The property is a classic pre-war walk-up building, originally constructed in 1900, featuring a C7 building class designation (Walk-up Apartment – Over Six Families with Stores) with 2 commercial units at the base . The efficient, open floorplan provides a comfortable footprint for a variety of small-scale retail and service concepts. The space features an attractive storefront with good street-level visibility along First Avenue, a heavily trafficked corridor with constant pedestrian and vehicular flow from residents, NYU students, and visitors .
Key Features
- Asking Rent: $9,000 / month
- Available Space: 500 SF
- Property Type: Ground-Floor Retail Storefront
- Lease Type: Direct Lease
- Building Class: C7 (Walk-up Apartment – Over Six Families with Stores)
- Year Built: 1900
- Stories: 5 Stories | Units: 8-10 Residential + 2 Commercial
- Ceiling Height: Approx. 9–11 FT
- Layout: Open, flexible floorplan ideal for retail, food service, salon, or studio use
- Condition: Well-maintained; available for tenant fit-out and branding
- Frontage: Street-level exposure with strong pedestrian visibility on First Avenue
- Access: Direct sidewalk entry
- Neighborhood Highlights: Located in the East Village, steps from Tompkins Square Park, St. Mark’s Place, and NYU
Neighborhood Highlights
Located between East 11th Street and East 12th Street, 194 First Avenue places you in the heart of the East Village, one of Manhattan’s most storied, vibrant, and culturally influential neighborhoods . First Avenue serves as a commercial spine for the neighborhood, with strong pedestrian counts driven by a dense residential population, NYU’s 50,000+ students, and a legendary dining and nightlife scene that operates 24/7 .
The area is a true 24/7 neighborhood, with strong foot traffic from residents, artists, musicians, young professionals, families, and tourists at all hours . The property is just steps from Tompkins Square Park—a beloved neighborhood hub featuring a weekly farmers’ market, dog run, playgrounds, concerts, and community events—generating strong foot traffic from dog walkers, families, skateboarders, and park visitors . It is also minutes from St. Mark’s Place (8th Street), Second Avenue, Ludlow Street, and the Lower East Side, all lined with boutiques, restaurants, bars, music venues, and nightlife . Nearby comparable listings include 59 First Avenue (550 SF at $6,000/month), 186 First Avenue (700 SF at $10,000/month), and 214-216 First Avenue (700 SF at $20,000/month), demonstrating the area’s strong retail demand .
Transportation is exceptionally convenient, with the First Avenue (L) subway station just steps away, providing a direct connection to 14th Street, Union Square, Williamsburg, and Bushwick . Additional nearby stations include the 2nd Avenue (F), Astor Place (6), 8th Street/NYU (N, R, W), and 14th Street/Union Square (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W) lines. Multiple bus routes serve First Avenue, Second Avenue, and 14th Street (M9, M14, M15, M8), providing seamless connectivity across Manhattan and beyond .
Summary
The 500 SF retail storefront at 194 First Avenue, New York, NY 10009, is available for $9,000 per month under a direct lease. With its prime East Village address, efficient layout, excellent street-level visibility, and access to the area’s diverse and high-traffic customer base, this property represents a compelling opportunity for retailers, food operators, or service providers seeking a high-visibility and accessible home in one of Manhattan’s most dynamic and culturally rich neighborhoods.
