Mystery buyer (Ben Shaoul?) picks up 315 E. 10th St. from the Educational Alliance; gut renovation and extra floor on way

The Educational Alliance had been running Counseling Services ("For children, teens, adults & families") at 315 E. 10th St. across from Tompkins Square Park. However, after seeing movers and garbage haulers work in the space last month, a tipster did a little digging.

It turns out that the Educational Alliance sold the building to "315 East 10th Street Owner LLC" for $3.7 million. It is a Delaware LLC and, according to documents, represented by the law firm of Goldberg Weprin Finkel Goldstein. (The sale was finalized on Sept. 15.)

Two observations from our tipster:

• The law firm that represented the people who recently closed on the Cabrini Nursing Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation for $25.5 million are the same that represented the buyer of 315 E 10th.

• Both properties were formerly used for nonprofit-type activities.

Per the tipster: "I assume [315] will be gutted shortly."

Indeed. There is a permit on file with the DOB for interior demolition. There's also a "pending permit" to convert this building into residential and add an extra floor.

Brent M. Porter and Associates is listed as the architect; Keith Holden is listed as the owner. The address given on the DOB application is the same as Magnum Real Estate Group. Ben Shaoul is the president of Magnum Real Estate Group.

So, perhaps, as we reported, it's safe to assume that Ben Shaoul now owns Cabrini Nursing Center too.

Meanwhile, the Educational Alliance recently held a groundbreaking event at its flagship building at 197 East Broadway, which is undergoing a $45 million renovation. (And not everyone is happy with the upcoming changes.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Ben Shaoul is the new owner of Cabrini nursing home, will convert to condos

Nevada Smith's is closed, and here's what's next

Here's what we know.

• Nevada Smith's closed up last night at its current location at 74 Third Avenue.

• The soccer/football bar will eventually reopen at 100 Third Ave.

• Nevada Smith's goes before the CB3/SLA committee next month for a license at 100 Third Ave.

• The buildings at 74-76 Third Ave. will be demolished. The city has OK'd the permit for 76, the former home of Yummy House.

• The Manhattan Parking Group shut down its lot at 78-84 Third Ave. at 12th Street at the end of August ... a temporary lot is in its place.

• A mystery apartment building will take over this space. Per the announcement at Nevada Smith's website: "Our old home's almost done now with developers poised to demolish most of the block and replace our place, and yours, with a new luxury apartment block."

• NYU has NOTHING to do with the new development. James Devitt, deputy director for media relations at NYU, said the rumors of the school buying the space were "completely false" back in August.

Is this finally the end for the Mary Help of Christians Catholic church on East 12th Street?

From a parishioner at Mary Help of Christians on East 12th Street:

There are rumors that the church and school property are being sold by the Spring ... I'm afraid that NYU is buying it and going to build dorms.

We haven't heard much about this space in the last three years. Those in the know in the community are most certain that NYU isn't involved. (We asked NYU spokesperson John Beckman, though we haven't heard back just yet.)

Still, there is some precedent for the worry. In February 2004, the archdiocese sold St. Ann’s on East 12th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue for a reported $15 million. There is now a 26-story NYU dorm at the site. But that was before the 111-block rezone.

[Image via]

Let's go back a few years. In May 2007, The New York Times reported that the 109-year-old Roman Catholic church would close as part of a realignment by the Archdiocese of New York. Per the Times:

While this East Village church will continue to have two Sunday Masses for the immediate future, they will be overseen by a different church, Immaculate Conception on 14th Street and First Avenue.

In September 2008, The Real Deal reported that "Two thirds of a 15,000-square-foot East Village playground ... is under contract in a quiet, all-cash sale for $10.4 million."

The playground — home to the weekend flea market — is divided into three ownership lots, according to The Real Deal. Two of the parcels are (or were) owned by a Roman Catholic order called the Salesian Society. The Archdiocese owns the church located on a 13,000-square-foot lot.

Joseph Zwilling, spokesperson for the New York Archdiocese, didn't respond to an email seeking comment.

Meanwhile, for whatever reasons, the parishioners are hearing the rumors of the church's demise once again. Perhaps with the continued progress at St. Brigid's on Avenue B — one optimistic estimate had the church's renovations complete by the end of next summer — Mary Help of Christians is becoming expendable.

The church in 1920 via the NYPL Digital Gallery ...

Maybe a friend of a 'Friends' star owns 331 E. Sixth St.?

We continue to speculate about who owns 331 E. Sixth St., the now-demolished circa-1852 townhouse. Some evidence pointed to, possibly, David Schwimmer. (Read that detective work here.)

[Via]

Now, here comes another theory via EV Grieve reader BodegaMan:

I've been speculating that the building on sixth is owned by Joey Slotnick.

I saw him on the stoop there once when it was still standing, and he's business partners with Schwimmer in a theater company in Chicago. So maybe they use the same manager or something. I see him around the neighborhood regularly.

First, we had to look up Joey Slotnick. Oh, yes — we recognize him. (The fellow on the left up there.)

And yes, according to IMDB, he is an ensemble member of Chicago's Lookingglass Theatre Company along with fellow member David Schwimmer ... and someone spotted him drinking at the 12th Street Ale House ... and...

OK, a little flimsy, perhaps?

Meanwhile. Next theory!

Oh, also... a commenter on Friday's Schwimmer post said that the DOB slapped a Stop Work Order dated from Wednesday on the pit. We meant to walk by... but per the DOB site (in ALL CAPS!) ...

CALLER STATES THE EXCAVATION WORK AT THE LOCATION IS UNDERMINING THE ADJACENT PROPERTY AT 329 6 ST CAUSING IT TO SHAKE

Previously on EV Grieve:
Is David Schwimmer the 'Friends' star who now owns the demolished 331 E. Sixth St. townhouse?

Outrage over total demolition of historic East Sixth Street townhouse

RUMORS: Memorial tree for Steve Jobs planned for Tompkins Square Park

On Wednesday, workers removed the stump from the Irene-damaged tree in Crusty Meadow ...

[Bobby Williams]

Now there's a rumor that the hole here will be filled with a Redwood tree honoring the late Steve Jobs.

We're not sure that we believe any of this... even the people who passed along the information were skeptical... but you never know...Not sure of any East Village-Steve Jobs connection, though we once saw someone drop an unprotected iPhone in the Park and smash the screen.

P.S.
DId you ever see the Steve Jobs tribute on Bond between Bowery and Lafayette?

Rumors: Ground floor at 147 First Avenue will include the Bean AND a bar

As we first reported, The Bean is opening an outpost at the former home of Anjelica's Herbs on First Avenue and Ninth Street...

And, now, that persistent rumor: The ground floor will also house a bar. Per an EVG reader:

"I heard from someone who talked to the workmen that a BAR is going to take half the former herb store on the ground floor. The Bean will have half, and a bar will have the other half. I dunno, seems like very small spaces for two establishments. And dear God, ANOTHER bar???"

Yes! The always reliable construction worker! Sure, it's possible. But we've been wrong here before... remember the motel? Or the full demolition? (Hey, we're one out of three so far!)

Meanwhile! Looks like the painting is continuing... and we see some charcoal gray creeping up...

The upper floors are still set for luxury apartments... still looking like what a reader described as something that blew in from the Hamptons...

Is David Schwimmer the 'Friends' star who now owns the demolished 331 E. Sixth St. townhouse?

Yesterday, we posted that comment from a reader who believed a cast member from "Friends" was the owner of 331 E. Sixth St., the now-demolished circa-1852 townhouse.

As the day progressed, a few commenters left hints pointing to David Schwimmer — you know, Ross.

And now, an anonymous commenter left us this juicy piece of detective work on the "Friends" post:

Gary Kress is the manager of 331 East 6th St Townhouse, LLC. That LLC is the current owner of this property. Gary Kress is also a name partner of Murphy & Kress, an accounting firm in Santa Monica that has numerous Hollywood types among its clientele. He has a relationship with Schwimmer through Dark House, a production company whose president Schwimmer is.

Indeed.

Well, as Muckety pointed out a few years back, Murphy & Kress is "an accounting firm that takes care of a clientele so exclusive that it refuses to confirm its clients. FEC filings indicate that Murphy & Kress handles financial affairs for Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Denzel Washington ... among other prominent figures in the film industry."

According to CorporationWiki, "Dark Harbor Stories, Inc. has a location in Santa Monica, CA. Active officers include David Schwimmer and Gary J Kress. Gary J Kress serves as the registered agent for this organization."

If all this does come back to Schwimmer... well, then he's your new neighbor!

Let's assume that this is his new home... We're wondering why:
• With all the available upscale townhouses on the market in the city, why did he buy this historic building only to tear it down?
• Didn't his people think tearing down this historic townhouse would raise the ire — and suspicion — of neighbors?
• What was so special about this particular location? Proximity to Indian food?
• How often will a busy person like Schwimmer actually even stay here?
• What does he have in store for the place? Indoor pool? Theater? Bowling alley?

What else do you want to ask?

RUMOR: Which 'Friends' cast member demolished the historic East Sixth Street townhouse?

Yesterday, we had the sad news about the total demolition of the circa-1852 townhouse at 331 E. Sixth St.

Per a commenter:

Rumor has it that this building was bought by a former "Friends" cast member, not sure which one. Funny how that show portayed outrageously unrealistic NYC apartment living. The reality is so much more outrageous!

Hmm, well, we have no idea about this one. Well, it could be true, though it likely isn't.

Still, let's blame LeBlanc.

Those persistent rumors about 74-76 Third Avenue and the future of Nevada Smith's

We've heard those rumors about Nevada Smith's relocating to a larger space for some time now. The rumors have picked up again with the recent arrival of the sidewalk shed in front of both Nevada Smith's and the former Yummy House location.

So far, nothing at the DOB suggests anything out of the ordinary.

Also, earlier this week, workers posted the Asbestos Abatement Notices — often a sign of an impending demolition.

Several former Nevada Smith's regulars claim that the celebrated soccer/football bar will close soon — possibly relocating. There has been some turmoil within the bar in recent years. After a closure for alleged underage drinking in March 2010, management fired two popular bartenders, which prompted a Facebook campaign.

One former regular explained that many of the major supporter clubs have moved on to other venues for the games, leaving behind some tourists and the newbie, throw-a-jersey-on-for-a-day types. Tonight, there is an "appreciation night" at the bar.

Meanwhile, given the proximity of this property — including the parking lot on the corner of East 12th Street that one tipster said has been sold to developers — NYU has been mentioned as the new landowner.

We checked in with James Devitt, deputy director for media relations at NYU, for comment.

"Completely false," he said via email about NYU buying the spaces.

As for Nevada Smith's, the future may be uncertain ... but maybe that's OK in the estimation of one former regular: "I have great memories of that place, but it can't and won't ever be re-created again, and to be honest — I don't want it to be."

Rumors: Juice Press opening a second East Village location

Several readers have noted that the Juice Press, the popular cold-pressed juice joint on East First Street near First Avenue, will open a second East Village location in a few months... one tipster even put the new storefront in this space on East 10th Street just west of Avenue A...



We asked founder Marcus Antebi if the Juice Press was opening a second location. He responded via e-mail: "Could be. I might do a laundromat instead. More quarters."

That came with an "LOL" ... they've been kind of funny all along... as you may recall, the storefront featured an array of goofy signs — Robot Daycare/Missing Sock/Mime Academy — before opening last May.