Morning watch on Avenue A

The scene on Avenue A at Ninth Street this morning... with Dora the red-tailed hawk keeping watch a block away atop St. Nicholas on 10th Street...





Thanks to Steven for the photos

The past, present and future of 264 E. 7th St.

[264 E. 7th St.]

The New York Times checks in with a piece on 264. E. Seventh St., the circa-1843 townhouse between Avenue C and Avenue D awaiting possible demolition.

In late October, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) announced that they will not consider a row of five pastel-colored residences here for landmarking. As previously reported, preservationists hoped to have the buildings landmarked ... in part to spare the demolition of No. 264 for some unspecified new development. (In early September, a permit was filed with the DOB to demolish the 3-level house.)

Per the Times:

The fate of the rowhouse is now in the hands of its owner, Elaine Hsu, the president of GlobalServ Property One, with offices on Lexington Avenue.

Barbara Sloan, the operations manager at Manhattan Renovations, a general contractor representing GlobalServ, said the owner was planning an information session for neighbors “to discuss details surrounding potential asbestos abatement and demolition.” She declined to comment on what might replace the building.

And...

“We recognize that people feel very passionate about their neighborhoods,” said Sarah Carroll, the executive director of Landmarks. But “in some cases, Landmarks designation is not actually the right tool.”

[Photo at rally outside No. 264 on Nov. 4 by Peter Brownscombe]

For more history on these buildings in the former Dry Dock District, head over to Ephemeral New York.

As residents of the Dry Dock District gained power and ran for office, the houses acquired a new distinction: “Political Row.”

Political Row “has furnished many office-holders, and there were more office-holders and patriots who are willing to serve the city and county, the State or the country at large, living on that thoroughfare now than on any similar stretch of highway in New York,” stated the Evening World in 1892.

The beginning of Political Row’s end came at the turn of the century, when many of the original houses went down and tenements built in their place.

Newspapers wrote descriptive eulogies, mourning a neighborhood that was “an American District” now colonized by a second wave of immigrants.

Previously on EV Grieve:
City says no to landmarking row of 7th Street homes, clearing way for demolition of No. 264

Al Horno Lean Mexican Kitchen now open on 1st Avenue

A new outpost of Al Horno Lean Mexican Kitchen has opened at 57 First Ave. between Third Street and Fourth Street.

The quick-serve restaurant apparently serves a variety of traditional Mexican items though with a healthy twist.

Per their Facebook page: "Al Horno is Spanish for 'On the oven.' Enjoy the full flavored taste of Mexico with none of the fat. Many Vegan options to compliment our delicious menu."

You can check out their menu here. (Kale burrito!) They are also open for breakfast and offer a variety of juices. (And they are also very close to one of our favorite places, Downtown Bakery II, 69 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street.)

Al Horno Lean Mexican Kitchen also has locations on Second Avenue near 57th Street, Lexington Avenue at 24th Street and West 47th Street between Ninth Avenue and 10th Avenue.

No. 57 was last home to Red Koi Organic Sushi Lounge, which closed this past summer. And, of course, No. 57 housed the unforgettable Pudgie's-Nathan's-Arthur Treacher's action-packed combo during a few glory months of 2012.

Something to think about (aka, Hello darkness my old friend)

Not much seems to be happening over at 118 E. First St. between Avenue A and First Avenue... As previously noted, the existing structure is being demolished to make room for a 9-story residential building.

In total, there are seven units divided over 12,500 square feet of residential space, as NY Yimby first reported. (Given the size — about 1,800 square feet, NYY figures these will be condos.) There will also be about 250 square feet for retail.

The city approved the plans in November 2015.

In the meantime, this note appeared the other day on one of the windows...

"Please think about the darkness you are going to create with your development."

Freyer Architects are designing the building. We haven't seen any renderings yet (other than those zoning diagrams from our last post on this address).

Previously on EV Grieve:
118 E. 1st St. arrives on the market with so many possibilities, and air rights

118 E. 1st. St. will yield to a new 9-floor residential building

Demolition of 118 E. 1st St. begins to make way for 9-story residential building

About Southern Cross Coffee, opening on East 5th Street

Back in July, a tipster told us that a coffee shop was taking the middle of the three new storefronts at the Shops of East Fifth Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

This sign arrived earlier this month for Southern Cross Coffee...



We were waiting to learn a little more about the operation. Here are details via the Southern Cross Coffee Facebook page:

The name Southern Cross Coffee is in honor of the Southern Cross constellation, which is visible primarily in the southern hemisphere and sometimes as far up as 20 degrees north latitude. Our founders were both born in the southern hemisphere, where the constellation is very much a part of our cultures.

And...

Grab a great cup of locally roasted coffee and quick bite at Southern Cross Coffee. Natural foods and espresso made the traditional Italian way.

Jamie the check-cashing guy previously worked from this storefront before the renovations. The other two spaces are still on the rental market.

A new era for scalies?

An addition to the rendering at the incoming condos at 75 First Ave. ... a new-look scalie (per Curbed, "the proud inhabitants of the architectural rendering world") ...



The stick-figure scalie! An improvement over the usual models we see...

Openings: Squish Marshmallows on St. Mark's Place

Squish had its (heh) soft opening last week at 120 St. Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue.

Owner Katherine Sprung has created a following selling her marshmallow-based creations online (and at Abigail's Bake Shop in Brooklyn). You can read more about the business at the Squish website. This is her first retail outlet, where she sells a variety of marshmallows as well as coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

A photo posted by squish marshmallows® (@squishmarsh) on Nov 25, 2016 at 1:27pm PST

Previously on EV Grieve:
Squish Marshmallows signage arrives at 120 St. Mark's Place

Sunday's parting shot

Photo late this afternoon via Bobby Williams...

Week in Grieview

[1st Avenue love seats via Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

A Raphael Toledano-style turkey dinner on 12th Street for residents without cooking gas (Wednesday)

The Sock Man opens in new location on St. Mark's Place (Friday)

Mayor de Blasio calls for unity during anti-hate rally at Cooper Union (Monday)

The Second Avenue Tompkins Square Bagels makes its debut (Tuesday)

Barnyard Cheese and Brix Wine Shop moving from Avenue C to Avenue B (Monday)

Thanksgiving Week at the Bowery Mission (Wednesday)

Out and About Part 2 with Eric Paulin (Wednesday)

Report: Mike Pence supporter arrested for alleged racist tirade, pepper-spray attack at 14th Street diner (Tuesday)

Healthfully has closed on Fourth Street (Monday)

Former East Village Tavern space for rent (Friday)

American Deli & Grocery closes after a few months on First Avenue (Friday)

Holiday trees (and stands) arrive (Wednesday)

Shu Han Ju II takes over for Mulan East on Third Avenue (Monday)

Storefronts at 110 E. Seventh St. for rent (Tuesday)

Honeybrains opens on Lafayette (Wednesday)

Village Grannies bringing water pipes and smoking accessories to Ninth Street (Tuesday)

Hot Pot Central sets up shop on Second Avenue and 12th Street (Monday)

Former Grand Sichuan space for rent on St. Mark's Place (Monday)

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Sunday morning

Along Avenue A and in Tompkins Square Park. (Not to make it look nice out or anything.)

Coming soon: The 8th annual St. Nicholas Cookie Walk

In case you didn't see the signage up at St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church on Avenue A at 10th Street ... for your holiday planning purposes, the 8th annual Cookie Walk is happening this year on Dec. 10-11.

Sale hours are Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Dec. 11 from noon to 3 p.m. However! Per the St. Nicholas website:

Come early Saturday for the best selection of cookies. Please understand that WE CAN SELL OUT and close before the Sunday times listed above. Please check here for Sunday opening updates! (if at all possible, try to come on Saturday)

In total, there will be more than 75 varieties totaling 50,000 cookies for sale, per the St. Nicholas website.

Also for planning purposes: Dec. 10 is the announced date for this year's SantaCon, though the neighborhood(s) involved are still under wraps.

Tree Riders on 2nd Avenue

One more Christmas/holiday tree note... the Tree Riders NYC set up their tree shop yesterday outside St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery on Second Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street... this is their 6th year here... and they always have the tallest/largest trees available in case you need one for an office lobby or outdoor plaza...



Previously on EV Grieve:
So you want to buy a tree for the holidays in the East Village

Another holiday season with Jonathan, the cheery Christmas-tree salesman of 1st Avenue