A 1982 view of St. Mark's Place at 3rd Avenue

Looking east on St Mark's Place at Third Avenue circa 1982... with a view of Tompkins Square Park in the distance ... photo by Peter Bennett. 

Check out more of Peter's work here. We previously posted some of Peter's EV photos from the 1980s at this link.

The Brant Foundation's 6th Street outpost looks close to completion (at least on the outside)

The gut renovations started back in April 2016 at the former Con Edison substation and Walter de Maria studio that Peter Brant is converting into an exhibition space.

The renovated circa-1920 building, which will reportedly serve as an extension of the Greenwich, Conn.-based Brant Foundation Art Study Center, is looking closer to being ready for art.

Here's a (pre-snow) look around the building's exterior, starting with the Sixth Street side here between Avenue A and First Avenue...









... and here's a rear view of the building from Seventh Street...





Peter Brant's daughter Allison Brant oversees her father's contemporary art collection. This feature on her in the April 2017 issue of Town & Country reported that the Brant Foundation's EV outpost will open this spring.

Per the article:

Allison will also run this second space, which is in the East Village and will primarily be used to showcase the foundation's permanent collection. "So many artists my father collects have a connection to that neighborhood," she says.

Brant bought the building for $27 million in August 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About that "giant-robot laboratory" on East Sixth Street

RIP Walter De Maria

What is your East Village dream home?

Walter De Maria's 'giant-robot laboratory' going for $25 million; inside is amazing as you'd expect

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

When the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé came to the East Village for dinner

Reader report: 421 E. 6th St. will house Peter M. Brant's personal art collection

Peter Brant's East 6th Street Outreach Tour 2015 continues

Peter Brant meets the neighbors

[Updated] Construction watch: 421 E. 6th St.

[GIF via Meredith Rendall]

Late last week, workers removed the scaffolding on the west-facing wall of 421 E. Sixth St., the former Con Edison substation and Walter de Maria studio that Peter Brant is converting into an exhibition space.

This reveal provides the first look at the renovated circa-1920 building, which will reportedly host a few exhibits a year as an extension of the Greenwich, Conn.-based Brant Foundation Art Study Center ... and serve as a home for some of Brant's private art collection.

It might be worth taking a look at the progress here between Avenue A and First Avenue... starting with the Sixth Street side...





... and from the Seventh Street side...



Renovations are in the second year year. I don't even remember hearing about a completion date. "We plan to open it in a few years," Brant told the Times in October 2014 before the start of the construction.

The construction didn't really get going until April 2016. After complaints about the ongoing noise — particularly the jackhammering — the construction crew started posting a "weekly look ahead" schedule in August 2016 that outlines the work taking place.

Brant bought the building for $27 million in August 2014.

Updated 10/12

I haven't walked by in a few days... and the scaffolding is down on the Sixth Street side...



Previously on EV Grieve:
About that "giant-robot laboratory" on East Sixth Street

RIP Walter De Maria

What is your East Village dream home?

Walter De Maria's 'giant-robot laboratory' going for $25 million; inside is amazing as you'd expect

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

Construction site at 421 E. 6th St. now with a 'weekly look ahead'

Some residents living near 421 E. Sixth St., currently undergoing a full-blown renovation, have been unhappy with the ongoing construction noise — particularly the jackhammering.

Last week, a flyer appeared urging residents to email the building's owner, art collector-publisher-paper magnate Peter M. Brant.

Now on the plywood here between Avenue A and First Avenue, there's a "weekly look ahead" schedule that outlines the work taking place, and the hours that this will occur...



According to the sign, the jackhammering inside the main building will be complete on Friday ... "and the larger jackhammering machines will then be demobilized from the site at this point..."

Brant bought the building, the former home-studio of Walter De Maria, for $27 million in August 2014. No. 421 will reportedly serve as an exhibition space for his personal art collection. We haven't heard about any official completion date.

A letter to Peter M. Brant about the jackhammering

[Photo on Aug. 11 by Daniel Root]

Construction continues at 421 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, where Peter M. Brant is having Walter De Maria's former home-studio converted into a gallery space for his personal art collection.

There's construction on two fronts: From the rear of the building on Seventh Street (top photo) and Sixth Street...


[Photo from Aug. 4 by Meredith Rendall]

Given the scope of the work, there isn't any shortage of construction-related noise... which explains this suggested letter-writing campaign... as seen in this flyer on First Avenue and Sixth Street...


[Photo by Samir Randeria]

The letter to residents begins:

If you have been disturbed by the jackhammering that we have been subjected to all summer — you can contact the owner of the property at the following email address...

Then the flyer leaver posted the email that he/she sent:

Hello Mr. Brant,

It is exciting to think there will be a museum on our block. We hope that the community will have access to the museum on a regular basis in recognition of your knowledge that you are part of a community. It has been a very difficult summer, waking up each weekday morning to the sound of jackhammering. I'm sure this is not what you would enjoy. In the past, any notices that might have concerned residents where [sic] so small and inconsequential that it was not possible for anyone to be aware of them. I hope in the future you will make sure that there is real spirit of inclusion.

Thank you.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Confirmed: Peter M. Brant buys Walter De Maria's amazing East 6th Street home and studio

1st permits filed for renovation of Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

When the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé came to the East Village for dinner

Reader report: 421 E. 6th St. will house Peter M. Brant's personal art collection

Peter Brant's East 6th Street Outreach Tour 2015 continues

Peter Brant meets the neighbors

Checking out the (sort of) new 421 E. 6th St.

A rendering has arrived on the plywood outside the under-renovation 421 E. Sixth St. ...





It doesn't look too different from the existing building ... from the exterior anyway.

Here's a side-by-side look (as noted previously)… showing the existing building (left) and the proposed front...



The address between Avenue A and First Avenue was a Con Edison substation built in 1920-21 that converted direct current to alternating. Artist/sculptor Walter De Maria owned the building from 1980 to the time of his death in July 2013.

As previously reported, the building will be a gallery space to display new owner Peter Brant's personal art collection.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About that "giant-robot laboratory" on East Sixth Street

RIP Walter De Maria

What is your East Village dream home?

Walter De Maria's 'giant-robot laboratory' going for $25 million; inside is amazing as you'd expect

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

Peter Brant's 421 E. 6th St. wrapped and ready for more renovations

Just noting that workers finished putting up the scaffolding and netting in front of 421 E. Sixth St., the new exhibition space for Peter Brant's art collection here between Avenue A and First Avenue...



And it looks as if workers are knocking holes in the west-facing wall to make way for the doors that will lead to the new garden space in the empty lot adjacent to the building...



Previously

A sidewalk bridge arrives outside Peter Brant's incoming gallery space on East 6th Street

The sidewalk bridge arrived this week here outside 421 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

As previously reported, the building is expected to be a gallery space to display new owner Peter Brant's personal art collection. The intention is to have two shows per year. The first one was said to be scheduled for this fall. Not sure if that's still on track. We haven't heard much, if anything, about plans for the building since Brant's reps filed permits for renovations last summer.

There has been some signs of work in the vacant space to the west of the building that's part of No. 421's property...



According to previous plans for the place, the empty side lot will feature a garden space...



A new work permit was filed yesterday for the open space, though the job is in hub self-service at the DOB website and can't be viewed until it's accepted.

The building was a Con Ed substation built in 1920. The artist Walter De Maria, who died in July 2013 at age 77, bought it in 1980 to use as a home and studio.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumor: The Brant Foundation buying Walter De Maria's E. 6th St. studio for an exhibition space (19 comments)

Confirmed: Peter M. Brant buys Walter De Maria's amazing East 6th Street home and studio

1st permits filed for renovation of Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

More about the 1st show at Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

When the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé came to the East Village for dinner

Reader report: 421 E. 6th St. will house Peter M. Brant's personal art collection

Peter Brant's East 6th Street Outreach Tour 2015 continues

Peter Brant meets the neighbors

Paperwork filed to renovate Peter Brant's gallery space on East 6th Street

Just noting that reps for Peter Brant have filed the application to renovate 421 E. Sixth St.

Per the DOB, in their glorious ALL-CAP style:

ALTERATION TYPE 1 FILING TO CHANGE USE ON FLOORS 1-3 TO GALLERY AND SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING ON THE 4TH FLOOR. WORK TO INCLUDE PARTITIONS CEILINGS AND FINISHES AS PER PLANS FILED HEREWITH.

Estimated cost of the renovations per the DOB paperwork: $4.8 million.

As previously reported, the building between Avenue A and First Avenue is intended to be a gallery space to display Brant's personal art collection. The intention is to have approximately two shows per year, with the first one scheduled for Fall 2016.

Brant has met with neighbors to discuss his intentions for the building… the plans look like this.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumor: The Brant Foundation buying Walter De Maria's E. 6th St. studio for an exhibition space (19 comments)

Confirmed: Peter M. Brant buys Walter De Maria's amazing East 6th Street home and studio

1st permits filed for renovation of Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

More about the 1st show at Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

When the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé came to the East Village for dinner

Reader report: 421 E. 6th St. will house Peter M. Brant's personal art collection

Peter Brant's East 6th Street Outreach Tour 2015 continues

Peter Brant meets the neighbors

Peter Brant meets the neighbors

[Another photo we use a lot]

On Tuesday night, as we noted, reps for Peter Brant were to meet with residents at Village View to discuss his plans for 421 E. Sixth St., the building he purchased last year for $27 million.

Posted flyers said that the owner would be present. Owner owner? Or owner as in owner of, say, the company overseeing the renovation project?



Well, according to an EVG reader who attended the meeting, "Brant was actually there. Yes. Cufflinks and all."

First, though, as previously reported, the building between Avenue A and First Avenue is intended to be a gallery space to display Brant's personal art collection. The intention is to have approximately two shows per year, with the first one scheduled for Fall 2016.


[Meeting photo via Bill the Libertarian Anarchist]

Back to Tuesday night's meeting, which the EVG reader described as intense, though Brant was "open, engaging."

Some guy asked Brant "Why don't you have your art displayed at your Polo Club?" To which Brant replied, "Because they play polo there."

Brant also said that he wasn't aware that the party on March 26 — for the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé — in the building would be what it was, that he was doing a favor for a friend. Per the reader, "He is aware how it affected the neighborhood."

He invited everybody to come to his foundation in Connecticut to see what he is all about. One woman kvetched that she couldn't get there, is anything closer? He said he has a building in Soho. Well, the guy was trying.

I'm starting to sound too much like I'm defending him.

Again, of all the things that could happen to this building, I think this seems like one of the best things. It will be a private space. Not a lot of people there. Maybe a couple of invite-only openings. I want to believe him. Basically it sounds like a garage to store some of his art.

Anyone who attended the meeting want to share his or her thoughts on Brant's plans?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumor: The Brant Foundation buying Walter De Maria's E. 6th St. studio for an exhibition space (19 comments)

Confirmed: Peter M. Brant buys Walter De Maria's amazing East 6th Street home and studio

1st permits filed for renovation of Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

A soft opening at the Brant Foundation's new space at Walter De Maria's former East 6th Street studio

More about the 1st show at Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

When the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé came to the East Village for dinner

Reader report: 421 E. 6th St. will house Peter M. Brant's personal art collection

Peter Brant's East 6th Street Outreach Tour 2015 continues

Peter Brant's East 6th Street Outreach Tour 2015 continues

[EVG file photo]

Reps for Peter M. Brant and his architect are meeting tomorrow night at Village View to discuss the art collector's plans for 421 E. Sixth St., the building he purchased last year for $27 million...



Well, the posted flyers note that the owner will answer questions. (What are the chances that Peter Brant will be at this meeting?)

In any event, among other modifications/additions, Brant's reps are calling for a rooftop terrace and a garden to the west of the building here between Avenue A and First Avenue. (Read more about the plans here.)

During a CB3 Landmarks Committee meeting last month, residents learned that the building is intended to be a gallery space to display Brant's personal art collection. The intention is to have approximately two shows per year, with the first show scheduled for Fall 2016. (Hopefully Vito Schnabel's people won't be doing the planning.)

The meeting is at the Village View Community Room at 6:30 p.m., 175 E. Fourth St.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About that "giant-robot laboratory" on East Sixth Street

RIP Walter De Maria

What is your East Village dream home?

Walter De Maria's 'giant-robot laboratory' going for $25 million; inside is amazing as you'd expect

Walter De Maria's home/studio on East 6th Street is now on the market for $25 million

Rumor: The Brant Foundation buying Walter De Maria's E. 6th St. studio for an exhibition space (19 comments)

Confirmed: Peter M. Brant buys Walter De Maria's amazing East 6th Street home and studio

1st permits filed for renovation of Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

A soft opening at the Brant Foundation's new space at Walter De Maria's former East 6th Street studio

More about the 1st show at Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

When the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé came to the East Village for dinner

Reader report: 421 E. 6th St. will house Peter M. Brant's personal art collection

When the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé came to the East Village for dinner

[Photo from March 24 via @hanyakrill]

Meant to post this earlier in the week… for anyone who was curious about that 11 days of activity around the incoming Brant Foundation exhibition space on East Sixth Street between First Avenue and Avenue A.

We only heard that the space was hosting an event for Dom Pérignon.

The event was held on the evening of Thursday, March 26. (Perhaps worth noting that the fire was still raging nearby at 119-123 Second Ave.)

On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that it was for the world's top collectors of Dom Pérignon rosé.

Some excerpts from the article…

Nine rosé Champagne aficionados sat down for an intimate, one-of-a-kind pairing dinner … with Dom Pérignon Chef de Cave Richard Geoffroy.

Guests at the East Village event included New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony, real-estate executive Michael Fascitelli and wine-store owner Robert Schagrin.

And!

The seven-course dinner featured dishes showcasing a global range of spices, from a Thai bouillon to an elegant mole verde to a duck entree, redolent of cumin and coriander, based on a 17th-century French recipe.

The dinner was held at 421 E. Sixth St. and the space decorated for the occasion by rock star Lenny Kravitz’s Kravitz Design, which brought in sculptures, dramatic lighting and sleek furniture.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Neighbors curious about the 11 days of activity at Peter Brant's exhibition space on East 6th Street

The art of noise on East 7th Street ahead of tomorrow night's event at the Brant Foundation

The art of noise on East 7th Street ahead of tomorrow night's event at the Brant Foundation

[Wednesday night on 6th Street via @hanyakrill]

The other day we noted that there is a big event taking place at the incoming exhibition space for the Brant Foundation on East Sixth Street.

Crews have been busy coming and going from the building's back entrance on East Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue, where two high-powered CAT generators have been stationed since March 19. According to a security guard, the event is for Dom Pérignon tomorrow night.

All told, the party-related activities at the Brant building, which has been cast in a pinkish glow inside the last few nights, will last 11 days, per the signs posted on the building at 421 E. Sixth St.



Several neighbors have grumbled about all this, from 11 days of reserved parking on the street to the often-noisy generators.

A few commenters to our post on Monday thought we should all just mind our own business.

He's probably having some kind of celebration / party in his new space. People need to get lives and mind their business. Now the guy is getting written up on blogs?

And!

Peter Brant is bringing much-needed class and sophistication to this neighborhood. If you want your squats back move to Detroit. Echoing the previous commenter: get lives just because you can't afford champagne!

Some of these comments prompted a resident on East Seventh Street "to demonstrate what a racket they're making."

To the reader: "I'm excited Brant has taken over the space and I'm sure he'll do lovely things for the community, but those babies are loud! I live right in front of where [the generators are] parked and it's very loud up here on the uppers floors. I'm attaching a video of the noise the trucks make — this might set straight some of the commenters who think this is an overreaction!"



Previously on EV Grieve:
Neighbors curious about the 11 days of activity at Peter Brant's exhibition space on East 6th Street

Neighbors curious about the 11 days of activity at Peter Brant's exhibition space on East 6th Street

[East 7th Street]

Some neighbors don't think that the people behind the incoming exhibition space for the Brant Foundation are being ... very good neighbors.

Last Wednesday, workers began loading equipment into the back of 421 E. Sixth St., the under-renovation exhibition space expected to be used by the billionaire art collector Peter Brant's Brant Foundation between Avenue A and First Avenue. This included the arrival of several high-powered CAT generators parked on East Seventh Street, outside the driveway/back entrance to the East Sixth Street property.

In the past several days, a handful of parking spaces (with generic No Parking Police Department signs) have been blocked off on East Sixth Street and East Seventh Street ...


[East 6th Street]


[East 6th Street]

There are also security guards posted on both streets... none of the guards have been very forthcoming with details. A reader finally found one to divulge more than a no comment/I don't really know ... according to one of the hired hands, the space is hosting an event for Dom Pérignon on Friday.

In total, the activity surrounding this event will last 11 days, per the signs posted on 421 E. Sixth St.



If you have any questions or concerns about this, then you can call the caterer, as the sign suggests.

One neighbor who emailed us about the situation hopes that this won't be the upscale party norm for the building now that Brant and his organization is the owner.

Artist Walter De Maria, who died in July 2013 at age 77, bought the former Con Ed substation in 1980 to use as a home and studio.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Confirmed: Peter M. Brant buys Walter De Maria's amazing East 6th Street home and studio

1st permits filed for renovation of Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

More about the 1st show at Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street


[EVG file photo]

A big show at Peter Brant's new East Village exhibition space?

Something big seems to be happening over at 421 E. Sixth St., the under-renovation exhibition space that art collector Peter Brant bought last year.

There has been a lot of activity on the building's Seventh Street side between Avenue A and First Avenue ... where there is a rear driveway and side alley.

Per Dave on 7th: "Peter Brant must be putting on a big show. Saw staging being loaded in yesterday and today they are running in a TON of power from these CAT generators. That's rock concert size shit going on here. Maybe a fashion show. Not a film."

Maybe we will all be invited?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

Construction crews spotted at Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

Reps for billionaire art collector Peter Brant, also the new owner of 421 E. Sixth St., filed work permits back in October for the former home-studio of artist Walter De Maria.

The plans for now just call for the rather generic "removal of interior non loading bearing partitions and related finishes" here between Avenue A and First Avenue.

EVG regular peter radley spotted a work crew inside the space yesterday...





Brant told the Times last October that he plans on opening an exhibition space here in a few years.

There was a show in this space last December titled "Dan Colen: The L...o...n...g Count." However, that was reportedly not a project of the Brant Foundation Art Study Center in Greenwich, Conn.

No. 421 was built in 1920 as a ConEd substation, but had been converted into a photography studio after De Maria bought it in 1980.

De Maria died of a stroke in July 2013 at age 77.

Previously on EV Grieve:
About that "giant-robot laboratory" on East Sixth Street

RIP Walter De Maria

What is your East Village dream home?

Walter De Maria's 'giant-robot laboratory' going for $25 million; inside is amazing as you'd expect

Walter De Maria's home/studio on East 6th Street is now on the market for $25 million

Rumor: The Brant Foundation buying Walter De Maria's E. 6th St. studio for an exhibition space (19 comments)

Confirmed: Peter M. Brant buys Walter De Maria's amazing East 6th Street home and studio

1st permits filed for renovation of Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

A soft opening at the Brant Foundation's new space at Walter De Maria's former East 6th Street studio

More about the 1st show at Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street

A soft opening at the Brant Foundation's new space at Walter De Maria's former East 6th Street studio

Back in August, news reports confirmed that billionaire art collector Peter Brant bought Walter De Maria’s former home and studio at 421 E. Sixth St. for $27 million.

While nothing has been made official about what Brant intends to do with the space, a tipster told us last spring that it will serve as exhibition space.



And last night, the Brant Foundation apparently had some kind of soft opening inside the space… EVG reader Shawn Chittle was there and shared these photos… We don't have any details on the exhibit… which included carefully placed scattered bottles and a drunken Scooby Doo… [Updated: Page Six reports this is the work of Gagosian gallery artist Dan Colen.]




[Click on image to enlarge]





De Maria died of a stroke in July 2013 at age 77.

No. 421 was built in 1920 as a ConEd substation, but had been converted into a photography studio after De Maria bought it in 1980.

All photos via Shawn Chittle

Previously on EV Grieve:
About that "giant-robot laboratory" on East Sixth Street

RIP Walter De Maria

What is your East Village dream home?

Walter De Maria's 'giant-robot laboratory' going for $25 million; inside is amazing as you'd expect

Walter De Maria's home/studio on East 6th Street is now on the market for $25 million

Rumor: The Brant Foundation buying Walter De Maria's E. 6th St. studio for an exhibition space (19 comments)

Confirmed: Peter M. Brant buys Walter De Maria's amazing East 6th Street home and studio

1st permits filed for renovation of Walter De Maria's former home-studio on East 6th Street