Historic loft in the heart of downtown Jersey City hits the market for $2.15 million

In the heart of downtown Jersey City stands a long brick building with the words "Wells Fargo" across its overhang. Built in 1890, the building at 299 Pavonia Ave. was originally used as a horse-and-carriage storage facility for Wells Fargo before being used by the U.S. government to repair railroad equipment during World War I.

The building was officially converted into 31 residential condominiums in 1982, known as the Wells Fargo Lofts, maintaining historic features like the building's trademark oversized windows and original ceiling trusses. And now, one of the units in this iconic building can be yours.

On the market since early August, Apartment 210 is currently listed for $2.15 million. The property is being managed by listing agent Dale Fior, a broker with Brown Harris Stevens in Hoboken.

This spacious loft boasts five bedrooms — including an au pair or in-law suite — and four bathrooms across 7,100 square feet of living space. This includes a 5,100-square-foot main level and a 2,000-square-foot mezzanine level.

"What stands out about this is that even though most of these lofts are huge open spaces, this loft is much more structured than many other lofts that are out there," Fior said. "It's open, but there are designated rooms, so you get a big, breathy, voluminous feeling in it. But there's very little space that's wasted because it's been formally structured."

The home features a European-style kitchen, completed with brick and stone detailing, a breakfast and lunch nook area, two ranges and a drink fridge. There is also a formal and informal dining room, a formal and informal parlor, a living room space and a library. On the mezzanine level, you'll find the loft's master suite with a spa bathroom, a large walk-in closet with a built-in vanity and a built-in infrared sauna.

Other features include a water filtration system, a four-zone central air conditioning and hot water baseboard heating system, three-zone Sonos surround sound and a gated parking spot in a nearby lot.

But one of the loft's most stand-out features, Fior said, is its in-home theater. This 20-foot-by-25-foot space comes with a 125-inch screen, a Sony project system and 10 fully equipped movie theater screening chairs.

"What's nice about this room is that if there's someone out there that's in media, this is a great space for them. This room can adapt to a broadcast room, a podcast room or you can do voice and film editing in this room," he said. " I see it really being fit for a recording artist or a radio broadcaster, or a podcast influencer who wants to work from home and have a studio right within the home."

Located about a block away from Hamilton Park, the Wells Fargo Lofts are also part of the Hamilton Park Historic District. The park itself — which is named after Alexander Hamilton — was landscaped in 1851 on the land left to the town by New York Senator and flour merchant John B. Coles. The historic district was established in 1979 to preserve the Victorian brownstones that surround the park, and the size of the district was expanded in 1982.

Overall, Fior said he sees this space being best suited for a creative individual who will be able to utilize the layout of this historic space. He said this includes those with large antique furniture pieces, those who collect art or individuals with unique sculptures that they want to showcase.

"It's not a run-of-the-mill property, and for most people that come in, it may almost be too much for them. So that's why I think it's perfect for an artist who wants to create in the space and live in the space simultaneously," he said. "There's an incredible amount of versatility just waiting to happen here for someone who wants to live creatively."

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jersey City loft surrounded by history listed for $2.15 million