The former DeRobertis building on 1st Avenue is now the Slater, where the penthouse is $15k

As previously reported, there have been ongoing renovations at 174-176 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street.

The residential units above the storefronts (Black Seed bagels has been in the north space since October 2015) hit the rental market earlier this summer.

For starters, the building has a new name: the Slater.



And a few building blurbs via Streeteasy...

Each apartment in this newly gut renovated building is sprawling with natural light from both Eastern and Western exposures.

The state-of-the-art kitchen touts high-end stainless steel appliances consisting of a Whirlpool Microwave, Fisher and Paykel Stove and Oven, Liebherr Refrigerator, LG Dishwasher and a Summit Wine Cooler.

And...

Additional features guaranteed not to be found elsewhere include USB electrical outlets, HD video intercoms and Latch Keyless entry system on every apartment door.

The building’s expansive furnished communal roof deck will also have a pergola, bbq station and high top bar for entertaining with 360 degrees New York City skyline views.

Together, these renovations are one of a kind and guaranteed to be the envy of the neighborhood. At The Slater, you’ll find premium finishes and the best comforts.

The penthouse, featuring seven bedrooms and four bathrooms, has an asking price of $15,125. (The fine print: "The price advertised is the net effective rent with one month free on a 12 month lease.")

This building was owned for generations by the DeRobertis family. They closed DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe here after 110 years in business in December 2014. The economy, age and health reportedly compelled the four DeRobertis siblings to sell the building (for $9.9 million, per public records).

In May 2018, High Point Property Group reportedly bought the five-story walkup for $12.1 million. The seller was a joint venture between EBMG, LLC and AMJ Equities.

The current landlord has said they'll return a refurbished DeRobertis neon signage to the storefront above Black Seed.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

What happened to the DeRobertis neon sign on 1st Avenue?

What happened to the DeRobertis neon sign on 1st Avenue?

The sidewalk bridge recently came down outside the under-renovation 174-176 First Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street...



Several people, including Jeremiah Moss, noticed something missing on the post-renovation exterior: the neon "Pastry Shoppe" signage that belonged to the longtime tenant here: DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe.


[EVG photo from 2013]

DeRobertis closed shop after 110 years in business in December 2014. The economy, age and health reportedly compelled the four DeRobertis siblings to sell the building (for $9.9 million, per public records).

Black Seed bagels opened in the DeRobertis retail space in October 2015. At the time, Black Seed co-owners Matt Kliegman and Noah Bernamoff said they wanted to keep the classic neon.

Per Off the Grid in 2015:

In response to inquiries from Off the Grid, Bernamoff and Kliegman ... tell us they also intend to keep the neon sign out front. Its fate was unknown; a member of the DeRobertis extended family had explained to Off the Grid that when the family chose to sell the building, they left the sign up because it had been affixed for so long that they feared removal could damage the facade.

“It’s not going anywhere,” Kliegman said today. Added Bernamoff, “We prefer to keep the neon as intact as we possibly can without misleading people.” They may choose to light only the “pastry shoppe” portion, for example...

Last week, Kliegman and Bernamoff said that they hope the sign returns.

Per a Black Seed rep: "The sign belongs to the building owner and we are not privy to their specific plans for the property, which traded hands again since the DeRobertis family sold the building over three years ago."

--
Updated noon:


Per the Black Seed rep: "The plan was always that the building owner would refurbish the sign. The current owner, who was actually able to get the construction done ... has told us that the sign was removed to protect it and they are indeed working to refurbish it."

--

In May 2018, High Point Property Group bought the five-story walkup for $12.1 million. The seller was a joint venture between EBMG, LLC and AMJ Equities, according to The Real Deal.

In late 2015, the DeRobertis family decided to open another bakery in Clifton, N.J.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5 (43 comments)

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

DeRobertis lives on! (in Clifton, N.J.)

[EVG file photo]

Just about a year ago to the date, the 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closed shop after 110 years in business on First Avenue between East 10th Street and East 11th Street. The economy, age and health reportedly compelled the four De Robertis siblings to sell the building.

However, it turns out that the family decided to start up the business again — in Clifton, N.J.

A photo posted by DeRoLicious Delights (@derolicious_delights) on Nov 27, 2015 at 12:53pm PST

Here's an email they recently sent to their supporters:

Hello! I Hope everyone is doing well! This is the DeRobertis Family (DeRobertis Pasticceria & Caffe of 176 1st Ave, NY, NY). Well, the reason l am contacting you is because on Nov. 23 we opened up a place called DeRoLicious Delights.

My Father John, Brother John, Tony the Baker and I (Dana) have decided to continue the business in Clifton, NJ. We are very excited to be back sharing our family tradition with new and old friends. We have a retail space available to visit AND an Online Shop available for people to order Biscotti, Butter Cookies & more. Our website is www.DeRoLiciousDelights.com

Our address is 64 1/2 Market St., Clifton, NJ, 07012. Phone #973-777-0010. I hope you are doing great! We are so excited to be Back!! Wishing you All a healthy & happy Holiday Season!
-The DeRobertis Family at DeRoLicious Delights

The former DeRobertis space is now home to Black Seed bagels.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5 (43 comments)

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

[Updated] Bagel Seed bagels watch: Oven edition

[Photo by a reader from East 14th Street]

EVG readers have sent along exterior photos today showing the progress at Black Seed bagels, which is opening this month on First Avenue between East 10th Street and East 11th...

This shot offers a view of the oven...


[Photo by Vinny & O]

Right there...



According to a recent preview at New York magazine, Robin Raisfeld and Rob Patronite noted that the third Black Seed location (first in the East Village) will offer salads, bagel sandwiches and pastries ... including rugalach and rainbow cookies to honor the storefront's predecessor, DeRobertis bakery, which closed last December after 110 years in business.

Previously

Updated 9-9

Apparently the Black Seed owners do not want any passersby to take interior photos of how the space is shaping up…



EVG reader Lola Sáenz walked by this afternoon… when she stopped to take a photo from the sidewalk, the workers told her no photos… the woman in the chair was also on the scene. Per Lola: "I talked to her she was nice and explained that it was the owners' idea. I asked her who hired her, and she said the construction company."

We're not sure how many people are stopping to take photos. We received three photos yesterday from three different readers … who said they were curious about the space and/or looking forward to Black Seed opening…

Because bagels

In a fall (!!!!) preview over at New York magazine, Robin Raisfeld and Rob Patronite have a piece titled "This Will Be the Year of the Bagel."

The article includes a few more details about Black Seed's soon-to-open First Avenue location ... including menu items other than bagels...

The third (and largest) branch of this growing concern has annexed the East Village’s historic De Robertis bakery, preserving that relic’s original penny-tile floor and tin ceiling while augmenting its own repertoire with more salads, more hot bagel sandwiches, and more pastries, from rugalach to rainbow cookies, in honor of its predecessor.

The magazine lists "September" as the opening date.

DeRobertis closed here on First Avenue between East 10th Street and East 11th Street last December after 110 years in business.

Because we haven't posted anything about the incoming Black Seed bagels in more than 2 months

Yes, it was back on May 13 when we last got a look inside 174-176 First Ave., where workers are renovating the retail space for Black Seed bagels.

EVG reader Lola Sáenz took this photo of the space yesterday here between East 10th Street and 11th Street … showing the progress…



We still haven't heard about any official opening date for Black Seed, which is leasing the space of the former DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe. Black Seed opened on Elizabeth Street in April 2014. This will be their second location.

You can head to Black Seed's Instagram account to see their Montreal-NYC hybrid bagels in action…

It's never too hot to eat lunch in the park. 📷: @mrs.munchies

A photo posted by Black Seed Bagels (@blackseedbagels) on Jul 20, 2015 at 10:28am PDT

Previously on EV Grieve:
Black Seed bringing bagels to the former DeRobertis space on 1st Avenue (43 comments)

Your weekly Black Seed bagels post

The sidewalk bridge went up yesterday outside 174-176 First Ave., where workers are rehabbing the space for the new tenant — Black Seed bagels...

And here's a look inside yesterday at the interior renovations of the former DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe space...



Thanks to EVG reader William Klayer for the shots!

Previously

Black Seed bagel plywood report

Several readers noted the arrival today of the plywood outside 176 First Ave., the future home of Black Seed bagels… as the renovations continue here between East 10th Street and East 11th Street…

No word just yet on an official opening date.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Black Seed bringing bagels to the former DeRobertis space on 1st Avenue (43 comments)

A last look at De Robertis before its conversion to Black Seed bagels

A quick check on the incoming Black Seed bagels on 1st Avenue

[Via the Black Seed website]

We read over at Grub Street yesterday that Black Seed bagels on Elizabeth Street is celebrating its one-year anniversary this week.

Meanwhile, as you probably know, the Black Seed owners are opening a bagel shop/cafe in the former DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe at 176 First Ave. near East 11th Street.

Here's a look inside the under-renovation space from Friday…


[Photo by Ali Smith]

The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closed this past Dec. 5 after 110 years in business. Black Seed owners Noah Bernamoff and Matt Kliegman have said that they will keep as much of the original architectural elements intact as they can.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Black Seed bringing bagels to the former DeRobertis space on 1st Avenue (43 comments)

A last look at DeRobertis before its conversion to Black Seed bagels

Starting work to bring Black Seed bagels to the former DeRobertis space on 1st Avenue

Starting work to bring Black Seed bagels to the former De Robertis space on 1st Avenue

An EVG reader notes that a dumpster is in place outside 174-176 First Ave., where there are now approved work permits to renovate the former De Robertis Pasticceria and Caffe.

As previously reported, the owners of Black Seed bagels are opening a cafe/shop here just south of 11th Street.

In several interviews (here and here) since the news broke about the new tenant, Noah Bernamoff and Matt Kliegman, the owners of the popular Montreal-style bagel shop on Elizabeth Street, have reiterated their commitment to keep as much of the original architectural elements intact as they can, including the tin ceiling and hand-cut penny tile floors.

The work permit simply notes the "installation of new counters, fixtures and finishes in existing store." The total estimated total cost of the renovations is $318,900, per the DOB.

The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closed this past Dec. 5 after 110 years in business. The economy, age and health reportedly compelled the four De Robertis siblings to sell the building.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Black Seed bringing bagels to the former DeRobertis space on 1st Avenue (43 comments)

A last look at De Robertis before its conversion to Black Seed bagels

Black Seed owners reiterate commitment to preserving the former DeRobertis space

[Photo from earlier this month by Ali Smith]

As you probably know, the owners of Black Seed bagels are opening a location at the former De Robertis Pasticceria and Caffe on First Avenue near East 11th Street.

Noah Bernamoff and Matt Kliegman, the owners of the popular Montreal-style bagel shop on Elizabeth Street, have maintained that they will keep as much of the former tenant's original architectural elements intact as they can.

In an interview at Off the Grid yesterday, the two reiterated their preservationist commitment.

In general, the pair say their goal is to bring back as much of the early-20th century material and look as possible, while removing some mid- and late-20th century fixtures – like the front display cases and shelves behind them. “We discovered beautiful old brick walls behind there,” Bernamoff said. He asserts that the tin ceiling, hand-cut wall tiles, round “penny tiles” on the floor (which aren’t made anymore) are all staying – but where those elements are missing or damaged, they will not be replaced with facsimiles.

“It’s better to leave what’s there than try to recreate it,” Bernamoff said. “We want to have it feel old, and have it feel historic … If we try to recreate [vintage elements], it will take away the specialness of some of what is there. We don’t want to create confusion. We want people to recognize that the space is 110 years old.”

They also plan to keep the neon De Robertis sign on the façade.


[Photo by James and Karla Murray]

Said Bernamoff, “We prefer to keep the neon as intact as we possibly can without misleading people.” So they may just keep the Pastry Shoppe part illuminated, for example.

The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closed this past Dec. 5 after 110 years in business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5 (43 comments)

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

Black Seed bringing bagels to the former DeRobertis space on 1st Avenue (43 comments)

A last look at De Robertis before its conversion to Black Seed bagels

A last look at De Robertis before its conversion to Black Seed bagels

As reported last week, the owners of Black Seed bagels are opening a location at the former De Robertis Pasticceria and Caffe on First Avenue near East 11th Street.

The Black Seed owners hope to serve their Montreal-style bagels, coffee and sandwiches here at No. 176 by late spring.

To date, there haven't been any work permits filed with the city to renovate the space.

Photographer Ali Smith got a look inside the now-empty bakery the other day, and shared the photo with us...



Per DNAinfo's Lisha Arino:

[T]he owners plan to keep as much of the store’s original architectural elements intact, including its tin ceiling and hand-cut penny tile floors.

“Where we can, we’re going to preserve [the architecture] and where we can’t, we’re going to build to match the historic elements,” [co-owner Noah] Bernamoff said.

The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closed this past Dec. 5 after 110 years in business.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5 (43 comments)

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

Black Seed bringing bagels to the former DeRobertis space on 1st Avenue (43 comments)

Black Seed bringing bagels to the former DeRobertis space on 1st Avenue

[EVG file photo]

After 110 years at 176 First Ave., DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closed its doors this past Dec. 5.

And news broke yesterday who the next retail tenant will be here between East 10th Street and East 11th Street: Black Seed bagels.


[Image via Facebook]

Per Zagat:

The new outpost, designed by the hOmE group, will maintain many of the original details of the iconic bakery including the tiled floor and handcut tile walls. The new space also feature a wood-fired oven like the flagship as well as original tin ceilings. Expect expanded sandwich and coffee options although no word on what those items will be just yet.

A Black Seed opened on Elizabeth Street last April ... and there were soon insane lines out front.

Here's Gothamist with more on the Montreal-NYC hybrid bagels:

Black Seed's bagels are smaller than most of those currently on offer in the city, boasting a bigger hole and more crust-to-innards than their puffier NYC counterparts.

Anyone else want to weigh in on Black Seed's bagels?

The East Village Black Seed location is supposed to open in the late spring.

The economy, age and health concerns reportedly weighed on their De Robertis family's decision to sell the building.

While the next tenant is known, there isn't any word just yet who actually bought 174-176 First Ave. The building had a $12 million price tag.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5 (43 comments)

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

Thank you and good night

EVG reader William Klayer was outside De Robertis around 8 p.m. when the family closed the gate for business for the last time at 176 First Ave. The last words were a simple, "That's all she wrote."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5 (43 comments)

4:24 p.m., 176 First Ave., Dec. 5

So much for De Robertis closing at 3 today… the crowds keep coming in… not much product left, though.

A Fox 5 crew left just before 4.

Photo via EVG reader Robert F.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5 (43 comments)

Goodbye De Robertis

[Photo from June 2012 by Gudrun Georges]

After 110 years at 176 First Ave., DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe will close its doors for good this afternoon at 3.

The economy, age and health concerns reportedly weighed on their De Robertis family's decision to sell the building.

Meanwhile, leading up to today, there have been a number of tributes to the bakery.

It Was Her New York has a 2-part series ... here and here.

The Daily Beast stops by too.

It is one of those city relics New Yorkers gush about without ever darkening its door — or only go when they learn it’s shutting down. “I’ve passed this place a thousand times but never came in,” says Ranesh, who grew up in Staten Island and has lived in Park Slope for 20 years. “You take it for granted and think it will always be here.”

[Photo from June 2012 by Gudrun Georges]

Previously on EV Grieve:
174-176 First Ave. is in contract

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5 (43 comments)

In case you were planning a last visit to DeRobertis

The family originally said that the 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe would close for good on Friday.

We were there with the crowds during the holiday … and family members were saying that they might be closing earlier … Thursday, maybe even Wednesday — it just depends on how much they have left to sell.

And courtesy of the NYPL Digital Gallery, here's how the storefront looked in 1928…





The DeRobertis siblings decided to sell the building at 174-176 First Ave.

Previously on EV Grieve:
174-176 First Ave. is in contract

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5 (43 comments)

The DeRobertis family says goodbye

The building here at 174-176 First Ave. is in contract. The last day for the bakery is Dec. 5.

Jeremiah Moss pays his respects today.

This one hurts like hell.

I'd like to say something more eloquent, but that's all I've got right now.

Previously on EV Grieve:
174-176 First Ave. is in contract

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

Ugh: The 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe closes after Dec. 5

[EVG file photo]

Last week, we noted that 174-176 First Ave., home the past 110 years to DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, was in contract.

The building arrived on the market in June 2013 with an asking price of $12 million. The DeRobertis family owns the building, so it seemed likely that the bakery would remain despite the sale... until a real-estate listing circulated in May showing that the retail spaces in the basement and first floor of No. 176 would be delivered vacant once the buildings sell. (However, workers there denied they were closing.)

Since last week's post, readers heard several different closing dates for the bakery — Nov. 25 and Dec. 6 among them. The family has now officially said they will close for good after Dec. 5.

The economy, age and health reportedly compelled the four De Robertis siblings to sell the building.

John De Robertis, one of the grandchildren, discusses the bakery's rich history in a post at Bedford + Bowery, who first noted the Dec. 5 close date.

Meanwhile, depression has set in...



Previously on EV Grieve:
174-176 First Ave. is in contract

[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

[Updated] 174-176 First Ave. is in contract

174-176 First Ave. arrived on the market in June 2013 with an asking price of $12 million.

Since 1904, No. 176 has been home to DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe. The DeRobertis family owns the building, so it seemed likely that the bakery would remain despite the sale... until a real-estate listing circulated in May showing that the retail spaces in the basement and first floor of No. 176 would be delivered vacant once the buildings sell. (However, workers there have told us several times that they were not closing... and that the building wasn't even for sale.)

According to the listing at Corcoran, the building is now in contract.



Streeteasy notes that the building entered into contract on Oct. 31...



DeRobertis is one of our favorite places around. So we do hope that they will live on with the new owners.

One troubling sign, though — the DeRobertis website is no long active...



Updated: DeRobertis reportedly will close after Dec. 5.