13-story mixed-use building slated for 5th and D

A 13-story mixed-use building is in the works for the SW corner of Avenue D and Fifth Street. 

As NY Yimby first reported: 

The proposed 125-foot-tall development will yield 62,200 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 85 residences, with an average unit scope of 731 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have 15 inclusionary housing units and a cellar but no accessory parking. 

Public records show that Manny Ashourzadeh, via Golbar LLC, is behind this new project. 

The work permit filed on Thursday lists 746 E. Fifth St., an empty lot, as the building's address. Given the size of the development, the project will likely include the former Uncle Johnny, the longtime grocery store that closed last month...

As with any one-level parcel of properties, there was speculation that this corner was ripe for new construction. 

In recent years, several new developments, including the Adele ... Arabella 101 and NIKO East Village, have risen along this Avenue D corridor.

Construction watch: 699 E. 6th St.

Workers are in the foundation stage for the new building set to rise in the long-vacant lot on the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Avenue C. 

EVG contributor Stacie Joy got a look at work behind the plywood here the other day...

As previously reported, there are approved permits for a 6-floor building with 11 residential units, a storefront and space for an unspecified community facility. 

The rendering on the plywood shows a fall 2022 completion date (along with an added message) ...

There has been development talk for this lot dating to 2003. A former gas station, this corner has been vacant since the early 1980s.

There are 8 million stories in the naked city... and this is one of them on 2nd Avenue

Text and photos courtesy of Felton Davis (top photo via Goggla)

I was standing on Second Avenue and Second Street watching workers demolish the corner building, part of LaSalle Academy since the 1960s. A couple stopped near me who used to live in the neighborhood.

Boldly interrupting their reminiscence, I explained that before the building was part of LaSalle, it was a famous Jewish restaurant called Moskowitz & Lupowitz for many decades. It was also featured in one of my favorite episodes of the classic TV series, "Naked City."

In the episode, titled "Memory of a Red Trolley Car," a chemistry professor, played by Barry Morse, accidentally breathes in a fatal amount of poison gas. With only a few days to live, he goes to talk with his mother (Gladys Cooper),  his ex-wife (Beatrice Straight), and his girlfriend on the side (Peg Murray).  

The latter he meets in Moskowitz & Lupowitz, and he does not do well in communicating his plight to her. When he starts coughing, she covers her face and tells him to go away.

Leaving the restaurant, he turns north on Second Avenue and passes by the Church of the Nativity rectory, and the church itself, still with its Greek architecture. [Ed note: the original church was demolished and rebuilt after a fire in 1970.]

Before I could get any further into this endless recitation, the woman stopped me and asked, "What did you say that TV show was?"

When I answered, "Naked City," she was very surprised and said, "My Uncle Paul played the detective!"

So, a great history is all around us, as neighborhood tour guides know. Below is some information about Moskowitz & Lupowitz, including a video of the Pincus Sisters singing their song about the restaurant...

 

For further reading:

• Moskowitz & Lupowitz (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

• Plans call for 11-story condoplex at the former site of Church of the Nativity and LaSalle on 2nd Avenue (EVG)

Demolition continues along 2nd Avenue to make way for an 11-story mixed-use building

Demolition recently got underway at Second Street and Second Avenue.

In total, three properties on the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street are coming down. 

The former La Salle annex was first... 

As previously reported, Gemini Rosemont Development has plans for an 11-story mixed-use building for this newly created parcel.

According to the new building work permit still awaiting approval by the city, the development will feature 88 residences (condos?) and 9,600 square feet for retail. 

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 plots that they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million.

The Church of the Nativity closed after service on July 31, 2015, merging with Most Holy Redeemer on Third Street. 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

Construction watch: 650 E. 6th St.

Here's a progress report on the 6-story, 5-unit condoplex rising at 650 E. Sixth St. just west of Avenue C.

This project has been a long time in the making.

As New York Yimby noted in January 2016: "The 8,491-square-foot project will include 7,761 square feet of residential space, which means units will average 1,552 square feet apiece, indicative of condominiums."

The four-story apartment building that previously stood here was demolished in early 2018... two years after the condoplex plans were initially revealed. 

Combined Architecture has a rendering of the new building...

This will be the second new building in the corridor ... joining the one starting on the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Avenue C.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Report: Plans in the works to convert 650 E. 6th St. to condos

Rendering watch: 650 E. 6th St.

There doesn't seem to be much activity over at 650 E. Sixth St., where a new residential building is in the works (for some time). 

The previous building on the lot, a four-story apartment building, was previously demolished here just west of Avenue C to make way for a 6-story structure that will apparently house five residences.

A rendering of the new condoplex is now on the plywood... 

This comes more than five years after the building's new owners filed plans for the project. (The DOB OK'd the new building permit in December 2017.) The completion date on the rendering is fall 2022.

As New York Yimby noted in January 2016: "The 8,491-square-foot project will include 7,761 square feet of residential space, which means units will average 1,552 square feet apiece, indicative of condominiums."

Public records show that this building changed hands for $2.8 million in August 2013. The new owner is named East Village LLC in the filing.

This will be the second new building in the corridor ... joining the one just starting on the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Avenue C.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Report: Plans in the works to convert 650 E. 6th St. to condos

1st sign of new-building construction on the northeast corner of Avenue C and Sixth Street

Preliminary work is underway in the long-vacant lot on the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Avenue C... an excavator is now on the scene... and someone discarded all of the contents that had been stored on the property ...

As we reported on Oct. 19, there are approved permits for a 6-floor building with 11 residential units, a storefront and space for an unspecified community facility. 

And as a reminder, here's a look at the rendering for the new structure...

There has been development talk for this lot dating to 2003. A former gas station, this corner has been vacant since the early 1980s. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• At the Heap of Ruins Garden Party

• This is the new building slated for the corner of 6th Street and Avenue C

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

New development (Stella!) at Houston and Avenue C finally sheds its sidewalk bridge

Construction is past the four-year mark now at 11 Avenue C (aka 350 E. Houston St.) where work continues at this new 10-story residential building ... one notable milestone — the sidewalk bridge has been removed from around the triangular-shaped property... 

And it turns out the building has a name — Stella ... as seen now above the main entrance on Second Street...

Stella joins the other newer residential buildings nearby bearing a single name — The Adele and The Robyn. 

And here are a few more views of Stella, where some renters will have a balcony and floor-to-ceiling window views of East Houston and Avenue C ...

BLDG Management is the developer behind the project, which will feature 46 residential units and ground-floor retail. Still no word on pricing or availability just yet.

Foundation work began in December 2016 here on this lot that housed the neighborhood's last gas station. The well-worn plywood rendering lists a March 2018 completion date. Why the delay? Architect of record Rotwein+Blake previously stated that "the narrow triangular site presented numerous challenges from its odd shape to zoning constraints."

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Workers officially reach the top at 11 Avenue C, where a 10-floor building sits on the neighborhood's last gas station

... and a 2011 flashback...

Workers clear lot ahead of new-building construction on 6th Street and Avenue C

Workers have chopped down the three trees in the long-vacant lot on the northeast corner of Avenue C and Sixth Street... ahead of new-building construction here.

As we first reported on Oct. 19, there are approved permits for a 6-floor building with 11 residential units, a storefront and space for an unspecified community facility. 

There has been development talk for this lot dating to 2003. A former gas station, this corner has been vacant since the early 1980s. 

The rendering shows an aggressive fall 2021 completion date. Speaking of the rendering, someone has let his or her feelings be known about the project...

Previously on EV Grieve:

• At the Heap of Ruins Garden Party

• This is the new building slated for the corner of 6th Street and Avenue C

A full reveal at 639 E. 9th St.

Earlier this month, workers removed the sidewalk bridge and remaining construction netting from outside the all-new 639 E. Ninth St., an 8-story residential building here between Avenue B and Avenue C. 

This space was, for years, a parking lot. Development talk here dated to 2010 (the photo below is from 2012)...

The excavation work started in March 2018. And neighbors are happy that the sidewalk bridge has been carted off... No word yet on rental information from the developer, who also owns the building next door at No. 641.

This is the new building slated for the corner of 6th Street and Avenue C

We finally have a look at the new retail-residential building coming to the long-vacant northeast corner of Avenue C and Sixth Street... the rendering recently arrived on the plywood here... brace! There has been development talk for this lot dating to 2003. A former gas station, this corner has been vacant since the the early 1980s. 

According to DOB records, the 6-floor building will include 11 residential units, a storefront and space for an unspecified community facility. The city approved the application in May 2019 and issued a partial work permit in late July. The rendering shows an aggressive fall 2021 completion date. 

Meanwhile, the lot remains the same behind the plywood...

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• At the Heap of Ruins Garden Party

Plans call for 11-story condoplex at former site of Church of the Nativity and LaSalle on 2nd Avenue

[Photos yesterday by Steven]

We now know what Gemini Rosemont Development has planned for the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street.

According to freshly filed work permits, the company is looking to erect an 11-story building (120-feet tall) filled with 87 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. Fogarty Finger Architecture is the architect of record. (H/T Upper West Sider!)

In recent months, 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 between Second Street and Third Street 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 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


[Photo at Nativity from Jan. 10 by Felton Davis]

Gemini Rosemont buys third parcel on 2nd Avenue for future development

As expected, Gemini Rosemont Development bought the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street.

The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building — announced yesterday — is the third of three contiguous parcels between Second Street and Third Street acquired by the firm this year for future development. Gemini Rosemont closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March for $40 million.

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.

Development plans have not been made public. Meanwhile, demolition permits have already been filed for the former Church of the Nativity and the adjacent building.



La Salle purchased the Annex property in 1966 to provide additional space for its large population of students during that era. Since 2010, the Annex served as the home of the Brothers' Community that was associated with the school and provided office space for some members of the school's administrative staff.

According to a press release on the sale, proceeds are earmarked for school's endowment.

A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale are earmarked for La Salle Academy’s endowment fund, boosting the school’s financial stability and its ability to meet the growing needs of the segment of its student population who require tuition assistance. La Salle Academy, which currently occupies the top three floors of St. George’s Ukrainian School on East Sixth Street off Second Avenue, will continue to operate at its present location.

Brother Thomas Casey current president of La Salle Academy, remarked enthusiastically, "This sale will benefit La Salle students far into the future."

La Salle Academy's former school building and Brothers' Residence on Second Street, which is currently leased by the Nord Anglia International School, are not included in the transaction.

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.

As for the future of 38-48 Second Ave., the Gemini Rosemont website notes that they look to rent to "tenants in high growth and tech centric industries."

Construction watch: 799 Broadway

In case you haven't been over by the southwest corner of Broadway and 11th Street of late... it appears that workers have nearly reached the top of this 12-story zig-zagging office complex (this development made the cut for essential construction during the COVID-19 PAUSE)...



According to a news release about the address: "799 Broadway will feature floor-to-ceiling glass, private terraces, and 15 foot high ceilings. This combination of highly desirable location and state-of-the-art design will appeal to New York’s most progressive and creative companies."

And (previously revealed) renderings of the new building via architects Perkins and Will ...





The official site for 799 Broadway is at this link.

EVG reader Gojira shared these views of the new building from 11th Street and Fourth Avenue from over the weekend...





Per Gojira: "Saw this monstrosity looming over the Grace Church Rectory, and competing with that beautiful spire for air space. What a fucking travesty."

No. 799 was the former home of the historic St. Denis building, which opened as a hotel in 1853. Normandy Real Estate Partners bought the property for somewhere in the $100 million ballpark back in 2016.

Previously on EV Grieve:
• Report: Former St. Denis Hotel selling for $100 million


[Image via Wikipedia Commons]