Fasta has apparently closed on St. Mark's Place

[Photo via EVG reader Steven]

Word along St. Mark's Place is that Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") has closed at No. 36. The quick-serve restaurant between Second Avenue and Third Avenue hasn't been open since last Wednesday. Someone papered over the windows. Calls to Fasta go unanswered.

Fasta just opened on April 23. The space, however, may not be empty for long. Neighbor Jordy Trachtenberg hears that the owners will convert Fasta into a restaurant specializing in chicken.

The previous tenant, the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza, closed in February.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Pasta in the works for St. Mark's Place

New butt-friendly Citi Bikes on the way

[Image via Citi Bike]

Some 2,400 newly designed Citi Bikes are on the way.

Here's the Citi Bike blog with details:

The new bike was designed through a rigorous process based on an analysis of years of bike maintenance and performance records. The bikes feature redesigned, and in some cases higher-quality, parts which will improve each bike’s overall durability and the ease of repair. The bikes also feature a new seat to prevent water from pooling when it rains, a sturdier kick-stand and better gearing for urban riding. Citi Bikes will spend more time on the street and less time in the repair shop, improving the experience for every Citi Bike rider.

And!

The new bikes were designed in a collaborative process between world-renowned bike designer, Ben Serotta, and lead mechanics from across the bike share systems that Motivate operates. Mr. Serotta’s bikes have featured prominently in many international competitions including the Olympics.

The Daily News took a new bike out for a spin, and "found the ride smoother, and the gear system easier to switch."

Astor Piano

EVG reader Daniel Root shares these photos from Astor Place... where one of the 50 Sing of Hope pianos is in place through June 21...

Franck de las Mercedes designed the piano's art.

His statement:

This piano is a celebration of the people and the arts of New York City. Growing up here, I was exposed to the visual clash of graffiti, decaying walls, torn-up ads, and the effect that time and the elements had on surfaces. Bright colors are an essential element in the piano in order to depict the diversity and fast pace of the city. I incorporated collage work using my photographs sketches, journal pages and scribbles on pieces of scrap paper. The piano also includes a "piano chords" chart to invite non-musicians to play also. Hoping this interactive and participatory experience with the work can perhaps become gateway into music, the arts and learning an instrument.

As we understand, this song is the most popular here outside the IBM Watson Building/51 Astor Place.

Santa continues to make the rounds in Tompkins Square Park

Last Thursday!



Today!


[Photo by Derek Berg]

Where will he end up next?

Action in the pits and new renderings along East 14th Street

[Drill team at 524 E. 14th St.]

There is lots of drilling and digging going on at the dual construction sites of 524 E. 14th St. and 500 E. 14th St., where the incoming residential-retail developments will feature 150 apartments and more than 56,000-square-feet of retail between Avenue A and Avenue B.


[Inside No. 524]


[A view of No. 500]


[View of No. 500 via an EVG reader]

There are also new renderings up on the plywood now… showing No. 524 …





… and No. 500 …





The renderings are pretty close to the images that have been associated with Extell's development since October 2013 …


[Rendering of 500 E. 14th St. via RKF]


[Rendering of 524 E. 14th St. via RKF]

According to signage at the scene, Janauary 2017 is the anticipated completion date.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The disappearing storefronts of East 14th Street

[Updated with correction] 8-lot parcel of East 14th Street primed for new development

New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

1st activity at 500 E. 14th St. since the demolition phase, and when the standing water froze

Former Mary Help of Christians lot now ready for 82 market-rate condos

500 and 524 E. 14th St. look to have some construction company soon enough.

Over at the former Mary Help of Christians property, the lot is waiting for a new retail-residental building with frontage on Avenue A, East 11th Street and East 12th Street.

As we first reported, the permits that developer Douglas Steiner's reps filed with the city in October 2013 called for a 7-story, 158-unit 164,720-square-foot structure. The U-shaped building would offer rentals (and a rooftop swimming pool).

However, Steiner's reps told Community Board 3 in February that the residential complex, which would feature 22 affordable units designated as Inclusionary Housing, will now go as market-rate condos. (Several community leaders confirmed that the residences will hit the market as condos.)

The city approved (or at least partially approved) most of the required permits for the project last month. The square footage is now 107,000 for the residential portion, 8,376 for the retail and 961 for the community facility, per city documents. The 6-floor building will house 82 dwelling units and a pool on a lower level.

Meanwhile, last week, local residents spotted Steiner and a group of people walking the site…


[Photo by Meri Micara]

Previously on EV Grieve:
New residential complex at former Mary Help of Christians lot may include rooftop swimming pool

Meet your new neighbor on Avenue A

Permits filed to demolish Mary Help of Christians church, school and rectory

Preservationists call for archeological review of former cemetery at Mary Help of Christians site

The 'senseless shocking self-destruction' of Mary Help of Christians

Residences rising from the former Mary Help of Christians lot will now be market-rate condos

Excel Art and Framing Store relocating nearby on 3rd Avenue

Back in January, we heard that the 21-year-old Excel Art and Framing Store had lost its lease at 38 Third Ave. between East Ninth Street and East 10th Street.

According to various tipsters, the Duane Reade on the corner of 10th Street (above) is planning on expanding into the adjacent storefronts, taking up the space the belongs to Excel and East Village Cheese in the process.

Yesterday we reported that East Village Cheese made the relocation announcement to East Seventh Street official. Now fans of Excel will be pleased to know that the frame shop has a new home … a short distance away on Third Avenue between East 11th Street and East 12th Street…





The new storefront should be open in mid-July, per the sign. Visit their website for updates.

The previous tenant here in the storefronts of NYU's Third North dorm was Everything Bagels, which closed at the beginning of the year.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Duane Reade expansion will take over adjacent storefronts, including East Village Cheese (74 comments)

East Village Cheese makes move to 7th Street official

Former Luca Bar space for rent on St. Mark's Place

The for rent sign has arrived at 119 St. Mark's Place, former home of the Luca Bar here between Avenue A and First Avenue.



The listing via Jonis Realty doesn't appear to be online just yet.

The landlord took possession of the space back in late April. Regardless, Luca Bar always seemed able to bounce back from tax/landlord-related issues, such as in November 2013 and June 2011.

Luca Bar isn't the only available space on this side of the block. The former homes of the Belgian Room, Hop Devil Grill and Ton-Up Cafe are all currently business-free.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Marshal seizes Luca Bar (again) on St. Mark's Place

Tink's has closed on East 7th Street

On Saturday, an EVG reader told us that Tink's had abruptly closed on East Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue.

A sign outside the cafe noted: "No more. It's been real."



We don't know what the reason was for the closure. There isn't any mention of the closing on the cafe's social media properties. The family-run business opened at 102 E. Seventh St. in October 2012.

Temporary art and future condos on East 13th Street

On Thursday night, developers for the directionally named Thirteen East + West at 436 and 442 E. 13th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue unveiled the luxury condos with a street-art competition featuring ArtBattles, a nonprofit dedicated to "creating live art events and competitions to expose emerging artists to the public."


[No. 436 mural by El Niño de Las Pinturas]


[No. 442 mural by "King of New York" Cernesto ]

According to New York Business Journal, the two artists in the competition — "King of New York" Cernesto and El Niño de Las Pinturas — incorporated a "'transient theme' into their works, reflecting how their murals will only be temporary before demolished and made into luxury towers."


[Image via Instagram]

Broker Ryan Serhant, one of the real-estate agents featured on Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing New York," told New York Business Journal:

"We really wanted to highlight what the East Village is all about, which is stories and characters and art — and street art specifically. These two projects specifically are being done with the blood sweat and tears of the East Village, one thousand percent."

According to Serhant, each building has 6 floor-through homes, all with private outdoor space. The penthouses have their own private garages and roof decks. Pricing will start at $2.3 million; $3.4 million for the penthouses.

Meanwhile, back to the New York Business Journal:

David Amirian, principle of The Amirian Group, said the towers will fit into the neighborhood nicely.

"We think this will be a great addition to the neighborhood, you know we aren't building a 20-story glass structure where its going to be infill. We hope its going to be a very big part of the neighborhood in the future," Amirian said.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Tracking the coming changes to East 13th Street between Avenue A and 1st Avenue

Claim: Landlord of 444 E. 13th St. threatened 'to drop dynamite on the building'

A look at the new luxury condos coming soon to East 13th Street