Work stops, plans change for new building on 1st Avenue and 2nd Street

Work has come to a halt over the past six weeks at the northwest corner of First Avenue and Second Street, where the first few floors of a new residential building are visible above the plywood. 

Turns out there’s a good reason for the pause. According to Department of Buildings filings, the project has changed from a seven-story, 22-unit building to an eight-story structure with 24 units.

So expect to restart here in the weeks ahead ... and keep an eye out for an updated plywood rendering for the mixed-use building, officially 88 E. Second St.

The site previously housed three buildings — 33, 35 and 37 First Ave. — which were demolished in early 2024. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• 37 1st Ave., once home to some East Village music history, is now rubble 

• Goodbye for now to HaveAHeart Studio, the rehearsal space below New Double Dragon

The all-new 88 E. 2nd St. is rising

The first floors of the new seven-story apartment building are now visible above the plywood on the NW corner of First Avenue and Second Street.

And the consensus from the EVG readers who pointed out the above-the-sidewalk reveal: It already seems like a development much too large for the size of the lot.

The incoming residential building — officially located at 88 E. Second St. — will feature ground-floor retail and 22 rental units upon completion later next year. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A visit to First Avenue Laundry Center 

• 37 1st Ave., once home to some East Village music history, is now rubble 

• Goodbye for now to HaveAHeart Studio, the rehearsal space below New Double Dragon