On 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street, an empty lot and lots of questions about what's next

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Rumors are circulating that Gemini Rosemont will proceed with the development company's original plans to build an 11-story mixed-use building on the vacant NE corner of Second Avenue and Second Street.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont spent more than $50 million to assemble the development ... buying the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

However, as The Real Deal first reported last August, the city revoked the building permits after Robert Proto, who owns 50 Second Ave. at Third Street, raised concerns about the development. Per TRD: "Proto made unceasing calls to officials for weeks, triggering an audit by the Department of Buildings that found code and zoning issues that had initially slipped past the agency." 

The property hit the sales market last fall and is no longer available. Sources told us there weren't any takers. We contacted a Gemini Rosemont spokesperson for comment and will update you if they respond.

Proto recently provided EVG with a tour of the building he co-owns with his wife. His son and his son's girlfriend live in the building now. While Robert Proto and his wife live in New Jersey now, they have their office at No. 50. 

Surveying the rubble-strewn property next door, which previously housed the Church of the Nativity and LaSalle Annex, Proto said he "doesn't like a vacant lot" and that his building, which is now "covered in graffiti," isn't protected from vandals enough.

Proto has owned the landmarked 1899 Renaissance Revival-style tenement for 12 years and has maintained its pre-war charms.

Proto has been a vocal opponent of the mega-developer. As detailed in the TRD article, the adjacent construction site posed a significant risk of undermining his 10-unit building. 

This led to a legal battle with Gemini (the litigation continues), as the company needed a permit to drill through his basement to check the depth of the footings. Proto emphasized the need for "access agreements with all the surrounding buildings in order to build on the site."

"It's paramount to me to protect my tenants," Proto said, noting that "the status quo helps no one."

2024 development watch: 42-46 2nd Ave.

Our look at potential 2024 development now focuses on the empty lot along the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street, the site of an abandoned development project.

The parcel hit the sales market in October... Avison Young has the listing for the lot — billed as a "redevelopment property" for "multifamily development." 

As previously reported (first here), there were approved work permits for an 11-floor mixed-use building on the site of a former three-building parcel.

Gemini Rosemont Development was behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, included 88 residential units and 9,600 square feet for retail.

However, those plans are obviously officially dead as the city moved to revoke the permits thanks to the tenacious efforts of Robert Proto, the landlord of 50 Second Ave. The Real Deal highlighted his role in this article.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont spent more than $50 million to assemble the development ... buying the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

While it's unlikely we'll see any construction commence on the site this year, we'll likely find out the new owner and their plans.

This nearly block-long parcel on 2nd Avenue is now for sale

The empty lot along the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street, the site of an abandoned development project, is now on the market.

Avison Young has the listing for the lot — billed as a "redevelopment property" for "multifamily development." 

Per Avison Young: 

The Property currently exists as a vacant lot and owners have purchased offsite inclusionary air rights for the proposed construction of 136,199 gross square feet, including 13,750 square feet below grade. The Property features a curb cut on East 2nd Avenue for on-site parking. 

The resulting above-grade gross square footage reconciles to 122,449 square feet. The Property is planned to feature a rooftop deck and units with sweeping views of Manhattan and the Hudson River, ~10-foot ceilings throughout and abundant light and air on all four sides due to its corner location joined at the junction of East Second Street and Second Avenue. 

42 Second Avenue presents a true, expansive development opportunity with a prime NoHo / East Village address. The scale and location of the Property offer the blank canvas for a premier mixed-use, commercial or residential condo project.

The listing, which does not mention the asking price, includes this rendering showing the potential ...

As previously reported (first here), there were approved work permits for an 11-floor mixed-use building on the site of a former three-building parcel.

Gemini Rosemont Development was behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, included 88 residential units and 9,600 square feet for retail.

However, those plans are obviously officially dead as the city moved to revoke the permits. In August, The Real Deal took a deep dive into what happened:

All that stood in Gemini's way was a small-time landlord next door. Robert Proto, however, proved to be a big-time problem.

Proto made unceasing calls to officials for weeks, triggering an audit by the Department of Buildings that found code and zoning issues that had initially slipped past the agency.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont spent more than $50 million to assemble the development ... buying the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

The new owners may want to consult with Robert Proto on the project.

Report: How 1 East Village landlord stopped a mega-development from rising next door

News of the pending demolition of six buildings — 50-64 Third Ave. — on Third Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street prompted some reader questions about the stalled development at 42-46 Second Ave.

As previously reported (first here), there were approved work permits for an 11-floor mixed-use building on the site of a former three-building parcel between Second Street and Third Street.

Gemini Rosemont Development was behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, included 88 residential units and 9,600 square feet for retail.

However, those plans are officially dead as the city moved to revoke the permits.

Earlier this month, The Real Deal took a deep dive into what happened:

All that stood in Gemini's way was a small-time landlord next door. Robert Proto, however, proved to be a big-time problem.

Proto made unceasing calls to officials for weeks, triggering an audit by the Department of Buildings that found code and zoning issues that had initially slipped past the agency.

Proto owns the building on the SE corner of Third Street — the last one standing on this Second Avenue block, not to mention the home of Proto's Pizza. 

Here are a few more details:

Proto's landmarked building was built in 1899 with brick with wood joist construction and rubble stone foundation walls, making it "fragile and highly susceptible to settlement and cracking," according to court records.

Gemini Rosemont brought in a hydraulic hammer to break up the foundation of the former church, shaking Proto's building violently, bursting heat pipes and water lines and flooding a retail tenant, he said. He filed a lawsuit last year alleging that Gemini Rosemont broke its construction agreement with him. The suit is pending.

Gemini Rosemont is reportedly moving on from the project. A rep told us previously, "The project is frozen, and we are currently evaluating options for the site." 

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

So they're out $55 million just for the properties, not including any other associated costs for the design and preliminary work on the lot. 

Still waiting for word on what might be next for the space. Whoever the new owner turns out to be, they must be made aware of the past development crisis here — and maybe even work with Proto on the project.

Speaking out which... back to The Real Deal:

Proto stopped the firm's project but says he's out $500,000 from legal expenses, engineering fees and damages to his building. He hopes to recover some of that with his lawsuit.

Yet he considers himself fortunate to have had the time and resources to defend his building.

So what's next for this block of 2nd Avenue?

ICYMI. On June 26, we noted activity — workers picking up trash and random bricks — inside the empty lot on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street. 

As previously reported (first here), there are/were approved work permits (as of last summer) for an 11-floor mixed-use building on the site of a former three-building parcel.

Gemini Rosemont Development was behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, included 88 residential units and 9,600 square feet for retail.

An anonymous commenter previously had claimed: "Their plans were deemed dangerous for the neighboring property by DOB. Gemini is actively trying to sell the lot."

After our post, a rep for Gemini Rosemont Development told us the following: "The project is frozen, and we are currently evaluating options for the site."

DOB records show a variety of infractions, many involving non-maintenance of the construction fence.

In the spring, the DOB posted a "Notice to Revoke" on the approved application...

The address is still on the Gemini Rosemont Development website, though clicking on the address takes you to a random landing page.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

To date, we have not seen any new notices about the sale of this lot. (Maybe you have and want to share?)

So the space will likely remain vacant for a few more years ... by the time someone makes a purchase and gets any new plans approved. 

[Updated] At 2nd and 2nd, activity in the lot that will yield an 11-story building

Updated 6/27

A Gemini Rosemont Development spokesperson confirmed what a commenter said. This project is on hold. Specifically: "The project is frozen and we are currently evaluating options for the site."

---

There has been some activity in the empty lot on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street. 

In recent weeks, workers removed the wheatpaste-ad-filled plywood fencing and put in a chainlink fence. On separate occasions, we spotted two workers... once they picked up random bricks and stones and placed them in a dumpster... and then, days later, collected trash...

As previously reported (first here), there are approved work permits (as of last summer) for an 11-floor mixed-use building on the site of a former three-building parcel.

Gemini Rosemont Development is behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, will feature 88 residential units and 9,600 square feet for retail.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real-estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

As a reminder, here's the rendering for the development...

4 East Village development sites to watch in 2023

As we start 2023, here's a look at four East Village developments that we've been keeping tabs on...

• 1 St Mark's Place 

A 10-story office building with ground floor retail is in the foundation stages at 1 St. Mark's Place and Third Avenue (see above). Find more background here.

• 360 Bowery 

Foundation work continues on the 21-floor office building coming to 360 Bowery at Fourth Street — the corner space that once housed the B-Bar & Grill. Find more background here.

• 42-46 Second Ave. 

An 11-floor mixed-use building is planned for this former three-building parcel on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street. Work hasn't commenced on the lot just yet. Find more background here.

• 280 E. Houston St. 

An 11-floor residential building with ground floor retails is now slated for 280 E. Houston St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. Workers have been spotted on the property in recent weeks. Find more background here.

Here's the first look at the new residential building coming to 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street

The rendering has arrived on the plywood along Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street... offering the first look at the 11-floor mixed-use building that will rise on the east side of the avenue... brace!

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development is behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, will feature 88 residential units (likely condos given the square footage) and 9,600 square feet for retail.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots that they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real-estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

The rendering lists a 2025 completion date.

Demolition complete on the NE corner of 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street

Workers have wrapped up the demolition of the three buildings that stood along 38-48 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street.

Unfortunately, the dumpster on the lot obscures the full view from the blogger portal on the Second Street plywood...

Gone are the former Church of the Nativity, the church rectory and LaSalle Annex.

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development has plans for an 11-story mixed-use building (100,568 square feet in total) on this soon-to-be-empty parcel. According to the approved new building work permit, the development will feature 88 residential units (likely condos given the square footage) and 9,600 square feet for retail. 

We haven't spotted any renderings out in the wild just yet.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots that they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

Updated: Here's a better view of the empty lot via Felton Davis...

Previously on EV Grieve:

• There are 8 million stories in the naked city... and this is one of them on 2nd Avenue 

• A look inside the soon-to-be-demolished Church of the Nativity on 2nd Avenue

Demolition grinds on at 38-48 2nd Ave.

Last Thursday, we shared photos that Idan Cohen took from inside the remains of the deconsecrated and shuttered (as of July 2015) Church of the Nativity at 44 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street. (Revisit that post here.) 

Demolition has picked up at the remaining two structures on the parcel — the church (top pic) ... and the former church rectory (below).

The former La Salle annex on the corner of Second Street was demolished in the fall.

And a few shots via Steven of the demo work... as seen from Second Street...

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development has plans for an 11-story mixed-use building on this soon-to-be-empty parcel. (We haven't spotted any renderings out in the wild just yet.)

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots that they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• There are 8 million stories in the naked city... and this is one of them on 2nd Avenue 

A look inside the soon-to-be demolished Church of the Nativity on 2nd Avenue

Interview by Stacie Joy 

Photos by Idan Cohen 

You may remember beekeeper Idan Cohen from our A Visit To Made Up There Farms. He recently was able to walk through the remains of the deconsecrated and now-closed (as of July 2015) Church of the Nativity at 44 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street and is sharing his photos and observations. 

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development has plans for an 11-story mixed-use building for a newly created parcel consisting of three buildings on this block.

I spoke to Idan about what he saw, how he feels about the pending demolition and the new development.

How did you come to photograph the site of the former church? 

I’ve been curious to see the inside in its current state. The other week, when I was walking by, they assembled scaffolding and left the gate open, allowing me to step in and roam around. 

What was your impression of being inside? 

Kind of sad. To think that just a few years ago, this was a gathering space for our community and now it’s standing empty and in ruins. 

Your images show a lot of water on the ground and at least some demolition work. What was the state of the property when you were there?

It’s very dilapidated, and there are holes in the ceiling, which allow water to pour in; it smells like mold and standing water. Some furniture is left, but it is wholly piled up and broken up. 

Did you see anything that surprised you? 

Well, the beauty of those stained glass windows was breathtaking. The way the light pours in, from both the painted glass and the ceiling holes, and the contrast between the destruction on the ground and the rays from the sky. It was all still reminiscent of what a scared space should feel like. 

Had you been familiar with the church when it was still in use before it was deconsecrated? Had you ever visited before this trip? 

I live a block away from the church and have always admired its brutalist and modern architecture. Through the last 10 years, I’ve seen it morph from an active church to a closed church, to a sidewalk shelter for the homeless and now a demolition and construction site. 

Do you have any thoughts about the proposed 11-story mixed-use building slated for this space? 

I support new construction — as long as it is not ugly. I hope larger apartments are built to attract families and children to our neighborhood. I was hoping that structure could be reused as a beautiful art gallery. It would have been an excellent addition to the East Village, similar to The Brant Foundation on Sixth Street.

You can find some prior coverage and history of the church here. And can follow Idan on Instagram.

There are 8 million stories in the naked city... and this is one of them on 2nd Avenue

Text and photos courtesy of Felton Davis (top photo via Goggla)

I was standing on Second Avenue and Second Street watching workers demolish the corner building, part of LaSalle Academy since the 1960s. A couple stopped near me who used to live in the neighborhood.

Boldly interrupting their reminiscence, I explained that before the building was part of LaSalle, it was a famous Jewish restaurant called Moskowitz & Lupowitz for many decades. It was also featured in one of my favorite episodes of the classic TV series, "Naked City."

In the episode, titled "Memory of a Red Trolley Car," a chemistry professor, played by Barry Morse, accidentally breathes in a fatal amount of poison gas. With only a few days to live, he goes to talk with his mother (Gladys Cooper),  his ex-wife (Beatrice Straight), and his girlfriend on the side (Peg Murray).  

The latter he meets in Moskowitz & Lupowitz, and he does not do well in communicating his plight to her. When he starts coughing, she covers her face and tells him to go away.

Leaving the restaurant, he turns north on Second Avenue and passes by the Church of the Nativity rectory, and the church itself, still with its Greek architecture. [Ed note: the original church was demolished and rebuilt after a fire in 1970.]

Before I could get any further into this endless recitation, the woman stopped me and asked, "What did you say that TV show was?"

When I answered, "Naked City," she was very surprised and said, "My Uncle Paul played the detective!"

So, a great history is all around us, as neighborhood tour guides know. Below is some information about Moskowitz & Lupowitz, including a video of the Pincus Sisters singing their song about the restaurant...

 

For further reading:

• Moskowitz & Lupowitz (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

• Plans call for 11-story condoplex at the former site of Church of the Nativity and LaSalle on 2nd Avenue (EVG)