Report: The Astor Place cube will be ready for a spin once more this summer

The Astor Place cube (aka Alamo), out of commission with structural damage since late 2021 (first noted here), will reportedly by spin-worthy again by July 17.

According to The City, there's a proposal from the Department of Transportation in the works.

The plan, which is slated to go before the city's Public Design Commission on Monday for approval, would see the 1,800-pound cube temporarily removed next month and shipped to Bethany, Conn., for restoration by Versteeg Art Fabricators — a firm that also did restorative work to the cube in 2005.

Their proposal calls for fixing the spinning mechanism and reinforcing and repairing the base of the East Village piece by early July.

The barricades first arrived around the cube in December 2021, before the city removed them in late April 2022. At the time, we were told that the spinning mechanism for the cube, which manually rotates around a pole hidden in its center, was not working. A DOT spokesperson previously told us that they didn't have a timeline for repairing the spinning component.

Tony Rosenthal's sculpture first arrived here in November 1967. 

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Alamo returns to Astor Place this Halloween

Five years later, Astor Place apparently ready for its 2-year reconstruction project

This is what it might be like living inside the Alamo on Astor Place

RIP Tony Rosenthal, the sculptor who created the Astor Place cube

On Astor Place, a yearn to spin again

Unless you haven't walked through Astor Place in the past 13 or so months, then you likely know that the cube (aka Alamo) has been out of commission during this time. (First noted here.) 

The city removed the barricades from around the cube in late April 2022. At the time, we were told that the spinning mechanism for the 1,800-pound cube, which manually rotates around a pole hidden in its center, was not working. A DOT spokesperson previously told us that they didn't have a timeline for repairing the spinning component.

The Post had a follow-up on this yesterday. A spokesperson basically said the same thing, that the "DOT is planning a repair to restore the Cube to its original, spinning condition." And: "We'd love to see it so people can spin it again. That's what Tony wanted — he wanted it to be enjoyed and not to be put in a cradle."

Tony Rosenthal's sculpture first arrived here in November 1967. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• Spin city: The Alamo remains out of commission on Astor Place (May 6, 2022)

The Alamo is free on Astor Place (though it's not ready to spin)

ICYMI: Workers removed the barricades surrounding the Alamo on Astor Place late last week. (Noted here and here on Saturday.) 

As previously reported, barricades had surrounded the Cube — aka the Alamo — since late last fall.

We were told that the spinning mechanism for the 1,800-pound cube, which manually rotates around a pole hidden in its center, was not working.

The Department of Transportation installed the temporary in-house fabrication and support for the cube on April 27. After some painting, workers then took away the barricades. A DOT spokesperson previously told us that they didn't have a timeline for repairing the spinning component.

Tony Rosenthal's sculpture first arrived here in November 1967. 

Spin city: The Alamo remains out of commission on Astor Place

As you likely noticed in recent months on Astor Place, barricades have surrounded the Cube — aka the Alamo — since late last fall.

A spokesperson for the Village Alliance told us this earlier this year: "The Cube, unfortunately, needs some repairs to its base. We are working with the DOT to get it in tip-top shape." 

We're told that the spinning mechanism for the 1,800-pound cube, which manually rotates around a pole hidden in its center, is not working.

A DOT spokesperson told us that workers installed "the temporary in-house fabrication and support" for the cube on April 27.

And next?

"We are completing the painting for phase 1 and the barriers will then be removed," the DOT spokesperson said. "No timeline at this time for the second phase."

So there won't be any spinning of the cube for the foreseeable future (despite the annual lubing of the cube)...

 

Tony Rosenthal created the Alamo, then titled "Sculpture in Environment," .... and it arrived here on the south side of the Astor Place subway entrance in November 1967. Read more Cube history here. 

Free the Cube!

We've fielded some queries about the Cube — aka Alamo — on Astor Place ... mainly: Why is it surrounded by barricades?

We reached out to some Astor Place folks to see what might be happening here. To be continued (maybe!). 

Photo by Steven; H/T to Ada!

Looking at the estate sale of Tony Rosenthal, the sculptor who created the Alamo on Astor Place

Fans of the Cube — aka Alamo — on Astor Place may have an interest in gawking at this. (Thanks, Lori!)

There's an estate sale tomorrow featuring the work of Bernard "Tony" Rosenthal, the American abstract sculptor who created the Alamo. He died in 2009 at age 94. 

Per the sale notice: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own pieces from his private collection amassed in his Southampton, N.Y., home and studio over several decades."

The sale includes some prototypes of the Cube, which are expected to fetch $4,000 to $6,000. 

And some cube history via Village Preservation:

On November 1, 1967, an 8′ x 8′ x 8′ 1,800-pound giant black cube was installed in Astor Place as one of 25 temporary public artworks by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. However, it was so popular that local residents petitioned the City to keep it, and except for its absences for restorations over the past few years, it has stood there ever since.

Bernard "Tony" Rosenthal's sculpture was originally named "Sculpture and the Environment," but was eventually renamed The Alamo by his wife, Cynthia Rosenthal, because its size and mass reminded her of the famous Alamo Mission in San Antonio

  Pic from the archives by Peter Brownscombe

Lubing the Cube

EVG contributor Derek Berg came across this scene today on Astor Place... where workers from the Village Alliance were lubricating the Alamo, an annual event to keep the Cube able to spin on its pedestal.

Happy No. 50 to the cube of Astor Place

[Photo from November 2016 by Peter Brownscombe]

The Alamo officially turns 50 today on Astor Place.

Some cube history via the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP):

On November 1, 1967, an 8′ x 8′ x 8′ 1,800-pound giant black cube was installed in Astor Place as one of 25 temporary public artworks by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. However, it was so popular that local residents petitioned the City to keep it, and except for its absences for restorations over the past few years, it has stood there ever since.

Bernard “Tony” Rosenthal’s sculpture was originally named “Sculpture and the Environment,” but was eventually renamed The Alamo by his wife, Cynthia Rosenthal, because its size and mass reminded her of the famous Alamo Mission in San Antonio.

GVSHP and the Village Alliance are hosting a birthday party today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can do things like make your own cube from origami, eat birthday cake and take part in 50 continuous minutes of spinning the cube in an attempt to break the record and raise money for the GO Project. Find more details here.

Signing off with one little piece of recent cube history — that time in October 2011 when Agata Olek yarn bombed the thing...


[Photo by EVG reader Anne]

Cleaning the Cube

[EVG photo from yesterday]

Last Wednesday night/Thursday morning, someone decided to tag/doodle on the Cube at Astor Place. The Village Alliance was able to remove most of the squiggles ... but some remained.

This evening, the Astor Blasting Squiggle Remover was out to clean off the remaining portion of the Alamo ... thanks to the readers who shared these photos...


[Photo by @unitof]


[Photo by 8E]

Updated: Tagging the cube

Astor Place this morning... photo by EVG reader Brian Polay...

Updated

Here's another view via @brittsullivan ...



Updated 3 p.m.

Squiggle removal commenced... photos via Derek Berg ...

[Updated] Someone tagged the cube on Astor Place

This happened sometime Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Someone also tagged the structure that will house Astor Plate...



The reaction...

Mindless graffiti of the Alamo Sculpture is unacceptable!! We'll be erasing/repainting shortly. Please contact with ANY info and RT. Thx!! pic.twitter.com/yhk0Apmcvh

— Astor Place NYC (@AstorPlaceNYC) February 26, 2017

The refurbished Alamo was officially unveiled on Nov. 16 after nearly two years away during the Astor Place-Cooper Square reconstruction.

Updated 5:30 p.m.

S/O to the Village Alliance Clean Team for their hard work in getting the "Cube" cleaned up today after senseless vandalism. Thanks Guys! pic.twitter.com/MINlgIMxWW

— Astor Place NYC (@AstorPlaceNYC) February 27, 2017

With ribbon cutting, the cube on Astor Place is free — free!

A group of city officials and local elected leaders took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning for marking the end of the Astor Place/Cooper Square Reconstruction Project and the reinstallation of the Alamo/cube.

Officials then took the cube for a spin, as these photos via EVG correspondent Steven show...



As previously noted, plans for the $21-million, multi-year(s) project included reconfiguring/revamping the Astor Place/Cooper Square streetscape with new permanent plazas, additional seating, trees and a new design for Peter Cooper Park. (According to estimates, the city added 9,900 perennial plants and shrubs, and 60 trees.)



The cube is now free of the barricades that had surrounded it since its return on Nov. 1...


[Photo by Vinny & 0]



Updated 1 p.m.

From DNAinfo's coverage...

"We were able to take this area, reclaim some of it from the automobile, make it safer and more inviting," said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.

"This was a big project and I know, looking at some of the elected officials and the community members, I know it took a long time and there was a lot of disruption, and I thank them for their patience. But now we will have beautiful public space, new benches and trees, water mains replaced underneath."

And a few more photos via EVG contributor Peter Brownscombe...

Ribbon cutting for long-delayed Astor Place reconstruction project delayed by rain

Given the rain expected downpour, the official Alamo/Astor Place Ribbon Cutting Ceremony originally scheduled for today at 9:30 a.m. has been rescheduled until tomorrow (Wednesday!) at 8:30 a.m.

Here's the official notice about it (via an EVG reader)...



Per the notice from the Department of Design and Construction:

We would like to extend an open invitation to the community to attend our Official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for The Astor Place/Cooper Square Reconstruction Project and The reinstallation of The Alamo Cube.

The refurbished cube returned on Nov. 1 after nearly two years away during the Astor Place-Cooper Square reconstruction. The rain delay seems like a rather fitting end to a project that which was originally expected to be wrapped up in the fall of 2015.

Updated (POSTPONED): The 'Alamo Cube Ribbon Cutting Ceremony' scheduled for tomorrow

[The pinhole filter]

The weekly Astor Place Reconstruction newsletter (h/t to the EVG reader for this one), distributed back on Friday, notes The Alamo Cube Ribbon Cutting Ceremony taking place this week... specifically tomorrow (Tuesday!) at 9:30 a.m. ...


[Click for detail]

Of course, this may not actually happen. The advisories stated the return of the Alamo several times this past summer and in September. The refurbished cube returned on Nov. 1. For now, until presumably the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the sculpture remains behind barricades. Per a sign at the scene: "there remains a final phase of onsite restoration needed." Then! "Once complete, the barricades will be removed."

Updated 6:30 p.m.

Due to inclement weather expected tomorrow (Tuesday!), the ribbon-cutting ceremony has been postponed until Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.

About the Alamo spinning again without barricades on Astor Place

Today is the 1-week anniversary of the refurbished Alamo's return to Astor Place.

The fencing has remained up around the cube, prompting some questions, like, What's up with that barricade?

Sandwich board signage arrived yesterday with an explanation...



The sign notes that "there remains a final phase of onsite restoration needed." Then! "Once complete, the barricades will be removed."

This will also allow city officials more time to find the REAL cube.

New things on Astor Place (not the Alamo, which isn't technically new)

[Photo Tuesday by @unitof]

As you probably noticed, the Alamo returned to the revamped Astor Place on Tuesday.

Several readers asked if the fencing will remain around the cube.


[Photo Wednesday by @evgrieve]

I don't know. I doubt it. The barricades look pretty temporary, and will likely be removed when the glue dries. Or when people people realize the this Alamo is made of cardboard because the original one was lost. I've heard from several people who think the cube looks smaller ... and from several who believe it's now larger.

Meanwhile! The Alamo's return overshadowed another arrival this past week: A second zipper bench. This one is located outside the uptown 6 entrance.



Thanks to @edenbrower and @unitof for pointing this out!

Astor Alive! Festival schedule; plus Community Advisory about the return of the Alamo

Click on the link in the tweet below for the full schedule for this weekend's Astor Alive! Festival...

The full performance schedule for Astor Alive! is now available. Check it out here - https://t.co/dlQSlvSJlC pic.twitter.com/HMYYj2A9DU

— Astor Place NYC (@AstorPlaceNYC) September 14, 2016

The event includes the return of Jim Power's refurbished mosaic light poles to the area.

Meanwhile...

A Community Advisory went out on Tuesday noting that the Alamo/cube was returning to Astor Place yesterday.

By 10 a.m. yesterday, we heard that it wasn't going to happen... some logistical issues.

At 1:31 p.m., the Community Construction Liaison for the Reconstruction of Astor Place and Cooper Square sent out an email with an apology and the following Community Advisory...

"The procedure for its return will be rescheduled for a later date to occur when we are confident the process will happen as seamlessly as possible."



The Alamo has been gone now for safekeeping and refurbishing for 22 months. Hopefully it isn't lost.

[Updated] Cube return countdown at Astor Place

As we first noted yesterday, workers will be re-installing the Alamo on Astor Place at some point today... looks as if it's really happening this time...

Today is THE day...the day we unwrap. . . . #astorplace #nycprimeshot #alamocube #tonyrosenthal #thecube #eastvillage #newyork #livethelittlethings #nothingisordinary #visualsoflife #visualsgang #livecolorfully #acolorstory #thehappynow #darlingmovement #thatsdarling #vsco #makemoments #toldwithexposure #seekthesimplicity #flashesofdelight #vcsocam #welltravelled #openmyworld #calledtobecreative #minimalmood #pursuepretty #abmhappylife #abmlifeiscolorful

A photo posted by Astor Place NYC (@astorplacenyc) on Sep 14, 2016 at 4:31am PDT

Updated 10 a.m.
AARRGH...

Cube News - The Cube's anticipated return today, by @NYCDDC has been delayed due to logistical issues. Stay tuned for news about a new date.

— Astor Place NYC (@AstorPlaceNYC) September 14, 2016

Previously on EV Grieve:
There goes The Alamo

[Updated] The Alamo returns tomorrow (Wednesday!)

According to this community advisory anyway (via an EVG reader) ... no mention of what time, though, for this blessed event...



These bulletins have been wrong at least once, when the city said the cube would be back on June 22. The Parks Department then announced that the Alamo was "being inspected by a conservator for final preparation," and that the return would be delayed until August. And then September.

The return, if does indeed happen tomorrow, will coincide with the first Astor Alive! Festival happening this weekend.

Workers packed up and carted off the Alamo for safekeeping for the duration of the Astor Place-Cooper Square reconstruction back on Nov. 25, 2014. The cube was installed here in 1967.

Updated 9/14
AARRGH...

Cube News - The Cube's anticipated return today, by @NYCDDC has been delayed due to logistical issues. Stay tuned for news about a new date.

— Astor Place NYC (@AstorPlaceNYC) September 14, 2016

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Alamo returns to Astor Place this Halloween

Five years later, Astor Place apparently ready for its 2-year reconstruction project

This is what it might be like living inside the Alamo on Astor Place

RIP Tony Rosenthal, the sculptor who created the Astor Place cube

Anticipation builds for the return of the Alamo with the arrival of this caution tape

Workers today have blocked off the area around where the Alamo will rest on Astor Place, as these photos by EVG reader JinSoo show ... fueling speculation that the cube's return is imminent...



No official word on this just yet... After a fake out in June, the Parks Department said that the refurbished Alamo would be back in August. (And seeing as today is Aug. 31...)

Workers packed up and carted off the Alamo for safekeeping for the duration of the Astor Place-Cooper Square reconstruction back on Nov. 25, 2014. The cube was installed here in 1967.