Friday, February 22, 2019

After 50 years on the block, the Hells Angels appear to be selling their 3rd Street clubhouse


[EVG file photo]

The word coming from Third Street is that the Hells Angels are selling their clubhouse (No. 77) here between First Avenue and Second Avenue with a springtime move planned.

According to public records, there's a Memorandum of Contract (the form preceding a contract of sale) dated this past Dec. 21 between Church of the Angels, Inc. (aka — The Church of Angels) and 77 East 3rd LLC ...



The document is signed by Bartley J. Dowling, president of the NYC Hells Angels chapter, and the purchaser, Nathan Blatter of Whitestone Realty Group.

Attorney Ron Kuby, who has represented the Angels in legal matters through the years, said that he was unaware of any sale. "I have heard nothing about it," he said on the phone yesterday. (He also said that he doesn't handle real-estate law.)

At this time, it's not known where the NYC clubhouse may be relocating or what the reasons are for doing so.

The Hells Angels have had a presence in 77 E. Third St. since 1969. They eventually bought the six-floor building, which includes their clubhouse and member residences (Realtor.com lists 14 units), from Birdie Ruderman in the Bronx for a reported $1,900. The deed on file with the city from November 1977 shows the then-dilapidated building changed hands for $10...



In 1983, chapter president Sandy Alexander took over ownership of the building. The deed from that time states that Alexander, his wife Collette and their family could live on the premises rent free. In addition, in the event that the building was sold, she would stand to receive half of the proceeds.

This agreement was later the basis for a legal tussle in 2013 between the clubhouse and Alexander's family. (Sandy Alexander, who spent six years in prison for dealing cocaine, died in 2007.)

According to the Post in 2013:

They are suing his second wife, Alison Glass Alexander, of Jamaica, Queens and his daughter from another marriage, Kimberly Alexander, of Needles, Calif. to prevent them from making a grab for the property.

A source told the Post that the members have no immediate plans to sell 77 E. 3rd St. — which is on the periphery of New York University’s $6 billion expansion plan and in a once-crime ridden neighborhood where one-bedrooms now rent for $3,500 a month — but they wanted to clear up the "cloudy deed."

That deed was eventually reversed in April 2018, per public documents, ...



The U.S. government unsuccessfully tried to seize the building starting with a drug bust in 1985. The feds charged that the clubhouse was used to make drug deals. However, a jury ruled against the forfeiture in February 1994, per The New York Times.

At another time we may note more of their legal run-ins here through the years. (Most recently, in late December, the Post reported that a deliveryman was allegedly sucker punched by a member when he parked his car in front of motorcycles outside the clubhouse.)

And here's a portion of the 1983 documentary "Hells Angels Forever" that highlights the Third Street clubhouse at the two-minute mark...



12 comments:

Neighbor said...

I have been dying to know what this place looks like inside for a long time. I wonder if the new bhyeb keeps any of the Hells Angels aesthetic. Certainly feels like that could fit the recent approach...

Giovanni said...

First we lose the Boys Club, then this. Now all those kids who used to go to the Boys Club will have nowhere to go.

Question: Is the reserved parking space in front of the building included with the deed?

noble neolani said...

Maybe the guy who opens theme bars and restaurants will open a Hell's Angels theme bar here.

Unknown said...

Let’s start a petition to make their club house a landmark. I feel Safe knowing they’re down the block from me.

Unknown said...

He’s not a very nice man from personal and mutual experience

Kathy Konkle said...

I saw one of the apartments inside this building about 30 years ago and it was at that time in its original crumbling down condition with peeling paint and wallpaper. Looked like that apt was unrenovated since the late 1800s.

Z said...

I agree!!! Landmark status should stand!!! It’s a historical monument!!!

John Penley said...

Probably the only block in the EV that has not had a mugging in many, many years. Wonder how long it will be after HA is gone before someone gets robbed ? I am sure potential street thugs are teading this and thinking once they leave I am gonna mug some hipsters and NYU students on Angels old block.

Unknown said...

Landmark status would be great in a perfect world. But it'll never happen since they are viewed as an Outlaw/Organized crime "Gang" by both State and Federal authorities. It's a shame, another change we are forced to live with.

Anonymous said...

I agree! I lived near their clubhouse as a baby. My parents always said how safe the block was because of the Angels. Right or wrong; it was very safe!

Magee Hickey said...

Hi Jennifer, it’s Magee Hickey from PIX11. I’d love to talk more about a push for landmarking thd clubhouse... and a possible petition drive. Please email me at mhickey@pix11.com to see if we can talk.

Magee Hickey said...

Hi it’s Magee Hickey from PIX11. Would love to talk more about landmark status and petition drive. Please email me at mhickey@pix11.com.