The lobbyists behind the air-rights transfer and zoning variance for 3 St. Mark's Place

Updated 2/14: The CB3 committee reportedly voted down the air-rights transfer.

Tonight, reps for Real Estate Equities Corporation (REEC) will appear before CB3's Landmarks Committee at 6:30 to discuss transferring the air rights from the landmarked — and under-renovation — Hamilton-Holly House across the street at 4 St. Mark's Place.

With these air rights and approved zoning variance, the Morris Adjimi-designed building REEC planned for the northeast corner of St. Mark's Place and Third Avenue would rise to 10 stories — twice the size of the original plans.

And as you sort through the various zoning documents (this link goes to the PDF on the CB3 website with details on the proposal) and public records for REEC, some familiar names emerge from behind the scenes.

As public documents show, REEC has several lobbyists working on their behalf, including Capalino & Associates and Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.


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James Capalino, arguably New York's most prolific lobbyist, has ties to the Rivington House scandal... and last spring he reportedly agreed to a $40,000 settlement with the state's ethics watchdog that investigated his dealings with a nonprofit created to promote Mayor de Blasio's agenda. (In August 2016, de Blasio said that he cut ties with Capalino, who has represented several big-money developers seeking City Hall approval for their projects.)

Meanwhile, as the Post reported last November, the city paid Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankel LLP $2.6 million, de Blasio's legal-defense bill during investigations by state and federal prosecutors starting in 2016. Investigators closed the probes in 2017 without bringing charges against the mayor. (In late January, City Council passed a bill that allows elected officials to fundraise to pay off legal bills, though it excludes lobbyists, holding companies and corporations from donating, as The Wall Street Journal reported.)

Public documents show the scope of lobbying work that the firm Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankel is doing on behalf of REEC...


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This past October, REEC filed plans for a 5-story, 29,030-square-foot building at 3 St. Mark's Place.

A retainer agreement from Capalino to REEC on public record (PDF here) dated from last May 8 shows that there were already plans in place for a building larger than the current zoning allowed. The letter doesn't state dimensions for the building, only that: "Consultation will provide pre-certification and post-certification government relations expertise regarding the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure [ULURP]."

Tonight's public meeting is the beginning of the review process, which requires an application to the LPC followed by an application to the City Planning Commission for the special permit. (Read this primer on an explanation of the ULURP process.)

REEC picked up the 99-year leasehold for the properties here for nearly $150 million in November 2017. The corner assemblage is owned by the Gabay family.

The CB3 Landmarks Committee meeting tonight is at the JASA Green Residence, 200 E. Fifth St. at the Bowery.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: NE corner of St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue will yield to a 7-story office building

Demolition permits filed for northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

End is nearing for the businesses on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

New building plans revealed for 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

Developers of 3 St. Mark's Place are looking to double the size of their proposed office building at 3rd Avenue to 10 floors with air-rights deal

Concern over potential air-rights transfer for new office building on St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue

Donosita on Avenue B is for lease

Here's another address to add to the rundown of empty storefronts on Avenue B. As previously noted, Donostia, the wine-and-tapas bar at 155 Avenue B between Ninth Street and 10th Street, had been closed since late November.

There's now a for-lease sign in the front window (and both Google and Yelp list the cafe as permanently closed) ...





According to the online listing, the rent is $3,824 per month, though there is key money — $175,000 "or best offer."

Donostia opened in November 2013. In 2017, Food & Wine named them one of "The Best Wine Bars In the U.S." This past October, Michelin named Donostia as one of its Bib Gourmand-designated restaurants for the fourth consecutive year.

In 2017, co-owner Jorge de Yarza reportedly decided to lobby for developer Gregg Singer, who has been trying, for 20-plus years, to covert the former P.S. 64 building around the corner on 10th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C into student housing. DNAinfo reported that de Yarza helped gather nearly 900 signatures in support of the dorm plan, asking the city to allow it to move forward.

Per DNAinfo:

The massive building's prolonged vacancy has made the block dark and unsafe, and has encouraged loitering, de Yarza added.

"All the places in the immediate area, they suffer," he said. "It's one of those stretches of 10th Street you don't even want to walk by, and it's a shame."

According to a post at the Lo-Down from September 2017, de Yarza also helped Singer support candidates running against Carlina Rivera in the most recent District 2 City Council race. Rivera, who won the election, is an ally of previous Councilmember Rosie Mendez, who has long opposed the dorm plan.

In November 2017, de Yarza helped organize a pro-dorm rally at City Hall, an event where a lobbyist later admitted they hired extras to fill out the group, The Villager reported.

Gulping gargoyles: Harry Potter-themed Steamy Hallows signage reveal on 6th Street

The Steamy Hallows signage has arrived at 514 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B, site of the coming-soon Harry Potter-themed coffee shop.

This is the latest venture from Zach Neil, the pop-up theme bar entrepreneur behind Beetle House on Sixth Street as well as the now-closed Will Ferrell bar Stay Classy on the LES and the short-lived 'Merica NYC on Sixth Street.

Here's what to expect via the Steamy Hallows Instagram account: "This witchy goth coffee shop serves up delicious coffee and tea potions, huge homemade cookies, in an atmosphere inspired by Harry Potter & Halloween."

And amNY had more details in an article from Jan. 11:

When it opens around Valentine's Day (Feb. 14), Steamy Hallows will be decked out with oddities like shrunken heads, a 75-year-old stuffed owl, actual witch potions and an Irish cauldron from the 1700s that steams in the window all day, he said.

"It's what you'd expect a wand store to look like if it was a real place ... The atmosphere inside will be pretty over-the-top from the way the coffee is crafted to the ingredients used to Instagram-worthy shots."

Its coffee will be made by mixologists dressed in all black as if they were crafting a potion — muddling fresh herbs and extracts, coffee, dark chocolate, rose petals and other fresh ingredients.

As we noted on Jan. 9, Steamy Hallows was taking the place of Cake Shake, the extreme milk-shake shop that debuted back in August.

Tuesday's parting shot

Thanks to EVG regular jdx for this photo today... (and find more of his work at Instagram)...

Sleet nothings

Late-afternoon sleet shot via EVG regular Lola Sáenz from Tompkins Square Park...

Concern over potential air-rights transfer for new office building on St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue

Updated 2/14: The CB3 committee reportedly voted down the air-rights transfer.

As I first reported, reps for Real Estate Equities Corporation (REEC) will appear before CB3's Landmarks Committee tomorrow night at 6:30 (Feb. 13) to discuss transferring the air rights from the landmarked — and under-renovation — Hamilton-Holly House across the street at 4 St. Mark's Place.

With these air rights and approved zoning variance, the Morris Adjimi-designed building REEC planned for the northeast corner of St. Mark's Place and Third Avenue would rise to 10 stories — twice the size of the original plans. (This link will take you to the PDF on the CB3 website with details on the proposal.)

Meanwhile, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation expressed its objections to the transfer and additional height of the building. According to a new post on the GVSHP website:

The planned 10-story, 175 ft. tall office tower is part of the growing wave of office development we are seeing in this area along 3rd and 4th Avenues and University Place and Broadway, spurred on by the growth of the expanding tech industry’s "Silicon Alley," and the recent approval by the City Council of the Mayor’s Tech Hub just a few blocks away on 14th Street.

The transfer of the air rights to increase the size of the planned tower ... is subject to the approval of various city agencies. We feel strongly that the city should not abet oversized and inappropriate office development in this area. The planned office tower displaces several long-time local businesses, as well as a nearly 200-year-old house.

Tomorrow's meeting is the beginning of the review process, which requires an application to the LPC followed by an application to the City Planning Commission for the special permit.

The CB3 Landmarks Committee meeting is open to the public (and is open to public comment). The meeting is at the JASA Green Residence, 200 E. Fifth St. at the Bowery.

The links below have more history about what has transpired on this corner...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: After 40 years, punk rock mainstay Trash and Vaudeville is leaving St. Mark's Place

4 St. Mark's Place is for sale

More residential units and a 5th-floor addition in the works for landmarked 4 St. Mark's Place

You'll be back: Look at the renovated Hamilton-Holly House on St. Mark's Place

The Shake Shack effect? McDonald's on 3rd Avenue at St. Mark's Place has closed after 20 years

Report: NE corner of St. Mark's Place and 3rd Avenue will yield to a 7-story office building

Demolition permits filed for northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

End is nearing for the businesses on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

The Continental gets a 3-month reprieve

New building plans revealed for 3rd Avenue and St. Mark's Place

Developers of 3 St. Mark's Place are looking to double the size of their proposed office building at 3rd Avenue to 10 floors with air-rights deal

Raising awareness of the vacant storefronts in the East Village

On Saturday, members of the Cooper Square Committee, FABnyc, the East Village Community Coalition and the Greenwich Village Society For Historic Preservation were out on Avenue B talking to residents about the surplus of vacant storefronts.

They invited people walking by 44 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street "to think about what they need in the neighborhood that could fit in the currently empty space."

Here's more via the Cooper Square Committee:

There are over 200 vacant storefronts in the East Village, according to a count done by EVCC over the summer and fall. On Avenue B, nearly one in five storefronts is empty.

The event organizers are asking for the City Council to introduce policies and legislation that will protect, support and preserve small businesses in New York. Specifically, they are advocating for a citywide vacancy registry and penalty on landlords who deliberately warehouse space.

This local action is connected to the #EndCommercialVacancy campaign, a citywide effort coordinated by United for Small Business NYC (USBNYC).

Among the suggestions passersby made for businesses to fill some of these vacant spaces: a bakery selling fresh bread and a store offering affordable healthy food.

From the EVG archives:
There are more than 20 empty storefronts along Avenue B (December 2008)

The Marshal serves notice at Tapanju Turntable on 4th and B

Tapanju Turntable, which sold Korean tapas and color-changing beer towers, went dark in the late fall on the northwest corner of Avenue B and Fourth Street. At the time, a sign on the door noted "a gas issue."

There hadn't been much, if any, activity here in recent months.

Now EVG reader Alexis shares this photo... showing that the Marshal came calling, with the landlord taking legal possession of the space.



So there likely won't be an encore presentation of Tapanju Turntable, which (re)opened in December 2017, a rebranded version of Turntable 5060 (same owners), which debuted in July 2015. (And once upon it time, this was Kate's Joint for 16 years.)

Also at the same address... the Marshal posted a notice (h/t Alexa!) on the former Nobody is Perfect next door on Fourth Street...



Nobody Is Perfect closed last August. Bistro owner Mario Carta told me this in an email at the time: "The gas in the entire building, including the apartments and the restaurant next to us, has been shut down for six months. We were unable to provide a decent menu to our customers during that period of time and that affected our business knowing that we were open for less than a year trying to build a clientele in the neighborhood."



Five restaurants — Nobody Is Perfect, B4, Piccola Positano, Tonda and E.U. — have come and gone at 235 E. Fourth St. in the past 10 years.

Attention Kmart drinkers...

Word from a tipster... if you were headed over to Kmart on Astor Place to stock up on various beers and tall boys of Bud Light Lime Straw-Ber-Ritas... Uh-Oh!



The refrigerator signage notes:

Attention Kmart Shoppers!

We are currently unable to sell alcohol while our license is being renewed.

We apologize for the inconvenience and will be to usual ASAP.

Thanks to Steven for the photos and headline!

Melt Shop makes way back to 4th Avenue

A Melt Shop has emerged at 135 Fourth Ave. between 13th Street and 14th Street.

This is the fifth Manhattan location for the quick-serve restaurant that specializes in grilled-cheese sandwiches and tater tots.

Signage for a Melt Shop was spotted here in June 2016, but the storefront instead became a Make Sandwich, which was an extension of the Melt Shop brand.

Make shut down in December after nearly two years at the address. According to the Make website: "We’ll be closing the shop ... to look for a location that is more suitable for our craft. We’d like to thank you all for your support and sando love."

So ownership decided to go with the more recognizable sandwich brand, choosing Melt over Make.

Thanks to EVG readers Jeanne Krier and Sheila Meyer for the photos and tip!

Monday's parting shot

A look at the new mural by BKFoxx (via East Village Walls) on Fourth Street at First Avenue, the new home of the just-opened Wara, the Japanese izakaya and dinner theater.

Bookstore trends we like to see

Your McNally Jackson master class in doubling down: we’re staying at our Prince Street location and opening two new bookstores this year. https://t.co/ky8lb0MDAV

— McNally Jackson (@mcnallyjackson) February 11, 2019

Highlighting three positive NYC bookstore developments from recent days (and weeks):

• McNally Jackson is staying in its Prince Street home — and opening two new locations in downtown Brooklyn and the South Street Seaport (Vulture)

• Left Bank Books is returning, reopening at a new location at 41 Perry St. (JVNY)

• Westsider Books on Broadway between 80th and 81st saved by crowdfunding campaign (Westside Rag)

Bonus round ...

View this post on Instagram

Look ma, I’m on TV! 📺 Thx @jeopardy 🥰

A post shared by Strand Book Store, NYC (@strandbookstore) on Feb 7, 2019 at 7:06am PST

Jerry's New York Central is closing on 4th Avenue

Several EVG readers (including Sheila Meyer and Ryan) shared this news... Jerry's New York Central, the art-supply store at 111 Fourth Ave. between 11th Street and 12th Street, is closing.

The shop sent out postcards last week about the closing sale... the info is now posted on their website...



No word on the reasons for the closure at the moment. We reached out to the store and home office for more info.

This location was an offshoot of Jerry's Artarama, a 15-store art-supply chain headquartered in Raleigh, N.C. Jerry's opened on Fourth Avenue in late 2013, taking over the space from Utrecht Art Supplies (now Blick), who moved into a new store on 13th Street between University and Fifth Avenue. (As reported in October 2013, Jerry's signed a 10-year lease for 4,452 square feet of ground floor space. Asking rent for the deal was $125 per square foot, per a release announcing the deal.)

As New York Central Art Supply was preparing to close at 62 Third Ave. in 2016 after nearly 111 years of business, Doug Steinberg worked with David and Ira Goldstein, who own Jerry's, to acquire the remaining paper inventory of the store.

With Jerry's closing this spring, the Blick outposts at 1-5 Bond St. and 21 E. 13th St. will be the remaining art-supplies stores in the immediate area.

Craft+Carry outpost slated for 116 St. Mark's Place

The owners of Craft+Carry plan to open a new location of their craft beer shop at 116 Mark's Place between Avenue A and First Avenue. They will appear before CB3's SLA committee tonight for a new liquor license for the address, which was recently renovated into a retail space.

According to the application on the CB3 website (PDF here), the proposed hours are 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. The questionnaire shows the space will have a six-seat bar and a counter to accommodate four more people.

Craft+Carry, which currently has locations in the DeKalb Market (since June 2017) and on Third Avenue (September 2017) in Gramercy Park, sells several hundred varieties of craft bottles and cans to take home... there's also a small bar with a rotating batch of taps and free Skee-Ball. (Among the other amenities: the Crowler machine, which employees can draft beer for customers at the bar, and homebrew equipment and recipe kits. )

Here's a look at the outpost in DeKalb Market ...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Craft+Carry (@craftandcarry) on Sep 8, 2017 at 1:18pm PDT

The CB3-SLA meeting is tonight at 6:30. The location: the Public Hotel, 17th Floor, Sophia Room, 215 Chrystie St. between Houston and Stanton.