[Updated] Work underway on the new residential conversion on East 7th Street

[October 2011]

It was all the way back in October 2011 when we first heard about Villa Capri, a new residential building coming to 222 E. Seventh St. just west of Avenue C.

The sign eventually disappeared, as did any chatter about the project. However, in December 2013, the city signed off on the application for the new building. Plans show that the current single-family residence will nearly double in size… with an additional two floors on the way. The plans show eight dwelling units in total.

And the point of all this is to say work has started at No. 222, which looks rather hallowed out now…



No word just yet if the development is still going by Villa Capri, which sounds like a resort in St. Lucia or something.

As we pointed out previously, the address was the onetime studio of famed sculpturist Louise Nevelson.

Updated 10:10 a.m.

Oh! Somehow we missed the rendering on the plywood... here's what's to come... (thanks Dave on 7th!)



Previously on EV Grieve:
Villa Capri condos coming to Seventh Street

Drilling at the former 2nd Avenue BP station

We've been waiting for something construction-y to happen at the former BP station on Second Avenue at East First Street. Workers removed the iconic pumps and underground tanks in December.

The Deal Deal reported back in the fall that a new development with 50,000 square feet of condominiums and 7,000 square feet of retail is on the way. However, permits for a new building are not on file yet with the Department of Buildings. (The most recent permit is for the construction fence! Woo!)

But there is a some sort of drilling rig contraception (or is this a quinzhee?) … drilling and soil testing at the site now.

Also, is anyone going to see that Morrissey-Blondie show June 27 at the Garden?



Previously on EV Grieve:
RUMOR: Gas station going, boutique hotel coming on Second Avenue? (31 comments)

BP station on 2nd Avenue closes this month

The 2nd Avenue BP station has closed

Report: 50,000 square feet of condos coming to the former 2nd Avenue BP station

Permits filed to demolish former 2nd Avenue BP station

It was so hot today that East 9th Street started melting

[Photo by William Klayer]

Well, OK but there is a sinkhole forming just west of Second Avenue. So take extra care then when crossing the street here without looking in either direction.

Problems finding an apartment?

From the Post:

Almost 99 percent of Manhattan rentals are currently occupied, according to a new market report.

The vacancy rate is now 1.07 percent, the lowest it has been in three years, Citi Habitats reports.

Last year at this time, Manhattan vacancies were at 1.17 percent.

Read the whole article here.

Thursday's best

Photo on Second Avenue today via Derek Berg

Here's the new-look 137 Avenue C

[Old-look No. 137 from April 2014]

After nearly a year of building-wide renovations that saw the addition of an extra floor at 137 Avenue C, workers this week removed the construction netting from the new-look structure, as EVG regular Dave on 7th tells us …

And now!



… and some views from East Ninth Street and La Plaza…





For awhile the site seemed to be some kind of construction miracle, with the remains of the building — just the north wall and some joists — held up by some scaffolding and not much else.

Thoughts on the new building? (The old version did have a bit of a lean to it.)

Approved DOB permits show one residential unit (condo?) on each floor… with a ground-floor retail tenant. The DOB lists Ramy Issac, no stranger to the East Village, as the architect of record.

As for the retail space, we understand that a bar-restaurant of some sort is in the works. (The applicant withdrew from the November 2014 CB3/SLA licensing meeting.) The building's ground-floor was home to drunker-brunch hotspot Sunburnt Cow until April 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Renovations in store for 137 Avenue C, home to the Sunburnt Cow

The Sunburnt Cow closes for good at the end of this month

137 Avenue C, hollow on the inside

137 Avenue C — still standing!

137 Avenue C getting its extra floor

Residents launch petition to oppose method of operation for Albert Trummer's new cocktail bar on Avenue C

[Image via Buchbinder & Warren]

On Monday night, CB3's SLA committee gave the OK to mixologist Albert Trummer to open a cocktail lounge/tapas bar at 16 Avenue C (aka 262 E. Second St.).

Despite the committee's thumbs up for Trummer — who made headlines for his flaming concoctions at the Prohibition-era styled Apothéke in Chinatown — members of the tenants association at 262 E. Second St. are circulating a petition to oppose part of the unnamed bar's plans, such as the DJ and hours of operation, approved at 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

According to the petition:

The Community Board approved because the SLA (State Liquor Association) would approve the license and that if the board actually denied it (which they were inclined to do) it would have meant that the SLA would grant the license and the establishment could stay open until 4am. A motion was passed and the establishment can be open 7-days a week from 5pm-2am. Apparently this falls under the 500-foot rule. Since there are only 2 other establishments within 500 feet of 14 Avenue C holding full liquor licenses it makes it very easy for 14 Avenue C to secure a new license.

Albert Trummer, the new owner, is proposing to serve $1,600 bottles of champagne and there was bottle service listed on the menu that he submitted to the board – including $375 bottles of vodka and a single cocktail priced at $300. Mr. Trummer wants to have a DJ for “background music” and serve "tapas" style food, though there is no kitchen (except a "prep kitchen" which consists of a countertop). 

We support the #SAVENYC mission and understand that this is a small business that wants to open. However, this particular business is completely incongruous to the neighborhood and we fear the collateral damage it could inflict on the other small businesses on the block...

Neighbors include Barrier Free Living, a shelter for homeless men and women with mobility impairments and/or severe medical problems.



The petition mentions that Trummer was arrested when he ran Apothéke. According to published reports, FDNY investigators arrested Trummer in 2010 after setting alcohol aflame on the bartop at Apothéke on Doyers Street. He was charged with reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance, both misdemeanors. After the arrest, he told the Times: "My intention was not to hurt anybody. I'm an artist. I'm a mixologoist. I'm a cook. But I'm not a pyrotechnic maniac."

Anyone interested in signing the petition can contact the tenants association via email here

14 Avenue C was previously home to Adinah's Farm, the market that closed for good last June.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mixologoist Albert Trummer looking to bring a cocktail bar to Avenue C

Construction watch: 321 E. 3rd St.

Here's how 321 E. Third St. is looking … where a 6-floor, 30-unit apartment building is on the rise between Avenue C and Avenue D.

The rendering showing a cinder-block box isn't much to look at…



We don't know too much about this project other than that Queens-based Venetian Management LLC is listed as the owner on DOB records. Gerald J. Caliendo is listed at the architect of record.

Approved permits show that the building is residential-only (meaning no retail), with a bicycle storage room in the basement and a "recreation space" on the roof.

The property sits across the street from another newish building — The Robyn.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another parcel of East Village land ready for development

Plywood arrives at East 3rd Street lot, site of incoming 6-floor apartment building

Rallying for stronger rent regulations in NYC

More than an estimated 1,000 NYC residents descended upon the state Capitol in Albany yesterday to urge lawmakers to renew and strengthen rent control laws that are set to expire on Monday.

EVG reader Peter Brownscombe was there and shared these photos…









The Wall Street Journal reported the following today:

The powerful New York City real-estate industry, which is aligned with the state Senate’s Republican majority, opposes many of the regulations, saying they don’t help tenants or landlords. Many lawmakers simply want to leave Albany without upsetting the status quo this year after a tumultuous few months marred by two corruption arrests.

Real-estate executives, city officials and state lawmakers say little has been decided, and that it is likely the current rent regulations, set to expire this year, will be extended at least for a limited period. More than 1 million units in New York City are affected by rent regulations, according to a 2011 study by the Furman Center at New York University.

People familiar with the talks don’t expect the de Blasio administration to get its way on a key issue: ending “vacancy decontrol” — the practice of exempting regulated apartments from rent controls once their rents hit a threshold, currently $2,500, and letting them go for market rates. Mr. de Blasio wants to end vacancy decontrol and put a cap on rent increases, a move championed by liberal lawmakers as crucial to strengthening rent laws.

The Mayor's Office tonight sent out a link to this petition — Support Affordable Housing in New York City


[Image via the Mayor's Office]

Late afternoon East Houston Street still life

Photo by Fenton Lawless

There's kind of a big hole on 1st Avenue and East 9th Street

[Photo via William Klayer]

Just FYI.

Updated FYI



One of the crew members told EVG regular Steven that the sewer repair work will require a few days to complete ... so please take extra caution if you plan on skateboarding here.

Updated 9 p.m.

There's kind of a big hole on East Third Street between Avenue B and Avenue C too... and crews are jackhammering away this evening to make repairs...


[Photo by EVG reader David]

Harry & Ida’s Meat and Supply Company now open on Avenue A

[Image via Facebook]

The siblings who own Ducks Eatery on East 12th Street are behind Harry & Ida’s Meat and Supply Company, which opened today at 189 Avenue A.

The New York Times has a mini preview today of the shop between East 11th Street and East 12th Street:

It’s named for their great-grandparents Harry and Ida Zinn, Hungarian immigrants who had a store in Harlem. The market specializes in preserved foods: pickling, hot- and cold-smoking, fermenting and canning to make goods as varied as old-fashioned pastrami and smoked eels for sandwiches.

EVG reader Shawn Chittle stopped by earlier. "Feels like a Vermont supply shop. Smells like the country. They have breads and meats and all sorts of stuff," he said via email. "Some will like it. Not sure they have what people around here want — time will tell."

Previously, the space was going to be home to I Cipressi, but the Italian restaurant wasn't able to open. Vampire Freaks was the last tenant here, closing in December 2011.

Updated 3:21 p.m.

You know the Times wasn't kidding when they mentioned eels... EVG reader Riian Kant-McCormick notes that the store has a tank of live eels... (does this count as a fishmonger???)



Previously on EV Grieve:
Harry and Ida's Meat & Supply Co. coming to Avenue A

[Updated] Birthday wishes for Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue

Nicholas Figueroa, who died in the gas explosion at 121 Second Ave. on March 26, would have been 24 today.

A Figueroa family member stopped by the site of the blast on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street this morning to hang the Happy Birthday banners.



Moises Ismael Locón Yac also died during the explosion that leveled three buildings at 117-123 Second Ave.

Updated 7 p.m.

Nicholas's friends and family are gathering on the sidewalk this evening to celebrate his birthday…




His mother made cupcakes for passersby…



… and here is a birthday greeting from his parents…



Thanks to EVG reader Daniel for the photos

Out and About in the East Village

In this weekly feature, East Village-based photographer James Maher provides us with a quick snapshot of someone who lives and/or works in the East Village.



By James Maher

Name: Sharon Jane Smith
Occupation: Shopkeeper and Writer
Location: A Repeat Performance Antiques, 156 1st Ave. between 9th Street and 10th Street
Time: 2 p.m. on June 4

I’m originally from a little town in Minnesota. I came here in 1982. Art and love brought me to the city. We are familiar with the city from movies. We saw it always in movies. We’re not conscious of it but it was the background to many movies in the 1940s or 1950s. We’ve absorbed it, those of us who didn’t live here ... and when we come here it’s familiar. That’s what I felt, amazingly, when I got here and it surprised me.

I started to do theatre work with Beverly Bronson, the British woman and our illustrious owner and boss who started this shop. Beverly has branched out into a home in Kathmandu, Nepal, where she is on her way to now to do renovations and hunker down for the monsoon season. It’s the place that had the earthquake. The house is still standing and the kids are camped out in the yard, waiting for the house to be retrofitted. She’s there to offer support and she doesn’t even like to camp, but she’s camping out in the monsoon. God bless her.

I started at this little neighborhood theatre, WOW Café Theatre on East 4th Street. That was great. It was basically what you would call autobiographical theatre. I got to work with a woman named Holly Hughes, who became notorious amongst writers, and Carmelita Tropicana. I got to work with quite a few illustrious underground theatre personas. Oh it was a great time. There was more freedom because you had more time, because your rent was lower. There was a formula there with how much time you had to spend to make your rent.

I did all types of things there, including the tile jobs in the bathrooms. Jim Powers and I got the tile bug at the same time and we egged each other on. Jim moved on to the larger world and I stayed put as a shopkeeper.

So I’m a shopkeeper who writes and works in the glass world. I write basically stories that get adapted to the stage. It is the storytelling format. You know the Moth storytelling series that happens on public radio? That has been going on for years and I am of that school, theatrically speaking, with additional props and, of course, a set.

I got involved in this shop in 1987. Beverly started it with her partner around 1980 on St. Mark's Place and then she moved it over here and bought out her partner. We started with lampshades from England and lamps here from New York and expanded out from that theme. It’s a combination of our tastes. She goes to London and other outer areas of England to shop and I go to the Midwest to shop, and of course the best is already here in New York. We do props for theatre and for movies. That can really save you. Of course the arts are in our best interests. I think it’s in all our best interests, in all its forms.

I dream of finding, and I do find, that art of New York artists who’ve perhaps been undocumented in the world of art. That’s what I seek out. It’s perhaps a sublimated version of my own artistic needs, but nonetheless I’ve seen it happen a few times. It’s exciting. I have some paintings where I don’t know that I’ll ever know who these artists were, although in New York there’s always the possibility of finding it out. Some of my theatre works are based upon experiences like this, the uncovering of a person based upon their objects.

I sold 20-30 — maybe more — paintings that were all done by this gentleman [referring to a painting not seen in the photograph]. I will be sexist in that judgment. All of the portraits were of African-American New Yorkers. I never knew his name and I have not been able to find it out. The painting here dates back to 1926. None of them had a signature. They were a gift to Theatre for the New City and we were helping them run a shop there. My assessment was that a storage unit was emptied and no one had any attachment to it and no one knew the name of the artist. I know all those portraits are out here in the neighborhood. I don’t know where they went in the last 20 years, but they’re out there.

James Maher is a fine art and studio photographer based in the East Village. Find his website here.

At 37 Avenue B, residents want their Credit Union retail tenant to pay more rent

[Image via]

The residents of the 37 Avenue B HDFC are calling on the Lower East Side People's Federal Credit Union "to pay a fair rent or move out."

Board members released a statement last evening with their version of the situation.

Their building on Avenue B at East Third Street is broke because the Credit Union, which occupies the 5,000-square-foot commercial space, rewrote their own lease in 1996 to skip paying future mortgage payments and real-estate tax increases.

While they controlled the board they made themselves a "rent­-stabilized" commercial tenant and have skipped paying over $350,000 due under the original lease.

Real-estate taxes have risen sharply since 1996 and over the past 19 years the building has been bled dry. In recent years the HDFC has had to borrow money to pay the real-estate taxes or lose the building.

The building needs at least $400,000 in necessary capital improvements, but there isn't any money even for basic repairs.

According to 37 Avenue B residents, Credit Union officials have "refused to accept responsibility for the situation."

According to the latest National Credit Union Administration reports, over the past five quarters the Credit Union's net income was $1.25 million

The Credit Union pays $3,478 a month for 5,000 square feet on a prime corner on Avenue B. Market rate is $15,000 per month.

The Lower East Side People's Federal Credit Union prides itself on serving the low­-income community but treats these residents like they have no rights, in their own building. Now the residents say: You want to save Money. We want to save our Homes!

We'll update when/if Credit Union officials release a statement.

Cleaning up 444 E. 13th St.

As previously reported, the remaining rent-stabilized tenants at at 444 E. 13th St. filed a lawsuit against their landlord for deplorable conditions as well as for alleged threats and harassment.

One of the residents told us the other night that Goldmark Property Management hasn't bothered cleaning the building or taking out the trash in several weeks.

So the tenants have been tending to these duties themselves...



... and after the clean-up...





Meanwhile, yesterday, the two sides met in Housing Court.

Among other issues, the building's heat, hot water and cooking gas have been off since April. Tenants also said at a May 28 press conference outside the building between Avenue A and First Avenue that they've had to endure "racist taunts and threats to call immigration from the landlord's aggressive agents," per a report in the Daily News.

A resident in attendance at yesterday's preliminary court hearing shared a few details, such as the judge ordered a temporary injunction against the management's reps from speaking with tenants as well as issued a stop work order for all construction that isn't related to getting the gas restored or repairing other violations.

According to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development website, there are currently 85 open violations in the building, per DNAinfo.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Landlord of 444 E. 13th St. threatened 'to drop dynamite on the building'

Give the former Salt and Pepper space a shake as a pop-up shop on 1st Avenue

[Image via Loop Net]

We can't really say for sure when Salt & Pepper on First closed ... the gates of the inexpensive Indian restaurant went down for good some time in March.

In any event, the space at 239 First Ave. at East 14th Street hit the market yesterday. Per the listing: "POP-UP space available. Standard lease terms also considered."

The rent is negotiable, and the space is available starting next month.

So what would you like to see POP-UP here?

Growing up so quickly above Avenue A

EVG reader Bill Massey shared these photos of Christo and Dora's offspring growing up so quickly on the Frigidaire AC at the Ageloff Towers …



Goggla had an update yesterday on the hawklets here on Avenue A and East Third Street:

I'm a bit worried about the next couple of weeks as the baby hawks are so big and clumsy, and the nest is so small. When they flap their wings, they stumble around and it's unnerving to see them doing that so close to the edge. But, they are birds and this is what they do...

Check out her photos and narrative here. And check out how crowded the nest is via the Avenue A Hawk Cam.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Red-tailed hawks nest on the Christodora House

The hawks of Tompkins Square Park have laid an egg at the Christodora House

More eggsciting hawk news from the Christodora House

Breaking (heh) news: The hawks of Tompkins Square Park are officially parents

Hawk (and egg) watch continues on Avenue A, now with the help of a live webcam

Christo and Dora are parents! (Again!)

Look at the 3-week-old hawklets high above Avenue A

16 affordable apartments now available at the incoming 331 E. Houston St.

The Lo-Down points out that the city is now advertising the 16 affordable housing units available at 331 E. Houston St. at Ridge Street.

The building was constructed through the city’s inclusionary housing program — 20 percent of the apartments were set aside for applicants with household incomes ranging from about $30,000 to $50,000, as The Lo-Down reports.



The affordable studios are priced at $847 per month, 1-bedrooms at $909 and 2-bedrooms at $1,101. Half of the affordable units are earmarked for residents of Community District 3, which includes the East Village.

Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 29. For income guidelines and additional information, please go here.

As for the building, here's a description via the website of project architect Stephen B. Jacobs:

The ground floor includes the residential lobby, a lounge, and apartments in the rear of the building which have access to outdoor space. A large skylight brings natural light to the gym in the cellar, and stairs provide access to recreational outdoor space in the rear yard. A mix of studios, one, and two-bedroom apartments make up the bulk of the building. The top floor includes a three-bedroom apartment with a balcony. The rooftop is designed as an amenity space for the building, complete with deck seating, projector screen, bar, and outdoor shower.

The interior design was inspired by the raw nature of materials in the Lower East Side, such as exposed concrete and blackened steel, and includes touches of color such as the graffiti tiled accent wall in the lobby.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A look at 331 E. Houston St., with a rooftop deck for outdoor showers and 'Live Free or Die Hard'

A mini-pitch for East 12th Street

[Photo by Greg Masters]

This past spring, workers started prepping the empty field adjacent to East Side Community School on East 12th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue… all under the watchful eyes heads of Charlie Brown…


[GM]


[GM]

Fast-forward to Friday…


[Photo by Lola Sáenz]



The mini-pitch is courtesy of the New York Red Bulls, the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the NYC Parks Department, who collaborated "to provide both critical afterschool programming and a safe place to play for New York City youth."

And the ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place this afternoon at the site.

The space will be known at the Lower East Side Playground Field.


[Photo from the March groundbreaking via Facebook]

Rumors and sales at New York Central Art Supply

There's been some talk of late that New York Central Art Supply on Third Avenue near East 11th Street is hurting for business. (Jeremiah Moss had a post on this last Thursday.)

"No one is buying art supplies the way they used to," a tipster here told us. "Now that there are so many online shops and NYC is turning into a gigantic mall people aren't going to the little tiny art supply store."

The tipster continued: "Basically it's going under and it's way more of an issue for the employees than the owners. The owners own three buildings, and can make plenty of money for themselves."

We heard that several longtime employees of the store were let go. The Observer reported that the store could close by the end of the year.

DNAinfo had more on this yesterday:

New York Central Art Supply began offering up to 50 percent in discounts on Friday to eliminate its low- and mid-level products so it can focus on more “high-quality, hard-to-find and unique” materials, said Doug Steinberg, whose family has owned the Third Avenue business since 1905.

“We’re going to get away from things you can get anywhere and only focus on stuff you can only get at New York Central Art Supply,” said Steinberg, who insisted the store was not closing, despite rumors.

“We’re just limiting our selection to a highly curated set of materials.”

The owners also plan on renting out their warehouse location around the corner on East 12th Street. Another family property, the New York Central Framing Annex, moved from 102 Third Ave. into the warehouse space in August 2012.

[Updated] Babu Ji opens tonight on Avenue B

We've been writing about Babu Ji, the new restaurant coming to 175 Avenue B at East 11th Street.

The wife-husband team of Jennifer and Jessi Singh, who own a popular spot in Melbourne, Australia, are opening their first U.S. restaurant tonight.

Here is some info that the restaurant's reps sent us via the EVG inbox...

Babu Ji … offers a bright and airy atmosphere, adorned with Hindi proverbs, eclectic Indian photography and Bollywood films projected on the walls. The restaurant will be open for dinner six nights a week (5 PM - late; closed Mondays), as well as for lunch on weekends (11 AM - late), serving the inspired and unexpected dishes that have earned Jessi an avid following in Australia.

Incorporating outstanding, fresh ingredients, including aromatic herbs, chickpeas, scallops, yogurt, pork belly and goat, sourced from local farmers markets and specialty purveyors, Jessi's menu at Babu Ji NYC will showcase his motherland's cuisine through thoughtfully prepared, aromatic and colorful dishes.

Some highlights from the new restaurant’s menu include:

• Papadi Chaat: a lively Indian dish similar to nachos, topped with chickpea, cucumber, tamarind, mint and yoghurt chutney, and pomegranate seeds

• Gol Gappa: a favorite Indian street snack enjoyed by millions in India every day, but unknown to most Americans, this dish it is a tangy, spicy, sweet and surprising favorite

• Yoghurt Kebab: a house-made hung yoghurt croquette with spiced center, served with a vibrant beetroot ginger sauce boasting the flavors of the Middle East that have influenced Indian culinary tradition

• Scallop Coconut Curry: Blue Moon of Eastern Long Island scallops served raw in a coconut milk based curry with turmeric and mustard seed – a must-try

• Kulfi: a refreshing and delicious dessert, this Indian equivalent to ice cream is house-made from milk, cardamom, pistachio and honey

• Chef’s Table: Eat like a real Babu Ji! Chef’s selection of entrees, curries, naan, rice & kulfi.

Diners can enjoy their food with an extensive and rotating selection of local and imported craft beers from the help yourself beer fridge, an approachable yet interesting wine list and some Australian beverages that have not yet made it state side, as a nod to Babu Ji's beginnings.

Updated 6:54 p.m.

Here's the menu via Gothamist…

Babu Ji Dinner Menu

Previously on EV Grieve:
More about Babu Ji, opening next month on Avenue B