Former David Barton space on Astor Place will become an 'elite' New York Sports Club

Back in December, the four David Barton Gym locations in Manhattan, including on Astor Place, shut down without any warning to its members or staff.

That prime Astor Place space won't be staying vacant for too much longer. Yesterday, Town Sports International, the owners of the New York Sports Clubs brand, announced that they had bought the 10,000-square-foot space ... which will become one of New York Sports Clubs' collection of Elite clubs.

Here's more from an announcement that arrived in the EVG inbox:

New York Sports Clubs will pay homage to the rich neighborhood culture originally created by David Barton at 4 Astor Place by retaining many of the club's original finishes and signature touches while bringing in a new fresh new wave of equipment, facilities, amenities and class offerings.

The new location at 4 Astor Place will feature several new programs and will also boast Rogue rigs, Woodway treadmills, lifting platforms and expanded training zones.

New York Sports Clubs Elite membership gyms are the evolution of the Sports Clubs brand. This new tier of membership will offer customers a higher level of service, amenities, programming and partnerships as well as providing access to the nearly 150 clubs within the TSI network.

For more information about the Astor Place location, you can visit the official gym website here.

Last month, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit against Club Ventures Investments LLC d/b/a David Barton Gyms

David Barton arrived on Astor Place in 2009.

From Rustico to Paquito's

[Reader photo]

As noted yesterday, Rustico, the cafe at 135 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, has closed. And a source tells us that a rent increase was behind the closure.

Meanwhile, the owners were selling off what was left of the small restaurant yesterday.

And some of Rustico will be staying nearby... the owners of Paquito's, a few storefronts away at 143 First Ave., bought some of Rustico's tables and chairs...


[Photo last night by Raquel Shapira]

H/T Lola Sáenz

Blue 9 Burger is officially closed

As we noted in early February, Blue 9 Burger appeared to have shut it down at 92 Third Ave. between 12th Street and 13th Street ... we haven't seen any activity at the space... EVG reader Harry Weiner shares these photos from yesterday, showing that the quick-serve burger place has been emptied out...



Blue 9 opened in 2003... several EVG commenters noted that the place served a tasty burger, but that the quality had deteriorated in recent years.

The Blue 9 Burger on the Upper East Side has also closed.

Christo in flight

Thanks to Steven for these photos of Christo the red-tailed hawk from Tompkins Square Park today ...

A loving butt wanted on 2nd Street

EVG reader Mark White spotted this treasure up for grabs today on Second Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...

The sign reads "free to a loving butt" ...



Your move, @LinkNYC

Taking in the Tompkins Square Park dog run this morning

[Click to go big]

Panoramic shot by Allen Semanco

Rustico has closed on 1st Avenue

Rustico, the cafe that specialized in crêpes and Italian coffee at 135 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street, has closed.

The owners are selling off the contents of the restaurant ...



There isn't any mention of the closure on Rustico's website or social media properties. It was a small place, so it always seemed busy, particularly during high brunch time on the weekend. (I never ate here, so I can't speak to the quality of the food or service.)

Rustico opened in November 2013. Before this, the address was home to everyone's favorite — Iconic Hand Rolls, which closed in April 2013 after 10 months in business.

Thank you to Lola Sáenz for the photos

Celebrate 'the Art of New York Waste' starting tonight

Tonight is the opening reception for "The Art Of New York Waste," a show celebrating 20 years of the work of what's billed as "NYC's only Rock'n'Roll Underground Newspaper."

The opening is from 8-10 p.m. at Art on A Gallery and Shop, 24 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street. The exhibit will be up through March 23. Find more details here.

On CB3's SLA docket for March: The return of Mono + Mono and Poco's sidewalk cafe

[EVG file photo of Mono + Mono]

CB3 has released its rundown of meetings for March... including for the SLA & DCA Licensing Committee.

Here's a quick look at a few of the items on the docket. (The questionnaires with more information about the applicants and their intentions haven't been posted online just yet.)

But first! The meeting is Monday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Thelma Burdick Community Room, 10 Stanton St. (corner of the Bowery).

And now...

Sidewalk Cafe Applications

• Poco (Becaf LLC), 33 Ave B

CB3 voted to deny the renewal of a sidewalk cafe permit for Poco, who advertises having a "legendary boozy brunch," in December 2015. Neighbors have described Poco as being a "horror show," particularly during the brunch hours.

The restaurant's website notes: "Poco was built for one purpose — to be home away from home for the local residents of NYC's most unique, authentic neighborhood — Alphabet City."

• Mamak (Love Mamak Corp), 174 2nd Ave.

The Thai restaurant at the corner of 11th Street is vying for a sidewalk cafe.

New Liquor License Applications

• Monomono Inc, 116 E 4th St (wb)-EXPEDITED APPLICATION

Nearly four years have passed since a two-alarm fire swept through the single-level building that housed Mono + Mono, which specialized in Korean fried chicken.

The owners have said that they would reopen. For now, a flower shop is holding forth in the space between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

• Fresh Press Cafe LLC, 77 2nd Ave (op)

Something in the works for the former Ballaro space, the cafe that closed between Fourth Street and Fifth Street last February.

• To be Determined, 140 1st Ave (op)

The owners of Big Lee's (aka the Hard Swallow Saloon), which has been closed of late, are applying for a new liquor license.

• RSVP Hospitality LLC, 11 E 1st St (op)

Not sure about this one... the address for Bowery Meat Co. is 9 E. First St. ... and L'Apicio is 13 E. First St.

• Novo Partners, 57 2nd Ave (op)

This is one of the empty retail spaces of an Icon Realty-owned building.

• Mandolino Inc, 137 E 13th St (op)

The pizzeria opened last month between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.

• Hi Collar (Sobaya Restaurant Inc), 214 E 10th St (upgrade to op)

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b=beer & cider | wb=wine, beer & cider | op=liquor, wine, beer & cider | alt=alterations

On 3rd Avenue, rooftop cottage back in play, though now it's $19k monthly

Just about one year ago, the penthouse cottage atop the building that houses Kiehl's on the northeast corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street hit the rental market for $17k a month...



The 1,972-square-foot rooftop duplex is once again available as a rental — but this time the asking rent is $19k a month.

Via Corcoran...

Rent an iconic penthouse, featured in a number of publications for its unique rooftop cottages perched atop this historic boutique pre-war condominium. Penthouse 4CD is a breathtaking light-filled, three bedroom, three bath duplex with four wood-burning fireplaces and two private garden terraces totaling 795 square feet.

This loft-like home features soaring 11'8" ceilings, exquisitely restored exposed brick, pristine hardwood oak floors, and carefully crafted carpentry throughout. Spanning nearly forty feet, with bright South and West exposures, the corner living and dining room are separated by a magnificent brick archway and bookended by two gracious wood-burning fireplaces.

The place is available furnished — short term or long term. The owner is listed as Keyland Ny LLC, who bought the unit in 2015 for $4.4 million.

The landmarked building, constructed in the 1850s, is known as Pear Tree Place. It was converted to condos in 1986, according to Streeteasy.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Live in tranquil cottages overlooking … 3rd Avenue (but still)

Updating: Fire reported on the rooftop at Kiehl's on 3rd Avenue

3rd Avenue penthouse cottage returns to market as a $17k monthly rental