Catch a wave on Astor Place

We noted the #rednose installation on Astor Place yesterday for the upcoming Red Nose Day.

You may have noticed two other installations on Astor Place... these arrived back on Friday, and are part of the NYC Wave Trail. These were designed and installed for the UN's World Oceans Day on June 8.

This one one the north plaza is titled "Rise" by Suki Waterhouse...



... and the one outside Cooper Union is "The Birth of Venus" by Margaret Zhang...



There are 54 sculptures total in the city.

New broker for former home of Lucky Cheng's and adjacent property

There's a new broker for the potential development sites at 24 First Ave. (the onetime home of Lucky Cheng's) and 99-101 E. Second St. The adjacent properties now feature the Eastern Consolidated broker signage...



Landlord Carmar Development, LLC, had put the two-buidling parcel up for sale back in February. (We wrote about that here.)

Here's the new listing (PDF is here) via Eastern Consolidated:

The Property consists of two existing mixed-use buildings with frontage on both First Avenue and E. 2nd Street in the extremely desirable East Village. Both buildings will be delivered vacant.

The offering presents multiple options going forward including becoming components of a larger assemblage for a new construction development project, with up to ±30,000 buildable SF, redeveloping the Property by renovating and enlarging the existing structures or repositioning for a national retailer or user purchaser seeking to control a location for ±10,000 SF of multi-level retail and a mix of other uses.

Pricing upon request. The L-shaped properties were seeking $26 million back in February. (The properties were also available for net lease. That deal is no longer apparently an option.)

The sales materials include a variety of diagrams showing the development potential here...



... and the aerial view...



Hayne Suthon, who owned and and operated Lucky Cheng's, the cross-dressing cabaret, also lived in the building. She died of cancer at age 57 in June 2014.

Suthon had owned the properties since 1986, paying $800,000, city documents show. According to public records, the address changed hands to Carmar Development in February 2015 for a little more than $9.6 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Myron Mixon's Pride & Joy BBQ now in the works for the former Lucky Cheng's space

Fire reported at incoming Pride and Joy BBQ on East Second Street

Myron Mixon lawsuit puts opening of Pride and Joy BBQ in question at former Lucky Cheng's space

More alterations for the Pride and Joy space

Report: Pride and Joy BBQ partners suing landlord Hayne Suthon for $22 million

Onetime home of Lucky Cheng's and adjacent property on the development market for $26 million

Films on the Green return to Tompkins Square Park this July

Films on the Green, a free French film festival in NYC parks, returns for another season beginning on June 2.

This year, for the 10th anniversary of the series, Films on the Green is featuring 10 guest curators, including Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch, Isabella Rossellini and Laurie Anderson.

Two of the films will be in Tompkins Square Park:

• Friday, July 7, 8:30 p.m.
"La Cérémonie"
By Claude Chabrol, 1995, starring Isabelle Huppert and Sandrine Bonnaire
Film selected by the creator of the series "Mad Men," Matthew Weiner

• Friday, July 14, 8:30 p.m.
"Port of Shadows (Quai des brumes)"
By Marcel Carné, 1938, starring Jean Gabin and Michèle Morgan
Film selected by writer, director and visual artist Laurie Anderson

Find the full schedule here.

Blink Fitness on Avenue A extends hours

Dispatch from the Blink Fitness at 100 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.

Blink East Village is now open (effective May 22):

Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. to midnight
Saturday-Sunday: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The gym opened this past Oct. 25.

Company for the cube on Astor Place

[Photo by Lola Sáenz]

This #rednose installation is now on Astor Place... ahead of Red Nose Day — a mission to end child poverty — on Thursday.

So why here for this? Walgreens is the exclusive retailer of the Red Noses... and there's a Walgreens across from here on Lafayette at Astor Place...

Red Nose Day is a fundraising campaign run by the nonprofit Comic Relief Inc.

Noted

Spotted on Sixth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C... thanks to EVG reader Noah Shannon for the photo.

One more soon and we'll have a trends piece.

Speculation about Webster Hall's closing date

As the Post reported back in April, Webster Hall was changing hands in a deal worth some $35 million.

Per the Post:

Barclays Center’s corporate parent, Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, is teaming with AEG-backed The Bowery Presents to take over operations at the iconic music venue, whose stage has been graced by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Tina Turner.

Brett Yormark, chief executive of Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, told the Post: “We’re going to preserve what Webster Hall means to the consumers and artists, but we will contemporize it.” Expect food and beverage upgrades, with possible bathroom enhancements.

Jay Marciano, chairman of AEG Live, told Billboard they will spend about $10 million renovating Webster Hall's Grand Ballroom, The Studio and The Marlin Room spaces "to bring them up to contemporary standards and add a few more customer features."

So when will the current iteration of Webster Hall close? There hasn't been any announcement just yet. An EVG tipster said that it will close starting Aug. 9. The last club event is listed online on Aug. 5. The last concert date is listed on Aug. 8 (Michelle Branch: The Hopeless Romantic Tour). Fall shows have been moved to other venues...



As for renovations, to date, there's nothing on file with the Department of Buildings for renovations on the landmarked building.

As for food and beverage, reps for Spectrum Catering and Concessions were on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a new liquor license. The 25-year-old company provides concessions for a variety of venues and festivals nationwide. In NYC, they manage Terminal 5, the Music Hall of Williamsburg, Rough Trade and Brooklyn Steel.

Meanwhile, another tipster wondered what might happen to Webster Hall's 250-plus employees, who are not represented by a union. Will they have opportunities to work at the new Webster Hall?

The Ballinger family has owned and operated Webster Hall since 1989. Some history of the building via Billboard:

First built in 1886 by architect Charles Rentz, the venue served as a social hall for the Lower East Side’s working-class and immigrant population throughout the Great Depression before becoming an internationally-recognized music hall. It was purchased by RCA Records and operated as a recording studio and acoustically treated ballroom in the 1950s and '60s and then became a full-time concert venue known as The Ritz beginning in 1980.

New East Houston condos 'effortlessly embody the sophistication of Lower East Side living'

Some seven months after the "condos coming soon" banner was unveiled at 265 E. Houston St., developer Central Construction Management has put a few of the condoplex units on the market. (H/T Curbed and BuzzBuzzHome!)



There are three two-bedroom, two-bathroom units available, ranging from $2.45 million to $2.55 million. (There are seven units total in this 10-floor building.)

Here's the pitch, via Streeteasy:

Ideally located in Lower East Side Manhattan, this spectacular collection of apartments are finished to the highest standard with exquisite Italian Carrara marble and white oak flooring throughout. Private keyed elevators lead directly into each residence, where refined design, spacious floor plans, and a modern neutral color palette perfectly meld minimalist style with contemporary luxury.

With oversized windows, sleek living areas, private outdoor spaces, and expansive common roof top terraces boasting dramatic views of the city, these stylish homes effortlessly embody the sophistication of Lower East Side living.

A tranquil escape from the city, the elegant master bathrooms offer a peaceful space to luxuriate. Smooth Carrara marble walls and floors are complemented by pure white Robern cabinetry, bespoke recessed medicine cabinets, and jet black rainshowers with attached shower heads. The ergonomic double-sinks and marble-enclosed Kohler tubs are fitted with black faucets crafted by local manufacturers Watermark Designs. Secondary baths are finished with glossy white Nemo tile and Restoration Hardware cabinetry.

The corner was home to the Iglesia Pentecostal Arca de Salvacion (below). In 2008, developer 265 East Houston LLC purchased the plot for $500,000, public records show.


[Via]

Work at 265 E. Houston St. (aka 179 Suffolk St.) dates to early 2010. As you may recall, construction in the pit conveniently destabilized the building next door at No. 255, which caused Action for Progress to vacate.

Speaking of next door... Not much construction action here just yet...



Developer Samy Mahfar, the property's owner, has approved plans for a 10-story residential complex that will look like...



But for now...

Babu Ji going and coming

Workers have removed almost all the remnants of Babu Ji from outside the former Indian restaurant on Avenue B and 11th Street...



As we first reported on May 4, Sushil Malhotra, founder of Curry in a Hurry, Akbar Dawat and Café Spice, among others, is opening a new Indian restaurant in this space. We recently spoke by phone, and Malhotra said he was still finalizing details on the Avenue B space. He did promise it will be a fun restaurant.

Babu Ji had been closed here since early March following the disclosure of a second wage-theft and overtime lawsuit against owners Jessi and Jennifer Singh.

However, it appears Babu Ji will live on not too far away. An Eater tipster spotted Babu Ji signage at 22 E. 13th St. between Fifth Avenue and University Place a few weeks ago.

A sidewalk bridge for the future Joe and Pat's on 1st Avenue

The sidewalk bridge arrived last week outside the future East Village home of Staten Island-based pizzeria Joe and Pat's at 168 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street... and workers removed the large sign of the previous occupant, Lanza's...



There's nothing on file yet at the DOB (except for a permit for the sidewalk bridge) to indicate what might be happening outside here. There is also a permit issued May 10 for kitchen renovations, including new plumbing and an updated HVAC system... (estimated cost per the DOB: $199,000).

No opening date just yet. The original Joe and Pat's opened on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island in 1960.

Previously

Former Joe and Misses Doe space for rent on 1st Street

The for rent signs are up at the space that previously housed the bar-restaurant Joe and Misses Doe at 45 E. First St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



Florence Fabricant first noted this closure on May 2 in the Times.

Husband-and-wife owners Joe and Jill Dobias left this message on the restaurant's website:

"We are excited to announce that we will be joining the Jean-Georges Vongerichten & Phil Suarez Restaurant Group as part of their management team, Joe as the Executive Chef and I, as the Operations Manager and will operate their restaurant Le Dock on Fire Island for the Summer 2017 season. We will miss our regulars in the East Village but we look forward to an exciting new time in our careers. Hope to see everyone at the beach!"

JoeDoe opened in 2008, changing up in 2013 to become Joe & Misses Doe. They also ran the the excellent quick-serve JoeDough sandwich shop at 135 First Ave. for several years.

Week in Grieview

[Photo from Tompkins Square Park by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Sen. Hoylman calls for immediate stay on all Steve Croman-initiated tenant cases (Wednesday)

Report: Sunshine Cinema on East Houston to close in January (Friday)

Arson at historic Lower East Side synagogue (Sunday)

Empellón Cocina closes after 5 years (Friday) Ditto for L'Apico (Friday)

Demolition watch: 112-120 E. 11th St., future home of a Moxy hotel (Monday)

An ode to Cafe Orlin (Thursday)

Out and About with designer Gustavo Roldan (Thursday)

Fire-damaged Caracas Arepa Bar now for rent (Wednesday)

A look at the incoming Bea Arthur Residence for homeless LGBT youth on 13th Street (Tuesday)

Post office-replacing residential building reaches ground level on 14th Street (Monday)

Fat Cat Kitchen opens on 14th Street (Tuesday)

Report: Body found in John V. Lindsay East River Park (Thursday)

Tailors Atelier expanding next door on 9th Street (Monday)

LES landlord hit with $1.2 million Airbnb lawsuit; 536 E. 14th St. among the properties (Thursday)

The 'commanding retail presence' of Extell's new 14th Street development (Wednesday)

Report: Drama on 13th Street as family of actress Rosario Dawson looks to buy affordable housing (Tuesday)

The Village Pourhouse still looks like the Village Pourhouse outside, but E.Vil is on the way (Monday)

Elite New York Sports Club now open on Astor Place (Wednesday)

Chinese restaurant in the works for former funeral parlor on 2nd Avenue (Monday)

Flagpole Day in Tompkins Square Park (Monday)

Dance Parade and DanceFest photos galore (Saturday ... Sunday)

...and thanks to Thrillist for naming EVG one of the city's best neighborhood blogs. (Read article here.)

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Do you wanna dance?

[East 4th Street at the LaMama Block Party]

EVG contributor Derek Berg took in some of the dancing that was going on around the neighborhood yesterday... here's a selection...

The Dancing in the Street La MaMa Block Party







The 41st annual Ukrainian Festival











The Festival continues today on Seventh Street between Second Avenue and Cooper Square. Performances are at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

The Dance Parade







DanceFest









Find more DanceFest pics here.

Daddy issues?

Spotted on 14th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A...

The Village View tag sale is today (Sunday!)

The sale is in the playground just behind 60 Avenue A at the corner of East Fourth Street and Avenue A ... from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And go here photos from a previous VV sale.

H/T EVG reader Steph!

At the DanceFest in Tompkins Square Park

The annual Dance Parade ended in Tompkins Square Park this afternoon ... where the DanceFest began... EVG contributor Stacie Joy was in the Park and shared these photos...