Dewatering 98-100 Avenue A

On Saturday we wrote about the generator and steam (not smoke or fire) coming from behind the plywood along 98-100 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's retail-residential complex coming between East Sixth Street and East Street.

According to a new sign on the plywood:

"We are currently performing dewatering on this construction site. This is condensation (water vapor) coming up through the pipes. There is no fire, no smoke, and no reason for alarm."

So what's going on behind that plywood? EVG reader John Cline shared these photos of the dewatering process...


[Click on image for more details]



After a seemingly long time, the demolition of the former theater-turned-grocery ended last November. No word on when the new building will be finished.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rest assured, there isn't a fire in the hole at 98-100 Avenue A

A look back at 1941, when 98 Avenue A was a movie theater

Rest assured, there isn't a fire in the hole at 98-100 Avenue A

Just to put your mind at ease this holiday. Over at 98-100 Avenue A, workers continue [and continue] to put in the foundation for Ben Shaoul's new 6-8-story retail-residential complex between East Sixth Street and East Seventh Street.

Readers have noted a generator running 24/7 since early May, at least. And lately there has been some smoke billowing up over the plywood.

An explanation for this arrived this past week.



Per the sign: "We are currently performing dewatering on this construction site. This is condensation (water vapor) coming up through the pipes. There is no fire, no smoke, and no reason for alarm."

So remain calm, all is well.

And for people who don't like reading the fine print…

The disappearing penthouse of 515 E. 5th St.

After reading our post from Tuesday about the demolition of the penthouse at 515 E. Fifth St., two EVG readers sent along photos showing the progress… on Wednesday …


[Photo by Laura Gurfein]

… and Thursday…


[Photo by a resident who doesn't have permission to be on the roof]

After seven years of legal wrangling, the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) told landlord Ben Shaoul that he has until the end of July to provide proof that the illegal penthouse here between Avenue A and Avenue B has been demolished … then the BSA will reopen hearings on the variances that Shaoul and Co. are requesting.

One 515 Penthouse Removal Watcher told us that he is surprised that the demolition work is actually taking place (given that it is Ben Shaoul and all).

Previously on EV Grieve:
Sidewalk bridge arrives at 515 E. 5th St., site of Ben Shaoul's illegal penthouse conversion

Actual demolition work happening at Ben Shaoul's illegal East 5th Street penthouse

Last week an EVG reader noted the arrival of some supplies at 515 E. Fifth St., where landlord Ben Shaoul is under orders to remove the illegal penthouse here.

Per the reader: "Getting fresh sheetrock delivered isn't what happens when you are removing an illegal addition."

Since then, several 515 Penthouse Removal Watchers have observed workers actually removing materials from the top floor here between Avenue A and Avenue B and discarding them in the dumpster outside No. 515.



And a member of the 515 tenants association said that this was a shipment of plywood to cover the holes between the 6th and 7th floors made by the demolition.

As you may have memorized by now: The Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) ruled in 2008 that Shaoul needed to remove the 6th and 7th floors here between Avenue A and Avenue B. However, his attorneys had requested that the city grant a zoning variance to "permit the constructed enlargement, minus the penthouse, to remain" here.

A rep for the tenants association told us that the BSA is giving Shaoul until the end of July to provide proof that the penthouse has been demolished … then the BSA will reopen hearings on the variances that Shaoul and Co. are requesting.

515 Penthouse Removal Watchers figure workers will just hollow out the penthouse and leave the bulkheads the way they did on the Shaoul-owned 514-516 Sixth St., where the space is now apparently making for a cool party gazebo.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Sidewalk bridge arrives at 515 E. 5th St., site of Ben Shaoul's illegal penthouse conversion

Ben Shaoul now has until the end of July to demolish his illegal penthouse on East 5th Street

[Photo of 515 E. Fifth St. from May 4]

Landlord-developer Ben Shaoul now has yet another deadline to remove the illegal penthouse at 515 E. Fifth St., according to the building's tenants association.

As we've been seemingly cutting and pasting for years, the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) ruled in 2008 that Shaoul needed to remove the 6th and 7th floors here between Avenue A and Avenue B. However, his attorneys had requested that the city grant a zoning variance to "permit the constructed enlargement, minus the penthouse, to remain" here.

On Tuesday, there was another hearing on the matter … and as a rep for the tenants association told us, the BSA is giving Shaoul until the end of July to provide proof that the penthouse has been demolished … then the BSA will reopen hearings on the variances that Shaoul and Co. are requesting.

Last September, the BSA gave Shaoul 60 days to complete demolition … but that never happened.

Anyway, there is some demolition-related progress. As we pointed out, workers assembled a sidewalk bridge outside 515 on May 4. In addition, the city approved a permit to remove the penthouse on May 6. (There is also an approved permit on file to remove the sixth floor.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] 5 years later, another BSA hearing on illegal rooftop addition at 515 E. Fifth St.

Protest at 515 E. Fifth St. this morning, site of Ben Shaoul's illegal addition

The disappearing illegal penthouse of 514-516 E. 6th St.

Never-ending battle wages on over additional floors at 515 E. Fifth St.

Never-ending battle over additional floors at 515 E. Fifth St. promises to keep being never-ending

CB3 not into Ben Shaoul's zoning variance for 515 E. 5th St.

Another BSA hearing on Ben Shaoul's illegal rooftop addition; plus, rent 1 of the contested units!

BSA tells Ben Shaoul to remove the illegal penthouse on East 5th Street within 60 days

Sidewalk bridge arrives at 515 E. 5th St., site of Ben Shaoul's illegal penthouse conversion

Report: Equinox signs deal for Ben Shaoul's new retail-residential complex on East Houston

The fitness club has leased the entire second and third floors of Ben Shaoul's incoming development on East Houston and Orchard, the Post reports.

There's still 30,000 square feet of retail for the renting, per the Post.

Ben Shaoul and Real Estate Equities, a Midtown-based firm, paid $75 million for the one-level group of properties next to Katz's on East Houston and Orchard Street. Demolition is apparently underway.

Shaoul's 10-story building will include 83 residential units.

Ben Shaoul's East Luxe is all sold out

[EVG file photo of the FRONT of the building]

A news release about Ben Shaoul's new 20-unit rental building at 31-33 Second Ave. between East First Street and East Second Street via the EVG inbox…

Platinum Properties, a New York-based full-service brokerage firm has announced today that it has now rented 100% of The East Luxe, a 20-unit East Village boutique rental building at 31-33 Second Avenue, in just 16 weeks on the market.

To note: Platinum Properties rented 11 of the 17 originally available units directly and six via co-broking with outside agents. It took approximately three months—most of which were rented during the winter, a traditionally slow time — to completely rent out the two and three-bedroom units and one month to rent out the four bedroom apartments.

“In the East Village/Bowery area there is a lack of new construction or rehab projects of this nature. Just having an elevator building with extremely highend finishes in such a central location has made the building a stand out,” says Khashy Eyn, CEO, Platinum Properties.

As previously noted, a Petco is taking the building's retail space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ben Shaoul planning a 3-story addition at 31-33 Second Ave.

Bracing for 3 new floors at 31-33 Second Ave.

Checking in on the work in progress at 31-33 2nd Ave., where Ben Shaoul is adding 3 new floors

Ben Shaoul's bland new 2nd Avenue building is called The East Luxe

More about The East Luxe, Ben Shaoul's new 20-unit rental on 2nd Avenue

Sidewalk bridge arrives at 515 E. 5th St., site of Ben Shaoul's illegal penthouse conversion

Workers arrived late yesterday afternoon to assemble a sidewalk bridge outside 515 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, where, perhaps, the long-contested penthouse will finally be removed.

A quickie recap of our previous recaps: The Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) had previously ruled in 2008 that landlord Ben Shaoul needed to remove the 6th and 7th floors. However, his attorneys had requested that the city grant a zoning variance to "permit the constructed enlargement, minus the penthouse, to remain" here.

Last September, the BSA gave Shaoul 60 days to complete demolition. Upon documentation of the removal, the BSA would then consider granting the assorted zoning variances to keep the 6th floor. The work permit to remove the penthouse was filed on Feb. 4 and approved on April 2, according to DOB documents.

According to the Tenants Association of 515 East Fifth Street, the hearing on the zoning and Multiple Dwelling Law variances is next Tuesday, May 12.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] 5 years later, another BSA hearing on illegal rooftop addition at 515 E. Fifth St.

Protest at 515 E. Fifth St. this morning, site of Ben Shaoul's illegal addition

The disappearing illegal penthouse of 514-516 E. 6th St.

Never-ending battle wages on over additional floors at 515 E. Fifth St.

Never-ending battle over additional floors at 515 E. Fifth St. promises to keep being never-ending

CB3 not into Ben Shaoul's zoning variance for 515 E. 5th St.

Another BSA hearing on Ben Shaoul's illegal rooftop addition; plus, rent 1 of the contested units!

BSA tells Ben Shaoul to remove the illegal penthouse on East 5th Street within 60 days

The going rate to buy up an LES corner for a new development (spoiler: $75 million)

[EVG photo from March]

Not exactly hot off the presses... however, in case you missed this... On Monday, The Real Deal reported that Ben Shaoul and Real Estate Equities, a Midtown-based firm, paid $75 million for the one-level group of properties next to Katz's on East Houston and Orchard Street.

The $75 million ($5 million less than the asking price of Shaoul's Bloom62!) went to buy four properties from two different owners and the air rights over Katz's (who will remain in place).

As previously noted, coming soon some day: a 10-story building with 83 residential units spread out over 95,000-square feet... plus 13,500 square feet of ground-floor retail.



The Commercial Observer had more on the deal yesterday, noting, among other things, that Shaoul has not yet decided if the building will hold rental units or condominiums. Shaoul said that the project will work either way.

BoweryBoogie, who first reported last year that Shaoul was behind the new project, has more details here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Katz's is now the last business on East Houston between Ludlow and Orchard

Katz's is now the last business on East Houston between Ludlow and Orchard

The one level row of storefronts on East Houston between Ludlow and Orchard are now business-free with the exception of Katz's.

Empanada Mama is the last to bow out...


[Photo via @fnytv]

They aren't going to far away as the sign notes — 95 Allen St., as first reported by BoweryBoogie.

So everyone else, including Ray's Pizza, Bereket and Lobster Joint, among others — have closed or moved to make way for Ben Shaoul's new development... Oh, there it is!



Shaoul's latest is a 10-story building with 83 residential units spread out over 95,000-square feet... plus 13,500 square feet of ground-floor retail.

Katz's, who sold their air rights to help make this happen, isn't going anywhere.

H/T EVG reader Chris F.

Ben Shaoul asking $80 million for Bloom 62, the former nursing home on Avenue B

[Image via Cushman & Wakefield]

Back in November, a PDF of a listing for Ben Shaoul's Bloom 62 on Avenue B and East Fifth Street arrived in our inbox. The asking price for the former Cabrini Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation was listed at $73 million — all cash.

Maybe you should have picked it up then. There's a new listing as of yesterday at Cushman & Wakefield … and the asking price is now $80 million.

Here's what you get:

A 6-story, completely renovated, mixed-use doorman building located at the southwest corner of Avenue B and East 5th Street. The property features over 120’ of frontage on Avenue B and 143’ of frontage on East 5th Street. It consists of 81 residential units and 1 ground floor retail unit. All of the residential units are FM with an average in-place rent of $83/SF.

The retail is leased to The New Amsterdam School for $400,000 per year. Overall, the property is 98.77% occupied with a gross annual income of $5,155,768. Amenities of the building include a fitness room, landscaped courtyard, and a rooftop entertainment deck featuring outdoor showers, grills, and bar-sinks. The residential units are all in spectacular condition and each has their own washer & dryer, individual temperature control, and high-end finishes through out.

This is an excellent opportunity for an investor to purchase a high cash flowing, low maintenance asset with significant upside in one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Manhattan.

Shaoul bought the place for $25.5 million from a family trust made up of the estates of Jacob W. Friedman and Sol Henkind in December 2011.

Cabrini closed for good on June 30, 2012. The 240-bed Cabrini Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation — sponsored by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — provided health care for low-income elderly residents in the East Village. The center opened in 1993 and served 240 patients and employed nearly 300 people.

As for Shaoul, he's off to luxurify other corners of the neighborhood.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Ben Shaoul is the new owner of Cabrini nursing home, will convert to condos

Report: Local politicians reach out to Ben Shaoul as re-sale of the Cabrini Nursing Center seems likely

More details on Cabrini's closing announcement

A look at the 'Hip young crowd planting roots at Bloom 62'

Ben Shaoul looks to make a whole lot of money converting nursing home into high-end housing

Ben Shaoul is selling Bloom 62 for $73 million — all cash!

The East Luxe is 70% rented; Petco confirmed for retail space

People apparently want to live in The East Luxe, Ben Shaoul's new 20-unit rental building at 31-33 Second Ave.

According to a release via reps from brokerage firm Platinum Properties, 70 percent of The East Luxe between East First Street and East Second Street has been rented "in just 8 weeks on the market."

Here is more info from the release:

Two of three four-bedroom rental units were just released starting at $6988 (this is net effective pricing after one free month) and the building will be offering a third four-bedroom unit onto the market in mid-March for April occupancy. Renters will have the opportunity to select from 3 different 4-bedroom layouts; 2 out of 3 of the units have 14-ft. ceilings.

And!

Completely renovated and redesigned by developer Ben Shaoul, the elevator building has landscaped roof deck with views of the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and the Manhattan Bridge. Each unit is appointed with condo finishes offering washer and dryer units in each apartment, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and marble bathrooms.

And here are a few interior shots via Platinum…







In addition, Platinum announced the previously reported news that Petco has signed on to be the retail tenant in the building's 3,500-square-foot storefront.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ben Shaoul planning a 3-story addition at 31-33 Second Ave.

Bracing for 3 new floors at 31-33 Second Ave.

Checking in on the work in progress at 31-33 2nd Ave., where Ben Shaoul is adding 3 new floors

Ben Shaoul's bland new 2nd Avenue building is called The East Luxe

More about The East Luxe, Ben Shaoul's new 20-unit rental on 2nd Avenue

[Photo of 31-33 2nd Ave. from 2009 by LuciaM via Panoramio]

The future of East Houston and Orchard will look like this

There it is — the rendering for Ben Shaoul's new retail-residential complex coming to the one-level strip on East Houston between Orchard and Ludlow ... a 10-floor building with 83 residential units spread out over 95,000-square feet.

New York Yimby had the first look at the new-look 196 Orchard St. this morning.

In addition, the new building will feature 13,500 square feet of ground-floor retail and nearly 5,000 square feet of community facility space.

And how about the retail? Per Yimby: "In the rendering, it appears as though the store space may be targeted towards an Apple-like tenant, though none have publicly committed yet."

As BoweryBoogie (who first learned that Shaoul was behind this project) has been reporting, the businesses along here (Bereket among them) have closed or moved to make way for the development.



Pretty much everything you see will be gone — except for Katz's, whose owner sold their air rights to Shaoul to help make all this possible.

Permits were filed earlier this week to demolish the Bereket space, per Bedford + Bowery.

Ismael Leyva is the architect of record.

More about The East Luxe, Ben Shaoul's new 20-unit rental on 2nd Avenue

Just last Friday we pointed out that Ben Shaoul's new rental building at 31-33 Second Ave. had a fancy name to go with the 1970s-student-housing architecture — The East Luxe.

For more, we turn to the news release that arrived yesterday from the brokerage firm brokering the new building:

Completely renovated and redesigned, the 20-unit building offers one bedrooms through four bedroom apartments with slated occupancy for the beginning of 2015. The building, which offers units starting at $4,235 and your 2nd month of rent free, has an elevator and landscaped roof deck with views of the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and the Manhattan Bridge. Each unit is appointed with condo finishes offering washer and dryer units in each apartment, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and marble bathrooms.

"The East Luxe is a true gem in the East Village," says Khashy Eyn, Founder/CEO of Platinum Properties. "We are excited to represent this boutique luxury property, which is distinct from any rental building that is currently on the market."

Distinct from any rental building that is currently on the market maybe ... not unlike Ben Shaoul's Bloom 62, which lists similar amenities.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ben Shaoul planning a 3-story addition at 31-33 Second Ave.

Bracing for 3 new floors at 31-33 Second Ave.

Checking in on the work in progress at 31-33 2nd Ave., where Ben Shaoul is adding 3 new floors

Ben Shaoul's bland new 2nd Avenue building is called The East Luxe

Ben Shaoul's bland new 2nd Avenue building is called The East Luxe

Back in July crews finished adding 3 new floors in the total remake of 31-33 Second Ave., which is now a charmless grey box. Perhaps to compensate for the bland exterior here between East Second Street and East First Street, Ben Shaoul's rental building is sporting an upscale name — The East Luxe.

And listings for the units arrived on the market yesterday. According to Streeteasy, there are eight active listings for the 2- and 3-bedroom apartments with an average piece of $5,200.

Here's a look at a listing via Platinum:

Introducing The East Luxe - Brand New Boutique Elevator Building In Prime East Village

Condo-quality apartment features include: Each apartment is gut-renovated w/ central air. Open kitchen features black marble counter tops & stainless steel appliances w/ dishwasher. Washer/Dryer in every unit. Solid white oak flooring throughout. High ceilings. Video intercom.

Building features, Elevator and landscaped roofdeck. Pets allowed.

There aren't any shots of the apartments online just yet, so we don't know if the inside fared better than the outside.

Meanwhile, BoweryBoogie previously reported that a Petco-branded store is set for the retail space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ben Shaoul planning a 3-story addition at 31-33 Second Ave.

Bracing for 3 new floors at 31-33 Second Ave.

Checking in on the work in progress at 31-33 2nd Ave., where Ben Shaoul is adding 3 new floors

Ben Shaoul's latest gift to the neighborhood: A 10-floor residential building

News broke Friday about the new retail-residential complex coming to the one-level strip on East Houston between Orchard and Ludlow: a 10-floor building with 83 residential units.

In addition, the new building will feature 13,500 square feet of ground-floor retail and nearly 5,000 square feet of community facility space, according to New York Yimby, who first reported on Ben Shaoul's plans now on file with the city.

The address for this Shaoulville will be 196 Orchard St.

As BoweryBoogie (who first learned that Shaoul was behind this project) has been reporting, the businesses along here (Bereket among them) have closed or moved to make way for the development. Pretty much everything you see will be gone — except for Katz's, whose co-owner sold their air rights to Shaoul.

Ismael Leyva is the architect of record.

Ben Shaoul is selling Bloom 62 for $73 million — all cash!

[EVG file photo]

Back in January, the Post reported that Bloom 62 on Avenue B and East Fifth Street — the former Cabrini Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation — "is being shown to investors and expected to sell for roughly $70 million."

At the time, we never spotted any listings for the building that Ben Shaoul bought for $25.5 million from a family trust made up of the estates of Jacob W. Friedman and Sol Henkind in December 2011.

Now a PDF for the building is making the rounds … it arrived in our inbox. From that listing:









All you need is $73 million. All cash.

Cabrini closed for good on June 30, 2012. The 240-bed Cabrini Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation — sponsored by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — provided health care for low-income elderly residents in the East Village. The center opened in 1993 and served 240 patients and employed nearly 300 people.

Bloom 62 started renting in May 2013. Prices top out at $7,600 for a four-bedroom apartment. The building has quickly earned a reputation for throwing the most disruptive rooftop parties.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Ben Shaoul is the new owner of Cabrini nursing home, will convert to condos

Report: Local politicians reach out to Ben Shaoul as re-sale of the Cabrini Nursing Center seems likely

More details on Cabrini's closing announcement

Ben Shaoul looks to make a whole lot of money converting nursing home into high-end housing

Demolition finally over at 98-100 Avenue A

Meant to note this earlier in the week… after seemingly 20 years, the demolition of the former theater-turned-grocery has ended on Avenue A between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street … No more pesky building to see!



The smooth lot will some day make way for developer Ben Shaoul's 6-floor residential building with 29 apartments and ground-floor retail here.



… also, someone is keeping score on the side of the building that houses Sidewalk…



Previously

Another look inside the pit of the former 98-100 Avenue A

Here's the latest look inside the former theater-turned grocery between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street ... where the crawler excavator is playing king of the hill atop the pile of bricks.

This view comes courtesy of EVG reader John Cline.

Developer Ben Shaoul is putting in a 6-floor residential building with 29 apartments and ground-floor retail here.

Previously

Taking a pit stop at 98-100 Avenue A

As we pointed out on Friday, there isn't much, if anything, left of the former theater-turned-grocery at 98-100 Avenue A between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street.

And what's it looking like from the top?

An EVG reader shared these photos...







Developer Ben Shaoul is putting in a 6-floor residential building with 29 apartments and ground-floor retail here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Workers back demolishing what's left of 98-100 Avenue A