Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Former Chris French Cleaners space wrapped for demolition

The former Chris French Cleaners is now wrapped in plywood ahead of its demolition here on the NE corner of Fourth Avenue at Ninth Street (h/t Steven!)...
As we noted, a 10-story condoplex with 10 residential units is in the works for the corner, a single-level space. 

The dry cleaner closed its doors for good last September, marking 65 years in business. 

In the spring of 2022, we noted that the corner property was being pitched as a development site, shortly after the family patriarch, Chris Mitrofanis, passed away. Public records show the family also owned the one-level structure. 

According to Crain's, Ilyas Abayev, founder of the real-estate firm Moonshot Development, is behind the new project. BKSK Architects LLP, whose local credits include The Jefferson on 13th Street between Second and Third Avenues, is listed as the architect of record.
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4 comments:

  1. Andrew PorterFebruary 11, 2026 at 11:16 AM

    A million years ago, this was the southernmost start of what used to be Book Row, where many used book stores created a lively community. Biblo and Tannen was next door, just to the north.

    ReplyDelete
  2. billFebruary 11, 2026 at 1:26 PM

    Biblo and Tannen was at 63 4th Avenue. Pageant Book & Print Shop was next door on 9th Street until about 1995 when it relocated to Houston St. and stopped selling books but continued to sell prints, as it does now on E. 4th St.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Carol from East 5th StreetFebruary 11, 2026 at 11:39 PM

    They were the best cleaners. Never would trust my clothes to anyone else.but as years went by most clothing didn't need dry cleaning. In addition I think the father died and the lure of $$ (they owned the building) was too good to resist.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Frida-MelFebruary 14, 2026 at 2:28 PM

    Hello! You did an article on Chris French cleaners closer. Their best tailor just found a new location! She has 700+ clients in the area & she would like help with spreading the news around.

    ReplyDelete

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