Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Special K


EV Grieve reader Pedro notes that the above display window at the Kmart on Astor Place has been empty for some time. However, they left up the "I Love K" window graphic. After more than a week, it's still there. Says Pedro: "Perhaps Kmart has moved into the Ketamine business for all the NYUers in the neighborhood? I bet it would dramatically improve their earnings and margins!"

Rapid Realty opening on Avenue B

Rapid Realty — described as "New York's No-Fee Apartment Leader" on the RR website — is ready to open an office in this formerly empty storefront just off 13th Street...


Anyone ever use them to find an apartment...?

14th Street getting Cemusa-d

A new Cemusa stand is going in on 14th Street just east of Second Avenue...

Monday, April 11, 2011

Voices

Tonight on East 11th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue ... via EV Grieve reader juan TRED... we don't really know the narrative... but we like people yelling and singing...

Noted


On the Kurve/Rhong-Tiam plywood on Second Avenue at Fifth Street.... photo via @MichaelTSanchez

Right now at the CB3/SLA meeting

We can't be there... but a reader sends along a shot from tonight's CB3/SLA meeting... Residents have "Enough is Enough" signs up while hearing about a sidewalk cafe for Percy's on Avenue A and 13th Street...

Today at the Tompkins Square Park Dog Run

Earlier this afternoon, EV Grieve contributor Bobby Williams arrived in the Park to find the following scene... According to witnesses, an unattended dog inside the dog run allegedly bit a woman ... EMTs treated her on the scene....


April 11


OK, this one may be difficult to beat... EV Grieve read Tom spotted this on 14th Street just east of Second Avenue yesterday ... and with the requisite newspaper for verification...

Meanwhile, we hear that the president and COO of the International Coalition of Tree Tossing in the Spring (ICTTS) will be giving a speech this week at Cooper Union, which will give us the chance to pepper him with questions...

East Third Street, 4:41 p.m., April 11

The Doctor is in...

Last night, "Doctor Who" fans started camping out outside the East Village Cinemas on Second Avenue and 12th Street... The premiere of the BBC series "Doctor Who" takes place tonight here ...


EV Grieve reader Han Shan passed along these photos of the line... which goes west on 12th Street and around Third Avenue...






The Local East Village interview some of the nerds people in line.

Life in a building undergoing a gut renovation

In February, we noted the sale of a residential building on Suffolk street...

Silverstone Property Group ... is pleased to announce the acquisition of 157 Suffolk Street ... The 6 story, 22,398 square foot residential apartment building consists of 33 apartments and 2 retail stores. Silverstone purchased the building for $8.8M, or approximately $392 per square foot, in an all-cash, off-market transaction with the private seller. Silverstone will be renovating the building to create a high-end boutique residential rental property, as well as leasing the retail space which has been vacant for many years.


Per a commenter:

"There are 7 apartments left here as of April 2011 and we are suffering through months of demolition and construction."

One of those remaining residents (we think!) sent along a video of what life is like here in the building during the months of construction...

On 2nd and B, retail space and and exposed brick walls that give a 'sense of prewar elegance'

So Discovery Wines will be moving into 16 Avenue B at Second Street sometime in the early summer...

Meanwhile, across the street ... at 209 E. Second St. ... which seemingly has been under renovation for like 10 years....




... "store for lease" signs have gone up in the corner space ...


Didn't spot a listing for this just yet at the NYCRS website ...

However, as for the rest of the building. Here's a description via Streeteasy:

A new standard has been set for East village loft living. 209 East 2nd Street is an intimate and elegant building that will be available for Spring-Summer Occupancy.

A total of six private full floor lofts make up the entire building. Step into each distinctive home by keyed elevator and you will see what sets us apart from all the rest.

Offering wood burning fireplaces in each unit and exposed brick walls give that sense of prewar elegance, while the remaining finishes are sleek and modern.

And of those six units, one is left for $1.75 million. Here's the listing from Corcoran:

Rare East Village boutique condo loft. Recently converted with utmost attention to detail and tasteful finishes. Private key lock full floor two bedroom two bath. Enter off the elevator into a separate foyer opening onto a comfortable living space and open cook's kitchen. Living room features a suspended wood burning fireplace, exposed bricks, Venetian plaster museum finished walls, original pine floors refurbished and stained walnut plus lots of wonderful light from 12 windows. A smartly designed open kitchen includes a GE professional cook's dream stove, Stainless Sub Zero Fridge, GE Monogram dish washer, custom ash cabinetry granite countertops and custom reclaimed wood beam open shelving. A separate laundry area is found off of the kitchen with stacked Bosch washer dryer units. Master bedroom is flooded with light from floor to ceiling corner windows. Study area in master suite has beautiful built ins made of wood beam shelving. The en suite bath boasts a Zuma dual air jacuzzi soaking tub as well as a rain head shower stall and ceramic and limestone tile. There is abundant closet space throughout the apartment, central air and a state of the art heating system. Located two blocks away from subway and in the heart shopping, wonderful restaurants and nightlife of the vibrant East Village and Lower East side. Application for J-51 tax abatement has been submitted which will reduce RETaxes to $290 in July of 2011



No mention in the marketing materials of this corner's infamous past. As Andrew Roth pointed out in "Infamous Manhattan," the intersection of East Second Street and Avenue B "probably saw more heroin retailing than any other spot on Earth." Until Operation Pressure Point.