166 Ave A
$6,950,000
MLS# RLS20123588 · East Village
Listed October 30, 2026 · 6 days on the market
5 Beds 4 Baths 4,520 Sq.Ft.
About This Property
The Peace House
166 Avenue A represents the rarest of offerings and the opportunity to acquire a property which has been woven into the artistic and activist heart of New York City for over 54 years. The iconic, instantly recognizable façade of The Peace House, Anton van Dalen's longtime family home and studio, is an impactful introduction to a very special building.
The property is comprised of three apartments, each with their own distinct feel and all featuring extraordinary light from south, east, and west exposures and views over neighboring gardens. The garden level is lined with windows and offers multiple communal spaces, as well as three bedrooms and a large lower level.
Up one flight awaits the full floor loft of the glass artist Bill Schneider, with 11 windows, great bones and architectural detail, including riveted steel beams and exposed brick. This floor can be maintained in its current loft like layout, or modified to include as many as three bedrooms.
An upper duplex crowns the building and features tremendous light, bucolic views, and lovely architectural detail. The lower level features a sunlit expansive great room and kitchen which opens seamlessly onto a large tranquil terrace to the rear. The second level features vaulted ceilings and extraordinary light through multiple skylights. This space has been maintained as Mr. van Dalen’s studio, but could easily convert into an additional 3+ bedrooms. Just above, and accessed via a whimsical staircase, the building's roof offers tremendous potential and lovely views over the village.
Ideally located just a half a block north of Thompkins Square Park, 166 Avenue A sits at the epicenter of one of Manhattan’s most enduringly independent neighborhoods, where community gardens, intimate restaurants, and a rebellious creative spirit continue to shape daily life. With its distinctive façade, artistic provenance, and compelling possibilities, this is a rare opportunity to write the next chapter of a house deeply woven into the fabric of downtown New York.
Agent's Note
From Curtis Bain. Details about the apartment are drawn from the listing information provided through RLS by Sothebys International Realty.
The full floor loft one flight up has riveted steel beams and exposed brick, along with 11 windows. The listing says it can stay as an open loft or be altered to include bedrooms, so you can decide how much of that volume you want divided.
A loft can give you generous volume and flexible space. Privacy, acoustics and storage are worth checking in person, since they depend on how the space is divided and used.
The upper duplex has vaulted ceilings and multiple skylights, and the listing describes it as bright, with bucolic views. The listing names south, east and west exposures across the building. For a south-facing window in summer, direct sun runs from about 9:55 AM to 4:01 PM, or 6.1 hours, though nearby buildings can block it.
On the lower level, the great room and kitchen open onto a rear terrace, which makes it easy to move between cooking and sitting down. The home has hardwood floors, a fireplace and a dishwasher, and the washer and dryer are in the unit, which is a daily convenience you'll notice quickly.
Tompkins Square Park is about 1 minute away on foot, and the 1 Av station on the L is about 5 minutes. Trader Joe's is about 4 minutes away, and the roof is reached by its own staircase.
Quick answers+
Does the apartment have in-unit laundry?
Yes, there is a washer and dryer in the unit.
Is there private outdoor space?
Yes, there is private outdoor space under 60 square feet and a terrace, along with rooftop access.
Does the home have a fireplace?
Yes, the home has a fireplace.
Curtis Bain
Brown Harris Stevens
Property Features
Home features
- Washer/dryer in unit
- Fireplace
- Hardwood floors
- Dishwasher
- Private outdoor space (under 60 sq ft)
- Terrace
- Rooftop access
Estimate
Monthly Cost & Closing Costs
The rate is a placeholder, not a quote. Enter the one your lender gives you.
$36,384 / month
- Principal and interest$35,143
- Property taxes$1,241
Due at closing
- Down payment (20%)$1,390,000
- NYS “mansion tax” (2.25%)$156,375
- Mortgage recording tax (1.925%)$107,030
Not included: attorney, title insurance, lender and appraisal fees, board application and move-in fees, flip tax and prepaid items. Estimates only, based on the published New York State rates. Your attorney and lender will confirm the real figures.
Location & Nearby
Map
Loading map…
166 Ave A
Subway
- L1 AvAbout 5 min walk · Accessible
- L3 AvAbout 10 min walk
Parks
- Tompkins Square ParkAbout 1 min walk
- Stuyvesant SquareAbout 9 min walk
- Dry Dock PlaygroundAbout 9 min walk
Public schools · Elementary schools
- The Children'S Workshop SchoolAbout 5 min walk
- The East Village Community SchoolAbout 5 min walk
- Earth SchoolAbout 8 min walk
Middle schools
- Tompkins Square Middle SchoolAbout 8 min walk
- M.S. 255 Salk School of ScienceAbout 13 min walk
High schools
- East Side Community SchoolAbout 2 min walk
- High School for Health Professions and Human ServicesAbout 8 min walk
Colleges & universities
- Beth Israel Medical CenterAbout 9 min walk
- St. John's University (Manhattan)About 12 min walk
- The Cooper UnionAbout 14 min walk
- New York UniversityAbout 18 min walk
Museums
- Museum of Food and DrinkAbout 9 min walk
- The Ukrainian MuseumAbout 11 min walk
- Ukrainian MuseumAbout 11 min walk
- Merchant's House MuseumAbout 15 min walk
Walking times are estimates. Schools shown are the nearest public and charter schools and are not zone assignments; a nearby school is not necessarily the one an address is zoned for. Confirm zoning with the NYC Department of Education. Sources: MTA, NYC Parks and NYC Department of City Planning open data.
The Neighborhood
About East Village
A culturally rich neighborhood where creative heritage meets thoughtfully designed luxury residences.
Walkability
10/10
Public transit
9/10
Schools
6/10
Dining
10/10
Groceries & parks
7/10
Gallery
Property Photos
Listing Courtesy of Sothebys International Realty
This information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. ©2026 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., All rights reserved.