LPC OKs 3-story addition to 827-831 Broadway

[Courtesy of DXA studio]

In their third appearance before the Landmarks Preservation Committee (LPC), the owners of 827-831 Broadway received the OK yesterday for a glass addition atop the twin cast-iron buildings here between 12th Street and 13th Street.

Last November, the LPC voted to landmark the circa-1866 buildings where artists Willem and Elaine de Kooning and Paul Jenkins, among others, lived and worked. The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation campaigned for more than 18 months to help spare these buildings from demolition.

The LPC then rejected plans for a rooftop addition designed by DXA studio in January (too overwhelming) and April.

Here's some of Curbed's coverage from yesterday:

The third try finally seemed to pay off for the architecture firm with the Commission unanimously praising the efforts of the architects. The glass addition has now been reduced to three stories and has a 36-foot setback from the street level, making it a lot less visible from the street level than in previous iterations.

“It’s a marvel to take all that information and create something that is sensitive and elegant,” said Meenakshi Srinivasan, the chair of the Landmarks Commission, shortly before the Commission voted to approve the structure.

The LPC didn't have much to say about a seven-floor addition on an adjacent property at 47 E. 12th St. that's also part of the overall development. That addition will proceed for use as office space.

Reps for DXA studio issued a news release with more details on the project...

The 3 story addition will be composed of slumped, reflective glazing that’s curved form references the organic and spontaneous qualities of the art work of de Kooning and his contemporaries. “We felt the reflective nature of the glass could serve to capture the kinetic quality of the surroundings, broadcasting back color, textures, and movement, helping us see the world around us in a different way,” said Partner Jordan Rogove. “The reflection also turns the lens back on New York City, a place forever changed by the immense contributions of the New York School painters making it the capital of the art world for the first time.”

The original 4 story Italianate warehouse building that the addition sits atop will be fully restored. A new historical wood storefront will be installed at 831, and 827’s existing wood storefront will be restored. The addition’s slumped glazing is arranged in the same rhythm as the original building, balancing two sympathetic facades built of the material and technologies of their respective times.

As previously reported, Quality Capital and Caerus Group bought the parcel in 2015 for $60 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: 14-story building planned for 827 Broadway

An appeal to landmark these buildings on Broadway

There's a proposed addition for the recently landmarked 827-831 Broadway

Report: LPC rejects glassy addition for landmarked 827-831 Broadway

Dan and John's new dining room expected to open this week

[Photo last Thursday by Steven]

Dan and John's is nearly ready to debut their new dining room next door to their current take-out location at 135 First Ave. here between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street,

Co-owner John Henninger recently told me that they were hoping to be open by Friday. They were just waiting for the new license from the SLA.

The expanded space will have at least 10 tables as well as a bar seating six people. (The current Dan and John's just has a few stools, and operates mostly as a take out and delivery operation.)

Dan and John's opened on First Avenue in October 2015. They are also regulars on the Smorgasburg circuit and last year started selling their wings at Citi Field for Mets game.

The space next door had been empty since March 2017 when Rustico, the cafe that specialized in crêpes and Italian coffee, closed.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Dan and John's Wings opening a storefront on 1st Avenue

Dan and John's Wings looking to expand on 1st Avenue

[Updated] Mikey Likes It remains closed, and people are getting worried

Earlier last week, Andre Trenier created one of his 1980s-flavored murals on the gate at Mikey Likes It, 199 Avenue A near East 12th Street.

The murals always correspond with the ice cream shop's new flavor of the month. Unfortunately, the painting has been the only activity here of late. The storefront has been closed since at least May 1, and some readers/Mikey fans are concerned.

The shop, which is active on social media, hasn't posted anything on Instagram since May 1:

Sorry for the inconvenience both locations are closed today. We are finishing up spring cleaning, we will be right back in a couple days 👍

Meanwhile, the shop's phone is currently out of service. (Mikey's Harlem location is also closed.)

By the way, Saturday marks the four-year anniversary for Mikey Likes It on Avenue A.

You can read our two-part interview with Michael "Mikey" Cole from September 2014 here and here.

Updated 5/18

And they are back open!

Tuesday's parting shot

All is quiet now on the Western front... photo by Bobby Williams...

Tree down on 9th Street

At least one tree casualty from the storm that rolled through late this afternoon... EVG reader Penny Rand shared these photos from Ninth Street just a little east of Avenue B along the Christodora House...



"I watched it get uprooted and tossed like a little twig," she said...



Updated:

Here's another photo via EVG reader Brad212...

Noted

#Treason message spotted on the FDR overpass at Sixth Street... photo by Dave on Seventh...

Reminders: The 9th Precinct's monthly Community Council Meeting is tonight

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. (Find the PDF of the most recent crime stats here.)

If you're planning ahead, then note that the Community Council does not meet in July and August.

A home for sale in this pastel-colored townhouse on 7th Street

[Image via Compass]

The top-floor residence at 262 E. Seventh St., a four-unit townhouse co-op between Avenue C and Avenue D, has arrived on the sales market.

Here's the listing via Compass (and h/t to 6sqft!):

Bright and airy, this penthouse apartment situated in a historic townhouse co-op combines old world charm with functional modern living. This rare offering is perched in the treetops facing both north and south and situated on one of the East Village's most coveted blocks.

With incredibly low maintenance, high ceilings and a generous south facing private outdoor terrace, this voluminous two-bedroom, two-bath home boasts a remarkably versatile layout. Upon entering you are greeted by an open living area with a kitchen that would delight any home chef. The designated dining space is a dream for entertaining and the home office space is conveniently located by one of the large north facing windows.

The apartment has been architecturally designed to provide a tremendous amount of built-in and hidden storage. The kitchen is loaded with top of the line finishes and living area features a decorative whitewashed brick fireplace currently configured to burn ethanol. Above the fireplace is a remote operated oversized projection screen. The well thought out and stylish bathrooms provide the option of a master ensuite and second full guest bath.

Asking price: $1.35 million.

This is one of five pastel-colored townhouses dating to the 1840s on this south side of the street. In September 2016, a permit was filed with the DOB to demolish the circa-1843 townhouse next door at No. 264. Preservationists aimed to get the buildings landmarked, though the Landmarks Preservation Commission later announced that they would not consider the residences here for that designation.

There haven't been any further developments in recent months about the future of No. 264.

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

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

7th Street townhouse once owned by John Leguizamo to be demolished for new development

New owner: 'My goal is to keep Eisenberg’s the way that it has been'

Heading out of the neighborhood for this post... on May 2, Josh Konecky and his wife Bonnie Taylor announced on Facebook that they had sold Eisenberg’s, the sandwich shop on Fifth Avenue near 22nd Street that they ran the past 12 years.

There was concern that new owners might make significant changes to the 90-year-old lunch counter — or perhaps close it altogether.

However, the new owner, Warren Chiu, tells Town & Village that it will be business as usual for years to come.

Chiu said Eisenberg’s first came onto his radar a few years ago when he lived several blocks to the north. He often ate there with his two children (now two and three years old) after trips to Madison Square Park.

"So I know the neighborhood well and I like historic, old places like this one," Chiu said. "My goal is to keep Eisenberg’s the way that it has been."

While this is his first time owning a restaurant, Chiu has a background in hospitality. He is vice president of development of Warwick International Hotels, so he’s operated hotel restaurants and bars.

Meanwhile, Konecky seemed please by his business departure. "I’m delighted," he told T&V. "For me it’s a good change."

He said that he got tired of the day-to-day pressure of running a business in NYC

"Everything was a fight with the city," Konecky said. "I’d never done it before. Some people (who’ve been in the business longer), they’re a little more steely to it. It just got to me."

He gave an example of how recently he considered raising prices to keep up with rising food costs, but couldn't justify doing so. "I was afraid to go to $10 for a tuna sandwich," he said. "It sounds like a lot of money."

Wendigo Productions closing its retail-consignment shop on Avenue A

A 50-percent-off sale continues over at the retail portion of Wendigo Productions, 24 Avenue A near Second Street.

Wendigo, which produces live events, concerts and tours, and represents and promotes local artists, will close the small shop in mid-June.

However, Wendigo's Art on A Gallery next door will continue on.

Speaking of the gallery, the closing reception for Gina Volpe's show "Hypnic Jerk" is this Thursday evening from 6-8.

Reader submitted photo from Saturday evening.

RIP Glenn Branca

Glenn Branca, the avant-garde composer and guitarist, died yesterday of throat cancer, according to published reports. He was 69.

Reg Bloor, his wife and collaborator, shared this message...

#glennbranca pic.twitter.com/qfWPRf7qaw

— Reg Bloor (@RegBloor) May 14, 2018

Here's more about Branca via Billboard:

Branca is perhaps best known as a member of New York’s very short-lived no wave scene, which aimed to emancipate punk from the aesthetic trappings of rock 'n' roll. While The Ramones and the New York Dolls brought punk to the public as basically rebranded, updated hippies, Branca and his cohorts had other plans.

By treating listeners to endless drones, austere classical moves or prepared instruments like screwdrivers stuck in guitar strings, Glenn Branca’s basic M.O. never wavered in his decades-long career. And some of the young noisemakers he had in his madcap ensembles — Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo, Michael Gira — were listening.

You can find feature obituaries on Branca at Billboard ... Brooklyn Vegan ... and The Guardian.

And a selection of thoughts on Branca via Twitter...

RIP Glenn Branca. Such sad news. I have fond memories of seeing him play furiously in the dank basement of Lit Lounge in the East Village to an audience of less than a dozen people. Glad I got to see him play.

— Geeta Dayal (@geetadayal) May 14, 2018

"I was out there playing to a Phil Collins audience and coming home and listening to Glenn Branca," Bowie in 1997, recalling the '80s

— Bowiesongs (@bowiesongs) May 14, 2018

And just remember, without Glenn Branca we'd not have Sonic Youth, Swans, and so much music that speaks of such intensity and passion.

— Scanner (@robinrimbaud) May 14, 2018

The X Magazine benefit in 1979 was perhaps the most amazing series of concerts that I have ever seen.
Glenn Branca, playing with Theoretical Girls was the best band in the program. It changed my life. Sorry I never had a chance to tell him.

— John Lurie (@lurie_john) May 14, 2018

Glenn Branca started out giving zero fucks about what people said he could and couldn’t do, and then when his ambition outstripped his ability, he went out and learned, practiced, honed. A genuine artistic hero.

— Glenn Kenny (@Glenn__Kenny) May 14, 2018

Oh no Glenn Branca died. Goddamit. His music always defined my conception of a kind of New York cool that barely exists anymore

— nuanced opinion guy (@charles_kinbote) May 14, 2018

Glenn Branca’s influence on and stewardship of the genre-bending music scene that exploded out of NY in the 70s & 80s can’t be understated. He was a true giant of modern experimental music, and will be sorely missed #glennbranca pic.twitter.com/mIDsBLwxdc

— Phil Tomlinson (@philatom) May 14, 2018

RIP Glenn Branca. This is still the greatest clip on YouTube https://t.co/DG4Um8PO2J

— Andrew Male (@Andr6wMale) May 14, 2018

A Mother's Day gift

EVG regular Jose Garcia shared these photos... a discovery that he made late-last night on 11th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C...

Per Jose:

My guess is the prior caretaker(s) carried it out to dispose of it under cover of darkness.

Is there a walk of shame equivalent for discarded holiday shrubbery?