So what's next for this block of 2nd Avenue?

ICYMI. On June 26, we noted activity — workers picking up trash and random bricks — inside the empty lot on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street. 

As previously reported (first here), there are/were approved work permits (as of last summer) for an 11-floor mixed-use building on the site of a former three-building parcel.

Gemini Rosemont Development was behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, included 88 residential units and 9,600 square feet for retail.

An anonymous commenter previously had claimed: "Their plans were deemed dangerous for the neighboring property by DOB. Gemini is actively trying to sell the lot."

After our post, a rep for Gemini Rosemont Development told us the following: "The project is frozen, and we are currently evaluating options for the site."

DOB records show a variety of infractions, many involving non-maintenance of the construction fence.

In the spring, the DOB posted a "Notice to Revoke" on the approved application...

The address is still on the Gemini Rosemont Development website, though clicking on the address takes you to a random landing page.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

To date, we have not seen any new notices about the sale of this lot. (Maybe you have and want to share?)

So the space will likely remain vacant for a few more years ... by the time someone makes a purchase and gets any new plans approved. 

[Updated] At 2nd and 2nd, activity in the lot that will yield an 11-story building

Updated 6/27

A Gemini Rosemont Development spokesperson confirmed what a commenter said. This project is on hold. Specifically: "The project is frozen and we are currently evaluating options for the site."

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There has been some activity in the empty lot on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street. 

In recent weeks, workers removed the wheatpaste-ad-filled plywood fencing and put in a chainlink fence. On separate occasions, we spotted two workers... once they picked up random bricks and stones and placed them in a dumpster... and then, days later, collected trash...

As previously reported (first here), there are approved work permits (as of last summer) for an 11-floor mixed-use building on the site of a former three-building parcel.

Gemini Rosemont Development is behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, will feature 88 residential units and 9,600 square feet for retail.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real-estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

As a reminder, here's the rendering for the development...

Here's the first look at the new residential building coming to 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street

The rendering has arrived on the plywood along Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street... offering the first look at the 11-floor mixed-use building that will rise on the east side of the avenue... brace!

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development is behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, will feature 88 residential units (likely condos given the square footage) and 9,600 square feet for retail.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots that they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real-estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

The rendering lists a 2025 completion date.

Demolition complete on the NE corner of 2nd Avenue and 2nd Street

Workers have wrapped up the demolition of the three buildings that stood along 38-48 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street.

Unfortunately, the dumpster on the lot obscures the full view from the blogger portal on the Second Street plywood...

Gone are the former Church of the Nativity, the church rectory and LaSalle Annex.

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development has plans for an 11-story mixed-use building (100,568 square feet in total) on this soon-to-be-empty parcel. According to the approved new building work permit, the development will feature 88 residential units (likely condos given the square footage) and 9,600 square feet for retail. 

We haven't spotted any renderings out in the wild just yet.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots that they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

Updated: Here's a better view of the empty lot via Felton Davis...

Previously on EV Grieve:

• There are 8 million stories in the naked city... and this is one of them on 2nd Avenue 

• A look inside the soon-to-be-demolished Church of the Nativity on 2nd Avenue

[Updated] 1 wedding and a demolition

As reported on Thursday, workers are demolishing the deconsecrated and shuttered (as of July 2015) Church of the Nativity at 44 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street. 

EVG reader Leo points us to a photo now displayed on the plywood outside the church... showing a wedding there from June 2007...

We're told that this is Tanya Theriault and Matt Vogel, two former Maryhouse volunteers who now live in New Orleans with their family. Father George Anderson, who died in 2020 at age 86, performed the ceremonies. 

Thank you Felton Davis!

Updated 4/3 

Someone removed the wedding photo... so Felton Davis put up a new photo on the plywood... a shot of Dorothy Day at the entrance to Nativity Church, circa 1978 ...

Standing next to the photo — Day's granddaughter, Martha Hennessy. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• Remembering Dorothy Day, with a call for a shrine in her honor on 2nd Avenue

Demolition grinds on at 38-48 2nd Ave.

Last Thursday, we shared photos that Idan Cohen took from inside the remains of the deconsecrated and shuttered (as of July 2015) Church of the Nativity at 44 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street. (Revisit that post here.) 

Demolition has picked up at the remaining two structures on the parcel — the church (top pic) ... and the former church rectory (below).

The former La Salle annex on the corner of Second Street was demolished in the fall.

And a few shots via Steven of the demo work... as seen from Second Street...

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development has plans for an 11-story mixed-use building on this soon-to-be-empty parcel. (We haven't spotted any renderings out in the wild just yet.)

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots that they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• There are 8 million stories in the naked city... and this is one of them on 2nd Avenue 

A look inside the soon-to-be demolished Church of the Nativity on 2nd Avenue

Interview by Stacie Joy 

Photos by Idan Cohen 

You may remember beekeeper Idan Cohen from our A Visit To Made Up There Farms. He recently was able to walk through the remains of the deconsecrated and now-closed (as of July 2015) Church of the Nativity at 44 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street and is sharing his photos and observations. 

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development has plans for an 11-story mixed-use building for a newly created parcel consisting of three buildings on this block.

I spoke to Idan about what he saw, how he feels about the pending demolition and the new development.

How did you come to photograph the site of the former church? 

I’ve been curious to see the inside in its current state. The other week, when I was walking by, they assembled scaffolding and left the gate open, allowing me to step in and roam around. 

What was your impression of being inside? 

Kind of sad. To think that just a few years ago, this was a gathering space for our community and now it’s standing empty and in ruins. 

Your images show a lot of water on the ground and at least some demolition work. What was the state of the property when you were there?

It’s very dilapidated, and there are holes in the ceiling, which allow water to pour in; it smells like mold and standing water. Some furniture is left, but it is wholly piled up and broken up. 

Did you see anything that surprised you? 

Well, the beauty of those stained glass windows was breathtaking. The way the light pours in, from both the painted glass and the ceiling holes, and the contrast between the destruction on the ground and the rays from the sky. It was all still reminiscent of what a scared space should feel like. 

Had you been familiar with the church when it was still in use before it was deconsecrated? Had you ever visited before this trip? 

I live a block away from the church and have always admired its brutalist and modern architecture. Through the last 10 years, I’ve seen it morph from an active church to a closed church, to a sidewalk shelter for the homeless and now a demolition and construction site. 

Do you have any thoughts about the proposed 11-story mixed-use building slated for this space? 

I support new construction — as long as it is not ugly. I hope larger apartments are built to attract families and children to our neighborhood. I was hoping that structure could be reused as a beautiful art gallery. It would have been an excellent addition to the East Village, similar to The Brant Foundation on Sixth Street.

You can find some prior coverage and history of the church here. And can follow Idan on Instagram.

There are 8 million stories in the naked city... and this is one of them on 2nd Avenue

Text and photos courtesy of Felton Davis (top photo via Goggla)

I was standing on Second Avenue and Second Street watching workers demolish the corner building, part of LaSalle Academy since the 1960s. A couple stopped near me who used to live in the neighborhood.

Boldly interrupting their reminiscence, I explained that before the building was part of LaSalle, it was a famous Jewish restaurant called Moskowitz & Lupowitz for many decades. It was also featured in one of my favorite episodes of the classic TV series, "Naked City."

In the episode, titled "Memory of a Red Trolley Car," a chemistry professor, played by Barry Morse, accidentally breathes in a fatal amount of poison gas. With only a few days to live, he goes to talk with his mother (Gladys Cooper),  his ex-wife (Beatrice Straight), and his girlfriend on the side (Peg Murray).  

The latter he meets in Moskowitz & Lupowitz, and he does not do well in communicating his plight to her. When he starts coughing, she covers her face and tells him to go away.

Leaving the restaurant, he turns north on Second Avenue and passes by the Church of the Nativity rectory, and the church itself, still with its Greek architecture. [Ed note: the original church was demolished and rebuilt after a fire in 1970.]

Before I could get any further into this endless recitation, the woman stopped me and asked, "What did you say that TV show was?"

When I answered, "Naked City," she was very surprised and said, "My Uncle Paul played the detective!"

So, a great history is all around us, as neighborhood tour guides know. Below is some information about Moskowitz & Lupowitz, including a video of the Pincus Sisters singing their song about the restaurant...

 

For further reading:

• Moskowitz & Lupowitz (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

• Plans call for 11-story condoplex at the former site of Church of the Nativity and LaSalle on 2nd Avenue (EVG)

Demolition continues along 2nd Avenue to make way for an 11-story mixed-use building

Demolition recently got underway at Second Street and Second Avenue.

In total, three properties on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street are coming down. 

The former La Salle annex was first... 

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development has plans for an 11-story mixed-use building for this newly created parcel.

According to the new building work permit still awaiting approval by the city, the development will feature 88 residences (condos?) and 9,600 square feet for retail. 

Last year, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots that they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million.

The Church of the Nativity closed after service on July 31, 2015, merging with Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street. The Cooper Square Community Land Trust had explored buying the former Church of the Nativity to use as low-income housing.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Educator: Turning the former Church of the Nativity into luxury housing would be a 'sordid use' of the property

• The fight to keep Church of the Nativity from becoming luxury housing

2021 development watch: 38-46 2nd Ave.

In the weeks-months ahead, workers will demolish three buildings (No. 38, No. 42-44 and No. 46-48) on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street...

And soon enough we'll likely have the first look at the 11-story mixed-use building that Gemini Rosemont Development has planned for this space... another development to watch in 2021.

As reported back in August,  there are work permits awaiting approval by the city... plans call for an 11-story building (120-feet tall) filled with 87 residences (condos?) and 10,014 square feet of retail. In addition, there will be a 1,884-square-foot office (likely medical) on the first and second floors. 

Last year, Gemini Rosemont bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous parcels acquired by the firm this year for development. Gemini Rosemont closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million.

Demolition permits have already been filed for three buildings.

The Church of the Nativity closed after a service on July 31, 2015, merging with Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street.

As previously reported, the Cooper Square Community Land Trust had explored buying the former Church of the Nativity to use as low-income housing.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Educator: Turning the former Church of the Nativity into luxury housing would be a 'sordid use' of the property

• The fight to keep Church of the Nativity from becoming luxury housing

Another look at lower 2nd Avenue

Back on Friday, we reported that Gemini Rosemont Development will build an 11-story condoplex on three properties on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street.

Demolition permits were filed this past Thursday to take down the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. at Second Street...



Gemini Rosemont paid more than $55 million for the three contiguous parcels, which include the former (as of July 2015) Church of the Nativity.

This project joins several others to sprout up along Second Avenue below Fourth Street in recent years...

... including 31-33 Second Ave., which received a gut renovation and three extra floors to become luxury rentals called Luxe East...



... and there's 32 E. First St. at the site of the former BP station... the condo units here include the still-available $8.7 million penthouse...



... and Jupiter 21 at First Street where Mars Bar used to be...



... and coming soon to 14 Second Ave., the 10-story residential building — still in the foundation stage — called Treetops...



The development rush on Second Avenue, First Street and the Bowery got underway in 1997 when workers demolished the existing buildings to make way for the current Avalon Bowery Place complex... these shots by Steve Carter are on Second Avenue at First Street...