Thursday, January 27, 2022
The Bronx Brewery announces itself on 2nd Avenue
TD Bank is shrinking on 3rd Avenue
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
RIP David Simon
More details about the fire that destroyed the Essex Card Shop
It was a typical Monday afternoon at the Essex Card Shop, an encyclopedic stationery store ... Business had been steady. Jayant Patel, the 80-year-old manager, had just noticed a teenager wandering around, before being hustled out by an older woman, perhaps his grandmother. Now the store was empty, the dutiful manager at his post, behind the counter.Within minutes, however, Mr. Patel smelled smoke and saw flames in the back. He seized a broom and tried to snuff the fire out. It happened so fast that there was no chance to grab the fire extinguisher, he said. Soon, Muhammad Aslam, the shop's owner, arrived to find his loyal friend struggling alone to put out the fire. They called 911.
Examination showed fire originated in the subject premises, on the first floor, in the northwest section of the store, approximately eight feet from the north wall, approximately eight feet from the west wall, approximately three feet above finished floor level, in combustible material (stationery supplies), due to the introduction of an open flame (lighter).
Fire extended throughout the northwest section of the store (floor, ceiling, walls and contents throughout). Fire further extended throughout the rest of the store (ceiling, walls and contents throughout). Fire further extended out the front store window to the exterior of the building and the store awning. Fire was thereto confined and extinguished.
Report: Madison Realty Capital can proceed with takeover of long-empty P.S. 64
"Madison aims to work productively with borrowers. However, in this case, the borrower has refused to make good on his commitments for more than three years, leaving us with no choice but to enforce our rights and remedies."
In an email to TRD, Singer said that he still planned to move forward with developing the site "and will inform the court at the appropriate time."
He continued: "In the end, we believe even [Madison Realty Capital] will be happy. This will be a great asset for the community, which is highly desirable and in great need."
In her ruling, the judge stated "that Singer had failed to raise any material issues to dispute Madison Realty Capital's arguments, citing a 25-page response that lacked a table of contents and amounted to a 'rambling litany of defenses.'"
A new broker for 20 St. Mark's Place
Past lives of this subterranean space — via Daytonian in Manhattan — include a theater-saloon called Paul Falk's Tivoli Garden in the 1870s... in the 1930s, the Hungarian Cafe and Restaurant resided here before becoming a temperance saloon called the Growler.
After the Grassroots closed, Bob Precious tried to open a bar-pub here, but those plans never materialized after 18 months.
Applicants for Ichibantei had been on the CB3-SLA agenda multiple times dating to November 2018 for a liquor license for a new restaurant in the former Sounds storefront. There was speculation that they were also taking the GR space.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Noted
This is NOT 120 1/2 or 120A. This is 120 ONLY.Thanks to Steven for the photo...
Downtown Yarns reopens today
Reader report: The new passive lawn in East River Park is a 'sodden mess'
Behold the 21-floor office building that's replacing the B Bar & Grill on the Bowery
360 Bowery is a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional glass office tower. Standing taller than most nearby structures, the new commercial building's tiered volume subtly twists, drawing reference to the different scales within its historic urban-industrial context while also responding to the neighborhood’s newer additions.
Designed to maximize views, 360 Bowery's façade is essentially a field of openings. The custom-built, high-performance unitized curtain wall system features dark gray painted aluminum frames and blush-colored GFRC spandrel panels in a fluted pattern that gets tighter as it moves up the building. Single-pane windows, measuring roughly 5’x10’, are inset within 10” metal fins. These deep, dark frames add a layer of shadows, further articulating the façade. As a lighter counterpoint, the building's corners are open and airy with a structural joint hidden behind the glass.
Terraces are also a defining feature of the tower. While the building's massing was largely influenced by zoning restrictions, the tiered volumes create opportunities for ample outdoor amenity space with views north and east, looking out over the Bowery and onto one of New York City’s most dynamic neighborhoods.
• CB Developers pay $59.5 million for an interest in 358 Bowery — current home of the B Bar & Grill and likely a new development
• B Bar & Grill lays off its staff without severance
Monday, January 24, 2022
Monday's parting shots
A cart full of puppies on the M15 FTW
If you are heading to the Tompkins Square Library branch
The latest at East River Park: night work at Delancey; passive lawn set to debut
Nai Tapas Bar set to open in new 2nd Avenue home
Oddly configured Walgreens is closing on Union Square
Anyway, this is the latest Walgreens or Duane Reade to shutter... the Walgreens on Astor Place closed in August 2020 ... three neighborhood Duane Reade by Walgreens locations have closed in recent years. The outpost on Avenue D at Houston and First Avenue between 14th Street and 15th Street shuttered in November 2019 while the storefront on 10th Street and Third Avenue shut down in early March 2019.
2022 corner watch: 360 Bowery
• CB Developers pay $59.5 million for an interest in 358 Bowery — current home of the B Bar & Grill and likely a new development
• B Bar & Grill lays off its staff without severance
Another taker for 179 Essex St.
Sunday, January 23, 2022
RIP Billy the Artist
With heavy heart, the legendary New Yorker, Billy The Artist (William Miller) died peacefully in his sleep last evening at Beth Israel Hospital after succumbing to the ravages of cancer.
He was a tremendous light in my life and always made me smile from ear to ear. He was "Pura Vida" whose art adorned products worldwide from Swatch to Nescafé. His first big gig was to paint panels for the broadway stage of RENT that captured the energy and vibrancy of the East Village, the place he called home for the last 30 years. Collector Steve Cohen recently purchased one of his famous cows and musician John Baptiste enjoyed playing his custom piano. His entire life was dedicated to art. And in sharing in the love.
Rest in peace, my beautiful, beautiful friend.