An artist fusing nature with mechanics hopes to fuel Bronxites’ creative drives.
Renowned artist and metal sculptor Josh Hadar is relocating his art studio from Brooklyn to the Bronx.
On Tuesday, March 12, Hadar purchased a 3,320 square foot Claremont warehouse with basement storage at 407 E. 174th Street for $880,000.
Keller Williams Tribeca agent Christina Gomez, who represented Hadar in the deal, said the 1-story industrial warehouse constructed in 1955 features an elevator which easy connects the ground floor and the basement.
Prior to the purchase, the warehouse was used by Webster Plumbing Supply, Inc. to store plumbing supplies.
The property was sold by Clair Rose Holdings and the seller’s broker was Joe Cosentino of Morris Park Realty.
Hadar’s recent move from Tribeca to the Upper West Side inspired him to consider properties in the Boogie Down Bronx for his new studio.
“The warehouse didn’t look like much from the outside, but when I stepped inside I fell in love with it,” he said.
A self-taught artist with 15 years under his belt, Hadar is famous for his statement-making bikes and elegantly sculpted steel trees which have appeared in GQ and Vogue.
Steel with hand-blown glass and lights are the main components of his awe-inspiring works.
Hadar’s bike building began one day when he discovered a dumpster full of discarded bicycles near his former studio at Broome Street.
The Neo-Futurist was inspired to transform commuter transportation and make ecologically conscious vehicles as aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Such iconic bikes include the Teardrop, a nickel on rolled steel, hand-spun aluminum plate wheels, hand-blown, steel-wrapped, glass fuel tank – 80cc gas powered with pedal assist; Solar E-Trike, a hand made solar-powered trike using carbon steel tubing coated with midnight black powder and Mother, a biomorphic bike featuring gun black finish on rolled steel, hand-blown glass fuel tank, 80cc gas powered with pedal assist.
The Boston University alumnus has been commissioned by hotels worldwide to construct and install solar powered tree sculptures.
Notable pieces include his 16-foot ‘Constellations’ at the Star Hotel Group in Milan and his 11 feet high by over 15 feet wide ‘The Grove’ at the Intercontinental Hotel in Times Square.
His 6 foot by 5 wide Photovoltaic Acacia sculpture uses over 90 solar cells embedded in hand-hammered leaves throughout the piece to charge the 12 volt batteries.
When charged, they light clusters of LEDs placed inside blown glass fruit scattered throughout the tree.
Hadar expressed interest in collaborating with local residents, artists, colleges and trade schools to provide them training in various trade disciplines including welding and fabrication.
He intends to utilize the studio as an art and technology center with an emphasis on sustainable energy and using solar and wind generators for sculptures and electronics.
Hadar plans to hold onto the property for a while and share it with his 9-year-old twin sons Izzy and Zeke who like their father also have a passion for the arts.
To learn more about Hadar’s work, visit www.hadar
