Claim: 347 Bowery will be home to a 13-story mixed-use residential development

[EVG file photo]

We posted the news yesterday that 347 Bowery will be demolished ... While there are demolition permits, there's nothing on file with the DOB about what's coming next to the Salvation Army's former East Village Residence here at East Third Street.

However, an EVG tipster pointed us to a Fundrise site for Urban Muse, who owns 347 Bowery. According to the site:

347 Bowery is a 13-story, 30,000 SF ground-up mixed-use residential development. The project will include five 3 bedroom homes ranging from 2,100 to 4,000 SF, two 2,000 SF commercial units and one 6,800 SF retail unit.

The site includes a thumbnail sketch...



We'll see if this is what actually comes to the Bowery.

The Lo-Down reported last July that Urban Muse, a privately held firm that "acquires, develops, repositions, operates and brands" commercial and residential real estate, bought the space in a $19 million deal.

The Salvation Army's East Village Residence closed in August 2008. (Find some history of the space here.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Whatever happened to that really ugly hotel planned for the Bowery?

Permits filed to demolish former Salvation Army residence on the Bowery

The Salvation Army's former East Village Residence will be demolished on the Bowery

Pangea screening film classics Wednesday nights this winter

Pangea, the 25-year-old Italian restaurant and bar at 178 Second Ave., is now hosting a classic movie night on Wednesdays.

There's a solid lineup, as you can see in the flyer above... films start at 8.

This isn't Pangea's first foray into films... Last March, Pangea hosted The East Village Film Series.

My dear Watson: 51 Astor Place is now the IBM Watson building

[Photo via @IBM]

A few more details have emerged in the aftermath of last Thursday's announcement that IBM is opening a new business unit surrounding its "Jeopardy"-ass-kicking super computer at 51 Astor Place.

For starters, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that IBM beat out Twitter for the 120,000-square-foot space.

IBM moved quickly to secure its spot in the 12-story tower by Astor Square, negotiating the details of the lease in just four days, said Edward Minskoff, the building's developer. "Twitter's a wonderful company and I would love to have been able to do both deals," Mr. Minskoff said.

And!

The building has been renamed — Please welcome the IBM Watson building to the neighborhood!

Per the Journal, the 12-story building is more than half-rented—with IBM, a 71,000-square-foot lease with St. John's University and a 42,000-square-foot lease with 1stdib. Leases on another three floors three floors are being negotiated.

Minskoff had said he'd fully lease 51 Astor Place by the end of this month.

Meanwhile at the IBM Watson building, the Jeff Koons rabbit sculpture has arrived for the lobby

We spotted this tweet yesterday from Katya Kazakina, art market reporter at Bloomberg News...

What's this? Jeff Koons balloon rabbit going up @ 51 Astor place: 6,600 pounds of stainless steel #artmarket pic.twitter.com/r1LBKmJjwh
— katya kazakina (@artdetective) January 14, 2014

As the Times noted last March, the new building at 51 Astor Place will feature a 14-foot-tall red rabbit sculpture by Jeff Koons will anchor the granite lobby.

OK! To date for the building, we have Watson, an artificially intelligent computer system capable of answering questions posed in natural language, and now a 14-foot-tall red rabbit. Now what?

CB3 OKs liquor license for Alex Stupak's new restaurant on St. Mark's Place

Alex Stupak, who runs the well-regarded Empellón Cocina and Empellón Taqueria, plans to open his third restaurant at 132 St. Mark's Place at Avenue A, where the Sushi Lounge closed at the end of October.

On Monday night, CB3's SLA committee granted him a liquor license for the space.

Okay! I have a liquor license at 132 St. Marks now. I guess I'd better build a restaurant now.

— alex stupak (@alexstupak) January 14, 2014

Stupak told Eater on Dec. 23 that he hasn't decided on the concept for the space just yet.

Ahead of the meeting, some neighbors had concerns about another full liquor license and a 2 a.m. closing time in an area already saturated with liquor licenses.

Neighbors apparently met with Stupak last week. We heard that the meeting went well…



However, as we understand it, there was still some opposition to another liquor license. One EVG confidant at the meeting said that there were CB3 stipulations that the restaurant will only serve mescal, not a complete bar; that the initial operating hours would be restricted, subject to later expansion. (The proposed hours were 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. We didn't hear what the agreed-upon new hours will be.)

Regardless, there was a lot of enthusiastic support for Stupak — including from a sitting member of the CB3/SLA committee.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Chef Alex Stupak vying for former Sushi Lounge space on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place

As the for rent signs turn on Avenue A

Here are a few scant details about chef Alex Stupak's new venture on St. Mark's Place

[Updated] NYPD questioning East Village rape suspect

Thats's the word late this afternoon from WABC-7, who simply report for now that "the man is a Manhattan resident in his 30s" and he is in police custody.

Earlier today, the NYPD released a video of the suspect wanted for questioning in connection with the rape of a 22-year-old woman inside her apartment on East Seventh Street early yesterday morning.

Updated 8:12 p.m.
NBC New York and several other outlets are now reporting:

After being questioned in the attack, 32-year-old Fermin Flores of Washington Heights was arrested on charges of rape, burglary, criminal sex act and strangulation, police said.

Updated Jan. 15
The Daily News has a photo of the suspect in police custody … according to the paper, the victim told investigators that she saw her attacker earlier in the evening.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] NYPD investigating possible sexual assault on East 7th Street

NYPD releases surveillance video of East Seventh Street rape suspect

Jerry Delakas is back inside his Astor Place newsstand

[Photo via Animal NY]

At 11:47 this morning, a locksmith let Jerry Delakas back into the newsstand outside the downtown 6 entrance on Astor Place that he has operated since 1987.

As we first reported on Dec. 10, the city shut down the newsstand for "operating illegally." Delakas never had the license transferred to his own name after the city blocked numerous attempts by the family who held the license to do so.

Yesterday, the city agreed to issue Delakas a license. One stipulation: He must pay a $9,000 fine over the course of the next year.

No word on exactly when he's going to start selling stuff again... but he's back.

Animal NY has more on this morning's events here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
City shutters Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place for 'operating illegally'

The story about the city shutting down Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place actually gets worse

More about saving Jerry's Newsstand

Helping Save Jerry

City says Jerry Delakas can operate Astor Place Newsstand

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning Edition

[Second Avenue via EVG contributor jdx]

Gaia will be staying open after all on East Houston (BoweryBoogie)

More legal wrangling over plans for an upscale cafe in the Union Square pavilion (Daily News ... via Curbed)

At MulchFest in Tompkins Square Park — WITH VIDEO (Gog in NYC)

The 1940s Lower East Side salvage collectors (Ephemeral New York)

Photos from the 2014 No Pants Subway Ride (Runnin' Scared)

... and, if you'd like, the official No Pants video...



Chelsea's long-time gay gift shop Rainbows & Triangles is closing (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

An armed robbery on Clinton and Grand (The Lo-Down)

When Batman and Warhol collided (Dangerous Minds)

NYPD releases surveillance video of East Seventh Street rape suspect

The NYPD has released surveillance video showing a suspect who they believe raped a 22-year-woman inside her East Seventh Street apartment early yesterday morning.



Per the NYPD: The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5-foot-6 and 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white hat, blue sweat shirt and blue jeans.

Here is the video via WNBC-4 (you will have to watch a commercial for Toyota first)... Gothamist...



Here is a report via WABC-7...



As WNBC reported:

The woman, 22, told police she was walking into her apartment near East Seventh Street about 4:15 a.m. when the attacker shoved her inside and raped her, the NYPD says.

Video shows the suspect in a hallway taking off his backpack and jacket in a business in the area before the attack.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] NYPD investigating possible sexual assault on East 7th Street

The Salvation Army's former East Village Residence will be demolished on the Bowery

Several weeks ago, we spotted permits on file with the city to demolish the interior of the Salvation Army's former East Village Residence on the Bowery at East Third Street.

We thought, perhaps, this meant that the 3-story building was in for a gut renovation.

Guess not.

There are new permits now on file to demolish the whole building.

There's no word on what's next here from the privately held real estate firm who owns the space.

The shelter closed in August 2008.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reactions to new Bowery hotel: 'It would be cheaper and more useful just to blow up the building and leave a 30-foot crater'

Why do the French hate us?

Whatever happened to that really ugly hotel planned for the Bowery?

Permits filed to demolish former Salvation Army residence on the Bowery

Empire State Building suing East Village photographer for topless photo shoot

[Photo by Allen Henson]

The Empire State Building management has filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against East Village resident Allen Henson for taking photos of a topless Shelby Carter on the skyscraper's 86th floor observatory last Aug. 9.

According to the lawsuit filed Friday in Manhattan Supreme Court, his actions "were unlawful … and caused ESB damage to its business and its reputation as a safe and secure family friendly tourist attractions."

In addition, ESB officials said that they had to "divert management time, resources and attention to deal with the inappropriate objectionable conduct and potentially dangerous situation the defendant created."

The building's management is asking for a total of $1.1 million in damages and a court order barring Henson from returning to the building.

We asked Henson if he could say anything on the record about the lawsuit.

"Yes, they're being ridiculous."

(The Daily News has more on the lawsuit here.)

Last July, Henson photographed Cheyenne Lutek dining topless at Verso on Avenue C … as well as the Sushi Lounge. (A bit of a coincidence that both restaurants are now closed?)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Female diner decides to go topless last night at Verso

[NSFW] About the topless diner at Verso Sunday night

Rentals at recently renovated 205 Avenue A upwards of $9,000

The rentals at the now two-floors-taller 205 Avenue A hit the market yesterday… here's how Icon Realty is describing the dorm rooms units:

All apartments are newly renovated featuring: bleached-plank hardwood floors, recessed lighting, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, cherry wood cabinets, crown and baseboard moldings, with marble bathrooms.

The prices range from $5,695 a month for three bedrooms to (gulp!) $9,200 for a five (convertible six!) bedroom unit. This particular apartment includes an 800-square-foot "private patio."

So far, the only photos accompanying the apartment listings are of the mini washer and dryer.



205 is the work of developer Terrence Lowenberg's Icon Realty and architect Ramy Issac … this project seems quite similar to another recent joint venture — 326-328 E. Fourth St., where there was a six-bedroom apartment listed for $8,000.

The retail space here is on the market for $10,000.

Previously on EV Grieve:

[January 2013]

2 additional floors coming to 205 Avenue A; another Lowenberg-Issac production

205 Avenue A primed for 2 new floors

Is the under-renovation 205 Avenue A already too tall?

Here's the new-look 205 Avenue A with 2 additional floors

A reminder not to lock your bike to a tree

Helpful reminder spotted on East Fifth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B last night. (You know what happens when you lock a bike to a tree.)

No word if this is the work of the esteemed East Fifth St. Tree Committee. Likely not, given the note isn't on neon pink paper. (Plus it's a different block.)

Photo by Robert Sietsema via Twitter

Previously on EV Grieve:
In the newest installment of how to steal a bike and destroy a tree in the East Village

Want a bus?

Last Tuesday, during the Polar Vortex, this bus broke down in front of St. Brigid's on Avenue B at East Eighth Street. A week later, it's still there. We're told that no one from the bus operator has attempted to make any repairs… or haul it off somewhere…

Until then, what can we do with it?

How about it for 'Beastie Boys Square'?

As you may have heard, there's a movement to co-name the corner of Rivington and Ludlow "Beastie Boys Square." (Why? In part because the cover of the band's second studio record, "Paul's Boutique," was 99 Rivington.)

Tonight, Community Board 3's Transportation & Public Safety/Environment Committee will hear the petition, launched by Beastie Boys fan LeRoy McCarthy. (BoweryBoogie has been on this story from day 1. Read more on the background here.)

Per CB3, here's how the co-naming process works:

If the request is approved by the committee, the application will be voted on by the full Board for final approval. If approved, the request will be forwarded to the City Council office for Council approval.

By the way, the block already honors Rabbi Yaakov Spiegel, which the city designated in June 2003.



In other Transportation & Public Safety/Environment Committee news … the group will also hear about newsstand applications for Second Avenue and East First Street (we're assuming that this will be along the new Jupiter 21 building) as well as for 124 E. 14th St. (roughly around the P.C. Richard & Son).

Thank you, and good night

Jerry Delakas on Astor Place this evening… hours after learning that the city will let him reopen the newsstand that he has operated since 1987.

Photo by Michael Paul via the Save Jerry's Newsstand Facebook page.

A day of 'Songbyrd'

[Photo by Bobby Williams]

A lot of people have asked us what is filming around East Seventh Street and Avenue A today/tonight… crews for the pilot of "Songbyrd," a new E! series, have been here…

Per Deadline Hollywood, the show "centers on songwriter Lauren Byrd (Bethany Joy Lenz), a character loosely inspired by hitmaker Diane Warren, and her staff." Andrew McCarthy is directing the pilot.

As noted earlier, 7A is closed today for the shoot. There were also scenes filmed in St. Brigid's… and in Tompkins Square Park…



… and a crew member put up this sign outside Tompkins Square Park. Annnnnnnnnd, noted.

City says Jerry Delakas can operate Astor Place Newsstand

[From the Save Jerry's Facebook page]

A long, contentious battle battle between Jerry Delakas and the city is over. There was talk earlier today that Delakas would be able to continue to operate the newsstand at Astor Place as he has done since 1987.

As Serena Solomon reports this afternoon at DNAinfo, the city has agreed to issue Delakas a license. One stipulation: He must pay a $9,000 fine over the course of the next year.

Per DNA:

"I think it shows a different stance on small business [under de Blasio], and a lot of those smaller businesses that have been set upon by city government should find this encouraging to fight back," said Advocates for Justice lawyer Arthur Schwartz, who is representing Delakas.

Delakas must pay the city $1,000 for a new license before he can reopen, plus the first $1,000 out of a $9,000 fine, according to legal documents.

He has to pay another $3,000 in May, $2,000 in August and $3,000 by Nov. 1, according to the documents.

The newsstand could be back open as soon as Wednesday.

As we first reported on Dec. 10, the city shut down the newsstand he has run the past 26 years for "operating illegally." Delakas never had the license transferred to his own name after the city blocked numerous attempts by the family who held the license to do so.

On Jan. 5, Mayor de Blasio promised to have his aides look into the situation with the newsstand.

Previously on EV Grieve:
City shutters Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place for 'operating illegally'

The story about the city shutting down Jerry's Newsstand on Astor Place actually gets worse

More about saving Jerry's Newsstand

Helping Save Jerry

[Updated] NYPD investigating possible sexual assault on East 7th Street

Several readers have said that the NYPD and news crews are on the scene on East Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue… Here's the early word on the situation…

#NYPD Investigating possible sex assault in #EastVillage Waiting for more details. pic.twitter.com/w27PMcS39r

— Weijia Jiang (@JiangWCBSWLNY) January 13, 2014

Updated 10 a.m.


A neighbor shares a few images… the NYPD is on the scene at 70 E. Seventh St.





The neighbor says that she saw the NYPD on the scene since about 6:45 a.m.

Updated 11:34 a.m.
WABC is reporting that "a 22-year-old woman was followed into her apartment and raped by an unknown male believed to be in his 30s."

Updated 4 p.m.
Crime Scene Investigators were still at the building … as was a WABC news truck…



There haven't been any further updates just yet.

Updated 1/14
The NYPD release a surveillance video of the suspect.

Closing date set for 7A, which will won't be open today

As we first reported last Wednesday, 7A is set to close at the end of this month.

The 24-hour restaurant, which has anchored the southwest corner of Avenue A and East Seventh Street since the mid-1980s, will close following service on Sunday, Jan. 26, according to our 7A tipster. (An employee confirmed the date.) So far, we haven't heard about an exact closing time… whether it is after brunch… or dinner remains to be seen.

Nightlife heavy-hitters Serge Becker and Josh Picard are rumored to be taking over the space.

Meanwhile, today…



… 7A will be closed … crews for the pilot of "Songbyrd," a new E! series, will be filming in the restaurant… Per Deadline Hollywood, the show "centers on songwriter Lauren Byrd (Bethany Joy Lenz), a character loosely inspired by hitmaker Diane Warren, and her staff." Your 1980s crush Andrew McCarthy is directing the pilot.

Updated 12:44



Here's 7A all prepped for tonight's TV shoot...

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Reader report: 7A will close at the end of the month 956 comments)

Are Serge Becker and Josh Picard taking over 7A?

Maria's Cafe is leaving the corner of 3rd and C

Maria's Cafe, which serves up inexpensive food and strong coffee, is leaving its longtime home on East Third Street and Avenue C. We hear that today is the last day here in this sliver of a space.


[Last summer]

Word is Maria will be sub-leasing space at a restaurant on Broadway near East 10th Street… not sure exactly which restaurant at the moment. Will pass along that information when we get it. (The stand wasn't open when we stopped by.)

While we're happy that she has found new space… it means, of course, that she's won't be here any longer… Worse, as we hear from a neighborhood tipster, several of the small buildings here at the southeast corner of East Third Street and Avenue C will be demolished in the months ahead to make way for a new residential complex. (There's nothing on file with the Department of Buildings to indicate any impending demolition.)

Meanwhile, there's still a "Full Vacate Order" from the city for 32 Avenue C dating to August 2012. (In March 2012, the sidewalk bridge arrived along with a scary DOB message: "THE FACADE OF THE BUILDING IS CAVING IN; COMMERCIAL BUILDING; BUILDING NEEDS TO BE VACATED.")




Previously on EV Grieve:
Concern for 32 Avenue C

2nd Street and Avenue A now halal-cart free

When we last checked in on the biggest Halal Cart Story of 2014 on Jan. 1, the proprietor decided to move his operation about 50 feet down East Second Street from the southeast corner of Avenue A.

However, we didn't spot the cart again with the snowstorm of Jan. 2/Jan 3 … followed by those frigid temps … perhaps sitting this weather out?

Not so!

One of the residents who had been unhappy with the cart's arrival in late December said that he had a long talk with the proprietor on Jan. 1… and he said that the cart would be moving toward Second Avenue…

We haven't spotted it again… In any event, the cart won't be returning to Avenue A and East Second Street… which is likely a good thing — seems as if a civil cart war was brewing among various residents...



As you may recall, a few neighbors had complained of noise, exhaust fumes, dumped ashes and a blocked sidewalk, among other things…

Previously on EV Grieve:
Angry residents don't want this food cart on Avenue A and East 2nd Street (42 comments)

Avenue A food-cart fight now with flyer campaign (21 comments)

Controversial halal food cart on Avenue A moves … a few feet around the corner

At Hanksy's 'Surplus Candy' art show in an abandoned East Village tenement

This past Friday night, street artist Hanksy hosted a kinda secret show for a few hours inside an abandoned East Village building. (There was a show here as well back on Dec. 20. Someone connected with this also asked us not to divulge the location. But if you really want to know you can figure it out easily enough.)

We stopped by for a look. (Gothamist has more photos and video from the night… as well as info on the other artists involved.)























A sequel here is possible, though, as Gothamist notes, Hanksy is now out of town. The empty building is apparently due for either a demo or gut renovation … there aren't any plans on file yet with the Department of Buildings.

Updated:
Hugh Burckhardt has a lot more photos from Friday night at his blog More Than Usual.

Also, Bucky Turco and Marina Galperina from Animal NY have a recap in Metro today.

Avenue B laundromat headed south to Clinton Street

When we saw the familiar "for rent" sign of Steve Croman recently arrive above the laundromat at 44 Avenue B… well, we knew the place was a goner…

Sure enough!



At least they are just moving … down to 47 Clinton St. between Stanton and Rivington… not exactly as convenient for residents along here...