EV Grieve

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Own a 'Bird's nest in the sky' on East Second Street

Wow. I've seen a few listings for East Village penthouses in my time... and this one at 213 E. Second St. just east of Avenue B could be one the more awesomer (awesomest?) one yet ... The unit hit Streeteasy yesterday for $2.3 million.

Deep breaths as you prep to stomach the listing:

CARRIAGE HOUSE CONDOMINIUM #8... the BIRDS NEST IN THE SKY... a 4 Level Townhouse Condominium... 3 BEDROOM SUITES/ 4 BATHS, each a private domain with a view of the Empire State Building from every floor. On the top floor, the LIVING and ENTERTAINMENT LEVEL is flooded with SUNLIGHT from glass walls, glass roof and hidden light sources. Perched above... the INDOOR/OUTDOOR SOLARIUM with BATH and MAGNIFICENT MIDTOWN VIEWS and an adjoining PRIVATE TERRACE with a HIDDEN STAIR TO COMPLETELY PRIVATE ROOF with 180 degree exposure. All for the discriminating and esoteric-by-nature purchaser. CARRIAGE HOUSE CONDOMINIUM in the heart of the historic EAST VILLAGE...steps from the BOWERY HOTEL and the NEW MUSEUM...blocks from WHOLE FOODS...SCHILLERS LIQUOR BAR and THE HOTEL ON RIVINGTON...landscape to the cultural and artistic movements of the 20th century, now transformed into the hippest neighborhood and burgeoning new art district.

Got all that about the neighborhood? Anyway, a few more views for you...

According to Streeteasy, Corcoran first listed this home in November 2008 for $3.1 million. After a 24 percent price cut in the next few months, the home was removed from the market. Prudential Elliman then had the listing, which it posted in May 2009 for $2.45 million.

The other unit in the building is available for $2 million.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Million dollar condos hit the market on East Second Street

Noted

A reader passed along this photo outside the new deli on Avenue B and Fourth Street. And presented without comment.

Psychic continues First Avenue sidewalk office expansion

We've been keeping tabs on the First Avenue psychic's growing sidewalk empire here next to Coyote Ugly.... check out these photos by First Avenue correspondent Blue Glass ...

Early October!

A little later!

This week!

As Blue Glass notes, "When she gets a couch — watch out!"

Monday, November 8, 2010

On second thought, maybe those snowflakes weren't so pretty this morning

Introducing EV Transitions

Well, apparently all that time EV Grieve regular Pinhead spent on the NYPL archives is being put to good use for our benefit! Check out EV Transitions, Pinhead's newly launched blog. Per the description:

Call it "Streetscapes Lite," after Christopher Gray's column in the Sunday NY Times. I apply my full geek powers and talent for time-wasting to researching the history of locations and buildings and other places in my neighborhood that I find interesting.

Meanwhile, EV Grieve, EV Heave and EV Lambo have all collectively sued Pinhead for violating our EV copyright!

Kidding... I love the site... though it will be better once he gets that full liquor license...

EV Grieve Etc.: Mourning edition

Here comes Walmart, again (Crain's)

An early look at the "New York Dive" documentary (Jeremiah's Vanishing NY)

Saying goodbye to Ruby's (The Brooklyn Paper ... Amusing the Zillion has more coverage. ... ditto for Grub Street)

An Eighth Street video now and then (Flaming Pablum)

Protesting against an NYU tower (Curbed)

About that boyfriend-stealing Lady Gaga (Runnin' Scared)

A drink at Nice Guy Eddie's (Eater)

At the SPURA rally (BoweryBoogie)

EV Lambo's Midtown friend (Stupefaction)

And from [jdx] — extra place, squared

Cafe Hanover closed on St. Mark's

EV Grieve reader Ryan notes that the ginormous, 24-hour Cafe Hanover in the old Mondo Kim's space is closed right now...

The state already seized the then-two-month-old Cafe back in July.

Previously on EV Grieve:
2U (or U2) Karaoke is now open on St. Mark's Place; Hanover Cafe coming soon

[Updated!] Breaking: Rogue snowflakes spotted in our skies!

[Updated. Hail!]

What is taking over the Superdive space

The owner of the former Aces and Eights space at 34 Avenue A isn't the only person reaching out to the neighborhood.

Signs are up now at the Superdive space. The new owners of the space are on this month's CB3/SLA docket.

As you can see, the new owners want to meet the neighborhood tonight — with promises of cider and pastries. I sent Han Kao an e-mail Saturday morning asking for more details on what people can expect here, though he didn't respond.

However, a neighborhood power broker tells me the new owners are thinking something nouveau American cuisiney but aren't going to commit to anything until they meet with the neighborhood. The resident says while the new owners sound friendly enough, nearby neighbors would love a business that doesn't require a liquor license. One resident along Avenue A asked, "Why can't the landlord bring in a Yoga/Meditation center with a juice bar?" Noted another neighbor: "Great idea. Wrong lifetime."

An Avenue A now and then

Well, we continue to look through through the New York Public Library photo archives... EV Grieve reader Lambert Jack sent along these shots...

Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street from 1937...

...and today...

For more on the old Hollywood Theater, check out this post.

And facing south on Avenue A at Sixth Street from 1941...

....and today...

Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

The Mission Cafe has closed

Back in August, I noted that the Mission Cafe on Second Avenue was for sale... Perhaps the sale went through: The Mission is now closed.

But, as the sign on the gate says, you can hit their big sister cafe across the Avenue...

Mary Ann's remains closed

Last week, I noticed that Mary Ann's on Second Avenue at Fifth had been closed for "renovations." The place was expected to reopen Thursday, per their sign...