Report: Hotel Indigo, home to the rooftop bar Mr. Purple, is for sale

[Image via]

The Indigo Hotel, with 294 rooms at 171 Ludlow St. between East Houston and Stanton, is on the market.

The Commercial Observer has the scoop on the property, which first opened in November 2015 via a joint venture between Brack Capital Real Estate and InterContinental Hotels Group (ICG):

The hotel, one source with intimate knowledge of the property said, would likely go for $600,000 per key, or $176.4 million, because it is the flagship Indigo for IHG. Highlights, he noted, are the higher-end finishes and room designs as well as the unobstructed views from all sides of the building.

The hotel includes Mr. Purple, the 15th-floor restaurant and bar, which drew sharp criticism from locals when it was revealed that Adam Purple, aka David Wilkie, the longtime LES activist and community gardener, was the inspiration for the space. (Purple died in September 2015 at age 84.)

The restaurant, operated by the Gerber Group, stuck with the name even after reports surfaced that Purple had served time in prison in the 1960s for sexually absuing his daughters.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] The upscale hotel bar with a pool named for the late environmentalist Adam Purple

[Updated] The Gerber Group responds to criticism over Mr. Purple (23 comments)

As the Hotel Indigo and Mr. Purple continue efforts to be part of the LES neighborhood

Adam Purple's legacy

Some jazz to go with the All That Jazz piano in Tompkins Square Park

As noted yesterday, the Sing for Hope piano — called "All That Jazz" — has arrived in Tompkins Square Park. Appropriately enough, the Eric Paulin Jazz Ensemble, regulars in the Park, were asked by the Sing For Hope folks to incorporate the piano into their sets.

EVG contributor Steven shared these photos from late this afternoon...





The piano will be here near Temperance Fountain until June 25.

Read more about longtime East Village resident Eric Paulin here.

3rd Avenue bag invasion

Or not... photo on Third Avenue and 13th Street by Grant Shaffer...

This morning at Ray's Candy Store

The reading of a passage from Omar Khayyam to a Persian customer...



As Peter Brownscombe, who shared these photos, says: Ray provides this service upon request at no extra charge.

Ray's is at 113 Avenue A near Seventh Street.

Soil testing underway at the 2nd Avenue explosion site

Several EVG readers have noted the arrival of a Davey Drill this morning at 119 Second Ave., at the site of the deadly gas explosion in March 2015.

It appears that workers are taking soil samples here at Seventh Street ahead of some possible new development. A survey crew was on the scene last week. One of the workers said that they were surveying the site ... and said they were there representing the buyer of 119 Second Ave. and 121 Second Ave.

There have been reports that landlord Maria Hrynenko, who the DA charged with involuntary manslaughter and other alleged crimes, was poised to sell her now-empty lots at No. 119 and 121. Lawyers have said that a sale could potentially jeopardize the settlements of the victims.

So far, nothing has appeared in public records noting a deal. In addition, there aren't any new permits filed with the Department of Buildings for these two properties.

Updated:

Here are two more photos via EVG contributor Steven...





One of the workers told Steven they are doing pre-construction borings. The worker did not have any idea about when construction might begin.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Maria Hrynenko looking to sell 2nd Avenue properties destroyed in deadly gas explosion

Reader report: A buyer for 119 and 121 2nd Ave., site of the deadly gas explosion?

Chinese restaurant in the works for former Surma Books & Music space on 7th Street

Surma Books & Music closed last summer at 11 E. Seventh St. near Cooper Square after 98 years in business.

Third-generation owner Markian Surmach cited a decline in business and the expense of property tax and other charges related to owning the building. Public records show that the Surmach family sold the property to Icon Realty for $5.75 million.

Since last September, Icon had been listing the space — "perfect for restaurant, bar, clothing store ..." — at $17,000 per month.

According to a liquor license application (beer-wine) posted on the CB3 website, a Chinese restaurant going by Le Xia will be opening in the space.

The paperwork shows proposed daily hours of 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. with seating for 48 people (via 21 tables). There isn't much more information on the application (PDF here), such as the previous experience of the principal (listed as Tianye Chen).

Given the method of operation and the owner's agreement to CB3 stipulations, this applicant will not be appearing before the CB3-SLA committee meeting on Monday night.

East River hosting July 4 fireworks again; prepare thee for 'never-before-seen shells and effects'

For the third consecutive year, the Macy's 4th of July fireworks will launch from the East River. [Insert west side taunt here.]

Anyway, here are all the glory details via the official news release released Monday announcing the 2017 edition...

A pyrotechnic anthem for the ages will ignite New York City’s famed skyline on Tuesday, July 4, as the 41st Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® launch an unrivaled barrage of color, shape, light and sound to celebrate Independence Day.

The nation’s largest pyrotechnic display will come to life over the East River, captivating more than 3 million spectators lining the shorelines, waterways, streets and rooftops of the Big Apple and millions more on television coast-to-coast as together they marvel at the nation’s largest and most exciting party.

Beginning at approximately 9:25 p.m., the first shells will launch the celebration along the shores of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn with more than 60,000 effects rumbling toward the grand finale.

The 41st edition of the festivities will showcase a 25-minute display featuring never-before-seen shells and effects. Pyro Spectaculars by Souza is once again at the helm of the pyrotechnics that will feature multiple new shells including color changing chrysanthemums, purple crackling ghost peonies, orange bees, and pulsing happy faces in 23 electrifying colors including fuchsia, lemon and aqua.

Cherin Sushi now open in larger space next door on 6th Street

Cherin Sushi has made the move next door ...



As previously noted, the restaurant with popular early-bird dinner specials was relocating to the larger adjacent space (to the east) here on Sixth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue ... and expanding their menu offerings to include ramen. Vinny & O noted that they were open for dinner starting on Monday...







Brick Lane Curry House moved from this spot to 99 Second Ave. between Sixth Street and Fifth Street in August 2014.

Looking at the former Neptune space on 1st Avenue

[Photo from April by Steven]

We've been keeping an eye on the former Neptune space at 192 First Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street.

The Polish-American restaurant closed its doors last Dec. 4 after 15 years in business. (The address has been home to a diner for many years before this.)

There were rumors that the new landlord, Nazarian Property Group, already had a new tenant lined up.

This spring, workers gutted the space...



... and finally this past Friday, the for lease banner arrived...



Per the listing at Eastern Consolidated, the asking rent is $140 per square foot... the space includes a "large backyard" and is being "delivered white box."

Tuesday's parting shot

Happy LinkNYC Halloween from Second Avenue today.

Photo by Derek Berg