Is Facebook leaving Astor Place?

Facebook is reportedly in talks to lease space at the revamped Farley Building (the former James A. Farley Post Office) across from Madison Square Garden, according to Lois Weiss at the Post.

The company had also been said to be looking at Hudson Yards.

So why are we writing about this? To the Post!

It’s unclear what will happen to Facebook’s current NYC offices, including 758,000 square feet at 770 Broadway and 266,000 square feet at 225 Park Avenue. So.

Both Farley and 770 Broadway are owned by Vornado and its chairman Steve Roth, who has been wining and dining tech companies for years in an effort to lease them the top floors of the post office.

Roth, whose reps didn’t immediately return a request for comment, could cut Facebook a deal for Farley that also lets it off the hook for its current East Village lease, which expires in 2025.

Oh!

As you may recall, Kmart downsized its space at 770 Broadway, the landmarked building on Astor Place, in early 2018. There were reports in late 2017 and early 2018 that Vornado bought Kmart out of its lease on the second floor, which was revamped from low-price to high-tech for Facebook.

The smaller Kmart still has 82,000 square feet in building, including most of the property's ground-floor retail space as well as basement level.

Also, as you'll see in the top photo, Kmart recently unveiled a new logo on the building.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Kmart staying on Astor Place, minus the 2nd floor (for Facebook?)

Tuesday's parting shot (aka Endless Summer!)

Photo on Astor Place today by Derek Berg.

At the WitchsFest USA — A Pagan Street Faire

The eighth annual WitchsFest USA — A Pagan Street Faire took place today on Astor Place from Lafayette to Broadway... EVG contributor Steven shared these photos from the event, which included a variety of mystical energies...







---

And via Derek Berg...







... and also on-hand... not part of the actual Street Faire, but drawing attention ...

The WitchsFest USA — A Pagan Street Faire is today on Astor Place

The WitchsFest USA — A Pagan Street Faire is happening today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Astor Place between Broadway and Lafayette. Here's what to expect via the WitchsFest website:

On July 13 please join us ... as we present in its 8th Year, WitchsFest USA – A Pagan Street Faire: Join us for a Magickally Enchanted day charged with mystical energies in the heart of New York City’s East Village ...

We invite you to come dressed in your favorite costume of the woodland creatures of the Realms of the Fae, Nymphs, Satyrs, and much more. For a Magickally Witchey day of workshops meant to expand your knowledge of the Arts of Practical Magick and Witchey performances that will keep you spell bound throughout the day, culminating with a Summer Blessing Ritual.

Feel the Magick, feel the power, feel it here as it begins with the Gathering of Witches, Voodoo Priestess, Warlocks, Psychics, Pagan Information Groups and other teachers of their own Crafts, from within New York and around the United States as they share their wisdom with us. You’ll enjoy shopping from our many array of magickally enchanting vendors where you can purchase books signed by your favorite authors, jewelry, enchanted ritual tools, spells handmade by true beings of their own spiritual Crafts, and much, much, more!

Tuesday's parting shot

A graduation scene on Astor Place today via Derek Berg...

Is this the real life? Watch a group singalong of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' on Astor Place at 3:30 a.m.

An EVG reader shared this video clip that was uploaded yesterday... showing a group singalong at the Sing for Hope piano on Astor Place. The description says this was at 3:30 a.m. Very, very frightening?

Sunday's parting shot

Tonight's sunset from Astor Place by EVG reader Doug...

Astor Piano

Thanks to Jefferson Siegel for this action shot of the Sing for Hope piano in use today on Astor Place... the piano, titled "Community of Dreams" and created by Joan Dilieto, will be here through June 23.

Kick out the jams: The 'Community of Dreams' piano arrives on Astor Place

One of the 50-plus pianos that Sing for Hope is placing around the city this month has arrived on Astor Place... on the north plaza near the uptown 6...



The piano, titled "Community of Dreams," was created by Joan Dilieto in collaboration with Hetrick-Martin Institute and SVA.



The piano is expected to be here through June 23... then it's off to find a new home in an NYC city school.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Here's the Sing for Hope piano for Astor Place

[Image via Instagram]

Starting today, the NYC-based nonprofit Sing For Hope will once again place 50 colorfully decorated pianos in parks and other locations around the five boroughs through June 23. The program is now in its eighth year.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Tompkins Square Park will host a piano as in previous years. (Unless Sing for Hope forgot to add it to the piano map.)

However, Astor Place will have a piano titled "Community of Dreams" created by Joan Dilieto in collaboration with Hetrick-Martin Institute and SVA. Here's more about her:

Born and raised in NY, with studios in both Red Hook and Capri, Italy, Joan has been a painter for many years bridging both cultures into the texture of her work. With the roots of an islander, the sea is always present “as above, so below.” Painting beauty, painting fiction, a mythological narrative emerges. Rich with the ancient art of storytelling, a cast of characters led by the divine feminine lead us into their Byzantine world. Intrigue and identity converge with alchemy and transformation.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Our piano is a collaboration between School of Visual Arts and Hetrick-Martin Institute inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s quote “I dream of painting then I paint my dream.” The youth participants of HMI painted their dreams on tiles that are collaged together onto the rainbow flag. Collage as a metaphor for the extraordinary community of HMI, echoing Sing For Hope’s mantra of #artforall.

Spencer Tunick brings #WeTheNipple to Astor Place in message to Facebook and Instagram

Spencer Tunick has orchestrated another mass photo shoot, this time on Astor Place early today.

Tunick has joined forces with the National Coalition Against Censorship for a project called #WeTheNipple. As artnet noted last month, "the effort is a direct challenge to Facebook and Instagram’s community guidelines, which prohibit nudity, regardless of artistic merit."

Tunick, who has organized and photographed more than 120 large groups of nude people around the world, has been at odds with the two social media platforms in recent years.

As he told Esquire in April:

"I get it. I don’t want my daughters on an Instagram full of pornography. But there has to be a way artists can have a voice to show their works. There has to be some formula, whether it’s the YouTube way where you’re reviewed and there’s an 18-or-older button that’s pressed. Or, for starters, equalize the male and female nipple and not deem the female nipple as violent."

And this morning on Astor Place, Tunick and between 100 to 200 nude models gathered to send a message to Facebook, who has offices at 770 Broadway (somewhere above the Kmart!).

Per the Instagram post on the action:

"These are all male nipple stickers covering female presenting nipples and male nipple cards covering all the participant’s genitalia. There is no reason for Facebook or Instagram to censor this video or block from hashtags."

View this post on Instagram

#WeTheNipple Art Action in front of @Facebook and @Instagram offices this Morning. #StopCensorship These are all male nipple stickers covering female presenting nipples and male nipple cards covering all the participant’s genitalia. There is no reason for Facebook or Instagram to censor this video or block from hashtags. @NCACensorship @chadsmithofficial @bravoandy @pagmi #AndresSerrano @theadamgoldberg @RonKuby #FuckCensorship Link in Bio.

A post shared by Spencer Tunick (@spencertunick) on Jun 2, 2019 at 4:18am PDT

H/T Carol from East 5th Street!

Updated 4:30 p.m.

Here's some more coverage of the action (thanks Daniel!)...

• The Daily Mail

• CNN


[Image by Fay Fox via]

Boulder patrol: Granite blocks now surround Astor Place

[Photo by Derek Berg]

When the boulders started arriving yesterday at Astor Place, I thought we were in for another immersive fan event for "Game of Thrones" ahead of its premiere Sunday on HBO®.

That's not the case, though. The Astor Place Instagram account explains:

Today the @nyc_dot placed new granite blocks around the perimeter of the Astor Place South Plaza, and soon-to-be portions of the North Plaza. While it wouldn’t be unreasonable to ponder if these might be our latest public art, they are in fact new additions to enhance the safety of pedestrians and visitors using the plazas. The actual public art, cafes and seating remain just as open and accessible as always, except it’s now even safer for all to enjoy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Astor Place NYC (@astorplacenyc) on Apr 11, 2019 at 1:30pm PDT

Blue Bottle Coffee Company coming to Astor Place

A Blue Bottle Coffee Company outpost is opening at 2 Astor Place at Broadway.

As you can see, the BBCC branding is up in the space that previously housed Middle Eastern chain Semson.

No word on an opening date. BBCC currently has 14 locations in NYC, including on University Place.

Brodo debuts on Astor Place this week

The Brodo bone-broth kiosk will have a soft opening today on Astor Place near the uptown 6 stop ... Owner Marco Canora told me they'd be open then "in earnest" tomorrow.

Canora debuted a Brodo to-go window on the First Avenue side of Hearth back in 2014 — the start of what became a nationwide bone-broth trend. The Astor Place kiosk makes the fifth Brodo outpost in the city.

Brodo temporarily takes the place of La Newyorkina for the early part of 2019. La Newyorkina, which sells Mexican palettas and ices, is expected to return this summer.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Brodo opening a bone-broth outpost on Astor Place

Brodo opening a bone-broth outpost on Astor Place

The Brodo kiosk has arrived on Astor Place near the uptown 6 stop (thanks to Vinny & O for the photos)...



Marco Canora opened a Brodo to-go window on the First Avenue side of Hearth back in 2014... and bone broth became a thing, with the arrival of three more Brodo outposts (four with Astor Place), as well as a nationwide delivery service.

In an email, Canora told me that the Astor Place outpost is expected to open the last week of January.

Brodo is taking the place of the La Newyorkina kiosk on the north plaza for the winter season. La Newyorkina, which sells Mexican palettas and ices, returns this summer.

As long as you love me

The story of an NYPD officer singing “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys over the PA yesterday on Astor Place is starting to go viral (with the help of PIX 11 and the Post)...

Here's the clip, via Instagram...

View this post on Instagram

The NYPD absolutely nailed it today. So cool to see the humanity in our law enforcement. A small thing like this can really give you some hope in such uncertain times. #nypd #nyc #lowereastside #manhattan #backstreetboys

A post shared by Jordan Haskins (@jordanphaskins) on Nov 10, 2018 at 11:38am PST

The Astor Place Starbucks is back open FYI

The 23-year-old Starbucks on Astor Place went dark on July 30 for a much-needed (apparently) interior rehab.

Anyway, they are back in action today (or was it yesterday? The place was still closed in the a.m.). A quick glance shows new, more comfortable seating and a larger area for checkout.

The restrooms likely received an upgrade too. As one Yelp user noted: "The bathrooms look like they run a cockfighting ring out of them."

This outpost opened in the spring of 1995. As The New York Times noted then, this 5,000-square-foot, 80-seat Starbuck's was "the chain's largest outlet in Manhattan."

Updated 5:19 p.m.

Here's an interior pic via @unitof ...

Sunday's parting shot

The Burberry bear inflatable is gone... Photo of Astor Place today by Lola Sáenz...

Today in classic cars on Astor Place

EVG reader 8E shares this photo of a Lotus parked on Astor Place near Broadway...

The 23-year-old Starbucks on Astor Place is now closed for 'a major renovation'

The Starbucks on Astor Place went dark yesterday (h/t to the tipster!) ... as workers covered the windows...



... to mark the start of renovations ... actually "a major renovation," per the Starbucks signage...



According to the approved work permit on file with the city (and in the DOB's ALL-CAP STYLE: "FILING FOR RENOVATIONS TO EXISTING STARBUCKS STORE. DUCT WORK, SPRINKLER HEADS, PLUMBING FIXTURES, AND RELATED GENERAL CONSTRUCTION."

The estimated cost of this work is $985,000, per the DOB.

Apparently this location — a popular spot outside the downtown 6 for its restrooms — was in need of an upgrade, at least according to some of the one-star reviews on Yelp.

For instance ...

This Starbucks is always full and the tables and chairs are always taken and theirs always a line to use the bathroom although that is next to the subway station entrance and across from a department store, this location needs lots of improvements and make the place more cozy for people.

And...

First, it's desperately in need of a renovation: 1) All the tables are scratched and worn. The chairs are the same, plus most of them are ready to fall apart. 2) The roof leaks when it rains. 3) The bathrooms look like they run a cockfighting ring out of them.

This outpost opened in the spring of 1995 (RIP Riviera Cafe!) As The New York Times noted then, this 5,000-square-foot, 80-seat Starbuck's was "the chain's largest outlet in Manhattan."

Per the Times on April 2, 1995:

The Astor Place Starbuck's has floor-to-ceiling windows and a vaulted ceiling. "We've been looking at opening stores that are a larger format, using the architecture of the site to its fullest potential," said Kat Spellman, a company spokeswoman. It is the 11th Starbuck's Coffee in Manhattan; several more are planned in the next year.

Today, there are 317 Starbucks in Manhattan, according to the Center for an Urban Future.



The tipster who passed along this temp closure news noted that the Astor Place Starbucks was expected to reopen on Sept. 6.