to RSVP to the open house, email jill@
Building Tour: Up North
From the main road that passes through the idyllic town of North Branch, NY, step through the front door into a bright and airy commercial space spanning 300 square feet. Durable Scandi floors stretch beneath soaring ceilings, while ample windows flood the room with natural light. In one corner, a convenient half bath is neatly tucked away.
Through a separate entrance at the rear of the building, Up North also houses a 600-square-foot one-bedroom apartment, with an additional loft. Step inside to a well-lit, open-concept living space. An expansive window wall, accompanied by a glass door, seamlessly connects the interior with the backyard sanctuary. The original exposed wood beams lend a touch of vintage appeal, harmonizing with the warm wood floors and the inviting wood-burning stove.
The thoughtfully crafted kitchen boasts custom-painted cabinetry, butcher block countertops, and brand-new appliances, such as a dishwasher, electric range, and a stylish retro refrigerator. An abundance of natural light filters in from the exceptionally tall vaulted ceiling. Adjacent to the living area, there’s a versatile nook that could serve as a gallery, extra storage, or even a snug workspace with a desk.
To the right of the living area lies a lavish, spa-inspired bathroom featuring a soaking tub and a separate rain shower tiled in natural pebbles. Through a doorway on the left, find a queen-sized bedroom with a built-in closet and a picture window. Above the living area, a roomy loft awaits, and a trapdoor in the living room floor provides access to the basement, affording additional storage space and connections for a washer and dryer.
Multi-Use Commercial & Residential Opportunity
This captivating multi-use property lends itself to endless possibilities for creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors. With its prime main street location with foot traffic from several local hotels and venues, the storefront could house an art gallery, yoga studio, real estate office, photography studio, retail boutique, or even a gourmet wine or cheese shop to showcase local flavors, while the residential space offers rental income prospects. For remote workers, it would make the perfect home office — wired with high-speed Spectrum internet — just steps from the living quarters. There’s potential to add an interior door through the bedroom, and expand the living – or work – space.
When ready for a change of scenery, simply walk outside and refresh in the backyard sanctuary. Spend the days off relaxing in a hammock by the creek before unwinding in the sauna. The rustic barn in the backyard has potential as an event space or venue for photo shoots, or could be finished as a potter’s studio or gardener’s shed. Utilize the property as a revenue-generating retail space plus AirBB; or as a private creative studio or office; or any combination of all of the above, this building offers the best of both worlds. With short-term rental potential, there is an opportunity to also share this special retreat with others.
With the potential to install a footbridge connecting both sides of the creek, opportunities abound to craft a personal Zen retreat. Sauna and plunge into the creek for an exhilarating and rejuvenating experience. This is Catskills living at its finest.
Dream even bigger, and extend the home by adding an extra bedroom and deck for which the sellers have already thoughtfully invested in architectural drawings to provide the new owners. They have also taken care of essential upgrades, including a new septic system and a drilled well, both designed and installed in accordance with future expansion requirements.
Property Grounds & Surrounding Area of North Branch, NY
Beyond the charming live-work space, a hidden oasis unfolds spanning more than half an acre of lush countryside. Follow the meandering stone path through the backyard to uncover a private sanctuary. Take a moment to unwind in the barrel sauna and refresh under the open sky in the outdoor shower. Find inner peace while meditating in a hammock, gazing upon the tranquil flow of Buck Brook Creek that continues on the other side.
North Branch, NY, provides a bustling small-town setting for this charming live-work property. High-profile nearby hotels and wedding venues including Callicoon Hills, the North Branch Inn, Seminary Hill, and Kenoza Hall bring in visitors to welcome to aboutique, gallery, or tasting room. Be in good company with the powerhouses behind Homestedt soon joining the North Branch scene. Surrounded by stunning nature and with a multitude of holiday rentals in close proximity, this community also attracts weekend travelers seeking outdoor adventures and serene escapes from the city, and who are eager to support local businesses. Up North truly offers the best of both worlds — running a dream business surrounded by natural beauty and a vibrant community, just two hours by car from New York City.
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