Back in July, The Lo-Down reported that an unknown buyer has purchased the two vacant lots at 327 and 329 E. Houston St. for $8.4 million, as well as two adjoining parcels at 331 E. Houston and 163 Ridge St. for another $4 million... part of the portfolio that belonged to reclusive real-estate baron William Gottlieb ... The lot has been empty for seemingly eons ...
The Lo-Down followed-up on Friday with the news that there are plans in place for a 13-story, 78-unit residential complex on the site.
Per The Lo-Down, reps from Halpern Real Estate Ventures are...:
seeking to enter the city’s inclusionary housing program, which permits developers to build bigger buildings than normally would be allowed in exchange for adding a certain number of affordable apartments to their projects. In this case, 16 of the 78 units would enter the affordable housing program (5 studios, 8 one bedrooms, 3 two bedrooms). The developer is not seeking any city subsidy.
So that's that. And this lot was one of our favorites...
EVG Facebook friend Edward Arrocha recently posted photos from the long-abandoned laundromat next to the property, which is part of the development...
There's now a partial opening on the storefront, which provides a glimpse of what was left behind...
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Per Arrocha: "I always fantasized of having nice cabin and arts center on that lot... with a wonderful garden and a lot community things... but I never hit the lotto!"