Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Demolishing 'one of the finest East Village houses available'


331 E. Sixth St. was sold for $3.9 million in April 2010, according to StreetEasy.

Here's the listing:

Endless possibilities for this Oasis in the East Village!This south facing, 4 story, plus English Garden floor, mixed use townhouse will be delivered vacant. Situated on a lovely tree lined block location between Second and First Avenues, this home with its magical Tuscan inspired garden proves to be one of the finest East Village houses available. Move right into the owner’s duplex and have a beautiful home with the added benefit of income producing live/work English Garden floor and two large floor thru residential units OR transform it into the single family home of your dreams. So many opportunities for living! All things are possible, spread the word!

Lovely, huh? In fact, the Post featured this in its "Dream Homes" section on June 7, 2007.

As Off the Grid reported last month, the new owners are demolishing the house that dates to 1852. Floor by floor. (The owner is listed as 331 East 6th Street Townhouse LLC C/O Cooley Godward Kronish LLP.)

The demolition permit at the DOB shows that "side masonry walls to remain."

I took this photo last week...


...and Goggla passed this shot along from yesterday. She notes that it looks as if three floors have been shaved off now.


Renderings haven't emerged just yet for the address. But, as Off the Grid noted: "Whatever it is, it will no doubt contribute significantly less to the history and character of the block and neighborhood than its 150 year old predecessor."

9 comments:

Ken from Ken's Kitchen said...

There are only 2 good reasons to demolish a building like this: either it’s about to fall down, or you're gonna replace it with something better. Since 331 E. Sixth St was obviously not falling down, apparently we can all look forward to something better.

blue glass said...

the only thing that will be left is the "expanding" tenement museum (and gift shop?)
we can praise what was here in pictures and at museums while we walk through glass and steel towers as cold as they are ugly.
and this is progress?

glamma said...

THE ENTIRE LANDMARKS COMMISSION IS ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR FAIR CITY. I DEMAND AN INVESTIGATIION INTO THE OVERT CORRUPTION THAT HAPPENS THERE. I WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY GOT AWAY WITH DEMO'ING THE BUILDING IN COOPER SQUARE. THIS IS F*CKING BULLSH*T. THE ENTIRE VILLAGE WILL BECOME A SOULESS SEA OF GLASS AND STEEL IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING NOW!!! I AM FED UP WITH THE BLOOMBERG/DEVELOPER INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX DEVOURING UP CENTURIES OF HISTORY IN THEIR MERCILESS HUNT FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING THAT SMELLS LIKE MONEY!~

nygrump said...

Recently I came out of my building at 8:30 am and the entire street was fogged with dust from these jerks, the one white guy on the job was standing in the street the whole time with a cell phone against his mouth looking worried like someone might call the city because they had plugged into the fire hydrant. The rules only apply to other people.

Laura Goggin Photography said...

This really shocked me when I saw it. I've always thought it was the nicest looking building on the block and I fantasized about living there. What a shameful loss.

@Ken - we can only hope, but when was the last time anything 'better' replaced one of these buildings?

chris flash said...

Right ON, Glamma: WHY the fuck are these human termites allowed to get away with this????

Anonymous said...

Here here! The Bloomberg administration is committed to an illegal distortion of the Landmarks Commission and its mandated operation. We must act!

~evilsugar25 said...

i really admire all of you that still have the energy and gumption to outraged and fight, despite the fact that few, if any, of these fights/protets/petitions/demonstrations ever really derail the money from doing what they like. which is apparently generic steel & glass. i hope i'm in the minority, but i gave up hope of 'saving the east village' about a year ago. it's over. i'm just trying to figure out where to go. it's hard to leave a neighborhood you've called 'home' for almost 20 years - all of your adult life. but i feel it acutely: its useless. i'm sad and sorry to say that, but that's the way i feel. money conquers all.

Ton from Holland said...

Apparently celebrities can get away with anything! I believe it's David Schwimmer who owns this house, or should I say plot of land.