Get well soon, Mikey

[Photo via Instagram]

If you've been on Second Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, then you've likely seen Mikey Evans. He was born and raised on the block, and has lived his whole life at 190-192 E. Second St.

He hasn't been feeling well of late, and Julio Pena and Beatrice Tosti di Valminuta, the husband-wife owners of Il Posto Accanto at No. 190, are collecting get-well wishes for their longtime friend.

Here's what they had to say via Instagram yesterday:

Mikey has been a little under the weather. A lot of you, near and far, noticing his absence have been asking for news. We do not have much in terms of updates, but if you want to drop off a get-well card at Il Posto, we will make sure he gets it. Love and well wishes are always a good idea.

Beatrice later told me that Mikey is "the all-around greeter of Second Street — the sunshine of the block with his smile." When Julio and Beatrice opened Il Bagato in 1995, people thought that Mikey was the owner. "And we liked that."

More details on the all-new playground coming to P.S. 19

[Photo by Steven]

Last Wednesday, we noted that renovations were underway on the playground behind P.S. 19 on First Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street.

This came about via funding by Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and (now-former) City Council member Rosie Mendez in conjunction with the Trust for Public Land.

Mary Alice Lee, director, NYC Playgrounds Program for the Trust for Public Land, shared more details about the project.

Working with landscape architects from Studio HIP, the Trust for Public Land engaged the P.S. 19 community — students and parents, teachers and staff — as well as local residents and members of the Sirovich Senior Center on 12th Street in a participatory design process last year.

Per Lee:

The playground will feature a synthetic turf field, a painted track, play equipment, trees, a garden area with an outdoor classroom, a green-roof gazebo, junior basketball, benches, game tables, student art and an outdoor ping-pong table.

It was designed as a green infrastructure playground, and will capture hundreds of thousands of gallons of stormwater each year.

Weather permitting, the work should be complete early this summer. The playground will be open to the community until dusk, after school and on weekends and holidays — just not when in use by P.S. 19 or any of their after-school programs.

And here's a look at the final plan...


[Click on image for more detail]

Here's more about Facebook's takeover of Kmart's 2nd floor at 770 Broadway

[EVG photo from January]

As you may know, Kmart recently vacated the second floor at 770 Broadway, the landmarked building on Astor Place.

The three-level store had recently condensed its wares to the main floor and lower level — reportedly to allow for Facebook to expand its presence (by 78,000 square feet) in the building.

The Commercial Observer has more on the deal, announced during landlord Vornado Realty Trust's fourth quarter earnings call yesterday.

Per the Observer:

The deal grows Facebook’s total footprint at the building to 513,000 square feet, Vornado Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steven Roth said on the earnings call.

The space was made available for Facebook after Vornado bought Kmart out of its lease on the floor, which Roth said had 18 years remaining at rents of $33.50 per square foot. Kmart still has 82,000 square feet at 770 Broadway.

Yes, but do they still have pajamas?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Kmart staying on Astor Place, minus the 2nd floor (for Facebook?)

Valentine's Day Eve

The scene at Sunny's on Second Avenue and Sixth Street... the best place around for flowers... thanks to Goggla for the photo!

And earlier today via Eden B...

Report: high-end condo in the works for 2nd Avenue explosion site

[EVG file photo]

Shaky Cohen's Nexus Building Development Group has filed plans to build a high-end condo at 121 Second Ave., where one of three buildings were destroyed in the deadly gas explosion in March 2015.

Nexus Building Development Group paid $9.15 million for the empty lots at No. 119 and 121 between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.

As The Real Deal reported, Nexus reps filed a permit application with the DOB today. According to the permit, the building will feature 2,100 square feet for commercial use with 21,000 square feet for residences.

Here's how the Nexus site describes the project:

...121 Second Avenue is a high-end condominium building designed by Morris Adjami, with seven floors including 21 apartments and a retail space. Residential units are one, two and three bedrooms.

Size: 7 floors, 21 Residential units

Developer: Nexus Building Development Group in partnership with Immobiliare Capital and Premier Equities

Architect: Morris Adjimi Architects

Marketing and Sales: The Tavivian Team from Douglas Elliman

The permits list 119 as the address for the new building while the Nexus site lists the address as 121.

There aren't any renderings for the building just yet.



In a previously recorded transaction, Ezra Wibowo paid $6 million for the property at 123 Second Ave. A source told the Post last March that this was a long-term investment. "He’s not in a rush to build or develop."

Previously.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner

Dedicating Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa Way on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street

Soil testing underway at the 2nd Avenue explosion site

Tarallucci e Vino closed through March for renovations on 1st Avenue

Papered windows and a sign greeted patrons yesterday at Tarallucci e Vino on First Avenue at 10th Street...



Per the signage at the Italian cafe: "After 16 great years ... it's time to spruce things up a bit."

The original Tarallucci e Vino (there are now five locations total in the city) expects to reopen by the end of March.

Thanks to Steven for the photos!

Storefront makeover for the former TakeMeHome Rotisserie Chicken on Avenue A

The former TakeMeHome Rotisserie Chicken space is getting a makeover at 151 Avenue A between Ninth Street and 10th Street... on Saturday, just the "Take Me Home, I'm Hot!" signage remained...



That was gone by the end of Sunday...


[Photo by Steven]

There aren't any work permits on file with the city for the storefront's renovation ... so that eliminates one way of finding out what might be next here. (Going with either dessert or a smoke-vape/vape-smoke shop.)

The space has sat empty since TakeMeHome officially closed in the summer of 2016. (As you may recall, TakeMeHome would close for weeks at a time.)

TakeMeHome opened in November 2014. The address was previously a San Loco outpost.

Reminders: Hear about the L-train shutdown tonight

[Via the New York Transit Museum Store]

In case you missed this from last week...

Please attend the CB3 Feb. 13 Transportation Committee meeting regarding the coming L Train shutdown in April 2019. MTA and DOT representatives will present the latest plans and answer your questions.

The Transportation Committee will vote on a resolution to send your concerns to the MTA and DOT and ask for plans to address these concerns.

We need your help identify possible impacts and problems that need to be addressed.

Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Grace Church School, 46 Cooper Square (at 6th Street/the Bowery)

Meanwhile! Speaking of the L... the NYPD is looking for this guy...

#WANTED: Male, Hispanic, 25 years old, 5’11” for Public Lewdness/exposing himself to a 45 y/o female inside the “L” train at the 14th St and 3rd Ave station #Manhattan on Jan. 25 at 9:45am. Help us ID this individual, share info ☎️ #800577TIPS pic.twitter.com/hxrysssf5g

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 12, 2018

The DOH temporarily closes the Ainsworth on 3rd Avenue

[Reader-submitted photo]

Several readers have noted that the Ainsworth East Village has been closed since last Wednesday... which coincided with a DOH inspection.

The Ainsworth, part of a growing chainlet of upscale sports bars, opened at the end of December on Third Avenue and 11th Street.

According to public records at the DOH, inspectors issued 86 violation points. The top violations included:

1) Food Protection Certificate not held by supervisor of food operations.
2) Food contact surface improperly constructed or located. Unacceptable material used.
3) Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure to enable cleanliness of employees not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.

Per one reader: "They're trying to hide a yellow closure sticker by conveniently hanging a white sign over the sticker that the DOH placed on their door." (As seen in top photo.)

The Village Pourhouse closed at this location last April after 11 years in business.

Updated 2/15
The Ainsworth is back open.

True romance: Valentine's Day at the movies

💔 ALL 💔 ON 💔 35MM! 💔 VALENTINE’S DAY MASSACRE 2018 hits our screen February 14 - 18⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Maurice Pialat⠀ WE WON’T GROW OLD TOGETHER⠀ ⠀ Albert Brooks⠀ MODERN ROMANCE⠀ ⠀ Elaine May⠀ A NEW LEAF⠀ ⠀ Elaine May⠀ HEARTBREAK KID⠀ ⠀ Andrzej Zulawski⠀ POSSESSION

A post shared by Anthology Film Archives (@anthologyfilmarchives) on Feb 8, 2018 at 3:33pm PST

On Wednesday (Valentine's Day), the Anthology Film Archives once again presents their slate of "radically anti-romantic films."

Here's more about Valentine's Day Massacre 2018 via the Anthology's website:

The series is anchored by two films that are virtually identical in many ways, save for their wildly different tones: Maurice Pialat’s grueling, autobiographical study of a dysfunctional off-and-on relationship, WE WON’T GROW OLD TOGETHER, and Albert Brooks’s hilarious yet no less painful MODERN ROMANCE. This Jekyll and Hyde pairing is supplemented by Andrzej Zulawski’s POSSESSION, a batshit crazy depiction of an imploding marriage that’s perhaps the ultimate dysfunctional relationship film, and two masterpieces by the great Elaine May: A NEW LEAF, a jet-black comedy that’s outrageously cynical yet in its way genuinely heartwarming, and THE HEARTBREAK KID, which in the spirit of Valentine’s Day Massacre is at once a hilariously funny and bitterly corrosive depiction of male/female relations.

The series plays through Sunday. Find the more about each film here. The theater is on Second Street at Second Avenue.

Also on Wednesday ... the Village East on Second Avenue at 12th Street is showing "From Here to Eternity" at 7 p.m. ... the Metrograph on Ludlow Street has an array of films including Maurice Chevalier's 1932 musical "Love Me Tonight" and the 1998 trashy guilty pleasure "Wild Things" with Denise Richards, Neve Campbell and Matt Dillon. Find the full slate here. And on 13th Street, the Quad is premiering François Ozon’s "Double Lover" on Wednesday... described as "a kaleidoscope of kinky eroticism and cinematic double takes that raises the stakes of the classic erotic thriller."

So long to Ai Weiwei's 'Good Fence' at Cooper Union

Today is removing day at Cooper Union for the Ai Weiwei installation ... part of a citywide project in collaboration with the Public Art Fund titled "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors." (Thanks to EVG reader Riian Kant-McCormick for this photo!)

The installation of the installations started in early October ... ahead of the official debut on Oct. 12. Yesterday marked the last day for the "Fences" project. Around here, installations were also on view at 48 E. Seventh St., 189 Chrystie St., 248 Bowery and the Essex Street Market.

According to The New York Times, "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" is "a reflection on the growing hostility toward immigrants and the rise of nationalism throughout the world."

The installation was commissioned by the Public Art Fund in celebration of its 40th anniversary.

Pile driving resumes at the site of the East Village's last gas station, where a 10-floor building will rise

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

Neapolitan Express pulls into the opening lane on 2nd Avenue

The pizzeria is now open here at 29 Second Ave. between First Street and Second Street...



The Neapolitan Express brand is expanding with several new locations in the city... they started as a food truck — touted at the time by Mayor Bloomberg — in 2013. Per the Neapolitan website:

Originally launched in 2013 as the world’s first Eco Friendly Food Truck, Neapolitan Express was officially introduced by lead investors, energy innovators and business tycoons T. Boone Pickens of Clean Energy Fuels. Powered entirely by alternative energies, the Neapolitan Express pizza truck reduces greenhouse gases by up to 99%. Our patent-pending fueling technology fully powers truck operations, while simultaneously cuts down pollutants to a fraction.

And via Real Estate Weekly:

The restaurant eschews traditional coal and wood-burning ovens typically used for Italian pizza, instead using open mouth electric ovens designed and made in Italy to reach 900 degrees with zero emissions.

The technique cooks the pies ... in 90 seconds.

As for the pies... here's a look at the menu...



The building was renovated after the previous tenant, the Cock, moved moved a few blocks north in December 2015.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Pizza in the mix for former Cock space on 2nd Avenue

Mr. White debuts tonight on St. Mark's Place

Mr. White opens to the public this evening at 123 St. Mark's Place near Avenue A.

The Times describes it as a "taste of New Orleans." Here's the paper's quickie overview:

Elegant décor with crystal chandeliers, gold and black accents, a fireplace and velvet curtains are meant to evoke a Southern mansion. The chef and partner, Andrew Dunleavy, is serving chargrilled oysters, collard green spring rolls, smoked duck, shrimp and grits and brûlée bananas.

And here are some interior shots via the Mr. White website...





The Mr. White website has more on the proprietors, Jeffrey White and Kelly Rheel, who have worked at a variety of NYC bars and restaurants, here. The menu, with prices, is here.

The restaurant was open last Saturday for a friends-family preview...





The address was last home to the Belgian Room, which the state seized for nonpayment of taxes in April 2015. (It appears that the reconfigured space includes the former Ton-Up Cafe next door.)

Mr. White is open Sunday-Wednesday from 5:30-11:30 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday until 12:30 a.m.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mr. White bringing 'new Southern cuisine' to St. Mark's Place


[Photo Thursday by Steven]

Newsstand proposed for Cooper Square

[Photo Friday by Sheila Meyer]

There's a newsstand in the works for the northwest corner of the Bowery/Cooper Square and Fourth Street — in front of 2 Cooper Square (aka the home of Crunch). Somewhere along here...



Community Board 2 will hear the proposal tonight. (The meeting is at the Little Red School House, 272 Sixth Ave. near Bleecker.)

The next closest newsstand is on the east side of the Bowery at Second Street. And then there's Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place.

A gym for Stuy Town on 14th Street — aka '7,500 Square Feet of Awesome'

Stuy Town residents received an email from management on Saturday with a subject line, "We're Building A Gym on 14th Street."

Construction is expected to start this week in the currently-empty space photographed above along 14th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C.

And here's part of the email about the gym, which will feature four Peloton spin bikes and a GYM RAX Storage and Suspension system...



Previously, Citibikes were stored in the space ... and up until Sandy it was the Manhattan Kids Club II (who relocated to Avenue C).

H/T Edmund John Dunn and Brian!

Sunday's part shot

Photo looking at the Con Ed power plant this evening via Durk Snowden...

A memorial for Toyo Tsuchiya

Toyo Tsuchiya, a well-regarded artist and photographer who documented the Lower East Side art scene of the 1980s, died in his East Village apartment on Nov. 23. He was 69.

There's a memorial for him tomorrow starting at 6 p.m. at Howl! Happening, 6 E. First St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Week in Grieview

[1st Avenue at 2nd Street via @rts_nyc]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

The Source Unltd Print and Copy Shop celebrating 36 years on 9th Street (Thursday)

Extell's new development at 524 E. 14th St. launches lottery for 50 affordable units (Friday)

The vintage photobooth from the HiFi needs a new East Village home (Monday)

The Athenian NYC, now serving Mediterranean fare on 10th Street (Monday)

Former TGI Friday's space on Union Square now a $31 million development site (Friday)

Report: Handsome Dick Manitoba arrested for domestic violence (Thursday)

Veselka among the first food vendors to anchor the Market Line at Essex Crossing (Wednesday)

Today in East Village tsunami warnings (Tuesday)

165 Avenue B is for rent — again (Tuesday)

Activity at the long-vacant 535 E. 12th St. (Friday)

A new playground is coming to P.S. 19 (Wednesday)

Report: Tech Hub receives CB3 committee support (Friday)

1st residents moving into Steiner East Village (Monday)

Once again, the rent is past due at the long-empty DF Mavens space (Thursday)


[2nd Avenue and St. Mark's yesterday via Derek Berg]

Last days for Ricky's on 3rd Avenue (Thursday)

DöKham will sell Tibetan treasures on 1st Avenue (Monday)

Popup Florist popping up on 7th Street (Tuesday)

1st sign of activity at the former Cafe Orlin space on St. Mark's Place (Wednesday)

Lumos Kitchen bringing the baijiu to 2nd Avenue (Monday)

USA Body Work out of business on 6th Street (Monday)

The holidays live on at the Astor Place Kmart (Wednesday)

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Noted

EVG reader Carl Bentsen shares this photo... showing that someone used a branch to smash the back window of this Lexus on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B... the branch has been at the Miracle Garden down the street...

Christmas trees catch fire in Tompkins Square Park

[Photo by Steven the other day]

You may have noticed that pile of Christmas trees in Tompkins Square Park ... in the MulchFest pen waiting to be mulched...

Anyway, this morning around 7:30, EVG reader Rajani Tewari noticed that the trees had caught fire...



No word on how the fire started — whether it was intentional or accidental...

Exercise studio plans to open 15 NYC locations; 276 Bowery is 1st

The Post yesterday had a story about FitHouse, a new exercise studio with plans to open 15 NYC locations... the first of which will be at 276 Bowery just south of Houston...

Per the Post:

As part of its fast-paced expansion, FitHouse will use so-called shotgun leases — extremely flexible arrangements that allow the landlord or the studio to cancel with a 60- or 90-day notice.

FitHouse is said to offer unlimited yoga, dance, high-intensity interval training, pilates and barre classes for $99 a month. Not sure what kind of commitment they'll make gymgoers agree to ...

276 Bowery has been a temp space for events/exhibits of late. Sunrise Rainbow Kitchen Supply moved out last summer after four years.

Happy landmark anniversary to the Louis N. Jaffee Art Theatre

[EVG photo from November]

The theater that houses City Cinemas Village East on Second Avenue at 12th Street became an official New York City landmark on Feb. 9, 1993.

On the occasion of the anniversary yesterday, Off the Grid — the blog of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation — took a look at the theater's history ...

In the first few decades of the Twentieth Century, this stretch of Second Avenue was referred to as the Jewish Rialto because of the many Yiddish language theaters and businesses connected to Jewish entertainment. In 1925 the developer Louis N. Jaffe hired the theater architect Harrison Wiseman to create the stunning theater at 189 Second Avenue to be devoted to the work of Maurice Schwartz, a Yiddish-speaking actor of such renown that he was often referred to simply as “Mr. Second Avenue.”

And now some random (and dark and rather grainy) photos of the theater's crown jewel — the main auditorium that was restored a few years back...







"The Shape of Water" is currently playing in the big room.

Sinkhole alert outside the Cooper Station Post Office

An EVG reader shared this photo from the Cooper Station Post Office on Fourth Avenue at 11th Street... Not sure how long this has been this way... regardless, something to keep an eye on if the line happens to go out the door...

Psychic sees clearly now on 2nd Avenue

Photo (and headline!) late this afternoon by Derek Berg...

'Tomorrow' never dies

Late last month the Damned announced the upcoming release of their first album in 10 years — Evil Spirits, out on April 13. The band recorded it out at Atomic Sound Studios in Brooklyn with David Bowie collaborator/producer Tony Visconti

The above sci-fi themed video is for the first single, "Standing On The Edge Of Tomorrow."