Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Former funeral home on 2nd Avenue begins afterlife as rentals with furnished roof deck


[EVG photo from September]

The rentals for the former Sigmund Schwartz Gramercy Park Chapel arrived on the market yesterday.

The folks at neighborhood favorites Icon Reality are behind the newly six-story structure at 152 Second Ave. between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street. Seems like a long time coming for the building: The demolition work here started back in April 2012.

Streeteasy has 12 listings, ranging from the one-bedroom jobbie for $3,500 to five-bedroom duplexes asking $9,500.

Here's more about the building via the Icon site:

Grand Opening of 152 2nd Avenue. Brand New Luxury Apartments Designed by Paris Forino

All apartments have access to the building's Large Landscaped and Furnished Roof Deck!

All apartments in this Brand New Designer Boutique Building Feature:

Whitewashed Oak Floors
Limed Brick Walls
Private Balconies
Intricate Mosaic Tilework
Oversized Windows
Queen Sized Bedrooms
Central Air
Washer/Dryers in every unit
Bicycle Storage
Free Storage Lockers

(Not mentioned in the amenities: Being directly across the street from the 13th Step.)

Will be interesting to see how the roof deck goes over with neighbors. The roof deck at Icon's 205 Avenue A is well-known to the NYPD, who, according to one resident, come by "almost every weekend" during Rooftop Rager Season.

Oh, and here are some photos of the units and rooftop via the Icon site...











Meanwhile, the retail space at 152 Second Ave. remains on the market.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Former funeral home looks to double in size with help from 'the controversial penthouse king of the East Village'

Redeveloped funeral home looking for a few live retail tenants

The walls come tumbling down at 154 Second Avenue

Friday night's rooftop party at Icon Realty's 205 Avenue A (49 comments)

At 205 Avenue A, where the NYPD stops by 'almost every weekend'

Here's how 152 Second Ave. looked in the summer of 2011…

[Via Off the Grid]

Here's what the address looked like in the 1940s, via Vanishing New York...

27 comments:

muzz said...

*sighs* I miss crown moldings.

Anonymous said...

Throw in some mauve colored upholstery on wicker furniture it this place is Golden Girls ready. One would think after years of being a funeral home this place would have more soul.

Anonymous said...

Are we dying less? Why is it we had so many funeral homes -- they were an essential part of the neighborhoods, even on the LES, and now very very few left.

IzF said...

I hope the new occupants aren't spooked by the ghosts!

Anonymous said...

@anon 8:37
the new EV residents won't be dying off for decades to come unless there is an incident at a rooftop rave on buildings like this one.

Anonymous said...

The building facade isn't too bad. What is really bad about these apartments is that the living room/kitchen gets no natural sunlight at all.

Anonymous said...

Are the storage lockers where they used to keep the bodies ready for embalming? Could be a little creepy. Footsteps in the night? Hardly...any ghostlike sounds would be totally blown away by the noise from the 13th Step directly across the street.
Architecturally though, it does fit nicely into the neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

Almost ten grand for a two bedroom duplex? That is fucking highway robbery. Anyone who pays such a high amount is duche bag. Take that money and put a down payment on a place, perhaps in an outer borough. I can't even justify paying that amount, even if I had it. Ridiculous. It isn't even Fifth Avenue or Lower Fifth Avenue. This is just a sign of the new normal and the things to come that will terrorize this city into becoming an obsolete mecca for the shallow and rich.

Anonymous said...

Roof deck that over looks the 13th step? That's too perfect for words bro. Bro.

Ken from Ken's Kitchen said...

The exterior's good but the interiors leave me cold.

dwg said...

With 13th Step right across the street noise from rooftop parties at 152 might blend right in, but be advised Icon rents to frat types and does nothing about partying and noise. Be ready to make 311 calls, contact Det. Hernandez at 9th Precinct Community Affairs Division, and Rosie Mendez's office. They are following and working on out of control rooftop and backyard noise problems. Take it from a nearby resident of Icon's frat building at 205 ave A.

Anonymous said...

The roof decks should be treated like bars. They are private property, however they should not get any special consideration. If they roof bars are noisy, they should come in with a noise meter and close them down. These decks are very disruptive to the community including all the small businesses. If I go to dinner I don't want to listen to the "roof music". I am paying for my meal and want to enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant and the company of my dinner partner.

NOTORIOUS said...

Not a fan of that plastic-feeling, click together laminate flooring. Overall these apartments have zero character. But lucky me! I'm not in the market to throw $3,500 around for four walls and a woo roof.

Anonymous said...

FYI. Appears the 6 BR Frat Pad at 205 Ave A is back up for rent with an April 1 move-in available.

http://www.iconrealtymgmt.com/listing/205AVENUEA1028?price=All&beds=All&location=All&visible=1&start=0&seq=1

Anonymous said...

br0s are just dying to get in there.

Anonymous said...

A newish building on 12th street had 4 pompous NYU law school bros living in a similar multi bedroom apartment. When the building was sold they were booted. The new super told me the frat-holes put holes in all the walls, doors and all the flooring had to be replaced. I'm sure Icon is aware of what happens in an animal house so they budget a months rent but the security into these end of lease renovations.

Anonymous said...

Take it from a current tenant of one of Icon's buildings...they could care less about the neighbors, the neighborhood or anyone else. They intend to turn the E.V. into one giant frat house (hence the five bedroom apartments). It drives out the old tenants whom they have zero respect for. Pure contempt for older, long-time tenants. Steer clear of Icon if you want peace of mind and good health.

Former East Villager said...

12:26--what on earth was done to the floors? I can't even imagine!

Anonymous said...

One of these days, these apartment ads are going to actually include language such as "Bros with guarantor welcome". Listen to me now and believe me later.

Anonymous said...

No slide? WhatEVER!

Anonymous said...

nice 1940s photo! a dress and hat shop in the same building as the funeral home.

I-)

Anonymous said...

"bros are just dying to get in there."

So we do need more funeral parlors in the nabe! You can over drink, then get laid out the next day.

Anonymous said...

Yo bros, why are you ragging on us frat boys? You're jealous of our youth, future, money, and good looks. Get lives bros. We own the East Village. Get used to it. Peace out.

Anonymous said...

To the second commenter, the reason there are fewer funeral homes is because more people are cremated. Why spend 10 grand for a funeral?

Walter said...

I'll let you all come and visit once I get the pool installed. Cocktails will be on me.

Anonymous said...

You forgot to mention in addition to design by Paris Forino the apartments have art by Picasso, yes Sam Picasso.

Anonymous said...

Am I nuts, but are some of those fire escapes not perfectly horizontal?