Report: New owners for the empty lot at 14th Street and Avenue C

[EVG file photo]

The long-empty lot at East 14th Street and Avenue C has new owners.

The Real Deal is reporting that Brooklyn's Rabsky Group scrapped plans for its first Manhattan project here, selling the property to Opal Holdings, a real-estate investment firm led by Shaya and Shulamit Prager, for $23 million. No word just yet what they have planned for the site.

Rabsky reportedly paid $15 million for the property in 2014. The one-level structure that was demolished here in early 2015 previously housed R&S Strauss auto parts store, which closed in April 2009.

There were approved permits for a 14-story building totaling 63,932 square feet, with 8,064 square feet for retail ... and 21,991 square feet for a community facility.

Not much has happened here since the demolition of the former Strauss store. As many commenters have pointed out in the past, this corner was about 5-6 feet under water during Sandy.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development back in play for East 14th Street and Avenue C

More details on the sale of 644 E. 14th St.

Here comes a 15-story retail-residential complex for East 14th Street and Avenue C

Prepping the former R&S Strauss auto parts store for demolition on East 14th Street and Avenue C

City OKs 15-story mixed-use retail-residential building on 14th and C

14th and C now waiting for the Karl Fischer-designed 15-story retail-residential complex

14th and C still waiting for its Karl Fischer-designed retail-residential complex

14th and C still waiting for its Karl Fischer-designed retail-residential complex

Nearly a year has passed since we've done a post about 644 E. 14th St., where a mixed-use retail-residential complex has the go at the corner of Avenue C.

As you can see, there hasn't been much — or any — progress on this plot of land that previously housed the single-level R&S Strauss auto parts store, which closed in April 2009.







Anyway, a look at the DOB files show some amended documents as of September 2015 ... with a slightly different-sized building. Previously, permits showed a 15-story mixed-use retail-residential complex totaling 61,789 square feet. DOB permits showed 8,578 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor... and 18,937 square feet for a community facility.

The amended permits show a 14-story building totaling 63,932 square feet, with 8,064 square feet for retail ... and 21,991 square feet for a community facility. The Schedule A still shows 50 apartments.

The prolific Karl Fischer is the architect of record. (His other EV work includes The Robyn on East Third Street and The Nathaniel on East 12th Street.)

No sign of renderings yet for No. 644. But we did spot some sexy diagrams at the DOB for the address...




[Click to go big]

The diagrams do indicate balconies for the units, which are on floors 6 through 14. The documents also note "flood gate storage" on the first floor. Not sure exactly what that is, but it sounds like a good idea. This corner was about 3-6 feet under water during Sandy.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development back in play for East 14th Street and Avenue C

More details on the sale of 644 E. 14th St.

Here comes a 15-story retail-residential complex for East 14th Street and Avenue C

Prepping the former R&S Strauss auto parts store for demolition on East 14th Street and Avenue C

City OKs 15-story mixed-use retail-residential building on 14th and C

14th and C now waiting for the Karl Fischer-designed 15-story retail-residential complex

The Robyn is now fully exposed on East 3rd Street

Workers recently removed the construction netting and scaffolding at the new 33-unit rental at 316 E. Third St. between Avenue C and Avenue D ... offering the first look at The Robyn, named after nothing in particular.

Apartments at the Karl Fischer-designed building range in price from $2,100 for studios, $2,495 and up for one bedrooms and $3,375 and up for the duplex penthouses. Reps for the broker told us last month that 29 of the 33 united had been rented.

The elevator building features a roof deck, storage units, bike storage and a pet spa, among other amenities.

Meanwhile, the view from higher up… via EVG reader Bobby G.



Previously on EV Grieve:
33-unit, Karl Fischer-designed building rising at former home of Community Board 3 member

This Robyn laid some luxury apartments on East 3rd Street; pet spa included


[A look at the site in March 2013 via Bobby G.]

[Updated] People apparently really want to live in The Robyn

Back in late May, we received a news release announcing that Miron Properties was hired to lease The Robyn, the incoming 33-unit rental at 316 E. Third St. between Avenue C and Avenue D.

We received a follow-up announcement from Miron reps stating that they have rented 29 of the 33 apartments ... with move ins starting July 1, pending the city issuing the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy.

Not bad on all the rentals considering the building isn't even finished ... so these leases are being signed without people seeing the actual apartments.

Apartments at the Karl Fischer-designed building range in price from $2,100 for studios, $2,495 and up for one bedrooms and $3,375 and up for the duplex penthouses.

The elevator building features a roof deck, storage units, bike storage and a pet spa, among other amenities.

And what's up with that name, The Robyn?

Turns out that the building is named after the wife of Jona Rechnitz, founder and president of JSR Capital, the real-estate development and management company that bought the property several years ago.

Updated 6/25
The folks from Miron provided incorrect information about the name. It is just a generic name the developers came up with for the building.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another parcel of East Village land ready for development

33-unit, Karl Fischer-designed building rising at former home of Community Board 3 member

Landmarks Preservation Commission rejects hearing for 316 E. Third St., paving way for 7-floor condo

Lovely townhouse with bucolic gardens on East Third Street ready for "creative expansion"

316 E. Third St. has been demolished

This Robyn laid some luxury apartments on East 3rd Street; pet spa included

Here comes a 15-story retail-residential complex for East 14th Street and Avenue C

[EVG file photo]

The large development that everyone has been waiting for (or not) is finally coming to the southeast corner of East 14th Street and Avenue C... where the R&S Strauss auto parts store here closed in the spring of 2009.

Last June, Billy Gray reported at the Commercial Observer that Avison Young was exclusively marketing 644 E. 14th St. "And a near-absence of height restrictions has brokers dangling the possibility of a tower on a site with 65,689 square feet of development rights."

As New York Yimby pointed out yesterday, the developers have filed permits for the space ... and none other than Karl Fischer is the architect of record. To NYY for some project details:

Permits indicate that 644 East 14th Street will total 61,789 square feet, including 8,578 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. The remainder of the first five stories will host a ‘community facility,’ which will span 18,937 square feet, and apartments will sit above; the structure will stand 15 stories tall, with 34,274 square feet of residential space divided between 50 units. At only 120 feet to its roof, ceilings heights will apparently be crypt-like.

No word just yet if there will be an extra charge for units with Con Ed plant views.

So, doing a little math ... there will be 150 residential units one block to the west with the additions of the two 7-floor buildings at No. 500 and N0. 524.

In total that is 200 new residences from Avenue A east to Avenue C. Perhaps it's time for another L stop ... or at least a grocery store?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development back in play for East 14th Street and Avenue C

More details on the sale of 644 E. 14th St.

Karl Fischer-designed condoplex comes into full view on East 12th Street

Over at 427 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, the Karl Fischer-architected condos are free of the construction netting, the sidewalk bridge, etc. And — ta da!



And according to Streeteasy, nine of the 10 units — that range in price from $850,000 for a one-bedroom home to $2.395 for the penthouse — are in contract.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Karl Fischer designing new East 12th Street residence

427 E. 12th St. back from the dead?

Workers making a pit stop at incoming Karl Fischer-designed building on East 12th Street

Listings arrive for Karl Fischer-designed luxury homes at 427 E. 12th St.

Karl Fischer-designed condos seem to be a big draw on East 12th Street

Night falls on Karl Fischer's incoming unit on East 3rd St.

We've been keeping tabs on 316-318 E. Third St., the future home of a Karl Fischer-designed, 33-unit apartment building between Avenue C and Avenue D ... However, we haven't been by recently ... and were surprised to see it cut such a full figure at night ... especially looking at it from East Houston... (Wasn't this just a pit the other day? Seems like it.)



It will look like this one day...


[Brody/Amirian]

Meanwhile, in unrelated matters, neighbors on this same block have reported an uptick in drug sales and use... there's an emergency meeting tonight at PS 14 to address the issues.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another parcel of East Village land ready for development

Landmarks Preservation Commission rejects hearing for 316 E. Third St., paving way for 7-floor condo

Emergency meeting called to discuss 'the blatant drug activity' on E. 3rd St.

Karl Fischer-designed condos seem to be a big draw on East 12th Street

[Yesterday]

The listings went live in late June for 427 E. 12th St., home of the Karl Fischer-architected condos between Avenue A and First Avenue... There's still work left to do here, as you can see.

In any event, there are 10 units that range in price from $850,000 for a one-bedroom home to $2.395 for the penthouse. And for some reason we looked at Streeteasy and saw that of the eight units on the market, five were already in contract.



Not sure what the big draw is here (epoxy finishes?) ... Nice amenities, sure.


[Some day at 427]

To the listing:

Residences feature sleek concrete floors with epoxy finishes and floor to ceiling double pane windows. Several residences are complimented with a private outdoor space that range in size. The custom designed chefs kitchen is finished with walnut veneer and satin lacquer cabinetry, Caesar stone countertops, back painted glass, and is fully equipped with stainless steel appliances by Fischer & Paykel. Bathrooms are appointed with oversized bathtubs, custom built vanities, glass enclosed frameless showers, and Duravit & Kohler fixtures throughout.

At any rate, residences will need those double pane windows during the impending construction at Douglas Steiner's massive new development down the block.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Karl Fischer designing new East 12th Street residence

427 E. 12th St. back from the dead?

Workers making a pit stop at incoming Karl Fischer-designed building on East 12th Street

Listings arrive for Karl Fischer-designed luxury homes at 427 E. 12th St.

Karl Fischer's latest creation makes an appearance above the plywood on East 3rd Street

Back in March, we checked in on 316-318 E. Third St., where a Karl Fischer-designed, 33-unit apartment building is in the works ... replacing a circa-1835 single-family home. At that time, it appeared there were some flooding issues with the foundation...

Workers have found some solid ground ... as the structure has made an appearance from behind the plywood here between Avenue C and Avenue D...




...and here's a rendering of the space...


[Brody/Amirian]

Previously on EV Grieve:


Another parcel of East Village land ready for development

33-unit, Karl Fischer-designed building rising at former home of Community Board 3 member

Landmarks Preservation Commission rejects hearing for 316 E. Third St., paving way for 7-floor condo

Lovely townhouse with bucolic gardens on East Third Street ready for "creative expansion"

Checking in on 427 E. 12th St., future home of a 6-floor Karl Fischer-designed apartment building

We haven't checked in on 427 E. 12th St. since February 2012. This is the six-story Karl Fischer-designed apartment building that we first mentioned back in July 2011.

At last look in early 2012, there were support braces in the muddy (and long-dormant) pit to help prop up 425 E. 12th Street... and complaints to the DOB about the construction causing "damage to phone lines at 429 E. 12th St. and cracks in bathroom walls."

These days, the building appears has finally reached that sixth floor, and looking like this...









DOB documents show two units each on floors two through five, with one apartment on the sixth floor... there's also mention of a "recreational area" on the roof.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Karl Fischer designing new East 12th Street residence

427 E. 12th St. back from the dead?

Digging in for a new Karl Fischer-designed rental on East Third Street

Every so often we'll post an update on an incoming development...

Here's a look at the progress at 316-318 E. Third St., where a Karl Fischer-designed, 33-unit apartment building is in the works...

...workers finished demolishing the house back in March. The home was last owned by Barden Prisant, a former member of Community Board 3, who now lives in Brooklyn. According to an article on living in Prospect Park South in the Times dated Oct. 6, 2011, Prisant and his wife "decided to sell their house in the East Village because a tall building was to go up next to their beloved backyard." (The in-progress Alphabet Plaza.)

Preservation groups to try to protect the circa-1835 house here, but the Landmarks Preservation Commission rejected a hearing. Construction on the new rental is expected to be completed by the end of November 2013.

Previously on EV Grieve:


Another parcel of East Village land ready for development

33-unit, Karl Fischer-designed building rising at former home of Community Board 3 member

Landmarks Preservation Commission rejects hearing for 316 E. Third St., paving way for 7-floor condo

Lovely townhouse with bucolic gardens on East Third Street ready for "creative expansion"

Workers making a pit stop at incoming Karl Fischer-designed building on East 12th Street

When we last looked in on 427 E. 12th St., the future home of a six-level Karl Fischer-designed apartment building, workers had planted some support braces in the pit to help prop up its neighbor to the west...

Now, as EV Grieve reader Greg Masters notes in these photos, work is under way ...

This spot had been dormant for several years.

Meanwhile, according to the DOB, a caller on Feb. 10 says that the construction "has caused damage to phone lines at 429 E. 12th St. and cracks in bathroom walls."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Karl Fischer designing new East 12th Street residence

Support for Karl Fischer's 427 E. 12th St.

Just noting this as part of our ongoing coverage of 427 E. 12th St., future home of a 6-level Karl Fischer-designed apartment building, as we first reported on July 21.

Anyway, there are now support braces in the pit to help prop up 425 E. 12th Street...

According to the DOB, the most recent complaint here was dated Nov. 22, when a caller noted: "While doing work at above location, the top part of the adjacent building has separated walls due to this work."

Hello Karl Fischer!: Meet 'NY's most loathed architect'

[532 E. Fifth St.]

In the Post today, Maureen Callahan takes a look at Curbed favorite Karl Fischer in a piece titled "NY’s most loathed architect."

Let's jump right in:

Since 2003, Montreal-based architect Karl Fischer has designed more than 200 residential structures in Manhattan and Brooklyn, each one looking very much like the last: glass-curtained boxes flecked with grim brick or concrete, characterless high-rises in bohemian areas that, like uninvited party guests, seem to neither know nor care that they are profoundly out of place.

"Like doctors, there is a certain ethic of the architect: You're not supposed to make anything worse," says Aleksandr Mergold, architect and professor at Cornell University. "I'm not saying Karl Fischer is making things worse. But he’s not making things any better. That Cold War look seems to come from a lack of imagination. Great business model, though."

Fischer currently has three projects working in the East Village ... 427 E. 12th Street ... 316-318 E. Third St. ... and 532 E. Fifth St. ...

Meanwhile, enjoy Karl Fischer's 263 Bowery penthouse for just $15k per month

We've all been busy watching the hyper-luxurification of the Bowery in recent years. Karl Fischer's 263 Bowery is one of the higher profile projects ... just south of Houston... where workers demolished the onetime four-story building that housed the Restaurant Auction Outlet in the summer of 2008.

The million-dollar condos hit the market just about a year ago. Turns out that the three-bedroom penthouse remains on the market, going for $3.495 million now. But. In the meantime, the unit just hit the market as a rental — a tidy $15,950 per month, per Streeteasy.

Here's the listing at Douglas Elliman:

This beautifully appointed sundrenched 2177 sq ft 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom Penthouse duplex boasts picturesque city views with over 660 sq ft of 3 private outdoor spaces. Award winning architect Karl Fisher combined with Richardson Sadeki's minimalistic vision provides the perfect combination of form and functionality, from the flowing layout with unique concrete floors, to the sophisticated sleek finishes. Residents of 263 Bowery enjoy virtual doorman services, common roof deck, private storage unit and 421a Tax abatement. With its desirable location 263 Bowery has the very best of what downtown has to offer from the New Museum to the incredible new Sperone Westwater gallery & trendy Keith McNally's new restaurant Pulino's.

Seems like a nice perch to watch the ongoing slaughter!

Take a look yourself Sunday during the open house from 2-3 (p.m.)

Why we need to protect 316 E. Third St. — and other East Village properties

We've been writing about 316-318 E. Third St., the historic townhouse between Avenue C and Avenue D. The home belonged to Barden Prisant, a member of Community Board 3 who advocated for affordable housing.

As Curbed reported on Aug. 12, the new owner will turn the space into a Karl Fischer-designed, 33-unit apartment complex. This will not only destroy the home, but also the bucolic adjacent garden space.

On Monday, Off the Grid — the blog of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation — laid out seven reasons why the home needs to be saved. You can read those here.

Here's No. 7, and arguably the best reason:

Frankly, we’re just getting sick of seeing the neighborhood turn into this:

[Off the Grid]

The have created a template letter to send to the Landmarks Preservation Commission urging them to landmark 316 E. Third St. You can find that here.

Per usual, so far the Commission just doesn't give a shit. Per the GVSHP:

"The Commission has responded by refusing to hold a hearing on designating the structure, claiming that 'senior staff' at the Commission internally reviewed the building and found it not to be worthy of designation. This follows the Commission allowing other historic houses in the East Village ... to be destroyed." Like 35 Cooper Square and 326 and 328 E. Fourth St.

33-unit, Karl Fischer-designed building rising at former home of Community Board 3 member

On Friday, Curbed reported that a Karl Fischer-designed, 33-unit apartment building is coming to 316 and 318 East Third Street, which is between Avenue C and Avenue D.

In May 2010, we posted info about the sale of the four-story brick townhouse dating to 1900. It was on the market for $3.995 million.

According to the listing, "The townhouse is surrounded on 3 sides by bucolic garden, open lawn and mature trees. The townhouse itself is not landmarked, and there are approximately 22,900 buildable square feet available to the purchaser of these combined 2 lots, offering myriad opportunities for creative expansion."

Several readers and tipsters at the time said that the home was owned by Barden Prisant, a member of Community Board 3. Prisant confirmed this via a message on Facebook. We sent him a message on Facebook asking for comment on Friday. We have not heard back yet.

Meanwhile, Karl Fischer is keeping busy in the East Village. On July 21, we first reported that Fischer is bringing his luxurious touch to 427 E. 12th St., where a six-story, 11-unit residence will rise.

Karl Fischer designing new East 12th Street residence

'Tis the season for coming back from the dead ... Let's see, we mentioned 401 E. Eighth St. yesterday ... and 75 First Ave. earlier this summer.

Now! That long-dormant pit also-known-as 427. E. 12th St. across from the East Side Community School is primed for a six-story, 11-unit residence designed by Montreal-based architect Karl Fischer, who is behind several overly luxurious condos on the Bowery. (The Observer has details on his latest at 255 Bowery.)

Like with the two Bowery properties, Shaky Cohen is the developer at 427 E. 12th St., according to DOB records.

We didn't find any renderings at the Fischer website... but here's what 263 Bowery looks like (at least as of last fall) via BoweryBoogie:

Related reading:
Want to see how Fischer is making (leaving?) his mark over NYC, then check out the Curbed archives here.