Problems finding an apartment?

From the Post:

Almost 99 percent of Manhattan rentals are currently occupied, according to a new market report.

The vacancy rate is now 1.07 percent, the lowest it has been in three years, Citi Habitats reports.

Last year at this time, Manhattan vacancies were at 1.17 percent.

Read the whole article here.

Thursday's best

Photo on Second Avenue today via Derek Berg

Here's the new-look 137 Avenue C

[Old-look No. 137 from April 2014]

After nearly a year of building-wide renovations that saw the addition of an extra floor at 137 Avenue C, workers this week removed the construction netting from the new-look structure, as EVG regular Dave on 7th tells us …

And now!



… and some views from East Ninth Street and La Plaza…





For awhile the site seemed to be some kind of construction miracle, with the remains of the building — just the north wall and some joists — held up by some scaffolding and not much else.

Thoughts on the new building? (The old version did have a bit of a lean to it.)

Approved DOB permits show one residential unit (condo?) on each floor… with a ground-floor retail tenant. The DOB lists Ramy Issac, no stranger to the East Village, as the architect of record.

As for the retail space, we understand that a bar-restaurant of some sort is in the works. (The applicant withdrew from the November 2014 CB3/SLA licensing meeting.) The building's ground-floor was home to drunker-brunch hotspot Sunburnt Cow until April 2014.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Renovations in store for 137 Avenue C, home to the Sunburnt Cow

The Sunburnt Cow closes for good at the end of this month

137 Avenue C, hollow on the inside

137 Avenue C — still standing!

137 Avenue C getting its extra floor

Residents launch petition to oppose method of operation for Albert Trummer's new cocktail bar on Avenue C

[Image via Buchbinder & Warren]

On Monday night, CB3's SLA committee gave the OK to mixologist Albert Trummer to open a cocktail lounge/tapas bar at 16 Avenue C (aka 262 E. Second St.).

Despite the committee's thumbs up for Trummer — who made headlines for his flaming concoctions at the Prohibition-era styled Apothéke in Chinatown — members of the tenants association at 262 E. Second St. are circulating a petition to oppose part of the unnamed bar's plans, such as the DJ and hours of operation, approved at 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

According to the petition:

The Community Board approved because the SLA (State Liquor Association) would approve the license and that if the board actually denied it (which they were inclined to do) it would have meant that the SLA would grant the license and the establishment could stay open until 4am. A motion was passed and the establishment can be open 7-days a week from 5pm-2am. Apparently this falls under the 500-foot rule. Since there are only 2 other establishments within 500 feet of 14 Avenue C holding full liquor licenses it makes it very easy for 14 Avenue C to secure a new license.

Albert Trummer, the new owner, is proposing to serve $1,600 bottles of champagne and there was bottle service listed on the menu that he submitted to the board – including $375 bottles of vodka and a single cocktail priced at $300. Mr. Trummer wants to have a DJ for “background music” and serve "tapas" style food, though there is no kitchen (except a "prep kitchen" which consists of a countertop). 

We support the #SAVENYC mission and understand that this is a small business that wants to open. However, this particular business is completely incongruous to the neighborhood and we fear the collateral damage it could inflict on the other small businesses on the block...

Neighbors include Barrier Free Living, a shelter for homeless men and women with mobility impairments and/or severe medical problems.



The petition mentions that Trummer was arrested when he ran Apothéke. According to published reports, FDNY investigators arrested Trummer in 2010 after setting alcohol aflame on the bartop at Apothéke on Doyers Street. He was charged with reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance, both misdemeanors. After the arrest, he told the Times: "My intention was not to hurt anybody. I'm an artist. I'm a mixologoist. I'm a cook. But I'm not a pyrotechnic maniac."

Anyone interested in signing the petition can contact the tenants association via email here

14 Avenue C was previously home to Adinah's Farm, the market that closed for good last June.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Mixologoist Albert Trummer looking to bring a cocktail bar to Avenue C

Construction watch: 321 E. 3rd St.

Here's how 321 E. Third St. is looking … where a 6-floor, 30-unit apartment building is on the rise between Avenue C and Avenue D.

The rendering showing a cinder-block box isn't much to look at…



We don't know too much about this project other than that Queens-based Venetian Management LLC is listed as the owner on DOB records. Gerald J. Caliendo is listed at the architect of record.

Approved permits show that the building is residential-only (meaning no retail), with a bicycle storage room in the basement and a "recreation space" on the roof.

The property sits across the street from another newish building — The Robyn.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Another parcel of East Village land ready for development

Plywood arrives at East 3rd Street lot, site of incoming 6-floor apartment building

Rallying for stronger rent regulations in NYC

More than an estimated 1,000 NYC residents descended upon the state Capitol in Albany yesterday to urge lawmakers to renew and strengthen rent control laws that are set to expire on Monday.

EVG reader Peter Brownscombe was there and shared these photos…









The Wall Street Journal reported the following today:

The powerful New York City real-estate industry, which is aligned with the state Senate’s Republican majority, opposes many of the regulations, saying they don’t help tenants or landlords. Many lawmakers simply want to leave Albany without upsetting the status quo this year after a tumultuous few months marred by two corruption arrests.

Real-estate executives, city officials and state lawmakers say little has been decided, and that it is likely the current rent regulations, set to expire this year, will be extended at least for a limited period. More than 1 million units in New York City are affected by rent regulations, according to a 2011 study by the Furman Center at New York University.

People familiar with the talks don’t expect the de Blasio administration to get its way on a key issue: ending “vacancy decontrol” — the practice of exempting regulated apartments from rent controls once their rents hit a threshold, currently $2,500, and letting them go for market rates. Mr. de Blasio wants to end vacancy decontrol and put a cap on rent increases, a move championed by liberal lawmakers as crucial to strengthening rent laws.

The Mayor's Office tonight sent out a link to this petition — Support Affordable Housing in New York City


[Image via the Mayor's Office]

Late afternoon East Houston Street still life

Photo by Fenton Lawless

There's kind of a big hole on 1st Avenue and East 9th Street

[Photo via William Klayer]

Just FYI.

Updated FYI



One of the crew members told EVG regular Steven that the sewer repair work will require a few days to complete ... so please take extra caution if you plan on skateboarding here.

Updated 9 p.m.

There's kind of a big hole on East Third Street between Avenue B and Avenue C too... and crews are jackhammering away this evening to make repairs...


[Photo by EVG reader David]

Harry & Ida’s Meat and Supply Company now open on Avenue A

[Image via Facebook]

The siblings who own Ducks Eatery on East 12th Street are behind Harry & Ida’s Meat and Supply Company, which opened today at 189 Avenue A.

The New York Times has a mini preview today of the shop between East 11th Street and East 12th Street:

It’s named for their great-grandparents Harry and Ida Zinn, Hungarian immigrants who had a store in Harlem. The market specializes in preserved foods: pickling, hot- and cold-smoking, fermenting and canning to make goods as varied as old-fashioned pastrami and smoked eels for sandwiches.

EVG reader Shawn Chittle stopped by earlier. "Feels like a Vermont supply shop. Smells like the country. They have breads and meats and all sorts of stuff," he said via email. "Some will like it. Not sure they have what people around here want — time will tell."

Previously, the space was going to be home to I Cipressi, but the Italian restaurant wasn't able to open. Vampire Freaks was the last tenant here, closing in December 2011.

Updated 3:21 p.m.

You know the Times wasn't kidding when they mentioned eels... EVG reader Riian Kant-McCormick notes that the store has a tank of live eels... (does this count as a fishmonger???)



Previously on EV Grieve:
Harry and Ida's Meat & Supply Co. coming to Avenue A

[Updated] Birthday wishes for Nicholas Figueroa on 2nd Avenue

Nicholas Figueroa, who died in the gas explosion at 121 Second Ave. on March 26, would have been 24 today.

A Figueroa family member stopped by the site of the blast on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street this morning to hang the Happy Birthday banners.



Moises Ismael Locón Yac also died during the explosion that leveled three buildings at 117-123 Second Ave.

Updated 7 p.m.

Nicholas's friends and family are gathering on the sidewalk this evening to celebrate his birthday…




His mother made cupcakes for passersby…



… and here is a birthday greeting from his parents…



Thanks to EVG reader Daniel for the photos