Landlord: STIK’s 'Liberty' mural will remain on 9th Street and Avenue A

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Workers have been painting the building at the southwest corner of Ninth Street and Avenue A, prompting concern about the "Liberty" mural's fate.

A member of the building's management team, on-site yesterday, said the north-facing mural by UK street artist STIK was likely to remain. The rep contacted us later to confirm the news.

The rep also admitted that the landlord was surprised by the outpouring of support on social media for the 13-year-old, four-floor-tall artwork. 

"The importance to the community is what did it," the rep said. "We will paint around it in some form."

In an Instagram Story, STIK also confirmed the news that the mural would be spared from the paint-over... and thanked everyone who spoke out about it.

The piece arrived in September 2013, a gift from the now-closed Dorian Grey Gallery on Ninth Street, and was meant to honor the history of Tompkins Square Park.

The rep said the building has been in contact with the artist and had been "exploring options," adding: "We're doing our best to speak to the community and we're taking into consideration the neighborhood."

He also noted that the building is in disrepair, pointing to recently refreshed details: "You can see how nice and sharp the cornices look now."

As previously reported, in December 2022, entities tied to landlord Nuchem Obstfeld purchased a five-building East Village portfolio for $29 million, including 413, 438 and 440 E. Ninth St., as well as 141 and 153 Avenue A. 

Chico's long-standing Doc Holliday's mural was not part of the building painting project, the rep said.