Y7 reopens along 250 E. Houston St.

Y7 Studio, the hip-hop-fueled yoga center, reopened yesterday for in-person classes along 250 E. Houston St.

The studio had been closed since March 2020, offering virtual classes instead. Y7 has been in this space since December 2018.

As previously noted, a Pure Barre outpost is also coming to this retail strip between Avenue A and Avenue B, per the fitness chain's website. Not sure what space they are taking. (We incorrectly thought it might be the Y7 storefront.) Pure Barre is a ballet-inspired fitness regimen mostly centered around the handrail used in ballet training — the barre. 

And as we've been noting, there's been a storefront shuffle along this renovated retail stretch. Kapri Cleaners and the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center moved from the unrenovated spaces a few doorways down East Houston. 

The old retail section of this strip is apparently coming down to make way for an unspecified new development.

A clue about future development courtesy of the former Subway at 250 E. Houston St.

We continue to wait for official word of what will happen to the now-empty strip of storefronts at 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

As we've reported, there's been a storefront shuffle along this retail stretch. Kapri Cleaners and the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center moved from the unrenovated spaces to new storefronts closer to the entrance to the 13-story residential building at No. 250. Other businesses, including the Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins and China Town, have closed. 

The old retail section of this strip is apparently coming down to make way for an unspecified new development. 

A letter from the owner of the shuttered (as of Aug. 30) Subway sandwich shop provides another clue. EVG contributor Stacie Joy spotted this on the storefront (click on the image for more detail) ... 

Per the letter: "I am saddened to inform you that since the Ownership of this Property has decided to construct a multistory building, they will not be able to renew [the] lease for my Subway Store."

The family-owned franchise had been here for more than 20 years. Per the letter, the owner said that he hopes to find a new location for his Subway.

Meanwhile, still nothing on file with the city just yet about a demolition or new building permits.

Raising the barre: Pure Barre opening a studio at 250 E. Houston St.

A Pure Barre outpost is coming to 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, per the fitness chain's website. (H/T Stacie Joy!) 

Pure Barre looks to be taking over the space last held by Y7 Studio, the hip-hop-fueled yoga center that never reopened after the PAUSE of March 2020. Update: Y7 reopened on Oct. 4. It's not clear what space Pure Barre is taking.

As its name suggests, Pure Barre is a ballet-inspired fitness regimen mostly centered around the handrail used in ballet training — the barre. 

And as we've been noting, there's been a storefront shuffle along this renovated retail stretch. Kapri Cleaners and the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center moved here from the unrenovated spaces a few doorways down East Houston. The old retail section of this strip is apparently coming down to make way for an unspecified new development. 

On that note, workers last week were removing asbestos from the former Subway (sandwich) shop space...

6 Avenue B doesn't appear to be part of a new (and rumored) Houston Street development

We've been talking about the RUMORED new development coming to the now-empty single row of businesses at 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

There was some speculation that the long-vacant 6 Avenue B on the NW corner might be part of a new residential project.

A little digging in public records (courtesy of Upper West Sider — thank you!) reveals that work has been filed in recent months to upgrade antennas and add new FDNY access signs at No. 6. Seems doubtful, as Upper West Side noted, that AT&T would spend the money to upgrade the equipment if the building was about to be demolished.

As for No. 6 ...  the liquor store in the retail space has been closed since the owner passed away in the fall of 2009 at age 89. (Chico created the tribute to her on the gate in February 2010.)

In January 2013, workers were spotted hauling out some junk from the building...  in December 2014, bricks fell from the building, breaking the foot of a passerby, as the Lo-Down reported at the time. And an SUV took out part of the sidewalk bridge in November 2018. And that's about it.

And as previously noted, this is one of the abandoned buildings owned by the estate of the mysterious team of Arthur and Abraham Blasof, now both deceased. 

Updated 10:30 a.m.

Thanks to the commenter who did a little digging in the archives. There was a question about the windowless lot line at 6 Avenue B. Here's a tax photo dated 1939-1941 showing a building identified as 2-4 Avenue B (with a Circulating Library storefront!) ... that corner structure was likely demolished when the city widened East Houston... and No. 6 became the new corner building...

... and the old NW corner... you can see No. 6 in the background...

Quick-serve veteran China Town closing on East Houston after 32 years in business

Sunday is the last day for the quick-serve China Town Restaurant at 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

However, you may see them again this fall. Ownership of the 32-year-old establishment there told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that they are negotiating to buy A & C Kitchen on Avenue C between Eighth Street and Ninth Street. 

Door signage for patrons hints at this...

As we've been reporting, the businesses in the unrenovated section of this retail strip have been announcing plans to move or close. 

The FedEx Office Print & Ship Center and Kapri Cleaners are moving into remodeled storefronts along No. 250. The Subway (sandwich shop) and Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins combo are closing soon without plans for new locations. The Mattress Mart previously shuttered along this corridor. 

Multiple sources along this corridor have said a new residential building is in the works here. Four sources have told Stacie that the one-level row of storefronts is facing demolition. 

This is still speculation: Nothing about a new building or demolition has shown up in DOB records. (We're told that plans will be revealed once all the businesses have left. The photo below is from 2018.)

The 13-floor residential building at 250 E. Houston St., the former Red Square, changed ownership in the fall of 2016 ... and underwent extensive renovations.

Retail shuffle continues at 250 E. Houston St.; Subway and Dunkin' next to leave

The storefront shuffle continues along 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

We previously mentioned that the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center was moving into a newly renovated space a few doors away. 

Meanwhile, Kapri Cleaners is staying in this strip, as EVG contributor Stacie Joy reports...

They'll be moving at the end of the month...

The Subway (sandwich shop) doesn't have a sign up, though workers told Stacie that this is their last week. They do not know if a new location is in the cards.

The Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins combo is closing. Workers said they hope to move nearby but do not know where just yet.

Lastly, China Town has not been open ... there wasn't any signage about a move or closure for patrons...

The Mattress Mart previously shuttered along this corridor. 

So why all the movement? We've heard rumblings (via several EVG commenters) about a new residential building for this strip — perhaps something like EVGB that swallowed up the small businesses along 14th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B a few years back. 

However, this is speculation at this point: Nothing about a new building or demolition has shown up in DOB records.

The 13-floor residential building at 250 E. Houston St., the former Red Square, changed ownership in the fall of 2016 ... and underwent extensive renovations.

Apparently, not all of the retail space was part of the deal. You can tell by where the new paint stops — right at the former Mattress Mart, as seen in the top pic.

Thanks to Stacie Joy for the photos!

Express yourself: A look at the new FedEx space on Houston

As mentioned the other day, the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center is moving into a newly renovated space a few doors away along East Houston between Avenue A and Avenue B.

EVG correspondent Stacie Joy shared these photos yesterday of the FedExers' more modern-looking storefront... 

The FedEx Office Print & Ship Center is shipping off to a new storefront on East Houston

The storefront shuffle continues along 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The FedEx Office Print & Ship Center is moving from its current space to several storefronts to the west ... into one of the newly renovated spaces (I believe this was Dr. Manuel Velazquez's office) ...

The 13-floor residential building at 250 E. Houston St., the former Red Square, changed ownership in the fall of 2016 ... and underwent extensive renovations.

Apparently, not all of the retail space was part of the deal. (You can tell by where the new paint stops — right at the recently shuttered Mattress Mart.) Other current tenants in the unpainted zone include the Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins combo, Subway (sandwich shop), China Town Chinese restaurant, H&R Block and Kapri Cleaners.

Good night: Mattress Firm closes up shop on East Houston

The Mattress Firm recently closed at 250 E. Houston St. in the row of one-level businesses here between Avenue A and Avenue B. 

Previously it was a Sleepy's ... and before Sleepy's, the address served as a Halloween pop-up shop for a few years. 

And before that! Blockbuster!

Blockbuster bid adieu in March 2012. 

The 13-floor residential building at 250 E. Houston St., the former Red Square, changed ownership in the fall of 2016 ... and underwent extensive renovations.

Apparently, not all of the retail space was part of the deal.

You can tell by where the new paint stops — right at the former Mattress Mart. Other current tenants in the unpainted zone include the Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins combo, Subway (sandwich shop), China Town Chinese restaurant, the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center, H&R Block and Kapri Cleaners.

There are several vacancies in the old and renovated retail sections. And the Y7 Studio has yet to reopen (to the left of Mattress Mart) from the PAUSE of March 2020.

Previously on EV Grieve:

You've had your last Blockbuster night on East Houston

250 E. Houston St. is changing colors

This reader-submitted photo shows the continued transformation of 250 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The bricks are changing color here now. We've already mentioned the clock work. (OK, twice.)

The Dermot Company, which bought the 13-floor building for $100 million in 2016, has stated they are "creating a more updated style and fit for the cool East Village neighborhood" with the renovations at the retail-residential complex.

And one day, No. 250 will look like this rendering...



Previously

Workers still on the clock at 250 E. Houston St.

A quick follow-up to the clock post from April 11.

Workers have been refurbishing the (purposefully) askew clock atop 250 E. Houston St., the former Red Square here between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The Dermot Company bought the 13-floor building for $100 million in 2016. Since then, they've revamped the lobby and added new retail tenants.

While the 18-foot statue of Vladimir Lenin, which stood atop Red Square for 22 years was removed in 2016 (before eventually returning not too far away), the clock appears to be in the renovated building's plans.

Renderings of the new-look No. 250 include the clock with the numbers still out of sequence...





The original Red Square developers, Michael Rosen and Michael Shaoul, reportedly put the clock in this spot to cover the water tower and elevator shaft. The distinctive clock is a take on MoMA’s "Askew" watch that features a random sequence of numbers. (Hungarian graphic designer Tibor Kalman created this version.)



Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Red Square has been sold

New ownership makes it official at the former Red Square on East Houston

Apartment listings at 250 E. Houston look to offer glimpse of former Red Square's future

Long-vacant retail space hits the rental market at 250 E. Houston St.

Former Red Square lobby gets the plywood treatment on East Houston

Workers on the clock at 250 E. Houston St.

The renovations are now in the rooftop-clock phase at 250 E. Houston St., the former Red Square here between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The west-facing clock wall is undergoing a makeover now...





The original Red Square developers, Michael Rosen and Michael Shaoul, reportedly put the clock in this spot to cover the water tower and elevator shaft. The distinctive clock is a take on MoMA’s "Askew" watch that features a random sequence of numbers. (Hungarian graphic designer Tibor Kalman created this version.)



The Dermot Company, which bought the 13-floor building for $100 million in 2016, has stated they are "creating a more updated style and fit for the cool East Village neighborhood" with the renovations at the retail-residential complex.

While the 18-foot statue of Vladimir Lenin, which stood atop Red Square for 22 years was removed in 2016 (before eventually returning not too far away), the clock appears to be in the renovated building's plans.

Renderings of the new-look No. 250 include the clock with the numbers still out of sequence...





Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Red Square has been sold

New ownership makes it official at the former Red Square on East Houston

Apartment listings at 250 E. Houston look to offer glimpse of former Red Square's future

Long-vacant retail space hits the rental market at 250 E. Houston St.

Former Red Square lobby gets the plywood treatment on East Houston

Retail moves at 250 East Houston

A few business switcheroos to mention over at the 250 East Houston compound, where both the H&R Block and Kapri Cleaners are relocating to retail spaces closer to Avenue B....










The 13-floor residential building at 250 E. Houston St., the former Red Square here between Avenue A and Avenue B, changed ownership in the fall of 2016.

No. 250 has been undergoing interior and exterior renovations. Several new businesses have been added to the strip: the Y7 Studio and an upscale barber shop recently debuted in the retail spaces.

Meanwhile, several storefronts remain on the market. Other current tenants here include the Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins combo, Subway (sandwich shop), Sleepy's/Mattress Firm, China Town Chinese restaurant, the FedEx Office Print & Ship Center, a doctor's office and East Houston Wine & Liquor.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Red Square has been sold

New ownership makes it official at the former Red Square on East Houston

Apartment listings at 250 E. Houston look to offer a glimpse of former Red Square's future

Long-vacant retail space hits the rental market at 250 E. Houston St.

Former Red Square lobby gets the plywood treatment on East Houston

Y7 Studio debuts its candlelit hip-hop yoga at 250 E. Houston on Monday

The plywood came down this week along the retail portion of 250 E. Houston St. ... exposing the new Y7 Studio here between Avenue A and Avenue B...



The ground-floor studio, equipped with showers, changing rooms and retail space, opens on Monday morning. This marks the growing yoga chainlet's 11th location in Manhattan and Los Angeles. (Y7 is also reportedly one of the fastest-growing fitness boutiques in the country.)

Here's more about Y7, which describes its practice as "sweat dripping, beat bumping, candlelit yoga" set against a soundtrack of Cardi B, Fetty Wap and Beyoncé.

At Y7 we do things differently. We give you 60 minutes of intensity combined with heat and strength complemented by deep breathing and a calming of the mind. We ask you to step outside the chaos and embrace the fire inside. You’ll flow along to the latest beats. There are no mirrors in the candle-lit studios. The darkness, the sounds, and the heat will take you to a place you’ve never before been. Join us for the best hour of your day. Leave here feeling strong, clear and ready to take on whatever the city has in store for you. Take a class and never look back.

The is the first new retail tenant at No. 250 since the under-renovation 13-floor building changed ownership in the fall of 2016.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Red Square has been sold

New ownership makes it official at the former Red Square on East Houston

Apartment listings at 250 E. Houston look to offer glimpse of former Red Square's future

Long-vacant retail space hits the rental market at 250 E. Houston St.

Former Red Square lobby gets the plywood treatment on East Houston

Y7 Studio bringing the hip-hop yoga to 250 E. Houston St.

New lobby unveiled at 250 E. Houston St.

After nearly five months of renovations, the all-new lobby has emerged from behind the plywood at 250 E. Houston St., the former Red Square here between Avenue A and Avenue B.





The Dermot Company, which bought the 13-floor building for $100 million in 2016, has stated they are "creating a more updated style and fit for the cool East Village neighborhood" with the renovations at the retail-residential complex with the Tibor Kalman-designed rooftop clock.

The main entrance is apparently the first step in this updated direction, which includes some new retail tenants. On that note, as reported in April, Y7, growing hip-hop yoga chainlet, signed a 10-year, 2,000-square-foot ground-floor lease for one of the retail spaces.

Eventually, No. 250 will look something like this rendering...


[Rendering of the all-new 250 E. Houston St.]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Red Square has been sold

New ownership makes it official at the former Red Square on East Houston

Apartment listings at 250 E. Houston look to offer glimpse of former Red Square's future

Long-vacant retail space hits the rental market at 250 E. Houston St.

Former Red Square lobby gets the plywood treatment on East Houston


[EVG photo from June 2017]