What was once an old dairy barn from the 1920s has been transformed into a vibrant hub encouraging collaboration, design, and entrepreneurship. Driven by the goal to create a marketplace for talented makers and encourage well-crafted products within the community, Wassaic Commons was born. Ninety miles from New York City, this barn has been meticulously and creatively restored by the owners, a Manhattan-based architect and designer, who teamed up with exceptional carpenters and local tradespeople, leaving no detail overlooked.
Now, after six years of dedication, they are ready to pass the torch and invite new owners to embark on their own journey in celebrating the art of design, community, and the entrepreneurial spirit. With actual rents plus rental projections giving this property an 8.8% cap rate, this is a special turnkey investment property which can immediately start cash flowing.
Converted dairy barn with multiple uses and spaces | 11,388 square foot commercial space on .57 acres | Downstairs commercial space with potential for subdivision into 4 storefronts | HM Zoning | Market and kitchen space with high-end commercial appliances | Event space estimated at $10k per event | Loads of upgrades, mechanicals and equipment included, see full list | Cabinetry, paneling, and millwork was all designed by architect Matthew Schnepf |
See the original listing on Upstate Curious. Asking $1,800,000. Listed by Kate Quintard, with the Upstate Curious Team at Compass. For inquiries, email kate@upstatecurious.com or call/text (347) 834-6634.
First Floor Commercial Space: Up to Four Units Ready for Tenant Build-Outs
The bottom floor of this converted barn is ready for up to four retail storefronts/tenants. Photo: Phillip Reed. Select photos by Phillip Reed, others c/o Upstate Curious
The artfully renovated first floor of the barn offers 4,800 square feet of versatile leasable space, directly accessible from the street and protected by a covered porch. The space can be subdivided into as many as four distinct retail storefronts, and has plumbing stubbed out. Featuring concrete floors and abundant windows, the space is designed to provide a modern yet rustic charm, ideal for a variety of businesses and ready for build-out based upon their own unique use. Retail space market value is currently leasing between $18-25/sq ft in comparable spaces.
Upstairs Event Space: Gorgeous Historic Barn, Restored and Modernized
This stunning event space has been meticulously restored, preserved to keep as much of the original barn as possible. Photo: Phillip Reed
Above the retail area lies the beautiful event space, filled with preserved history and details that can provide a stunning backdrop for any event. This space has been meticulously restored and preserved to keep as much of the original barn as possible.
Originally designed as a receiving platform to load and unload coal, grain, and lumber from the passing train, the large doors that once perfectly aligned with freight cars are still intact. The timbers in the loft are charred black, an ancient Japanese finishing technique called shou sugi ban, which is naturally resistant to mold, mildew, and insects. The structure has been evaluated by structural engineers, architects, and timber specialists, is sound and in excellent structural condition, with little to no sagging or deflection.
When designing the overhead lighting for the soaring 20 foot tall ceilings, the designers installed lighting mimicking the constellations of Polaris, Ursa Minor, and neighboring stars, suspended at various heights creating a breathtaking magical atmosphere. Event space market value is estimated around $10,000 per event.
Market & Kitchen: Cornerstone of the Building & Neighborhood
Current tenant Vitsky Bakery at Wassaic Commons is beloved by visitors and locals alike. Photo: Philip Reed
Occupying the market and kitchen space is the cornerstone tenant, Vitsky Bakery. Beloved by locals and visitors alike, people travel near and far just to get their hands on one of their famous cardamom buns or other treats. Lines can often be seen wrapping around the block, a testament not only to the success of the bakery but also of the area’s potential. Vitsky Bakery is currently operating on a month-to-month lease at $2,400/month.
This market space was designed with a high-end coffee service in mind. Custom cabinetry, flexible and adaptable shelving, and high-end commercial appliances, including a high-temperature dishwasher, built-in ice maker, reach-in drink cooler with glass door, and dedicated electrical and plumbing connections for a commercial espresso machine were thoughtfully installed. Standout features also include new double insulated windows, sonos speaker sound system, and a custom fabricated Alaskan yellow cedar front door. Cabinetry, paneling, and millwork was all designed by the seller and architect Matthew Schnepf, and custom fabricated by master carpenters.
The kitchen space includes extensive wiring and dedicated circuits for high-output appliances, a three-compartment sink with a hand spray, a vegetable wash sink, and a grease trap. Appliances include two True stainless steel reach-in refrigerators and one True stainless steel reach-in freezer. The outside storage shed holds extra storage space, as well as a 12×6 Coolbot Pro walk-in cooler.
More About the Area: Wassaic in Dutchess County, NY
Beautiful Wassaic, NY is located just two hours north of Manhattan, easily accessed by car or by train. Photo: c/o Upstate Curious
Wassaic, a hamlet located within the Town of Amenia in Dutchess County, is located just two hours north of Manhattan by car or train. Wassaic is a popular destination for visitors due to its easy accessibility as the last stop on Metro-North’s Harlem line, which runs every two hours, seven days a week, throughout the year. The Wassaic train station is also accessible by foot or bike via the recently completed Harlem Valley Rail Trail, which extends another 46 miles north passing through Amenia, Millerton, and Copake.
Situated along Route 22 (NY 343), a key roadway connecting upstate to New York City, Wassaic is centrally located between the well-established towns of Amenia, Millbrook, Millerton, Kent, Sharon, and West Cornwall. Residents frequently travel between these communities for work, dining, entertainment, and shopping.
Standout businesses in the area include Canoe Hill, Ore Hill, Serevan, Stissing House, The Lantern Inn, Troutbeck, Willa Bar, Peggy’s Sweet & Savory, Ten Mile Distillery, Tent, and Four Brothers Pizza Inn + Drive In. The “big green barn” as it’s colloquially known, is conveniently situated at the end of Main Street- adjacent to the Amenia Stream. Artists and creatives have also begun to flock to the area with the establishment of the Wassaic Project, founded in 2008 as an artist residency program for emerging artists and also participates in Upstate Art Weekend, along with many other organizations and culinary institutions.
This post is part of an ongoing series entitled “Calling All Dreamers!” in which we explore four commercial listings for sale, alongside some standout residential listings nearby.
See the full series and sign join us over at Escape Club!
For transparency, Escape Brooklyn is a real estate advertising service and may have been paid for this ad. We carefully curate potential paid advertisers; all features are hand-picked and thoughtfully considered.
