Bowlmor Lanes-replacing condoplex cleared of construction equipment on University Place

EVG reader Doug shared these photos of the 22-floor retail-residential complex on University Place between 12th Street and 13th Street (space that was, in part, home for 76 years to Bowlmor Lanes).

Doug notes that all the construction barriers around the complex have been removed, perhaps signaling the end to the exterior work here...



We last checked in on the building in March 1, 2018. At the time the condoplex with the sandstone-colored façade, via William Macklowe Company and Goldman Sachs, was set to open in the summer of 2018.

Curbed had reported in February 2018 that 75 percent of the building’s 52 apartments at 21 E. 12th St. (21E12!) were in contract, including the $17.5 million penthouse. The building's website now lists three availabilities.

The retail space in the base of the building is still on the market. Per the listing at Acadia:

The location provides unparalleled foot traffic and eyeballs from affluent professionals, millennial students, artists, and tourists. The building’s modern, glassy design and double-height facade will allow retailers to maximize their branding and visibility, and make a strong impression on the local population.

The retail component consists of approximately 13,000 sf, which is divisible into 3 or 4 stores. These stores sit at the base of 20 floors of residential units, providing immediate access to this upscale population. The retail spaces feature 17 ft ceilings, and striking glass storefronts.

And the rendering...



Preservationists and other residents remain concerned that these types of out-of-scale development will flourish in this area south of Union Square following the upzoning — with a minimum of zoning protections — that was approved for the tech hub on 14th Street.

Bowlmor Lanes closed in July 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 22-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes

Oh hi: The 23-floor Bowlmor Lanes-replacing luxury building


[July 2014]

Bowling for condos

While on the topic of possible zoning protections for the neighborhoods surrounding the proposed Union Square Tech Hub ... here's a look at the 22-floor retail-residential complex developed by William Macklowe Company and Goldman Sachs on University Place between 12th Street and 13th Street ... formerly known for 76 years as Bowlmor Lanes.

Earlier last month, Curbed reported that 75 percent of the building’s 52 apartments here at 21 E. 12th St. (21E12!) have sold, including the $17.5 million penthouse.

The building is expected to be complete this summer. Most recently, workers installed the façade — featuring precast panels of light colored cast stone and punched casement windows.

Bowlmor Lanes closed in July 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 22-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes

Oh hi: The 23-floor Bowlmor Lanes-replacing luxury building


[July 2014]

Look at the former Bowlmor Lanes now

A walk by University Place and 12th Street... developer Billy Macklowe's 23-floor retail-residential complex has really charged upwards since the last look in June.

Workers appear to be up to the 19th (18th? 20th?) floor... in what will one day look like...


[Rendering via Selldorf.com]

The average price for the 36 condos (there are 52 in total) in contract is $6.1 million, per Streeteasy.

There are ongoing concerns about overdevelopment along the Broadway/University Place/Union Square corridor.

Bowlmor Lanes closed in July 2014 after 76 years in business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes

Oh hi: The 23-floor Bowlmor Lanes-replacing luxury building

Base camp: Looking at the Bowlmor Lanes-replacing 22-story condoplex

While walking on University Place the other day, we had time to take in the nearly block-long base and first three levels of developer Billy Macklowe's 22-floor retail-residential complex here between 12th Street and 13th Street. (This is the former Bowlmor Lanes parcel.)

In case you haven't seen what's on its way up...


[Rendering via Selldorf.com]

Bloomberg had an update yesterday (H/T to the EVG commenter for the link) on what Macklowe is calling 21E12. For starters, about 65 percent of the condoplex's 52 units reportedly have buyers, including the sale of two duplexes to a single buyer listed for a combined $23.5 million.

And apparently this won't be a place for the foreign super-rich to buy under the guise of shell companies with anonymous assets.

Macklowe told Bloomberg that most of the buyers to date are native New Yorkers.

"It is a New York building, for New Yorkers, and the people buying are going to live here.”

So far, the lowest-priced deal here was for $2.43 million. The building is expected to be ready for occupancy at the end of 2018.

In November 2015, local elected officials, preservation groups and even actor Ed Norton rallied to have this area rezoned to put height limits on new construction along this corridor. Mayor de Blasio wasn't apparently too interested in the proposal.

Bowlmor Lanes closed in July 2014 after 76 years in business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes

Oh hi: The 22-floor Bowlmor Lanes-replacing luxury building

Up to 4 floors at the all-new 34 E. 13th St.

You can see the progress at the corner of 13th Street and University Place...



As previously reported, an Adjmi Architects-designed seven-story condoplex is going up. Plans call for one unit per floor on top of 3,200 square feet of ground-floor retail.


[EVG file photo]

The corner previously housed University Place Gourmet as well as several adjacent storefronts, including Bennie Louie Chinese Laundry.

Developer Ranger Properties paid $22 million for the lot, and sent everyone on their way.

Meanwhile, there isn't any sign just yet next door of the 23 floors of condos — 21E12 — set for the former home of Bowlmor Lanes and several other businesses.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes


[13th and University in June 2015]

Report: Incoming condos for 13th Street and University Place will start at $6 million

Back in July we spotted the renderings for the new condoplex coming to University Place and 13th Street ... 6 residences above a retail space.

Curbed yesterday got the initial details on the pricing:

Prices on these apartments, which will each measure about 2,600 square feet, will start at a staggeringly high $6 million, though developers Ranger Properties and KD Sagamore Capital haven’t revealed more detailed pricing info beyond that or released info on the priciest pad in the building.

There's also a teaser site for the Morris Adjmi-designed building, which is officially 116 University Place.

The corner previously housed University Place Gourmet as well as several adjacent storefronts, including Bennie Louie Chinese Laundry.

Developer Ranger Properties paid $22 million for the lot, and closed down the businesses and moved out the residents

Previously on EV Grieve:
Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes


[13th and University in June 2015]

Oh hi: The 22-floor Bowlmor Lanes-replacing luxury building

The rendering on the plywood along University Place between 12th Street and 13th Street – former home of Bowlmor Lanes — doesn't really illustrate just how large and luxurious the 22-floor retail-residential complex will be here...

You have to go to the website of architect Annabelle Selldorf for the full effect... (The Times had the full reveal back in late May.)



Per the Selldorf website:

This new 118,500 sf mixed-use project is located on the corner of University Place and East 12th Street in Greenwich Village. The primary urban opportunities of the site are to connect to the thriving pedestrian activity and contribute to the public’s experience of the streetscape.

To achieve this the two story retail base has expansive storefront windows interrupted by dark aluminum mullions that create an intimate rhythm and scale. Additionally, the 20 story residential tower above the retail base is set back to maximize the amount of sunlight that reaches the adjacent sidewalks and provide generous rooftop gardens.

The 50-plus-unit building, dubbed 21E12 by developer Billy Macklowe, will have homes ranging from $2.35 million to more than $15 million. The project was originally said to be 23 floors. Now just 22.

Last November, local elected officials, preservation groups and even actor Ed Norton rallied to have this area rezoned to put height limits on new construction along this corridor. Mayor de Blasio wasn't apparently too interested in the proposal.

This building will dwarf a new 7-story luxury condo going in next door at the corner of 13th Street.

Bowlmor Lanes closed in July 2014 after 76 years in business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes

Looking at the new residential building for 13th Street and University Place

We haven't walked by the now-demolished stretch of University Place between 12th Street and 13th Street in some time.

So we hadn't seen the rendering for the new residential building for the corner space at 13th Street...



New York Yimby previously reported that a Adjmi Architects-designed seven-story residential building (condos) is in the works... good for one unit per floor on top of 3,200 square feet of ground-floor retail.

The corner previously housed University Place Gourmet as well as several adjacent storefronts, including Bennie Louie Chinese Laundry.

Developer Ranger Properties paid $22 million for the lot, and sent everyone packing.

Meanwhile, next door, 23 floors of condos are going up at the former home of Bowlmor Lanes and several other businesses. That building will be called 21E12.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes


[13th and University in June 2015]

Here's 21E12, the condoplex coming to the former Bowlmor Lanes space

[EVG photo from January]

As you probably know, the west side of University Place between East 12th Street and East 13th Street — former home of Bowlmor Lanes and other businesses — is now an empty lot waiting for 23 stories of condos.

And yesterday, Curbed got the first look at the Annabelle Selldorf-designed building via developer Billy Macklowe...


[A penthouse...]

And there is a teaser site for the 50-unit building, dubbed 21E12.

As for pricing, here's Curbed:

[T]hey're about as expensive as you might expect: one-bedrooms will start at $2.35 million; two-bedrooms will start at $3.95 million; three-bedrooms will go from $5.45 million; four-bedrooms, from $8.25 million; and a selection of townhouses and penthouses will range from $10.5 million to more than $15 million.

Bowlmor Lanes closed in July 2014 after 76 years in business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes

Here's what's left of the block of University Place that once housed Bowlmor Lanes

The west side of University Place between East 12th Street and East 13th Street has been cleared of those silly old buildings and businesses, including Bowlmor Lanes.

There are now approved permits with the city for developer Billy Macklowe's 23 stories of condos here. Plans call for more than 50 residences averaging more that 2,000 square feet each. Amenities include basement storage, onsite parking and a fitness center.

Bowlmor Lanes closed in July 2014 after 76 years in business.

In addition, the corner space at 13th Street that housed University Place Gourmet as well as adjacent storefronts, including Bennie Louie Chinese Laundry, were demolished. A 7-story condo with six residences will rise from from this lot. These plans are pending with the city.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

Major changes coming to University Place and East 13th Street

How about some more condos for University Place

A call for zoning protections along the University Place/Broadway corridors

[EVG photo from July 2014]

Via the EVG inbox…

Tomorrow (11/14) at 12:30 pm, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP), City Councilmember Rosie Mendez, State Senator Brad Hoylman, and local community leaders and affordable housing advocates will gather at the corner of 12th Street and University Place, across from Bowlmor Lanes, to call upon the Mayor and the city to finally move ahead with proposed zoning protections for this area prohibiting high-rise towers and encouraging the creation of affordable housing.

Demolition has just begun on Bowlmor Lanes, which is to be replaced with a 300 ft. tall luxury condo tower with no affordable housing. GVSHP has proposed a rezoning of the area which would limit the height of new construction and encourage developers to include affordable housing.

For almost a year GVSHP, local elected officials, and community leaders have tried to convince the Mayor and the city to move ahead with the plan. So far, they have refused.

See more information here and here (PDF).

Back in August, 6sqft got the first look at some preliminary renderings at the 23-floor building that will dwarf its neighbors between East 12th Street and East 13th Street…


[Click on image to go BIG]

Bowlmor Lanes closed in July 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

Here's the Bowlmor Lanes-eating 23-story condo coming to University Place

Here's the Bowlmor Lanes-eating 23-story condo coming to University Place

[EVG photo from July 2014]

Nearly a year has passed since we heard anything about the plans for the former Bowlmor Lanes (and other now-closed businesses at 110 University Place).

Reps for landlord Billy Macklowe filed plans for a 23-story condo last September.

Now, 6sqft got the first look at some preliminary renderings at the building that will dwarf its neighbors between East 12th Street and East 13th Street…


[Click on image to go BIG]

Here's more from 6sqft:

The 280-foot height depicted in submitted DOB drawings is now in line with many of its nearby neighbors, including One Fifth Avenue and The Brevoort East. There have been efforts to landmark or rezone the stretch of University Place to prevent developers from assembling large parcels to erect out of context towers. More worrying, however, will be the low-slung glass base and its future tenants, which may be out of character with the vibrant street.

In total, the new condoplex will house 56 (originally there were 52) units at more than 2,000 square feet each.

Meanwhile, as previously previously reported, a 6-story condo will rise from the space right next door that long housed University Place Gourmet and Bennie Louie Chinese Laundry.

Bowlmor Lanes closed in July 2014 after 76 years in business.

H/T Curbed!

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

Bowlmor Lanes replacement: 23-floor residential building

[EVG photo from July]

After 76 years in business at 110 University Place, Bowlmor Lanes closed for good this past July 7.

Bowlmor was the last of the businesses here on the west side of University between East 12th Street and East 13th Street to clear out to make way for some unspecified luxury development via landlord Billy Macklowe, who bought a long-term controlling position in the building back in 2012.

Late last week, developers filed preliminary plans with the city for what's next: A 23-floor residential building.

Per New York Yimby, who first reported on the filing:

Residences at 100 University Place will be slightly smaller than those inside its new neighbors, with 107,965 square feet of residential space split between 52 apartments, resulting in an average unit size of just over 2,000 square feet – still very large, especially for Manhattan standards.

SLCE is listed as the architect of record.

And what about SLCE's work?

Per Curbed:

SLCE ... has a track record for building sorta boring but not offensive apartment buildings and hotels ... But will whatever design they produce offend the neighbors, because of its sheer height (309 feet) amid a low-rise neighborhood? All bets point to yes.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

Bowlmor says goodbye

Bowlmor says goodbye

As we first reported yesterday morning, Bowlmor Lanes was closing for good last night.

The 76-year-old bowling alley at 110 University Place between East 12th Street and East 13th Street is leaving along with other businesses in the building to make way for a new, unspecified development from landlord Billy Macklowe.

"All we know is [Macklowe] did not want to extend our lease no matter what we did," Colie Edison, Bowlmor's vice president of marketing, told Danielle Tcholakian at DNAinfo.

The Times stopped by yesterday to find workers already ripping up some of the lanes.

And the Daily News recalls some of Bowlmor's less-glamorous times.

"I love this place," said Andres Restrepo, the Bowlmor district manager. "We've had families with four generations of bowlers coming here to hang out on a Sunday. Grandpa tells about times when Union Square wasn't the safest time, then his son talks about the 1980s.”

Indeed, in the bad old days, a manager was once murdered in the alley. But more recently, the lanes have been a glamorous haunt for A-listers such as the Strokes, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jimmy Fallon and Al Pacino.

And here is the official goodbye from Bowlmor via Twitter:


[Click image to enlarge]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

76-year-old Bowlmor Lanes closes for good today

[EVG file photo from February]

Today is the last day for the major tenant of 110 University Place.

Bowlmor Lanes, here since 1938, closes for good. It had been the longest continuously operating bowling alley on the East Coast, per the Bowlmor website.

Staff confirmed the closure to us (as did our blogging friend Alex at Flaming Pablum, who took the family in one last time yesterday).

The businesses here on the west side of University between East 12th Street and East 13th Street have been clearing out in recent months to make way for some unspecified luxury development via landlord Billy Macklowe, who bought a long-term controlling position in the building back in 2012.

Vive La Crêpe, Stromboli Pizza and Bamboo Tori have closed. The newsstand moved across the street. Meanwhile, Japonica is relocating to where it started in 1978 at 90 University Place, as Eater reported.

As for Bowlmor, the locations remain in Times Square and Chelsea Piers.

Meanwhile, there aren't any permits on file yet with the DOB for either a demolition or new building at 110 University Place.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

Vive La Crêpe latest business to leave 110 University Place

Vive La Crêpe closed up yesterday between East 12th Street and East 13th Street. The mini-chain is reopening over on East Eighth Street next month, per the sign on the door.



Stromboli Pizza and Bamboo Tori closed in the early spring … the newsstand moved across the street.

All this activity is to make way for a new residential complex at the building, which currently still houses Japonica, the parking garage and Bowlmor Lanes. (In January, the Post reported that demolition for a new building will likely start this summer.)

There hasn't been anything official from developer/landlord Billy Macklowe, CEO of William Macklowe Company, about the future of the building. And there's nothing on file about a renovation/demolition at the DOB.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

47-year-old Stromboli Pizza closes ahead of new development on University Place

Stromboli Pizza has quietly closed on University Place between East 12th Street and East 13th Street.

Alex at Flaming Pablum first noted this closure on Sunday. As he wrote:

While never particularly gourmet, Stromboli's made and sold pefectly solid, dependable pizza, and the place exuded a great sense of place and neighborhood.

Meanwhile, other nearby businesses have closed or are moving…

The newsstand is headed across the street…



… and Bamboo Tori recently went DOA…




Japonica is still hanging on.

All this activity is to make way for a new residential complex at 110 University Place, which currently still houses the parking garage and Bowlmor Lanes. (In January, the Post reported that demolition for a new building will likely start this summer.) There hasn't been anything official from developer Billy Macklowe, CEO of William Macklowe Company, about the future of the building.


[EVG file photo]

However, this was in a news release (PDF!) from last week about the sale of 37 E. 12th St. from Massey Knakal:

Recent conversion sales in addition to 37 East 12th Street include, 110 University Place (currently home to Bowlmor Lanes), and 809 Broadway (the former Blatt Billiards Building). These sales will continue to transform the Central Village over the next few years.

Indeed.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here

(More) Changes are coming to University Place. A tipster sends word that the building at 110 University Place that houses the parking garage and Bowlmor Lanes between East 12th Street and East 13th Street will be cleared out in the months ahead "in favor of (what else?) luxury condos."

While some shopkeepers and residents have been buzzing about this lately, the development doesn't come as a complete surprise. News of this was tucked away in a Steve Cuozzo item at the Post on Jan. 6. In a piece about Billy Macklowe buying 156 Williams St., Cuozzo also mentioned one of the developer's other properties — 110 University Place. Macklowe, CEO of William Macklowe Company, an investment firm, declined to comment on the future of the building.

However, Cuozzo reported: "we’ve learned from brokers that leases for Bowlmor and a garage at the site expire imminently ... and that demolition for a new building will likely start this summer."

Macklowe purchased a long-term controlling position in the building here back in the fall of 2012, as the Post first reported. At the time there was speculation about Bowlmor's long-term future in this space.

Bowlmor has operated here since 1938. (They also have a location in the former New York Times building in Times Square.)

Meanwhile, in other rather dreary news, our tipster hears that the former Jack Bistro at East 11th Street that closed last fall …



… is being fitted for a — ding! ding! — TD Bank branch. Will be a fine next-door neighbor for the European Wax Center that opened in the space last held by the Cedar Tavern.

And, while we're over here, might as well look at the building behind 110 University Place — 17 E. 12th St.



The former parking garage is also being converted into luxury condos. The Real Deal first reported on this possibility back in August. The city OK'd the condo-conversion plan on Dec. 10, which includes the addition of three new floors.

A rendering at the GreenbergFarrow site shows a building that looks like…



Per the copy with the rendering:

The concept for the architecture was to be elegant and respectful to the neighborhood, creating human-sized apertures at the streetwall, and a transparent and airy aesthetic on the added setback floors. The building was imagined to be re-clad with a cementitious rainscreen system. The rooftop amenity space is a required common area which will allow for a shared exhilarating experience with fantastic city views.

Finally, if you can possibly take any more, the former parking garage right behind here at 12 E. 13th St. is also getting the super deluxe treatment… where a five-bedroom unit will seek $28 million. The condo building will also be the first in NYC to use the robot parking system. (So much for the need for parking garages!) Head to Curbed if you'd like more details.