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

Sidewalk bridge arrives ahead of the demolition of the former Church of the Nativity

[Photos by Felton Davis]

Workers arrived this morning to erect a sidewalk bridge outside the former Church of the Nativity and the adjacent building here on Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street.



Demolition permits were filed back in March for these now-empty structures.

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development purchased three contiguous parcels, including the former La Salle Annex at Second Street, on this block for an unspecified future development. Gemini Rosemont closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. in March for $40 million. They paid $14.5 million for the La Salle property at No. 38 this month.

The total lot area of the assembled site is 14,075 square feet, according to city records. The combined development site can accommodate an as-of-right buildable area of 75,908 square feet and up to 101,210 square feet of residential area under the city's Inclusionary Housing Program.

The NYPD was also on the scene this morning as the sidewalk bridge and scaffolding work begin...



Makeshift living quarters have grown here outside the former church in recent months. The Department of Sanitation was expected to clean up the discarded furniture and other items here. They had not arrived as of 11 a.m.





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

• Report: Archdiocese of New York announces affordable-housing projects; fate of 2 East Village churches unknown