Cleaning out the Three of Cups

Three of Cups closed after service on April 1... and today, workers are removing some of the contents of the 25-plus-year-old restaurant here on First Avenue and Fifth Street.

An EVG reader shared these photos, noting: "If these are the new owners, they are off to a stellar start showing respect for their neighbors and general sanitation laws." (No word on who authorized this work.)





In announcing the closure, Three of Cups owner Anthony Barile wrote in part: "The reasons are many that we are at this moment, with all of them meaning that I can’t sustain it any longer." The pizzeria and Italian restaurant opened in December 1992.

Emmy Squared, the Williamsburg-based restaurant serving burgers and Detroit-style pizza, is expected to take over this corner space in the months ahead.

Previously on EV Grieve:
After nearly 26 years, Three of Cups is closing on 1st Avenue; Emmy Squared arriving next?

Souper Tuesday

As previously noted, Ciao for Now at 523 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B now offers a soup service (along with a few other menu items) — to stay or to go — on Tuesday evenings from 5-10.

And tonight...

Yes we're open! Every Tuesday 5-10pm because it's soup night at Ciao. Today soups are, Veggie chili (Gluten free) Red lentil in coconut milk curry (Gluten free and vegan) Poblano chicken chowder (Gluten free) We will also offer Raw kale salad (Gluten free) Focaccia pizzas, Homemade vanilla ice cream, Flourless chocolate cakes (Gluten free)  #soupnight #familyowned #thelodown #eastvillagegrieve #evgrieve #healthyeating #healthy #organic #healthycomfortfood #eastvillage #eastvillagecafe #nyccoffee #caffeinefix #treatyourself #NYC #comfortfood  #local #healthyliving #nutritious #photooftheday #eeeeeats #nyceats #organicbakery #pastries #nyccatering

A post shared by Ciao For Now (@ciaofornowny) on Apr 17, 2018 at 6:36am PDT

The cafe shut down its dining room after 17 years at the end of January. However, ownership was continuing on with their catering business as well as using the space for community events.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ciao For Now is closing after 17 years on 12th Street; will continue with catering business

Construction watch: 3 E. 3rd St.

The condoplex coming to 3 E. Third St. just off the Bowery recently made its first appearance above the plywood.

Inspiron, the project's construction manager, has the details on what to expect:

The Building is a concrete design that will be roughly 13,400 square-feet. The space will be split between residential spaces on the upper floors with luxurious roof top access and commercial space on the lower floors. The project is anticipated to be complete in the spring of 2019.

Since the last look at the site, the building has been modified.

This is the PREVIOUS rendering...


[Rendering via Barrett Design]

And now the updated rendering ...


[Barrett Design]

Here's CityRealty on what's different:

[T]he building has been reduced by one floor, the setback removed, and will use metal instead of stone. The design will complement the austere zinc façade of Selldorf’s tower next door, and be clad in a glass and metal curtain wall of full-height windows, metal fins, and I-beam like spandrel sections.

The former building at this site most recently served as short-term rentals for students and interns.


[3 E. 3rd St. in April 2015]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Development site available on East 3rd Street at the Bowery

Demolition watch: 3 E. 3rd St.

A townhouse in a penthouse on 9th Street

[Image via Streeteasy]

I never paid much attention to 214 E. Ninth St., a residential building between Second Avenue and Third Avenue that counted the now-closed Dahlia's Tapas Wine Bar as a retail tenant.

Apparently it's quite nice inside... at least the top-floor unit that just arrived on the market is...

Here's the listing via Streeteasy:

A townhouse in an East Village Penthouse! Must be seen to truly experience all of the amazing design flourishes that went into making this home an Architectural Digest-featured property. No detail was overlooked in the gut renovation of this triplex, convertible-two bedroom with sprawling rooftop garden, and complete with outdoor shower.

All kitchen cabinets were designed specifically for this home and stained to match the neutral color palette throughout, with a custom Lacanche range and full-slab Carrera marble countertops and backsplash. The sun-drenched, south-facing living room has vaulted 18’ ceilings, oversize windows, and a fireplace.

The stairs lead up to a sitting area/media room, which was formerly the apartment’s master bedroom, and has an extensive walk-in custom closet. The master bathroom has a steam and rain shower, as well as free-standing, clawfoot tub, which is accentuated by a vintage crystal Kinkeldey chandelier. Full-slab granite marble flooring and a double Carrera marble vanity receive plenty of extra light from the bathroom’s skylight. The top floor is the master suite, with an operable window wall that leads out onto your own private rooftop oasis.

And some photos...









Price: $2.650 million.

It previously sold for $1.495 million in 2014, per Streeteasy.

Report: New building permits filed for former St. Denis Hotel property

[Image via Wikipedia Commons]

Plans are moving forward for a new office development at 799 Broadway at 11th Street — the former St. Denis Hotel.

The Real Deal reported that Normandy Real Estate Partners filed permit applications for a new 12-story building.

Here's more from New York Yimby:

Original reports said the development of 799 Broadway was limited to a gut renovation of the interior structure and a vertical expansion of the historic corner property. Permits filed ... however, reveal the construction of a new, 12-story, 182-foot-tall building containing 182,626 square feet of Class-A office space. An additional 10,032 square feet will be dedicated to an unspecified community facility.

TRD also had an updated rendering of the building via design firm Perkins + Will...



Demolition permits haven't been filed just yet for 799 Broadway. As previously noted, the 165-year-old building is noteworthy for many reasons. It opened in 1853 as the St. Denis Hotel, which is where Ulysses S. Grant wrote his post-Civil War memoirs and Alexander Graham Bell provided the first demonstration of the telephone to New Yorkers.

However, the building is not landmarked... and it is not in a Historic District.

Vanishing New York's Jeremiah Moss, a former tenant at the address, wrote a feature titled "The Death and Life of a Great American Building" for The New York Review of Books back in March.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Former St. Denis Hotel selling for $100 million

End of days at the St. Denis

Former El Maguey y La Tuna space for rent on East Houston

As we first noted, El Maguey y La Tuna, the 15-year-old Mexican restaurant on East Houston between Attorney and Ridge, closed at the end of February. The landlord reportedly upped the monthly rent from $7,000 to $14,000.

A "for lease" banner recently arrived on the storefront. We didn't spot a listing just yet at the Oxford Property Group website. However, a Loop Net listing from late March shows an ask of $125 per square foot.

Meanwhile, in the building next door, the 24/7 East Village Deli & Grill has been closed the past three-four times that we've walked by... the phone number is also no longer in service...

Sugar Sketch closes storefront to focus on catering and special orders

Sugar Sketch, the bakery-cake shop on Second Street between Avenue A and Avenue B, has changed its method of operation starting this week. Owner-baker Martina Nardo explains in this letter posted on the shop's social media accounts (and front door):



So, as you can see, for now Sugar Sketch will focus on the catering end of the business. You can contact the shop via their website here.

The small bakery opened here in the fall of 2016. You can read our Q&A with Nardo here.

Monday's parting shot

A look at the early evening downtown skyline via Bobby Williams...

The 9th Precinct's monthly Community Council Meeting is tomorrow (Tuesday!) night

The 9th Precinct's Community Council meetings take place on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. ... at the 9th Precinct, 321 E. Fifth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

This is an opportunity for residents to address any concerns and ask 9th Precinct officials for their input on recent crime statistics ... and more.

7th Precinct hosting Women's Empowerment Night at Hamilton Fish Park

On Wednesday, the 7th Precinct’s Neighborhood Coordination Officers, Toni Burke and Erica Rivera (pictured below), are hosting a night dedicated to women’s empowerment at the Hamilton Fish Recreation Center.

The evening (from 5 to 7) includes several guest speakers and self-defense tips from Hamilton Fish Recreation Center trainer Dana Brown.

The Center is at 128 Pitt. St. just east of Houston.


[From left: Toni Burke, Dana Brown and Erica Rivera]

H/T Stacie Joy!