44 Union Square to be filled with pet sounds

After a loooong renovation that included an addition of a glass dome, 44 Union Square (aka 100 E. 17th St. and the Tammany Hall Building) has a retail tenant. (Thanks to @gramercy_local for the above photo and initial tip!) 

Per published reports (Commercial Observer and The Real Deal), Petco has signed a lease for a 3-story space, taking 30,000 of the 73,000-square-foot landmarked building. The animal and pet supply chain will be relocating from 860 Broadway on the other side of Union Square. 

The previous retail tenants, a magazine shop and Frank's Wines & Liquors, closed in 2016...

The 17th Street side housed two cultural institutions, the New York Film Academy and the Union Square Theater. 

As Jeremiah Moss wrote in 2016 about the building's upcoming renovation: "What sort of businesses do you think will replace these small businesses and cultural institutions? Well, almost every single thing around Union Square Park is a national shopping mall chain. ... Those that aren't, like Blue Water Grill, tend to be upscale."

Now we know. 

And address history, per Wikipedia: "The neo-Georgian structure was erected in 1928–1929 and designed by architects Thompson, Holmes & Converse and Charles B. Meyers for the Tammany Society political organization." 

2016 pic by J. Moss

Unleashed by Petco is unloading its pet supplies as store is closing on 2nd Avenue

After two-plus years at 31-33 Second Ave., the Unleashed by Petco shop is shutting its doors.

Sale — Nothing held back! — signs are up in the windows, as this photo by EVG reader EJ show. An employee said that Jan. 23 is their last day here between Second Street and Third Street in the retail space of the East Luxe rental building. Not sure at the moment why this Unleashed is closing.

The specialty retailer of pet food, supplies and services opened here in August 2015.

The San Diego-based retailer operates more than 1,500 stores in the United States under the Petco and Unleashed by Petco names.

Developer Ben Shaoul bought this property for $5.6 million in 2011. He later added three floors to the existing building … then unloaded it for $29 million to real-estate investor Sunny Yung.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ben Shaoul planning a 3-story addition at 31-33 Second Ave.

Bracing for 3 new floors at 31-33 Second Ave.

Checking in on the work in progress at 31-33 2nd Ave., where Ben Shaoul is adding 3 new floors

Ben Shaoul's bland new 2nd Avenue building is called The East Luxe


[Photo of 31-33 Second Ave. from 2009]

New Petco ready to be Unleashed on Aug. 31

The signs are up in the retail space at 31-33 Second Ave., aka The Luxe East, where an Unleashed (by Petco) outlet has been in the works.

Signs on the door now point to an Aug. 31 opening here between East Second Street and East First Street...



What is Unleashed?

As pet stores go, we’re anything but ordinary. Unleashed by Petco hit the pet scene in 2009, with our first store in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood. Our concept is simple – provide the same knowledge and know-how offered by Petco in a unique, smaller package.

This location will also include dog training…



Developer Ben Shaoul bought this property for $5.6 million in 2011. He then added three floors to the existing building … and unloaded it for $29 million.

Pet store signage unleashed on Second Avenue

EVG reader Christina passes along photos of the new signage that has arrived at 31-33 Second Ave., aka The Luxe East, Ben Shaoul's new retail-residential complex here between East Second Street and East First Street...

As you can see the storefront will be an Unleashed (by Petco) outlet...



What is Unleashed?

As pet stores go, we’re anything but ordinary. Unleashed by Petco hit the pet scene in 2009, with our first store in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood. Our concept is simple – provide the same knowledge and know-how offered by Petco in a unique, smaller package.

Anyway, perhaps the storefront will help residents determine whether they are looking at the front or the back of the building.

BoweryBoogie first reported that a Petco-branded store was set for the retail space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ben Shaoul planning a 3-story addition at 31-33 Second Ave.

Bracing for 3 new floors at 31-33 Second Ave.

Checking in on the work in progress at 31-33 2nd Ave., where Ben Shaoul is adding 3 new floors

Ben Shaoul's bland new 2nd Avenue building is called The East Luxe