Tuesday's parting Instagram post

This would have been a fine solution for the great Holland Tunnel decorations controversy...

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A post shared by Cool (@cool666_) on Dec 18, 2018 at 1:23pm PST

Previously

A GG Allin family affair on Showtime, and a trip back to 2B

In a respite this December from holiday fare, Showtime is airing four music documentaries this month... including "GG Allin: All in the Family," which premiered last Thursday. (Meant to mention it last week.) It's airing again tonight at 11:30. It's also available on-demand via Showtime if it's of interest. (Not really everyone's thing.)

As this film notes (and what has been well-documented), the last show for GG Allin & the Murder Junkies took place on June 23, 1993 at 2B (aka The Gas Station) on Avenue B at Second Street. (Now an apartment building with the Duane Reade.)

Here's a video made by Corey Shaff that has been in circulation about the gallery space...



... and an aerial view of 2B by LeoLondon from 1993...

You can donate a coat at this 3rd Avenue pop-up shop through Saturday

The 30th annual New York Cares Coat Drive is underway... and starting today (through Saturday), you can donate a new or gently used coat at a pop-up location at 111 Third Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street...



The hours today through Saturday: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Otherwise, local NYPD Precincts are also accepting the coat donations through Dec. 31.

For these 14th Street buildings, there's now renovations inside to match the noise outside

An EVG reader shared this notice from over at 426-430 E. 14th St., the three-building parcel between Avenue A and First Avenue...



Canvas Property Group announced that building-wide renovations were to start yesterday on vacant apartments, common areas and the retail spaces.

Five of the six storefronts are vacant (just Big Apple Barber Shop remains). The 14th St. Lotto & Magazine was the first to go, in February 2017. A clerk at the store said that they were moving uptown. He declined to say why they were leaving the neighborhood.

I don't know what happened to the other businesses — at least two relocated. This stretch of 14th Street has endured a lot of demolition/construction in recent years, starting with the take down of the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office branch and subsequent addition of the 8-floor luxury apartment building called EVE right next door. Not to mention that this block of 14th Street is the main staging area for the L-train reconstruction.



Back to the reader, who lives on the block — he said he felt badly for the remaining residents at 426-430 ... having endured the construction noise outside, and now inside.

The buildings were sold for $28 million in a transaction recorded in August, per public records.

[Updated] DHS and NYPD will clean up the northwest corner of Houston at Avenue B tomorrow

Notices are up along the sidewalk bridge on the northwest corner of Houston at Avenue B from the the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) ...



The flyers state that the DHS along with the NYPD and other city agencies "will complete a clean-up" of this area...and people need to vacate along with their belongings. Anything left behind by tomorrow may be discarded.

As for this longstanding sidewalk bridge, according to the DOB, a permit for it was first approved in December 2014. The city renewed the permit in October. The building, 6 Avenue B, has been vacant for years. The liquor store in the retail space has been closed since the owner died in the fall of 2009.

Updated 12/22

The area under the sidewalk bridge has been cleaned...



Now everything that was there is neatly stacked a few feet away on the curb (as Neighbor noted in the comments) ...



... and the belonging all have these fake-looking U.S. Federal Use labels...



And "Max," who was sleeping under the sidewalk bridge, is now in the adjacent bus shelter.

Previously on EV Grieve:
DHS flyers on 1st Street

Holiday on ice: 'It's a Wonderful Life' on the big screen at City Cinemas Village East

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Your holiday season definitely won't be complete without a viewing of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and you can see it with us on 35mm film!! 12/19, 7pm, #VillageEastCinema! #movie #Movies #movienight #villageeastin35mm #classics #classicfilm #cinema #film #cinephile #35mm #35mmfilm #itsawonderfullife #christmas #holidays #holidayseason #blackandwhite #winter #december

A post shared by City Cinemas NYC (@citycinemasnyc) on Dec 17, 2018 at 8:35am PST

If you're looking for a little holiday cheer... "It's a Wonderful Life" is screening in 35mm on Wednesday night (7 and 10:10) over at City Cinemas Village East on Second Avenue at 12th Street.

Find advance ticket info here.

Now, Zuzu's Petals!

You'll be back: Look at the renovated Hamilton-Holly House on St. Mark's Place

[EVG photo from February 2017]

The freshly renovated 4 St. Mark's Place — aka the Hamilton-Holly House, circa 1831 — has made its first public appearance after nearly two years covered in construction netting and plywood here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

These two photos are from Friday...





In December 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) signed off on renovations and an expansion for the landmarked building. In doing so, the LPC did nix an additional floor, and a few other proposed items. The expansion was to take place in the back of the building, doubling the number of residential units from three to six.

Here's more about what was to take place via New York Yimby, reporting from that December 2016 LPC meeting:

On the front of the structure, a largely new entryway would be installed, the gate at the stoop would be removed, new windows would be installed, and the grand curved balcony would be reconstructed at the first floor. The secondary stair from the ground to the first floor would be removed and a new small gate put in its place at ground level, an additional window would be added to the basement level, an existing basement door would be replaced with a window, an agree under the front steps would be reopened, and signage would be installed. The existing fire escapes would remain. The façade would also receive an overall restoration.

[Photo from Friday]

And a look at the building in 2010...



In February, Wanyoo, a Shanghai-based cyber cafe chain, reportedly signed a lease for the garden space, per The Real Deal. Another retail listing from a different broker arrived in March for the parlor space.

Until February 2016, 4 St. Mark's Place housed Trash & Vaudeville for 41 years. The store relocated to 96 E. Seventh St.

The Hamilton-Holly House was once owned by Alexander Hamilton’s son. The Federal-style townhouse changed hands for $10 million in the spring of 2016.

Here's more history via 6sqft:

Col. Alexander Hamilton Jr. was the first owner of the townhouse at 4 St. Mark’s Place. British-born real estate developer Thomas E. Davis was erecting Federal-style homes along the street at the time as homes for wealthy New Yorkers seeking refuge from the cholera epidemic further downtown. In 1833, three decades after his father died in a duel with Aaron Burr, Hamilton Jr. bought the home and moved in with his mother Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (who was riddled with debt after her husband’s death), wife Eliza, and his sister Eliza Holly and her husband Sidney.

And, when St. Mark's Place became dead for the third or fourth time...

In 1843, the Hamiltons sold the house to oil and candle merchants Isaac C. Van Wyck and his son Cornelius. By mid-century the neighborhood had fallen out of fashion, and the homes along the street were split up into multiple dwellings. From 1903 to 1952, musical instruments firm C. Meisel Inc. housed their retail store and offices here. In the 1950s and ’60s, number 4 was used an experimental theater, including the Tempo Playhouse, New Bowery Theater, and Bridge Theater.

A bar called Eliza's Local, named for Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, recently opened next door at 2 St. Mark's Place.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: After 40 years, punk rock mainstay Trash and Vaudeville is leaving St. Mark's Place


[Via]

4 St. Mark's Place is for sale

More residential units and a 5th-floor addition in the works for landmarked 4 St. Mark's Place

A look at No. 4 in 1940 via the LPC...

More about Treetops, the name of the condoplex coming to 14 2nd Ave.

As we've been reporting, a 10-story residential building with full-floor luxury condos are in the works for 14 Second Ave. adjacent to First Street Green Art Park.

Curbed has more details about new owner Daniel Vislocky (of development firm Station Companies) and his plans for the site, the former Irreplaceable Artifacts.

Vislocky said that he "expects prices to be in the $2.8 million to $3.5 million range" for the building's units, where residents will have access to ground-floor storage and a gym.

Next steps: working with a consultant to take the appropriate steps to remedy the Stop Work Orders dating to 2009 and 2000.

Per Curbed:

Vislocky was attracted to the property because of its openness; it’s adjacent to First Park, so the south side and rear of the building will have guaranteed views. “It’s such a luxury to live in New York City and have treetop views,” says Vislocky, “especially in the East Village.” The leafy surroundings were such a draw, in fact, that the developer decided to name the new development Treetops.

In July 2000, the city demolished the four-story building that housed Irreplaceable Artifacts. According to the Times, a wall and two floors collapsed at 14 Second Ave., which forced the evacuation of 51 apartments in three nearby buildings.

The Times reported that a construction crew was making alterations to the first floor of Irreplaceable Artifacts in defiance of a stop-work order.

The deal for 14 Second Ave. was part of a bankruptcy proceeding, as we previously reported.

Construction here is expected to start in about six months.

Photos from Saturday.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Workers remove artifacts from the vacant 14 2nd Ave., fueling speculation of new development

Development watch: 14 2nd Ave.

Vacant lot at 14 2nd Ave. sells for $7 million; will yield to 10-floor condoplex

Ravagh Persian Grill currently closed for renovations

[Photo by Steven]

Ravagh Persian Grill on First Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place has been dark of late.

Signage on the front windows points to a temporary closure for renovations (in a positive sign, their outgoing phone message relates the same info).



This is one of five outposts for Ravagh (three in Manhattan and two on Long Island).

Anyway, I've never eaten here. It gets high marks from one reliable source. Here's what Eater had to say about it in a roundup of Persian restaurants:

The menu here stands up to some of Southern California's best Iranian restaurants. The barg kebab (whole chunks of beef rather than ground meat) is particularly flavorful, as are the joojeh (lemon chicken) kebabs. Get the kashk e bademjan as an appetizer. The creamy eggplant dip is enhanced with kashk, which is creamy whey that has a tart and almost caramelized flavor. Don't forget to order dessert: Zoolbia, which looks like a funnel-cake but is potato-chip crisp and soaked in a rose water syrup, goes well with amber-colored Persian tea.

Parmys morphed into Ravagh here back in late 2014.

Full FULL reveal at 287 E. Houston St.

Workers removed the sidewalk bridge from outside 287 E. Houston St. late last week... providing a full FULL reveal of the 11-floor condoplex — called 287/LES — here between Clinton and Suffolk.

As previously reported, the 120-foot-tall luxury building features 27 residences ... with two to four units on each story, including two duplexes on the first and second floors and a penthouse duplex on the top two floors. The units start at $1.175 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Quickly reaching the top of 287 E. Houston St.

11 stories of condos to join the growing East Houston residential corridor


[The lot previously, via Google Street View]

1 more post about this corner of Avenue B and 3rd Street

[Photo by EV Heave]

The for-rent sign has arrived at 38 Avenue B at Third Street, site of the recently Cromanated China Wok.

The asking rent is $6,495.

Meanwhile, in the space next door that last housed Dojo Noodle House, the for-rent sign has been removed...



Rumor here is a Spanish empanadas-type place is coming soon...

Week in Grieview

[Courtside in Tompkins Square Park this weekend]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

New owners set to take over the 33-year-old Sidewalk Bar & Restaurant on Avenue A (Monday)

At the 27th Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lightning (Monday)

Here's the new facility for Barrier Free Living on 2nd Street (Monday)

L-pocalypse now: Recap of Tuesday's rally outside the MTA offices (Friday)

When in rehab: Meet Winston, the new red-tailed hawk in Dora's life (Wednesday)

Tamam now open on 5th Street (Thursday)

Plywood watch: 238 E. 3rd St. (Tuesday)

This week's NY See (Saturday)

On Lafayette Street, former shelter for homeless women is now Showfields, 'the Most Interesting Store In The World' (Wednesday)

Harassed by Steve Croman? Checks in the mail (Friday)

About the New Colossus Festival, bringing new bands to the LES/East Village this March (Wednesday)

The China Star returns to service (Thursday)

Dallas BBQ is here to stay (Thursday)

Yes, China Wok has closed (Wednesday)

On 1st Avenue, Paquito's is closed for renovations until Dec. 28 (Tuesday)

Another disappearing diner (Thursday)

Autre Kyo Ya has not been open lately (Monday)

Marking the arrival of the Alphabet 99-cent Fresh Pizza awning (Wednesday)

On 2nd Avenue, new owners for 12th Street Ale House, Durden (Monday)

Tea time for new cafe on 11th Street (Tuesday)

The incoming Bubbleology Tea now with Bubbleology Tea signage (Monday)

Short Stories shapes up on the Bowery (Tuesday)

ViVi back in bubble tea action on Allen after 2-month DOH-related closure (Wednesday)

... and there is some vigorous debate in the tree-tossing community about the discarded item on Sixth Street at Second Avenue (spotted by Derek Berg and Russell K.)...


[Photo by Derek Berg]

Was this someone's Christmas tree last year? Maybe, but it's in a pot, making it more likely that it served a purpose not related to the holiday.

... and hopefully this doesn't become a copycat crime wave...

Oh yeah. pic.twitter.com/NXJ45JYmwG

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) December 16, 2018

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Early morning fireworks on 2nd and B

There were several reader reports of some kind of explosion(s) early this morning around 1.

A Reddit user uploaded a video providing the possible explanation — a street fireworks display ... the video appears to be from Second Street heading east toward Avenue B...

East 2nd St and Ave B, 1am, 12.16.18 from r/nyc

Next question is why. (Or what, if anything, the occasion was...)

H/T The Teenage Oldman!

Today in random birthday wishes: Paul Simonon of the Clash

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Happy Birthday, Paul Simonon! (📷: Pennie Smith) On September 20, 1979, the Clash’s Paul Simonon swung his Fender Precision Bass over his head and smashed it into the stage at the Palladium (126 E 14th St.). It was a spontaneous act of frustration that, thanks to photographer Pennie Smith, has become one of the most iconic images in the history of rock & roll as the cover of the group’s third album, London Calling. - Excerpt from our book, the Rock and Roll Explorer Guide to New York City #paulsimonon #theclash #thegoodthebadandthequeen #penniesmith #rrexplorernyc

A post shared by Rock & Roll Explorer Guide NYC (@rrexplorernyc) on Dec 15, 2018 at 4:50am PST

This interview with Simonon from 2011 has more about him smashing his bass at the Palladium (now an NYU dorm) on 14th Street between Third Avenue and Irving. That bit starts at the 3:10 mark...



... and an undated photo (without a credit) looking west on 14th Street at Third Avenue with the Palladium on the left...



... and why not, again...

The 27th annual Unsilent Night is tomorrow (Sunday!)

[Photo in Tompkins Square Park via Instagram]

Via the official website:

Composer Phil Kline will lead a massive chorus of boomboxes from the West Village to the East Village in the 27th annual holiday presentation of UNSILENT NIGHT. People gather at the arch in Washington Square Park, and less than an hour and mile later, end up in Tompkins Square Park.

Kline will hand out a limited number of vintage boomboxes from his collection—and cassettes for those who bring their own. The public is strongly encouraged to bring their own boomboxes or sound-blasters, and to pre-download the track. Find out more about how to participate and download the tracks at this link.

Participants will meet at 5:45 p.m. in Washington Square Park ... the approximate end time is 6:45 p.m. in Tompkins Square Park.

Grant Shaffer's NY See

Here's this week's NY See, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's comic series — an observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood ... and NYC.

NY See will return in mid-January.

Time for the Neighborhood School's Holiday Fair

The Neighborhood School's annual Holiday Fair take place tomorrow (Sunday!) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The holiday fair features an artisan market with items like soaps, jewelry and screenprinted T-shirts. There will be food, a photo booth, games and activities for kids ... as well as a book fair run by McNally Jackson.

The school is at 121 E. Third St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.

[Updated] Going down: So long 6-shots-of-anything-for-$12 signage

The Continental ends its 27-year run tonight at 23 Third Avenue at St. Mark's Place. (Final night details here.)

Ahead of that, workers removed the iconic 6-shots-of-anything-for-$12 signage this morning. (And if you want to see an 11-second video clip, this is on Twitter.)

The special evolved from $10 for five-shots-of-anything ... then $12 for five-shots-of-anything... to $12 for six-shots-of-anything. (Documented here.)

As you likely know, a five-story office building with ground-floor retail will eventually rise on this northeast corner.

Updated

Apparently Dec. 15 was simply the farewell party but NOT the last night... flyers are now up on the front doors noting a Dec. 31 last night... with inventory clearance until then...



Previously on EV Grieve:
The Shake Shack effect? McDonald's on 3rd Avenue at St. Mark's Place has closed after 20 years

Report: Northeast corner of St. Mark's Place and 3rd Ave. fetching $50 million for development site

Report: NE corner of St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue will yield to a 7-story office building

Demolition permits filed for northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

End is nearing for the businesses on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

The Continental gets a 3-month reprieve

New building plans revealed for 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

So it goes

Joy As An Act of Resistance, the second record by the UK-based IDLES, has made some year-end top-10 lists.

The video here is for "Colossus." Look for IDLES around these parts in the spring.

Saturday: Santa at the 9th Precinct; pet adoption at Boris & Horton; cookies at the Girls Club

Three activities tomorrow via the EVG inbox...

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The Community Council of the 9th Precinct is holding its annual Children's Christmas Party tomorrow outside on Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue from 9 a.m. to noon. (Rain or shine...)



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The Animal Care Centers of NYC will be at Boris and Horton, 195 Avenue A at 12th Street, "with great cats and dogs available for adoption" from noon to 4 p.m. ACC adoptions include vaccinations, spay/neuter, a pre-registered microchip, an identification tag, a collar and a certificate for a free initial exam at a participating veterinarian. Details at this link.



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The Lower Eastside Girls Club is hosting the Cookie Bake-Off and Holiday Sweet Sale from noon to 3 p.m. at Girls Club HQ, 402 E. Eighth St. at Avenue D.

Per the invite: "We have over 20 bakers competing for the best holiday cookie, and guests get to take them home. Just fill an empty tin ($20, $35 or $50) with delicious “Angel Baked” homemade cookies while our celebrity judges (including Amy Sedaris, Amirah Kassem and Connie Girl Fleming, to name a few) taste the cookies and crown the Cookie Queen."