After months of inactivity at the development site on Avenue C at Houston Street, the block-shaking pile driving started up again late last week. (H/T Bill Buchen!)
We first spotted pile drivers in December 2016 at the triangular lot (the former Mobil station) where a 10-floor building with 45 luxury rentals via BLDG Management will rise.
In the early months of 2017, there were multiple complaints filed with the city about the construction possibly destabilizing the building next door — 249 E. Second St. There was a partial stop-work order issued in April 2017 when No. 249 reportedly shifted.
Workers apparently shored up No. 249 with a labyrinth of beams. Still, there are issues. Per one compliant filed last Thursday (in the ALL-CAP DOB style): "THERE IS CONSTRUCTION TAKING PLACE IN THE BUILDING NEXT DOOR TO MY BUILDING THAT IS CAUSING MY BUILDING TO SHAKE AND BOOKS TO FALL OFF THE SHELVES."
Until last week, not much has happened at the lot since the spring. Some time in the late summer, workers blocked off half of Second Street at Avenue C to house construction-related vehicles, suggesting that work would be starting up soon. Neighbors reported seeing an occasional worker drop off supplies or walk the lot, but not much else.
[Photo from Dec. 22]
A few random photos from late summer and early fall showing some inactivity...
The rendering on the plywood currently looks like this...
Back in August, NY Yimby posted a modified look at the building... there's a roof deck now...
[Rotwein + Blake Architects]
As NYY pointed out, SLCE Architects is the architect of record, but Rotwein + Blake Architects created the design for 11 Avenue C. Per the Rotwein + Blake website:
The narrow triangular site, presented numerous challenges from its odd shape to zoning constraints, Rotwein + Blake crafted a well thought-out solution to maximize potential development opportunity for the client. At ten stories, the building will have 4,600 SF of ground level retail, 45 residential apartments and a landscaped roof terrace.
The buildings retail component engages the more lively Houston Street side on a pedestrian level, with an abundance of storefront glass, awnings and stone details, while the residential entrance on 2nd Street, creates a more private and embracing gesture. The brick and zinc façade blend a modern twist to a historic warehouse style, reminiscent of the now, chic residential adaptive reuse projects of Soho and Tribeca.
In November, we received a news release about the developers securing a $30 million loan for the site. Here's part of that release:
Richard Bassuk, Chief Executive Officer, and Drew Fletcher, President, of Greystone Bassuk, today announced the closing of a $30,000,000 construction loan with Bank Hapoalim USA on behalf of an affiliate of BLDG Management Company, Inc. (“BLDG”) for the development of a 45-unit luxury rental apartment building located at 11 Avenue C in the East Village. Greystone Bassuk Managing Director, Matt Klauer, also assisted in the debt placement for the transaction.
The Project is located on a thru-block, irregular site bounded by East Houston Street, Avenue C and East 2nd Street in a highly desirable and underserved section of the East Village. Once complete, the Project will be a 10-story, best-in-class apartment building with approximately 55,000 gross square feet and 4,100 square feet of prime street level retail. Catering to today’s millennial renter, the Project will offer an exclusive, boutique living experience with a lifestyle-focused set of amenities. The residential units will have generous layouts with high-end condo-quality finishes, and several of the apartments will also have private outdoor space, a unique offering in the neighborhood.
The Mobil station closed here in September 2014. (The BP station on Second Avenue and First Street closed in July 2014.)
The first inkling of future development on this parcel came courtesy of a mention in this New York Times article in October 2013.
Previously on EV Grieve:
You have a little longer to get gas on Avenue C
Plans filed for new 9-story building at site of Mobil station on East Houston and Avenue C
State seizes Mobil station on Avenue C and Houston for nonpayment of taxes
New residential building for former Mobil station lot will be 10 floors with 0 zero affordable units
A look inside the last East Village gas station
