Thursday, August 8, 2019

Bowlmor Lanes-replacing condoplex cleared of construction equipment on University Place



EVG reader Doug shared these photos of the 22-floor retail-residential complex on University Place between 12th Street and 13th Street (space that was, in part, home for 76 years to Bowlmor Lanes).

Doug notes that all the construction barriers around the complex have been removed, perhaps signaling the end to the exterior work here...



We last checked in on the building in March 1, 2018. At the time the condoplex with the sandstone-colored façade, via William Macklowe Company and Goldman Sachs, was set to open in the summer of 2018.

Curbed had reported in February 2018 that 75 percent of the building’s 52 apartments at 21 E. 12th St. (21E12!) were in contract, including the $17.5 million penthouse. The building's website now lists three availabilities.

The retail space in the base of the building is still on the market. Per the listing at Acadia:

The location provides unparalleled foot traffic and eyeballs from affluent professionals, millennial students, artists, and tourists. The building’s modern, glassy design and double-height facade will allow retailers to maximize their branding and visibility, and make a strong impression on the local population.

The retail component consists of approximately 13,000 sf, which is divisible into 3 or 4 stores. These stores sit at the base of 20 floors of residential units, providing immediate access to this upscale population. The retail spaces feature 17 ft ceilings, and striking glass storefronts.

And the rendering...



Preservationists and other residents remain concerned that these types of out-of-scale development will flourish in this area south of Union Square following the upzoning — with a minimum of zoning protections — that was approved for the tech hub on 14th Street.

Bowlmor Lanes closed in July 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 22-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes

Oh hi: The 23-floor Bowlmor Lanes-replacing luxury building


[July 2014]

17 comments:

noble neolani said...

Retail is in serious trouble and in this city especially. Barneys is closing 7 stores nationwide and has entered chapter 11 so it's not just mom and pop stores being priced out and or killed by Amazon.
It will be interesting in the coming years to see what becomes of similar retail spaces as those building fight over the shrinking number of businesses which will be in a position to lease in these luxury building.

Anonymous said...

What a soul-sucking eyesore.

Anonymous said...

The rendering has a lot more greenery

Gojira said...

This piece of crap has already made a strong impression on me, but I don't think it's the one the developers were hoping for.

Anonymous said...

as a renter, I welcome more housing to the neighborhood and hope this type of building becomes the context

Anonymous said...

What a pathetic cardboard mock-up of a building! Clearly designed by a computer with no human intervention; it could not possibly be more bland. "Hi, I'm located nowhere!"

Anonymous said...

Retail is in trouble everywhere. NYC has too much retail space. These new buildings need to stop putting these spaces in. They are no longer necessary. Retail stores cant compete with online sellers. Period.

Anonymous said...

Are you their target buyer? Seems people who have the money like it.

Anonymous said...

I wonder who'll rent the commercial space, since the Nutella market is already saturated there.

Anonymous said...

@10:32am: Not sure whom you are addressing, but "people with money" are often fools and/or idiots - they buy tickets to the Fyre Festival, for instance. And they're certainly not known for having good taste!

The only reason to live IN that building would be so you didn't have to look AT it.

Giovanni said...

In spite of the marketing hype that the location has “unparalleled foot traffic,” the walking traffic is an order of magnitude higher for stores on Union Square, Broadway and on 14th Street than it is down on University Place, so lets just wait and see how many years/decades/eons these storefronts take to rent out. At least they finally cleared away those construction barriers.

The stores at Steiner East Village on 12th and Avenue A are still empty after a few years on the market. One listing dates back to 2014, before that building even went up. While University Place is a more upscale location than Avenue A, the rents must be much more upscale as well. Unless the Nutella Cafe suddenly requires a massive expansion, this will take quite awhile.

Anonymous said...

These spaces will never be rented. There is no market for them. They arent needed. Migbt as well build a bigger lobby or sales/ leasing office- or a giant storage room for all the amazon packages the residents are getting. Retail for the most part is over. Bars, food,coffee,yoga, salons, or niche specialty stores can survive in Manhattan. Thats it.

Anonymous said...

Enough with the complaining. Get over it.

Anonymous said...

Just like I thought it would be a soulless building made for wealthy individuals to live in without providing any benefit to the community. Bowlmore we miss you!!!

Anonymous said...

"Enough with the complaining. Get over it."

So typical of a self entitled one. Why not go with the "if you don't like________, move to_____" line.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, look, the new headquarters of the Cardboard Industry, featuring a building made almost entire out of cardboard!

Giovanni said...

I know exactly what they should put in those stores: a bowling alley!