Word came down last Thursday that the roof deck at 194 E. Second St. at Avenue B had closed EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
Management didn't offer any explanation. Apparently this has not been a popular decision, especially with the arrival of summer.
One perturbed resident moved in several years ago with the promise of amenities such as the rooftop deck. (Other amenities haven't really panned out, such as the fitness center, "a few machines in a smelly unfinished basement," according to the tenant.)
"The roof is the main reason we signed our leases. It was the first thing brokers show you when they try to lease the apartment. It has beautiful views. I like to think it is part of our building culture and community," the resident says.
Landlord Skyline Developers had advertised the amenity on their website, though has since removed it.
The resident admits that this roof closure is insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but people feel cheated here. "I pay my rent with the knowledge that I will have access to our roof."
Is this a new building or is it an old tenement they slapped a roof deck on?
ReplyDelete@ anon
ReplyDeleteIt's a new building
A few possible reasons for the closing, 1, tenants which I assume are in their 20's use the roof not for a quiet spot for reading a book and catching some rays but throwing keg parties and not cleaning up after themselves, or, whatever materials used for decking on the roof have decayed to a point where it is not safe and a lawsuit in the making, or neighbors across the street have complained about noise late into the evenings and the building has decided its just not worth it. It would be interesting to find out the real reason. I would be surprised if the landlord or whatever you call the corporations that own dozens of buildings these days, have buckled under pressure and took something away from people that nobody has ever said no to.
ReplyDeleteThe downside of renting in these "luxury" buildings is you don't have an actual landlord you can get on the phone. Instead you call a number and go through a "process" and hope someone, somewhere will eventually return your call - which they won't. But in all fairness to the tenants, if I was paying out the ass in rent for "amenities" such as seeing the sky and the property didn't deliver, I'd be pretty bitter too.
ReplyDeleteThis roof has been a problem for everyone in the neighborhood. I live on that block and it's the dorm building above Duane Reade I believe.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bunch of annoying, out-of-place college and post-grad types that have no understanding or respect for the neighborhood. They blast music,they "woo". They lose their privileges like the children that choose to act like.
I wouldn't be surprised to hear it is a reason other than noise that got it shut down. Complain all you want but the bars and the party people aren't getting shut down. It is more likely an issue with capacity and the strain on the building.
ReplyDeleteinstead of heroin laced syringes rooftops today are strewn with Pabst Blue Ribbon cans and plastic Starbucks cups. Woo.
ReplyDeleteBoo hoo... The fact that someone would write "WTF" in response to this notice lets you know the demographic that's being dealt with. Grow up - this is the real world where there are consequences for actions. It may be the noise or it may be structural strain that is the reason for this closure. Whatever it is - ask why and don't flaunt your "WTF" immaturity. 'Nuff said...
ReplyDeleteIt's the Lower East Side - if you're not interested in a young and social atmosphere then move to uptown. The building owners do not realize that a roof top amenity in a considerable attraction for anyone looking to rent in LES.
ReplyDeleteMy guess: someone paid a butt-load of money for the penthouse, and now all they get is banging and vibrations on their ceiling from the rooftop woo-hoo-ers. Rooftops are great; penthouses are greater. He who pays the most makes the rules.
ReplyDelete@ Elizabeth Reese at 3:00
ReplyDeleteAdults with jobs, lives and possibly even children in school tend not to move every 4 years when a new crop of partiers turns up. That "young and social atmosphere" you are claiming is actually first an invention of real estate agents to take advantage of you guys who have no family in the area and then a tool to use to continue making Manhattan into a tourist destination and playground with no community.
In real life, no, once someone has a home, they aren't likely to enjoy being chased out under some flag of Party Or Die.
Someday, you, too, will realize it is not that easy to just pick up and move. Maybe, if all of us on this thread are lucky, your parent's home will get seized under Eminent Domain just when you've had a kid or two and they'll have to move in with you! Karma bites.
I lived in a building with a roof deck and .. they banned all food and drink! you had to walk up two stories and cross a catwalk and you were not allowed to bring a drink!
ReplyDeleteso of course I never used it.
To Elizabeth Reese: The East Village (and East 2nd Street is in the East Village, technically) has always been a community of people of various ages. Many generations have raised their families here. There are middle-aged people here with children. There are elderly couples here. Yes, there are young people, but up until even the 1990s, the young people became a part of the community and bonded with their neighbors and didn't rate an "amenity" over being members of the community. You should think about what you are saying and keep in mind that you won't always be young. Have respect and consideration for others and if you are in a financial position to move whenever the whim strikes you be thankful. 99 percent of us aren't in that position.
ReplyDeleteDoes it make me a bad person, that every time I see and mostly HEAR these packs of rich drunken brats on the roofs, I very much hope that some of them get drunk enough to fall off?
ReplyDeleteI lived in that building from 2000 - 2009 and never once was the rooftop permanently closed. At first there was 24 hour access and then hours were reduced due to idiotic behavior.
ReplyDeleteI am still on 2nd street, but since I have moved from The Villager I have witnessed out of control roof top parties from below and am not surprised by the actions of management.
As previous commenters said, this is a community, where people live with their families for generations. It should not be treated as a frat/sorority house but should be respected and revered and those who live here should feel honored to be a fabric of the community and try to make it a better place rather than a dumping ground .
Elizabeth Reese
ReplyDeletePlease move to a big Midwestern campus and party your ass off with like minded 20 something's. If we your neighbors don't live up to what the real estate broker promised you that because they lied to you. I spent my 20s in the EV and I would go to clubs and dive bars sometimes but I never had the money to get wasted and roam the streets at night hooting and hollering as if I was the only one living here.
"It's the Lower East Side - if you're not interested in a young and social atmosphere then move to uptown."
ReplyDeleteLadies and gentleman, the classic “If you don’t like____________, then move to____________line.
Also, a variation of the “This is New York” line to “It's the Lower Seat Side”. You cannot make this shit up. This is some type of troll joke, right?
"young and social" is not self-centered and inconsiderate... Glad others stepped up and called out the bollocks that was posted. We all have gone out here and had fun - NOT with the complete disregard for those who live here but with some sense of respect and courtesy for those who call this home. Take YOUR act on the road - this is NOT a college campus. Show some respect or get out (or get schooled if you piss off the wrong local).
ReplyDeleteEliz. Reese: Please apologize and show you've got a spine. Never too late to be polite.
ReplyDeleteI personally have thrown some incredible parties on that roof top and they were all glorious!!
ReplyDeleteI've always loved this freakin roof top. Had a nice dinner / wine gathering up there when my parents were visiting from India :)
ReplyDelete