Pre New Year's Eve balloon fun on East 4th Street

Perhaps someone is getting an early start on NYE here at 52E4 — the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street. Or maybe it's just someone's birthday. Or something else!

Photo via Derek Berg

What John Legend got for his home off the Bowery

Well, we might as well bring this story to some closure... brokers listed John Legend's condo at 52E4 — the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street — back in September 2011. The price for the Grammy winner's two-bedroom home started at $2.95 million — but two markdowns (5 percent total!) brought it to $2.795 million.

According to public records filed on Dec. 11, the final selling price was $2.675 million. (The buyer is apparently a CFO with a global innovation firm. Unless it's a different person with the same name as the buyer...)

Per the records, Legend paid $1.9 million for the place in November 2009. But! Per Curbed, he hired Winka Dubbeldam of Archi-Tectonics to make some adjustments to the place, fancy additions that apparently added some value. Legend has since moved his Grammys to Broome Street, where there isn't a 7-Eleven on the ground level.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Because you wanted to see John Legend's half-naked model girlfriend in her Bowery home

[Image via Streeteasy]

10 months later, John Legend's Bowery condo finally in contract

Nearly 10 months to the date that Grammy-winner John Legend listed his condo at 52E4 — the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street — it entered into contract last week, according to Streeteasy.

Last September, the price started at $2.95 million — but two markdowns (5 percent total!) brought it to $2.795 million.

Despite the celebrity connection and model-in-panties-photoshoot cachet, the place seemed to be on the market a good long time. We always wondered if something was keeping away buyers ... like the 7-Eleven on the ground floor or fear of the French hotel coming (probably) some day to the corner of East Third Street ...

Or not. There aren't any current listings for the building...

John Legend's Bowery condo now $55,000 off asking price

Late last September, we learned that Grammy Award-winner John Legend was selling his two-bedroom condo at 52E4 — the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street — for $2.95 million.

Despite the celebrity connection and model-in-underwear-photoshoot cachet, the place is still on the market. But! Last week, the price dropped by $55,000 — or a whole 2 percent ... and it now sits at $2.895 million, according to Streeteasy.

Why just 2 percent? As Curbed pointed out in November, Legend's downstairs neighbor put nearly an identical unit on the market for $2.9 million — nearly $50k less, uh, duh. (The neighbor's unit appears to be off the market for now, though there isn't any sales info.)

Perhaps there's something else keeping away buyers ... like the 7-Eleven on the ground floor or fear of the French hotel coming (probably) some day to the corner of East Third Street ...

Noted

Spotted recently on the gated driveway outside 52E4 — the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street.

Back in 15 minutes? What happens if we have an important delivery for John Legend that can't wait?

Speaking of expensive things on the Bowery ...

Back in October, we pointed out John Legend's home that he was selling inside 52E4 — the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street. Unit #9 is on the market for $2.95 million.

Yesterday, #8 hit the market... a similar looking two-bedroom apartment (right next door?) with a $2.9 million price tag. (According to StreetEasy, the apartment originally sold in October 2009 for $2 million.)

You can read the Douglas Elliman listing here. You know the drill: FrenchOakfloorsaccentuatesleekMasterbathfeaturesLeaCeramiche&CiottilewallsventedLGW/D&custom closets...

We just want to look at the pictures.

Open house is Sunday from 1-2:30 p.m. Think that the pool is still open? Cannonball!

And how will the incoming hotel next door block impact the views here?

And now, let's go inside John Legend's apartment

Last Thursday, Jennifer Gould Keil at the the Post reported that Grammy Award-winner John Legend was selling his two-bedroom condo at 52E4 — the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street — for $2.95 million.

The listing is now online at Prudential Elliman.

Let's take a look.

Here's the copy:

Panoramic Living - Enjoy spectacular views from the luminous walls of glass, that make up this fifteen story 'iconic' tower. 52 East 4th is the 'ultimate' in downtown luxury living, featuring direct elevator access, surround sound, dramatic ceiling heights, architectural steel trusses, and state-of-the-art bathrooms and kitchen, all designed by Andre Escobar. This full service condominium is situated in the highly desired East Village, directly adjacent to The Bowery Hotel. Building amenities include a setback and landscaped building entrance, parking garage, roof deck and an exterior spa-swimming pool. Doorman from 8AM-8PM. The only thing missing in this 'unique' masterpiece is you!

Thoughts? Nice. A lot of taupe. Not the best color in case you spill a Slurpee purchased from the 7-Eleven on the ground floor.

[Updated] And the Bowery dies a little more: Here comes 7-Eleven

Workers have arrived at 351 Bowery ... the long-dormant retail space in the base of 52E4 — the 15 stories of condo...

...and the plans for the space are sitting on the make-shift desk in the window...

Hold on. Let me pick myself up of the floor....

With the Subway across the street, this is really going to have a suburban feel... In any event, given the space and the high rents, we weren't expecting much aside from a bank branch.

Updated 1:30 p.m.: A 7-Eleven spokesperson tells Garth Johnston at Gothamist that the store will open on Oct. 5.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Looking at 52E4's commercial space, and that cake no one ate

Boutique on Bowery possibly opening today; new lease signs appear at 52E4

Is Scarano's 52E4 falling apart on the Bowery?

That's what a reader asked who sent along the above photo on the Bowery at East Fourth Street ... Well, yeah — looks like a few of those slats-like things are missing ... We'll ask Chrissy.

A $3 million whiteout on the Bowery

Been several months since we checked in on anything to do with 52E4, the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street.

Now, a splendiferous two-bedroom condo is back at the market. According to Streeteasy, the unit was originally listed at $2.3 million in 2008. (It was sold in November 2009 for $2,168,872, according to records.) Now, the asking price is $3 million.

And this is what you get.

According to the listing at Prudential Douglas Elliman:

Soaring 15 stories tall, 52 East 4th Street is an award winning architectural icon on The Bowery. W/ interiors by Andres Escobar, this 1,359 Sqft 2bed 2bath full-floor home is unparalleled in design, finish & luxury. A private key-locked elevator transports you to an oasis of chic: impressive 13' ceilings w/ walls of floor-to-ceiling glass & exposed beams translate into a smart, modern design. A custom white kitchen is finely appointed w/ Sub Zero & Bosche appliances, Grohe fixtures & Corian countertops. 4” French Oak floors have been bleached white to accentuate the space’s airiness & luminance. The sleek Master bath features Lea Ceramiche & Ciot tile walls, Corian floors, a Kohler Water Tile rain shower system & Toto washlet toilets. Laundry room w/ vented LG W/D & custom closets are also included. Private deeded parking space is available for purchase. Enter 52 East 4th Street thru a dramatic gated set-back entrance. Terrace w/ pool & cabanas offer a chic, serene escape from the city. Doorman from 8-8

Tempting, though white is so hard to keep clean.

Why John Legend may have problems getting the car out of the garage

The driveway here at the gated Bowery high-rise — 52E4 tower of condo — to John Legend and other fashionable people is tight to begin with... add a few humongo bags and trash and....





...passable, especially on two wheels...



Warning! While James Bond may be able to do this in "Diamonds Are Forever," please do not attempt this coming out of your own gated driveway.

P.S.
New York magazine takes you inside the Legend home here.

The problem with private driveways in the East Village

No one pays attention to the "no parking" signs....



Yeah, it's funny until John Legend has your ass towed ... Well, unless this is the LegendMobile.... outside 52E4, the 15 stories of condo on Fourth Street... where the Legend, Moby and others live...




Perhaps a trend...Previously, as seen at 238 E. Fourth St. in front of the Novogratz-designed penthouse home....

Boutique on Bowery possibly opening today; new lease signs appear at 52E4

Boutiques on Bowery is slated to open today in the retail space in 52E4, the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery near Fourth Street... The BOB Web site confirms that the store opens today... The site also lists the hours from Tuesday through Sunday...meaning they likely wouldn't be open today, Feb. 1, on a Monday....

Anyway! With this opening comes the arrival of new "prime retail space available" signs at 52E4...Perhaps something more permanent is coming here some day?

Boutiques on Bowery replacing the Bowery Bazaar (plus, Brazilian coffee!)

First, there was the Bowery Bazaar in the retail space in 52E4, the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery near Fourth Street...



Perhaps that was only seasonal, given the Feb. 1. debut of Boutiques on Bowery, which sort of seems like the same idea but with a new graphic: A woman in a rather short dress standing in some leaves during a windstorm with a python/cat/scarf wrapped around her neck.




According to the Boutiques on Bowery Web site:

The Boutiques on Bowery are an assembly of 36 hip new designer and artisans displaying women's clothing, dresses, sweaters, mens suites, hats, scarves, vintage and new Jewelry.

B on B will also be home to O-Cafe coffee bar reflecting the very essence of Brazil. O-Cafe will be serving the finest coffees, cappuccino, espresso, macchiato, cortado, teas, pastries and much more.

Just steps from the stylish Bowery Hotel, B on B aims to bring a sense of authenticity back to a part of Manhattan that's been transformed from a central throughway, to a gritty nabe and back again. A community collaboration, B on B is ever seeking new talent.

$3 million penthouse sale at 52E4

According to the real estate section in the Post this week, a $3 million penthouse was sold at 52E4, the 15 stories of condo at Fourth Street and the Bowery...

Manhattan
EAST VILLAGE $3,000,000
52 E. Fourth St.

Two-bedroom, two-bath penthouse condo, 1,317 square feet, with 13-foot ceilings, marble baths and washer/dryer; building features doorman, garage, pool and roof deck. Common charges $1,811, taxes $225. Asking price $3,250,000, on market 82 weeks. Brokers: Frances Katzen, Prudential Douglas Elliman and John B. Gomes and Fredrik Eklund, Core

According to StreetEasy, there have been 15 sales here...with three units currently on the market...


Previously.

And, I promise, the last post of the day on 52E4

(Maybe.)

Never too early to start thinking about the Bowery-side pool parties

While trudging through the slushy, mucky leftovers from the storm of the century/decade/year/weekend on the Bowery, we spied the terrace with spa-pool atop 52E4, seemingly ready for action. No mere snowstorm will knock over these canopies!




The pool parties to come here at the 15 stories of condo will no doubt provide a treasure trove of blog posts some time later in the New Year. For that, we are grateful.

Grand opening for 52E4!

I see. It's for the business next door to the 15-story condo on the Bowery at Fourth Street. Seemed odd to spend $89 gajillion dollars on a condo and 39 cents at the 99-cent store on a "grand opening" sign.

52E4 gets some stairs

Whoa, look up in the sky! Atop the 15-floor condo on the Bowery between Third Street and Fourth Street...what will be 52 East Fourth Street (home to Moby!) some day...




Stairs! That lead where?