[Via Wikipedia Commons]
Yes, that graffiti-filled one at the corner of Spring Street … long a source of mystery!
In 2008, New York had what is believed to be the media's one and only inside look at the place:
The building at 190 Bowery is a mystery: a graffiti-covered Gilded Age relic, with a beat-up wooden door that looks like it hasn’t been opened since La Guardia was mayor. A few years ago, that described a lot of the neighborhood, but with the Bowery Hotel and the New Museum, the Rogan and John Varvatos boutiques, 190 is now an anomaly, not the norm. Why isn’t some developer turning it into luxury condos?
Because Jay Maisel, the photographer who bought it 42 years ago for $102,000, still lives there, with his wife, Linda Adam Maisel, and daughter, Amanda. It isn’t a decrepit ruin; 190 Bowery is a six-story, 72-room, 35,000-square-foot (depending on how you measure) single-family home.
Anyway, Crain's New York is reporting that the circa-1898 building has been listed at RFR Realty. ("The ground and second floors have 18-foot ceiling heights and are ideal for retail use.")
But is it really for sale? Per Crain's: "RFR declined to comment and the photographer, Jay Maisel, did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the fate of the ornate six-story, granite and brick building."
Real-estate experts figured the landmarked would fetch $50 million on the open market. And those were 2008 estimates.
the building has its own wiki page! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germania_Bank_Building_(New_York)
ReplyDeleteI-)
Jay, please don't do it! We love you're family there. Sons are so great removing snow on the sidewalk. Can't they take it over and rent parts until they make more money than selling would ever get you after taxes? And they'd still have the asset to leave to their kids.
ReplyDeleteIf I was him I'd take the money in this bubble economy and build a lair on a private island off the coast of Nova Scotia.
ReplyDeleteIt must break his heart to see what the area has become every time he walks out of his door.
I used to live around the corner in the late 80's when there were crack dealers on the corner 24/7 so I have to say the area has improved.
ReplyDeleteIf it is for sale, I hope that the next owner keeps up the tradition and allows graffiti artist to keep tagging the building. That's all I ask.
ReplyDeleteI can't begrudge this guy for taking the money - that's a legacy for generations and generations to come whereas the building is a legacy for him and (maybe) his kids.
ReplyDeleteAlso - more housing units in the neighborhood is a good thing - period. Provided this doesn't turn into Crate & Barrel.
If by "improved" you mean people who refuse to help the homeless while eating hundred dollar meals a few doors down from the homeless shelter, then I guess the Bowery has definitely improved.
ReplyDeleteGiovanni, It can't all be black and white.
ReplyDeleteAny update on the salvation army building next door to the Bowery Mission? I was told its becoming a hotel. Is this true? If so It can't be good news for the mission. Lets build unaffordable housing next to a mission. I'm sure they will screw up the services.
ReplyDeleteWhoa.....it's got new EVG Headquarters written all over it.
ReplyDeleteTHINK OF THE SLIDE....
for Gawd's sake man....
THINK OF THE SLIDE!
Thank God you included "landmarked" in there or I would have had to have a fit.
ReplyDelete