Wednesday's parting shot

Late this afternoon, an EVG reader shared the above photo and this sentiment: "As I was coming off Astor Place, the little half-street from Broadway, the lovely old Wannamaker's building, aka 770 Broadway, was reflected in that grotesque Death Star, its only good use."

Keith Haring's 'Self Portrait' returns to Astor Place undercover of the night

Keith Haring's "Self Portrait" has returned to Astor Place at Third Avenue... EVG reader 8E shares these photos of workers putting the sculpture back in place last night...

Workers removed "Self Portrait" in September 2020 for conservation work.

The sculpture first arrived here in December 2014. 

Updated 11:30 a.m. 

Workers have yet to do the unwrapping... thanks to Steven for the photos...

Updated April 21 

Unwrapped!

A sign that the Keith Haring sculpture is returning to 51 Astor Place?

Update: Yes — "Self Portrait" is back.

Work has been taking place on the perch outside the DeathStar, aka 51 Astor Place ... where the Keith Haring sculpture — "Self Portrait" from 1989 — has been MIA since September 2020. 

At the time, the director of collections at the Keith Haring Foundation told us that the sculpture had been removed for minor conservation work and would be reinstalled after this work was complete. 

Perhaps this is the future date.

The sculpture first arrived here in December 2014. 

Cycle of change on Astor Place with a new tenant for the Flywheel Sports studio

Flywheel Sports, which featured a stadium-seating studio with more than 70 bikes, will not be reopening at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star.

The cycling-studio brand is going through bankruptcy right now. However, the space won't be void of sweat for too long: the like-minded CycleBar has signed a lease here. (First reported by New York Business Journal.)

Flywheel opened here in March 2016.

H/T Upper West Sider!

[Updated] The Keith Haring sculpture is currently MIA outside 51 Astor Place

The Keith Haring sculpture — "Self Portrait" from 1989 — is no longer on its perch outside the DeathStar, aka 51 Astor Place. It has been MIA all week. No word on whether this is a temporary or permanent departure.

We reached out to the Keith Haring Foundation (see below)... and we'll see if anyone at No. 51 has an answer.

The sculpture arrived in December 2014...



Updated 2 p.m.

Word is the sculpture is being repaired and will return this fall.

Updated 9 p.m.

"The sculpture has been removed for minor conservation work, and will be reinstalled after this work is complete," Annelise Ream, director of collections at the Keith Haring Foundation, told me in an email. "We do not yet have a confirmed date for the return of the sculpture, as there may be some delays in light of the ongoing pandemic."

Fruit of the (Cooper) Union

The fruit vendor returned Monday outside the Death Star on Astor Place and across the street from Cooper Union on Monday... early morning photo today via Vinny & O...

What might have been at 51 Astor Place in the early 1960s — and beyond

Today, the Cooper Union Library Instagram account shared the above image... Per their post: "51 Astor Place Engineering Building Initial Proposal — Harrison and Abramovitz, NY, Associate Architect Prof. Esmond Shaw of Cooper Union ... "

Instead, the Cooper Union Engineering School was housed in this building below off of Third Avenue between Astor Place and Ninth Street for years ...



That building was demolished in the summer of 2011 to make way for...



Whoops! Sorry! This!

Report: Financial firm takes the Death Star penthouse

A quick note about a new tenant at 51 Astor Place/IBM Watson Building/Death Star at Third Avenue and Ninth Street.

Los Weiss at the Post has the story.

Details!

CBAM Partners, a fast-growing financial firm with $6.8 billion under management, is moving from Hudson Yards to 51 Astor Place, where it will have a dramatic 12th-floor penthouse of 25,401 square feet.

And what of the previous 12th-floor tenant?

Its former occupant, Claren Road Asset Management, was a financial darling, but in 2015, it was rocked by billions of dollars in redemptions. The following year, backer Carlyle handed back its 55 percent stake to the founders. Claren Road’s market value was down to $891,000 last fall.

Sources said the company gave back the space to 51 Astor developer Edward J. Minskoff Equities...

Shake Shack's Death Star branch opens today

[Photo from last Friday]

The Shack Shack for 51 Astor Place/IBM Watson Building/Death Star at Third Avenue and Ninth Street opens this morning at 11.

Here's more via the Shake Shack website:

A reflection of Shake Shack’s relentless focus on excellence, experience and hospitality through innovation, the Astor Place Shack will introduce a new guest flow at the restaurant. Set to open its doors on Tuesday, October 10th at 51 Astor Place on the corner of 9th Street and 3rd Avenue, the Shack is designed to enhance operations and guest experience and will feature kiosk-only ordering, a cashless environment, and an optimized kitchen for greater throughput.

Custom-designed by Shake Shack, the Shack kiosk was developed to allow Shake Shack to serve more guests at peak times – whether in-Shack, for pickup via the Shack App, or even delivery – resulting in fewer lines, less wait time and quicker speed of service at every channel. Several kiosks will line the Shack and team members known as Hospitality Champs will be stationed around the kiosks to assist guests with their orders and answer any questions.

The Shack kiosk replicates the experience of the Shack App with a sharp aesthetic, an intuitive touch screen interface and ease of ordering. Guests simply select their food, place an order and choose to receive an alert via text when their order is ready. The new technology offers guests yet another way to experience Shake Shack – when, where and how they want it – and demonstrates Shake Shack’s commitment to digital hospitality. Earlier this year, Shake Shack launched a mobile ordering app for iOS and Android platforms and introduced the ShackBot, through Facebook Messenger and Twitter DM, to answer guests’ most frequently asked questions.

The Astor Place Shack presents an exciting testing ground for Shake Shack to strengthen operations and experiment with new and innovative ways of connecting with loyal fans. Building a business model to support digital innovation, Shake Shack will lead with a starting wage of $15 per hour to continue to be on the forefront of competitive wages and developing the leaders needed for growth.

A new guest flow... Hospitality Champs... ShackBots...

For some reason I think of this Gary Numan song now...

Dust bunny

EVG reader Jeanne Krier came across two workers last evening dusting and polishing "Balloon Rabbit (Red)," the 14-foot, 6,600-pound sculpture by Jeff Koons that adorns the lobby of the IBM Watson Building at 51 Astor Place...



The mirror-polished stainless steel (with transparent color coating) wrabbit is reportedly the property of the building's developer, Edward J. Minskoff.

It's probably worth a lot. In November 2013, Koons's "Balloon Dog (Orange)" sold for $58.4 million, the most expensive piece ever by a living artist. The previous red rabbit owner was publishing magnate Peter Brant, who's setting up shop at 421 E. Sixth St.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Meanwhile at the IBM Watson building, the Jeff Koons rabbit sculpture has arrived for the lobby

Shake Shack announces itself at the Death Star

As previously reported, Danny Meyer’s fast-growing burger chain is opening a 3,000-square-foot outpost in/at 51 Astor Place/IBM Watson Building/the Death Star.

On Friday, the Shake branding arrived here at Third Avenue at Ninth Street... (this location will also serve beer and wine...)



... and they are ready to Shake, rattle... and hire...

Work starts on the Shake Shack's Death Star location

Workers are prepping the corner of 51 Astor Place/IBM Watson Building/Death Star at Third Avenue and Ninth Street for Shake Shacking.

As previously noted, Danny Meyer’s fast-growing burger chain is opening a 3,000-square-foot outpost here.

Anyway, paper is up on the Third Avenue side of the building ... along with various permits...



Shake Shack has also applied for a beer-wine license. This application will go before CB3's SLA committee tonight...



And here's a look at the space from the Ninth Street side, which no one has papered over just yet...



The Post, who first reported on this new lease, said the Shack is expected to open in the fall.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Astor Place Shake Shack going for a beer-wine license

The Shake Shack effect? McDonald's on 3rd Avenue at St. Mark's Place has closed after 20 years

[Photos by EVG reader MP]

Some passersby were shocked yesterday to see that the McDonald's on Third Avenue at St. Mark's Place had shut down. A sign on the door noted, "Sadly, this location is closing."



In June 2015, The Real Deal reported that real-estate investor Arthur Shapolsky was in contract to buy the corner assemblage — 23 Third Ave., 27 Third Ave. and 3 St. Mark's Place — for roughly $50 million. The site could reportedly accommodate a 41,500-square-foot commercial building or a residential one of roughly half the size.

However, Joseph Gabay, whose family owns the properties, told me last night that they have not been sold despite the continued rumors.

"McDonald’s has chosen not to renew their lease after a 20-year run," he said via email. "With the addition of 51 Astor, the dynamic of the square has changed."

As noted earlier this week, Shake Shack is expected to open later this year directly across the street in a corner space at 51 Astor Place.

"With a contemporary brand moving in like Shake Shack and McDonald's leaving the change is evident," Gabay said.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Northeast corner of St. Mark's Place and 3rd Ave. fetching $50 million for development site

P.S.

And what happened to the Golden Arches?

@evgrieve McDonald’s arches removed in armored truck. pic.twitter.com/x7JRDrSRqd

— Jacob Ford (@unitof) June 1, 2017

Astor Place Shake Shack going for a beer-wine license

Just a quick follow-up about the 3,000-square-foot Shake Shack coming this fall to the empty retail space at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star...

Team Shack is on the June CB3-SLA committee docket for a beer-wine license for the space...



Select Shacks Shacks serve ShackMeister® Ale, "otherwise known as the ShackBurger’s best friend." It's made in collaboration with Brooklyn Brewery, per the Shacksite. As for wine, Shack Red® and Shack White® by Frog's Leap is available by the glass or bottle.

We'll look at other items on the CB3-SLA docket next week ahead of the meeting on June 12.

A Shake Shack is coming to the Death Star

That empty retail space at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star has a tenant: Shake Shack.

The Post has the scoop:

Danny Meyer’s fast-growing burger chain has signed a lease on Astor Place that will open this fall...

The new location, which will span nearly 3,000 square feet on the northeast side of the building at 51 Astor Pl., “will feature some unique design and customer experience elements,” a Shake Shack spokeswoman confirmed, declining to elaborate.

Until earlier last month, this corner slot on Third Avenue at Ninth Street housed the sales office for hotelier-developer Ian Schrager's hotel-condo tower at 215 Chrystie just below East Houston.

The Shack joins the building's other retail tenants — CVS, Flywheel Sports, Orangetheory Fitness, Bluestone Lane Coffee and Chopt.

According to Lois Weiss at the Post, the Shake Shake team signed a 15-year lease.

The lease memo, reviewed by the Post, provides the Danny Meyer fast-casual joint with the ability to exclusively sell “hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and frozen custard.”

As such, it banishes direct competitors such as Smashburger and Johnny Rockets from the building.

This will be the second Danny Meyer venture to open on Third Avenue in the coming months. His Union Square Hospitality Group is behind Martina, a pizzeria, in progress on 11th Street at Third Avenue.

A retail vacancy at 51 Astor Place

Back in September 2014, hotelier-developer Ian Schrager became the first ground-floor tenant at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star with the sales office and model apartment for his incoming hotel-condo tower at 215 Chrystie just below East Houston.

That's all built and mostly sold now (just one residence out of 11 left!), so they've packed up and left...



Leaving a nice space for rent on the Ninth Street and Third Avenue side...



There haven't been any for rent signs posted just yet ... and no word on what might be joining the building's other retail tenants — CVS, Flywheel Sports, Orangetheory Fitness, Bluestone Lane Coffee and Chopt.

Thoughts/wishes on a new tenant? Duane Reade? An all-ages venue for unsigned bands?

Previously on EV Grieve:
You can finally shop at 51 Astor Place!

Seat saved for Merrick Garland on Astor Place

Tonight at 8, President Trump is expected to reveal his nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, earlier today... this sign went up in the seating area outside 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star...



EVG reader Rosemary shared these photos... showing reserved seating for Merrick Garland, the Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit...part of a broader #SaveMerrickASeat campaign...



President Obama nominated Garland to the Supreme Court last March to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. However, Garland never had a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

As of this evening his seat remained here...


[Photo by Steven]

Take heart, the Orangetheory Fitness is now open on Astor Place

Oh, a belated post to note that Orangetheory Fitness is now open at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star. (It opened on Jan. 2 in time for the High Gym Season.)

About their workout via the OF website: "Orangetheory Fitness offers 60-minute workout sessions split into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training with heart rate monitors to track intensity and maximize metabolic burn. Increase energy, get visible results and burn more calories, even after leaving the studio. That's the Orange Effect!"

A CNBC report on Orangetheory last Friday noted that "participants can get unlimited classes for about $160 per month." (The Astor Place OF is considered a "premium location," meaning "This studio location is subject to pricing that is higher than our standard rates. A visit surcharge will be applied to workouts taken at this studio.")

Orangetheory, which has 570 locations worldwide, including three in Brooklyn and one in Chelsea, is right next door to Flywheel Sports, the cycling studio ... and a block away from the now-closed David Barton Gym.

Another healthy choice at the Death Star: Orangetheory Fitness coming soon

Signage went up Friday for Orangetheory Fitness, opening soon at 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star.

There's a [temporary] sales office at 61 Fourth Ave., if you're interested in membership info.

Here's more about Orangetheory, which has locations nationwide... including three in Brooklyn and one in Chelsea:

Orangetheory Fitness uses the science of Heart-Rate Based Treadmill Interval Training, the efficiency of Indoor Rowing for increased power and the proven concept of Weight Training Blocks to create the fitness level and body you have always desired. Workout and Weight Loss plateaus are a thing of the past…really!

Orangetheory is located next door to Flywheel Sports, the cycling studio.

Bluestone Lane Coffee opens next week at 51 Astor Place

This, according to Twitter...

The new #AstorPlace coming so soon. Oh yeah, there's also a #BluestoneLane set to open next week there too... pic.twitter.com/4vCo4mSf33

— Bluestone Lane (@BluestoneLane) March 24, 2016

The cafe/coffee shop is on the Fourth Avenue side next to the front entrance/red rabbit of 51 Astor Place/the IBM Watson Building/Death Star ...


[EV Arrow file photo]

Bluestone also has a location across the street in the lobby of 770 Broadway.

And here's more about Bluestone Lane Coffee via their website:

Bluestone Lane offers a refined product proposition dedicated to producing the highest quality coffee and complimentary foods, delivered in an engaging way. We are focused on creating environments where customers are immersed in the experience and leave feeling like a local.

Bluestone Lane Coffee is influenced from the renowned coffee culture hub of Melbourne, Australia, where premium coffee is a way of life.

With Bluestone's opening, 51 Astor Place will have all its retail slots filled ... alongside Chopt, CVS and Flywheel Sports.

Previously on EV Grieve:
3 retail spaces available at 51 Astor Place (22 comments)

You can finally shop at 51 Astor Place!

3 new retail tenants for 51 Astor Place: Bluestone Lane Coffee, Chop’t and Flywheel Sports

Chopping soon signage up at the Death Star

Here's the Bluestone Lane Coffee signage at 51 Astor Place

Spin cycle: Flywheel Sports opening next month in 51 Astor Place