Lucky No. 77: Victory Tattoo NYC opens in the former Hells Angels HQ on 3rd Street

Images and reporting by Stacie Joy

Victory Tattoo NYC is the first permanent retail tenant since the gut renovations were completed at 77 E. Third St. — the former HQ of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

The last of the members and/or their entourage moved out of No. 77 between First Avenue and Second Avenue at the end of March 2019. Until then, the Hells Angels had the clubhouse in their possession since 1969.

The two retail spaces, where the Angels once had their bar, entertainment area and storage space, became available in February after the building underwent extensive renovations. (Several pop-up concepts have leased the other storefront.)

Vic Tamian (below), a tattoo artist and entrepreneur, owns Victory Art and Tattoo in Little Falls, N.J. On the shop's fifth anniversary, Tamian decided to expand and open Victory Tattoo NYC.

Tamian liked the location because of the No. 77 address, "which is a lucky number."  

They were also aware of the building's history, which "only adds to the appeal that a tattoo shop already has." 

Tamian said they messaged the Hells Angels to get their blessing. They got a "hells yeah" in response. 

The shop features apprentice Katie Lau (right, below) and piercer Strawberry Reynolds (left). 

You can find more info at the Victory Tattoo NYC website here.

You may now open a business in the former NYC HQ of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club

Photos by Steven 

Yesterday saw the arrival of a for-lease sign outside 77 E. Third St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue — aka the former NYC HQ of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.

Said one nearby resident who lived across the street from the property, "Never thought I’d see a sign like this!"

There are two retail spaces available here... in space where the fellows had their bar and entertainment area and storage space... 

There's not much info on the KSR listing ("located in the Bowery district") ... there isn't any mention of the former occupants (though there is an older street view showing the HA logo and painting of the motorcycle-helmeted skeleton atop the flaming skulls).

There's also a very un-Hells-Angels-esque conceptual rendering of the spaces...

The plaque near the entrance that read "In memory of Big Vinny 1948-1979: 'When in doubt, knock 'em out'" left with the remaining members in 2019. (Vincent "Big Vinny" Gerolamo was the Chapter president who allegedly pushed his girlfriend to her death from the roof here in 1978. He died the next year from injuries suffered in a fight with an Angel in Oakland, Calif.)

Anyway, as we've been reporting, the 6-story building underwent a gut renovation in the past 20 months. In total, there are now 22 residential units here. (The available apartments have a monthly ask in the $4k range — that's for a studio, per the listings at Better Living Properties.)

In June 2019, real-estate investor Nathan Blatter — the new owner of the building — had some ideas for the storefronts here. As he told the Post: "Blatter said he has been contacted by someone curating a Hells Angels museum, and another about a barbershop." He later flipped the building to Better Living Properties. 

The last of the members and/or their entourage moved out of No. 77 at the end of March 2019 from the clubhouse that the Hells Angels had in their possession since 1969. They reportedly ended up in Throggs Neck in the Bronx.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street   

• The Hells Angels unveil new line of defense for their bench

Retail space comes into view at the former Hells Angels HQ

Been meaning to note the work in the new retail spaces at 77 E. Third St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. (Thanks, Erin, for the photo!)

This is happening on the ground floor of the former Hells Angels HQ — where members had their clubhouse/bar. As we've been reporting, the 6-story building underwent a gut renovation in the past 18 months. In total, there are 22 units here. (The available apartments have a monthly ask in the $4k range — that's for a studio, per the listings at Better Living Properties.)

In June 2019, real-estate investor Nathan Blatter — the new owner of the building — had some ideas for the storefronts here. As he told the Post: "Blatter said he has been contacted by someone curating a Hells Angels museum, and another about a barbershop." He later flipped the building to Better Living Properties. No word on what might be in the mix now.

The last of the members and/or their entourage moved out of No. 77 at the end of March 2019 from the clubhouse that the Hells Angels had in their possession since 1969. They reportedly ended up in Throggs Neck, a neighborhood in the southeastern portion of the Bronx.

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street   

Renovation watch: This is what the inside of the former Hells Angels HQ looks like now

Photos by Stacie Joy

As we've been reporting, the former Hells Angels clubhouse at 77 E. Third St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue is undergoing a gut renovation. 

The 6-floor building is expected to offer 22 one- and two-bedroom units with a price point of $3,500 a month via new landlord Better Living Properties.

The last of the members moved out of No. 77 at the end of March 2019 from the clubhouse that the Hells Angels had in their possession since 1969.

In June 2019, EVG contributor Stacie Joy got an exclusive look inside the mostly-unseen-to-outsiders space. At the time, workers were just prepping No. 77 for construction.  

As she noted, there was stagnant air in the building — a combo of cat urine and rotting food. And it looked as if a few of the tenants had left in a hurry, leaving behind unwieldy pieces of furniture and a few mattresses. (The Post previously reported that the building had 16 apartments and that the rooms were used more as "crash pads" for visiting members rather than full-time residency.)

Now, two-plus years later, Stacie took another look inside No. 77 to see how far the renovations had come... 

The Better Living Properties website has four of the units listed, ranging in price from $2,999 to $3,699, with a move-in date of Sept. 1. Amenities include central air, video intercoms and granite countertops. The listings do NOT mention anything about the previous tenants.

As for the previous occupants, the Hells Angels reportedly ended up in Throggs Neck, a neighborhood in the southeastern portion of the Bronx. Last summer, two members and an accomplice were charged in the fatal shooting of a rival gang leader.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street

• After 50 years on the block, the Hells Angels appear to be selling their 3rd Street clubhouse

• The Hells Angels have left the East Village

2021 development watch: 77 E. 3rd St.

Renovations continue at 77 E. Third St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Curiosity remains about this building — mostly because of its former longtime residents and what the newly renovated space will look like, making it a development to watch this year.

As previously reported, No. 77 — the former Hells Angels clubhouse, now owned by Better Living Properties — will be converted into 22 one- and two-bedroom units with an expected price point of $3,500 a month following a $2 million renovation. There was also a report that the ground floor will house two retail spaces. 

The last of the members moved out of No. 77 at the end of March 2019. The Hells Angels had this six-story building in their possession since 1969. 

The Hells Angels reportedly ended up in Throggs Neck, a neighborhood in the southeastern portion of the Bronx. This past summer, two members and an accomplice were charged in the fatal shooting of a rival gang leader. 

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street

• After 50 years on the block, the Hells Angels appear to be selling their 3rd Street clubhouse

• The Hells Angels have left the East Village

Noted

Spotted outside the former Hells Angels Clubhouse on Third Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... homemade signage that reads:

Make 3rd Street the Hell's Angels again

The Hells Angels left here in March 2019. The building, as we just noted, is in the midst of a gut renovation to apartments.

Gutting the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street

The renovations at 77 E. Third St. have entered the serious gutting phase here between First Avenue and Second Avenue...



Approved work permits note "minor partition work" in the various apartments. (From the street level, the work appears to be more than minor.)

As previously reported, No. 77 — the former Hells Angels clubhouse, now owned by Better Living Properties — will be converted into 22 one- and two-bedroom units with an expected price point of $3,500 a month following a $2 million renovation. There was also a report that the ground floor will house two retail spaces.

The last of the members moved out of No. 77 at the end of March 2019. The Hells Angels had this six-story building in their possession since 1969.

The Hells Angels reportedly ended up in Throggs Neck, a neighborhood in the southeastern portion of the Bronx. Last week, two members and an accomplice were charged in the fatal shooting of a rival gang leader.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street

• After 50 years on the block, the Hells Angels appear to be selling their 3rd Street clubhouse

• The Hells Angels have left the East Village

Where are they now? Hells Angels edition

[Photo of 77 E. 3rd St. from Tuesday]

The Hells Angels, who left the East Village after nearly 50 years last March, have a new home in the Bronx.

According to NY1, the club resurfaced in Throggs Neck, a neighborhood in the southeastern portion of the Bronx.

Per NY1:

“Besides the noise that we’re going to receive now, how about property value? It has to go down. It’s a gang. Who would want to buy around here knowing that you’re going to move right next to a motorcycle gang,” said Alejandro Caban.

But some are giving them the benefit of the doubt.

“At first I was a little worried about it, but then I felt good that we’ll have a presence. Maybe it will keep some of the bad people away. Recently, we had people try to get into cars. Maybe these guys will make them think twice,” said Tony Rugnetta. He lives just a few doors down from the new clubhouse.

Meanwhile, back in the East Village, renovations continue at 77 E. Third St., their former clubhouse here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

As previously reported, workers are converting No. 77 into 22 one- and two-bedroom units with an expected price point of $3,500 a month following a $2 million renovation. There was also a report that the ground floor will house two retail spaces.

The 6-story building is now owned by Better Living Properties.

The last of the members moved out last March. The Hells Angels had No. 77 in their possession since 1969.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street

• After 50 years on the block, the Hells Angels appear to be selling their 3rd Street clubhouse

• The Hells Angels have left the East Village

First work permits issued for the former Hells Angels HQ

[EVG file photo]

Better Living Properties, the new owners of 77 E. Third St., have filed the first work permits for the renovation of the former Hells Angels clubhouse here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

The permit, dated yesterday, note "minor partition work in Apts 19-20-21-22." More permits will presumably follow.

As previously reported, No. 77 will be converted into 22 one- and two-bedroom units with an expected price point of $3,500 a month following a $2 million renovation. There was also a report that the ground floor will house two retail spaces.

The last of the members moved out of No. 77 at the end of March. The Hells Angels had this six-story building in their possession since 1969.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street

After 50 years on the block, the Hells Angels appear to be selling their 3rd Street clubhouse

The Hells Angels have left the East Village

Things that likely wouldn't have appeared on the front door when the previous tenants were here

[Photos by Steven]

Spotted on the front door of 77 E. Third St., which was until March the longtime home of the Hells Angels...



As previously reported, No. 77 has new owners (Better Living Properties), who plan to convert the building between First Avenue and Second Avenue into luxury rentals following a $2 million renovation. Preliminary renovation work is apparently underway at No. 77, which the Angels had in their possession since 1969.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street

Photo exclusive: Take a look inside the former Hells Angels clubhouse on 3rd Street

The remaining members of the Hells Angels moved out of their clubhouse at 77 E. Third St. at the end of March.

As previously reported, No. 77 has new owners (Better Living Properties), who plan to convert the building between First Avenue and Second Avenue into luxury rentals following a $2 million renovation. Preliminary renovation work is apparently underway at No. 77, which the Angels had in their possession since 1969.

The other day, EVG contributor Stacie Joy took a quick tour of the mostly-empty (and rarely seen by outsiders) building.



Stacie said that she saw many of the accessible rooms in the 6-floor building (some spaces were closed off for pending construction). The stagnant air in the building — unoccupied for nearly three months — had a whiff of cat urine and rotting food, she noted.

Here's more from Stacie:

It was also quite dark. A lot of the rooms were heavy on dark drapes and dark wood furniture. Some rooms were painted purple or turquoise, and it seemed like each floor had two bedrooms — like an old-style tenement building. Every floor had multiple portable fireplaces.

The ground-floor garage space was being used to store demolition trash and contracting supplies, but the main space on the ground floor was a bar/lounge with wood paneling and boarded-up windows.

Behind the bar, there had been what looked like surveillance equipment from camera monitors outside. There was also a doorway to a small patio/garden with a picnic table.

The Post previously reported that the building had 16 apartments and that the rooms were used more as "crash pads" for visiting members rather than full-time residency.

The tour starts in the bar/lounge...







And up the stairs...





... into some of the individual apartments, where discarded furniture remained in some rooms...























... and out back...





There haven't been any reports on where the Hells Angels plan to relocate in NYC. No. 77 reportedly sold for $7.75 million (other reports put the number at $10 million). They first bought the building in the 1970s for $1,900.

Previously on EV Grieve:
After 50 years on the block, the Hells Angels appear to be selling their 3rd Street clubhouse

The Hells Angels have left the East Village

This is what the Hells Angels building sold for

Report: Former Hells Angels HQ will become 22-unit residential building with retail


[EVG photo from early June]