Work commences at the long-vacant 11 Avenue A, due for a residential conversion and 3 new floors

We spotted workers yesterday pumping concrete into the basement of 11 Avenue A between Houston and Second Street. 

This is the first worker we can recall here in nearly a decade. 

For years, residential conversion plans have been pending here. Public records now show new permits (as of late February) to convert this existing three-story commercial structure into a six-story residential building with retail space on the first floor.

The permits show five dwelling units for the 5,000-plus square feet of residential space. 

Some history: Ben Ari Arts, which had been at this location since 1960 (it opened on Allen Street in 1945), closed at the end of 2013. It was said to be the last Judaica shop on the Lower East Side.

Ben Ari Arts owner Yakov Melmed, who started helping his father sell menorahs, ceremonial wine cups, and prayer shawls at the store in 1973, decided to leave the neighborhood. According to public records, he sold the building for $3.4 million. 

Ariel Soudry of Better Living Properties is listed as No. 11's owner.