The Ninth Ward plotting its return to 180 2nd Avenue after 8 years

The Ninth Ward closed its doors after service at 180 Second Ave. on Feb. 14, 2016. 

At the time, the owners of the New Orleans-themed bar, Nic Ratner and Robert Morgan, expected to return to the retail space — hopefully in late 2018 — after a gut renovation of the building between 11th Street and 12th Street. 

Fast-forward eight-plus years and the Ninth Ward is reapplying for a liquor license for the address. Reps will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight. 

According to their questionnaire on the CB3 website:

The scheduled renovations were planned to take 18 months, but almost immediately ran into complications. Unfortunately, due to the landlord's inexperience, construction delays, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the project has now dragged on for nearly a decade. 

The liquor license for Ninth Ward, in safe keeping with the SLA, was renewed on two occasions during the construction. In the third attempt to renew the license, it was cancelled as simply too much time had passed with the business being closed. 

Ratner and Morgan opened a Ninth Ward in London in 2017.

As for the building at No. 180, workers finally removed the scaffolding, plywood, and sidewalk obstructions in February.

And after all that, the building is on the sales market for $12.5 million.

The Chicago-based Polish National Alliance was the previous owner of No. 180. The building housed the Józef Pilsudski Institute of America, the largest Polish-American research institution specializing in the recent history of Poland and Central Eastern Europe. (They found a new home in Greenpoint.) According to public records, an LLC bought the building for $6.75 million in June 2014. City Realty listed the new owner as Robert Stern.

Tonight's CB3-SLA meeting starts at 6:30. Find the Zoom link here. This is a hybrid meeting, and there is limited seating available for the public — the first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.  

For sale: the all-new 180 2nd Ave., where a restaurant is in the works

Yesterday, at long last, workers removed the remaining scaffolding, plywood, and sidewalk obstructions at 180 Second Ave., where a mixed-used residential building has been in the works for the past seven years here between 11th Street and 12th Street. (H/T Tyler!)

A few items to note here.

For starters, the bike lane is open again for the first time since — anyone? — 2017?

Also! The building is on the sales market for $12.5 million.

Here's more via the listing at Sotheby's:

180 Second Avenue presents a compelling opportunity with three potential end uses:

• All or part of the residential portion of the building could be owner-occupied, with the remainder rented for income;

• As an attractive income-generating asset, by renting out the entire building;

• As a development project, by filing for conversion to a mixed-use condominium with commercial on the ground floor and 6 residential units above (subject to the necessary approvals)...

Meanwhile, before the plywood came down, EVG reader Choresh Wald noticed the other day that the retail space displays "LaCantina" branding on the windows...

We haven't heard anything yet about a restaurant opening here. The Compass listing notes that the retail space "is under lease to an established restaurant/bar operator, expected to take possession in 2024."

So stay tuned for more about LaCantina. [Updated: Ah, so LaCantina is the door-window brand! 😂😂Thanks to the commenters for that!]

The Ninth Ward was the pre-gut renovation/extension tenant. That New Orleans-themed bar closed in February 2016. The Ninth Ward was said to return to this space after the gut renovations, but that was in mid-2017.

The Chicago-based Polish National Alliance was the previous owner of No. 180. The building housed the Józef Pilsudski Institute of America, the largest Polish-American research institution specializing in the recent history of Poland and Central Eastern Europe. (They found a new home in Greenpoint.) According to public records, an LLC bought the building for $6.75 million in June 2014. City Realty listed the new owner as Robert Stern.

Approved work permits show that workers are converting the building to residential use and adding two floors — from five to seven — in the process ... with one residential unit on each floor.  

Per the listing: "The building's design reflects a commitment to sustainability, and each of the residences is constructed to conform to Passive House standards, while the bulkhead is designed to accept solar panels for water heating."

Construction watch: 180 2nd Ave.

ICYMI: We nearly have a full reveal at 180 Second Ave., where a 6-unit condoplex has been in the works for the past 6-7 years here between 11th Street and 12th Street.

Most of the construction netting and the sidewalk bridge were recently removed...

The Chicago-based Polish National Alliance was the previous owner of No. 180. The building housed the Józef Pilsudski Institute of America, the largest Polish-American research institution specializing in the recent history of Poland and Central Eastern Europe. (They found a new home in Greenpoint.) According to public records, an LLC bought the building for $6.75 million in June 2014. City Realty listed the new owner as Robert Stern.

Approved work permits show that workers are converting the building to residential use and adding two floors — from five to seven — in the process ... with one residential unit on each floor. 

As previously reported, dating to June 2017, the building was designed to earn LEED Platinum and Passive House certification, complete with a green roof with solar hot water panels for each residential unit.

As for the ground-floor retail space, the Ninth Ward was the previous tenant. That New Orleans-themed bar closed in February 2016. The Ninth Ward was said to return to this space after the gut renovations, but that was in mid-2017.

The updated rendering now shows a December 2023 completion date. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• The renderings for the all-new 180 2nd Ave. include Leonardo DiCaprio on a Citi Bike

5 years later, signs of progress at 180 2nd Ave.

We're now into year number 5 of gut renovations at 180 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street ... which has meant almost five years of a blocked bike lane and a section of Second Avenue ... not to mention a sidewalk bridge blocking out the light for sidewalk cafes at the restaurants on either side of the building — Pangea on the right and Cacio e Pepe on the left.

According to the previously approved work permits with the city, workers are converting the building to residential use and adding two floors — from five to seven — in the process. Permits show that there will be one residential unit on each floor. (Condos?)

As the top photo shows, workers appear to have started the framework for that seventh floor. (See below for a rendering of the all-new No. 180.)

As previously reported, dating to June 2017, the building was designed to earn LEED Platinum and Passive House certification, complete with a green roof with solar hot water panels for each residential unit.

The Chicago-based Polish National Alliance was the previous owner of No. 180. The building housed the Józef Pilsudski Institute of America, the largest Polish-American research institution specializing in the recent history of Poland and Central Eastern Europe. (They found a new home in Greenpoint.) According to public records, an LLC bought the building for $6.75 million in June 2014. City Realty listed the new owner as Robert Stern.

As for the ground-floor retail space, the Ninth Ward was the previous tenant. That New Orleans-themed bar closed in February 2016. The Ninth Ward was said to return to this space after the gut renovations, but that was in mid-2017.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• The renderings for the all-new 180 2nd Ave. include Leonardo DiCaprio on a Citi Bike

Construction watch: 180 2nd Ave.

Workers are wrapping up a third full year of gut renovations at 180 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street... that's almost three years of a blocked bike lane and a section of Second Avenue ... not to mention a sidewalk bridge blocking out the light for sidewalk cafes at the restaurants on either side of the building — Pangea on the right and Cacio e Pepe on the left.

According to the previously approved work permits on file with the city, workers are converting the building to residential use and adding two floors — from five to seven — in the process. Permits show that there will be one residential unit on each floor. (Condos?)

Not sure why this is taking so long. The extra floors aren't even in view after all this time. As previously reported, dating to June 2017, the building was designed to earn LEED Platinum and Passive House certification, complete with a green roof with solar hot water panels for each residential unit.

The Chicago-based Polish National Alliance was the previous owner of No. 180. The building housed the Józef Pilsudski Institute of America, which is the largest Polish-American research institution specializing in the recent history of Poland and Central Eastern Europe. (They found a new home in Greenpoint.) An LLC bought the building for $6.75 million in June 2014, per public records. City Realty listed the new owner as Robert Stern.

As for the ground-floor retail space, the Ninth Ward was the previous tenant. That New Orleans-themed bar closed in February 2016. The Ninth Ward was said to be returning to this space after the gut renovations, but that was in mid-2017.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• The renderings for the all-new 180 2nd Ave. include Leonardo DiCaprio on a Citi Bike

The gutting of 180 2nd Avenue continues

Gut renovations started late last year at 180 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street, where the existing building is getting a complete condoplexification with the addition of two more floors.



A look inside from the sidewalk reveals the extent of the gut job... and just how much work remains...


[Photo by Steven]

The ongoing work can't be much fun for the restaurants on either side of the property — Cacio e Pepe at No. 182 and Pangea at No. 178. (Go see a show in the backroom at Pangea!)



As a reminder from previous post, here's a rendering of the condoplex in making via Ole Sondresen Architect...



And the description:

This East Village residential building is elegantly comprised of four 2 bedroom units and two 1 bedroom homes. Each unit features its own private terrace with open views down 2nd Avenue. The apartments are composed of two programmatic wooden boxes housing closets, bathrooms, and mechanicals which allows for an open loft-like feeling in the rest of the living space. The building is designed to earn LEED Platinum and Passive House certification, integrating a green roof with solar hot water panels for each residential unit. Reclaimed wood planters are incorporated into each terrace allowing lush plantings to liven the facade.

The Chicago-based Polish National Alliance was the previous owner of No. 180. The building housed the Józef Pilsudski Institute of America, which is the largest Polish-American research institution specializing in the recent history of Poland and Central Eastern Europe. (They found a new home in Greenpoint.) An LLC bought the building for $6.75 million in June 2014, per public records. The owner is listed as Robert Stern.

As for the ground-floor retail space, the Ninth Ward, the previous tenant, is expected to return.

And a p.s. from this construction zone via Vinny & O ... a Bagel Zone sign greets any salmoners...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Residential conversion underway at 180 2nd Ave.; the Ninth Ward expected to return

The renderings for the all-new 180 2nd Ave. include Leonardo DiCaprio on a Citi Bike

The renderings for the all-new 180 2nd Ave. include Leonardo DiCaprio on a Citi Bike

[No. 180 from August 2017]

During the December holiday break, I noted that gut renovations were underway at 180 Second Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street.

According to the previously approved work permits on file with the city, workers are converting the building to residential use and adding two floors in the process. Permits show that there will be one residential unit on each floor.

A tipster shared the renderings for the building... via Ole Sondresen Architect...



And the description:

This East Village residential building is elegantly comprised of four 2 bedroom units and two 1 bedroom homes. Each unit features its own private terrace with open views down 2nd Avenue. The apartments are composed of two programmatic wooden boxes housing closets, bathrooms, and mechanicals which allows for an open loft-like feeling in the rest of the living space. The building is designed to earn LEED Platinum and Passive House certification, integrating a green roof with solar hot water panels for each residential unit. Reclaimed wood planters are incorporated into each terrace allowing lush plantings to liven the facade. The concrete structure is left with exposed joints and formwork markings, juxtaposing textured concrete surfaces against refined wood and glass. The building's order is achieved through the honesty of materials and the clarity of its design.

Meanwhile, a closer inspection of the rendering reveals a Citi Biker facing the wrong direction in the Second Avenue bike lane...



Celebrities-Who-Citi-Bike watchers will recognize that scalie...



Leo!



As for the ground-floor retail space, the Ninth Ward, the previous tenant, is expected to return.

The Chicago-based Polish National Alliance was the previous owner of No. 180. The building housed the Józef Pilsudski Institute of America, which is the largest Polish-American research institution specializing in the recent history of Poland and Central Eastern Europe. (They found a new home in Greenpoint.) An LLC bought the building for $6.75 million in June 2014, per public records.

Previously on EV Grieve:
2nd Avenue bar Ninth Ward is closing for good on Feb. 14; building rumored to be demolished

Residential conversion underway at 180 2nd Ave.; the Ninth Ward expected to return

Residential conversion underway at 180 2nd Ave.; the Ninth Ward expected to return

Gut renovations continue at 180 Second Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street...



According to the previously approved work permits on file with the city, workers are converting the building to residential use and adding two floors in the process. Permits show that there will be one residential unit on each floor. (Condos?)

As for the ground-floor retail space, the Ninth Ward was the previous tenant. That New Orleans-themed bar closed in February 2016. Earlier this year, co-owner Robert Morgan told me via email that the Ninth Ward would be returning to this space after the gut renovations.

"We recently opened a updated version of Ninth Ward in London and it’s doing fantastic across the pond. We’ll be bringing that incarnation of Ninth Ward back to 180 Second Ave.," he said in June. In the meantime, the Ninth Ward's wooden beams and original bar are "resting peacefully in a barn in Massachusetts."

The Chicago-based Polish National Alliance was the previous owner of No. 180. The building housed the Józef Pilsudski Institute of America, which is the largest Polish-American research institution specializing in the recent history of Poland and Central Eastern Europe. (They found a new home in Greenpoint.) An LLC bought the building for $6.75 million in June 2014, per public records.

Previously on EV Grieve:
2nd Avenue bar Ninth Ward is closing for good on Feb. 14; building rumored to be demolished


[No. 180 from August]