David Schwimmer is selling his L.A. home. And this is relevant because....?

An EV Grieve reader forwards the following article from The Wall Street Journal ...

The "Friends" star ... renovated the backyard and made other improvements, including restoring the home's windows, doors and hardwood floors and installing new heating and air conditioning systems. Mr. Schwimmer is selling because he and his wife recently started a family and hope to pick out a Hancock Park home together, according to a statement from listing firm Westside Estate Agency.

No mention of the fact that Schwimmer may (or may not!) be the owner of the circa-1852 townhouse at 331 E. Sixth St. that is now a hole in the ground.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Is David Schwimmer the 'Friends' star who now owns the demolished 331 E. Sixth St. townhouse?

Outrage over total demolition of historic East Sixth Street townhouse

New sign for David Schwimmer's place on East Sixth Street

You may recall that the new home going up at 331 E. Sixth St. may possibly belong to David Schwimmer... And someone had added a message to the "what's going on here?" sign... The sign was this way for weeks ...

Anyway, workers have finally replaced the old sign...

And what's happening behind the sign? A quick look through the peephole...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Is David Schwimmer the 'Friends' star who now owns the demolished 331 E. Sixth St. townhouse?

Outrage over total demolition of historic East Sixth Street townhouse

Patio furniture saved at 331 E. Sixth St.

We've been keeping tabs on 331 E. Sixth St., the circa-1852 townhouse that David Schwimmer may (or may not!) own... here's the start of the renovation.

And, thanks to our friend Goggla, we have a better look at what's left here via a peephole in the plywood.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Workers have quickly removed that pesky townhouse. As Goggla said in an email: "At least they saved the patio furniture..."

And, the enhanced sign remains out front. Kinda funny that no one replaced it. Maybe on back order?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Is David Schwimmer the 'Friends' star who now owns the demolished 331 E. Sixth St. townhouse?

Outrage over total demolition of historic East Sixth Street townhouse

Is David Schwimmer the 'Friends' star who now owns the demolished 331 E. Sixth St. townhouse?

Yesterday, we posted that comment from a reader who believed a cast member from "Friends" was the owner of 331 E. Sixth St., the now-demolished circa-1852 townhouse.

As the day progressed, a few commenters left hints pointing to David Schwimmer — you know, Ross.

And now, an anonymous commenter left us this juicy piece of detective work on the "Friends" post:

Gary Kress is the manager of 331 East 6th St Townhouse, LLC. That LLC is the current owner of this property. Gary Kress is also a name partner of Murphy & Kress, an accounting firm in Santa Monica that has numerous Hollywood types among its clientele. He has a relationship with Schwimmer through Dark House, a production company whose president Schwimmer is.

Indeed.

Well, as Muckety pointed out a few years back, Murphy & Kress is "an accounting firm that takes care of a clientele so exclusive that it refuses to confirm its clients. FEC filings indicate that Murphy & Kress handles financial affairs for Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Denzel Washington ... among other prominent figures in the film industry."

According to CorporationWiki, "Dark Harbor Stories, Inc. has a location in Santa Monica, CA. Active officers include David Schwimmer and Gary J Kress. Gary J Kress serves as the registered agent for this organization."

If all this does come back to Schwimmer... well, then he's your new neighbor!

Let's assume that this is his new home... We're wondering why:
• With all the available upscale townhouses on the market in the city, why did he buy this historic building only to tear it down?
• Didn't his people think tearing down this historic townhouse would raise the ire — and suspicion — of neighbors?
• What was so special about this particular location? Proximity to Indian food?
• How often will a busy person like Schwimmer actually even stay here?
• What does he have in store for the place? Indoor pool? Theater? Bowling alley?

What else do you want to ask?

RUMOR: Which 'Friends' cast member demolished the historic East Sixth Street townhouse?

Yesterday, we had the sad news about the total demolition of the circa-1852 townhouse at 331 E. Sixth St.

Per a commenter:

Rumor has it that this building was bought by a former "Friends" cast member, not sure which one. Funny how that show portayed outrageously unrealistic NYC apartment living. The reality is so much more outrageous!

Hmm, well, we have no idea about this one. Well, it could be true, though it likely isn't.

Still, let's blame LeBlanc.

Enough is enough: 316 E. Sixth St. was the fourth pre-Civil War townhouse to be destroyed in the last year

While on the topic of 331 E. Sixth St., which is between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... as the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP) noted, this is the fourth pre-Civil War building in the East Village to be demolished in the past year.

The others: 326 and 328 E. Fourth St. and 35 Cooper Square. Meanwhile, 316 E. Third St. is next on the kill list to make way for a luxury apartment building.

So let's send it right to GVSHP:

Enough is enough! The demolition of 331 East 6th Street only highlights the urgent need for landmark protections in the East Village. Several months ago the Landmarks Preservation Commission proposed two historic districts in the East Village, a critical first step in preserving the neighborhood's significant historic architecture. However, the Commission has given us no information as to when they will hold a public hearing on the proposed districts (the second of three official steps in the landmarking process). While we wait, more and more of the neighborhood's complex and colorful history is being destroyed.

How to Help:

Send a letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission urging them to hold a public hearing on the East Village Historic Districts and calendar 316 East 3rd Street. A sample letter may be found HERE. Please send copies of all letters to gvshp@gvshp.org.

Outrage over total demolition of historic East Sixth Street townhouse

A few weeks ago, we pointed out the ongoing demolition at 331 E. Sixth St., described in a real-estate listing this way: "this home with its magical Tuscan inspired garden proves to be one of the finest East Village houses available."

Yesterday, Labor Day, we walked by and saw workers on the scene ... and not much else. This house that dates to 1852 is now a pile of rubble.

So much for the DOB permits that show that "side masonry walls to remain." As far as we can tell from the street, nothing remains.

We've heard from a few outraged neighbors about this. Meanwhile, a Very Special Tipster noted the following message outside the construction site.

For more on the property, read Off the Grid's post on it here.

Demolishing 'one of the finest East Village houses available'

331 E. Sixth St. was sold for $3.9 million in April 2010, according to StreetEasy.

Here's the listing:

Endless possibilities for this Oasis in the East Village!This south facing, 4 story, plus English Garden floor, mixed use townhouse will be delivered vacant. Situated on a lovely tree lined block location between Second and First Avenues, this home with its magical Tuscan inspired garden proves to be one of the finest East Village houses available. Move right into the owner’s duplex and have a beautiful home with the added benefit of income producing live/work English Garden floor and two large floor thru residential units OR transform it into the single family home of your dreams. So many opportunities for living! All things are possible, spread the word!

Lovely, huh? In fact, the Post featured this in its "Dream Homes" section on June 7, 2007.

As Off the Grid reported last month, the new owners are demolishing the house that dates to 1852. Floor by floor. (The owner is listed as 331 East 6th Street Townhouse LLC C/O Cooley Godward Kronish LLP.)

The demolition permit at the DOB shows that "side masonry walls to remain."

I took this photo last week...

...and Goggla passed this shot along from yesterday. She notes that it looks as if three floors have been shaved off now.

Renderings haven't emerged just yet for the address. But, as Off the Grid noted: "Whatever it is, it will no doubt contribute significantly less to the history and character of the block and neighborhood than its 150 year old predecessor."