Flashback: When the Christodora House became a Greek house

Jill's post yesterday on the 12th Street NYU frathouse reminded me of a post I did almost one year ago to date...Here it is again...from Sept. 9, 2008...

[Photos by Charlie Kerman]

In 1983, when the Christodora House on Avenue B was still abandoned, members of the Tau Delta Phi, Delta Eta Chapter at Cooper Union, placed their Greek letters on the west side atop the 17-floor building. Don't have a lot of details, such as how long the letters remained there. Long enough for a photo opp, of course. Photos of the letters crew are below. (Note the condition of the Christodora...)

Buck Floomberg returns

On Avenue B near Eighth Street.



Earlier!



And before that!

The Bhakti Center is opening a cafe in their First Avenue yoga HQ

The Hare Krishnas’ Sanctuary vegetarian eatery on First Avenue between First Street and Second Street has sat empty for several years...



...until now. The Bhakti Center, which has yoga classes and other events on the upper floors here at 25 First Avenue, is opening a cafe on the ground level.



For further reading:
Hare Krishnas clash as eviction effort divides First Ave. building (The Villager)

Ghost at Mars

You don't say?

Permanent Brunch is open for brunch.

East 12th Street now home to "THE ONLY REAL FRAT HOUSE AT NYU!"

In case you missed this (And I did — found the link via Curbed first), Jill has a post on NYU's Delta Phi House opening up shop at 531 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Here's the description via Facebook:

531 East 12th Party Crew (Apt 1E)
Category:
Entertainment & Arts - Nightlife
Description:
There are lots of places to party in New York, but few can match the insanity of 531 East 12th Street. If you are tired of going out to bars, come to an apartment with a massive common room filled with multiple pong and flip cup tables.

Here is an article by the New York Observer written about the parties we throw:

You belong in this group if any of the following apply:

1) Came to NYU and within 2 days, missed having house parties.

2) Think beer pong should be in the 2012 Olympics

3) Forgot your keys, wallet, and name at one of our parties.

4) Hooked up on one of the couches in the common room in the dark, thinking that nobody could see you.

5) Bought St. Ides malt liquor from the deli below our old apt (40 Avenue C).

6) Couldn't find your way back to Weinstein, Hayden, or even the front door after partying.

7) Gone to the website and seen a picture of yourself, trashed, on the front page.

8) You fell down the two flights of stairs walking home from our old house (40 Avenue C).

9) You have taken a picture next to our suit of armor in the common room.

10) You and your friends want to come to some of the sickest parties in New York.

Don't miss our welcome week blowouts...there's a reason why the NY Observer called them "legendary".

THE ONLY REAL FRAT HOUSE AT NYU!

Jill writes:

On Saturday night it was reported that hundreds of people were streaming in and out of that building and the police came by at least 5 times, to no avail. At around 3am one resident heard something outside her ground floor window and opened it to find a young man pissing in her flowers. She yelled at him and he ran down the street with his dick hanging out.

Now I am officially freaking out. Frat bars are one thing, an actual frat house is beyond anything I can put into words. Let the phone calls of protest begin.

Here's a piece Curbed had on the new building back in March 2007.

Photo via.

Mikey's Pet Shop to become a nail salon?

Several readers have passed along updates on Mikey's Pet Shop on Seventh Street near Avenue A...the store will likely be open until the end of this week...and, despite the moving signs on the sidewalk out front, they don't have a new store just yet...



Another reader said that she was told a nail salon is already in place to take over the store. Mikey's had to close up because the landlord was reportedly raising the rent to $20,000 a month. And a nail salon will be able to afford that...?

And with a new tenant, I imagine we'll be losing Chico's mural...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Mikey's Pet Shop closing at the end of the month

Did I show you my photos from Miami?

No, no -- wait. Sorry. I took these in East River Park looking over at the Edge and whatever that other stuff is.

Also on this month's CB3 docket: Evolution

We continue to look over this month's massive CB3 SLA & DCA Licensing Committee agenda for Monday.

Of interest (at least to me, Jeremiah and Hunter-Gatherer perhaps!)

The new Evolution!



Hunter-Gatherer was told the following about the new Evolution this past June:

As I queried the construction worker regarding the future tenant he said, “evolution”.

“Really”, I said, “what’s the concept”?

“Flair”, he replied, “flipping bottles, fire tricks…you know, bringing a Las Vegas style bar to New York”.

Fine, fine — I'm there opening night! But according to the transfer: Evolution, 68 2nd Ave (alt/op/renovations/name change) (The Watering Hole of 2nd Ave Corp)

The Watering Hole? To douse the flames, perhaps? And will this mean another awning?

For further reading:
E4volution Mach II? (Hunter-Gatherer)

Previously.

Cafe DeVille's holiday appears rather permanent

In early August, the signs went up at Cafe DeVille on Third Avenue at 13th Street announcing its closure for a holiday through Aug. 30.



As of last night, the eatery had yet to reopen...



There's a transfer between Cafe DeVille and something called East County Louth Inc. (an Irish theme?) on Monday's SLA & DCA Licensing docket.

I never had reason to visit the Cafe DeVille Web site. But I looked last night.

Spoil yourself with one of our hand made cocktails, give in to a scrumptious Chocolate Volcano. Whether joining us for our decadent brunch, a luxurious dinner, our heavenly desserts, or lively happy hour, Cafe Deville's wait staff is warm and attentive and ready to treat you to a marvelous experience. The French doors open in good weather to spill tables out onto the sidewalk. The atmosphere is comfortable, pampered, sexy, fun and relaxed no matter if you sit outside, in the dining room, or at the bar. A seductive feast for the senses!

Uh-huh.

The reality there for so long,though...



In the spring of 2008, Cafe Deville was named one of the worst outdoor tables at Eater. (Photo via Eater.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
Cafe DeVille closed for the rest of the month

Scaffolding finally comes down at Third Avenue and 13th Street

Dumpster of the day (month? year?)

The ultra, ultra rare porta-potty/dumpster combo. Nice if there's an overflow, but not real practical for everyday use. On Houston near Suffolk. Many thanks to the EV Grieve reader for the photo!

Collecting butts at the Cooper Union Building

We never thought much about this. However! You spend, say, $950 trillion on a new building. How will you go about collecting the butts from smoker's out front? Given the 23rd-century space-aged look of the new building, no regular old ashtray contraption will work... These seem a little pedestrian, but serviceable...




Previously.

Weekend in review: Laboring edition

In case you've been away... Friday started with good news.



First, we learned that Theatre 80 will remain a community theater.

Then the renovations began at St. Brigid's. And Friday night, we could see the lights on inside the church.



Also!

People stood in line for Trader Joe's and we wondered why.

And we took a lot of photos of Art Around the Park.

And we had the last dance.

Life's a beach: Former Jersey Shore Store now Bloomberg for Mayor campaign office

Remember that Jersey Shore Store on Broadway between 11th Street and 12th Street (the one in which the empty kegs were left behind...)...?

This summer!



Now!




Many thanks to EV Grieve reader Eric for the tip and photos....

East 14th Street destined to become just like West 14th Street

As you know, we've been watching the R&S Strauss auto parts store on East 14th Street at Avenue C. Last May, the building was reportedly quietly put on the market for $13 million. And according to the Massey Knakal Web site, the building was sold in January for $12.3 million. As the site noted: "The lot measures 114’9” x 88’and has a total buildable square footage of approximately 36,125 sq. ft. for residential use or 68,262 sq. ft. for a community facility, which will likely be the ultimate use of the property."

We wrote the following on April 6:

News of a possible community facility is a relief for those among us thinking this sale could signal, as Jeremiah Moss wrote, "an opening for the overall Meatpacking effect that is rippling up and down this main artery to reach deep into the East Village."

Yeah, well: Stupid us for feeling any possible relief. According to the Times, the Arun Bhatia Development Organization -- who specialize in luxury condos and dorms -- bought the space. The Times article on the development of the eastern end of 14th Street concludes with the following on the former R.S. Strauss space:

The site, marketed for development, allows for stores and dozens of apartments, explained Joe Sitt, the Massey Knakal broker who handled the deal.



Yes, Mr. Sitt said, the nearby blocks, which hold mostly chain- and diner-variety eateries, have a way to go before they attract hip West 14th Street-style restaurants. But those typically follow new residences, and residents.



"It's not about 'Build it and they will come,'" he said. "It's 'Put a roof over their heads and they will dine.'"

Previously.

Easy as...123 Third Ave. rises

At the same time we notice that the new 18-story glassy condo is finally (and quickly) taking some shape on the southeast corner of 14th Street and Third Avenue...




(No Web address listed. But a phone number. Handy!)



...the Times comes along with a piece saying that basically all of 14th Street east of Third Avenue is pretty much doomed now. As the paper notes rather ominously.

Still, the stretch bordering the East Village, east of Third Avenue, existed as a relative time capsule. Discount clothing stores still dot blocks as they did when the area was a popular middle-class shopping district, side by side with 100-year-old brick tenements.

But stirrings of change are noticeable in the neighborhood, say brokers, business leaders and developers, many of whom are betting that renewal will continue its march along 14th Street.

A 19-story condominium rising at Third Avenue from the site of a former tanning salon may be a sign.

The article goes on to say how much the condos will cost, that a Capital One is going in the retail space on the ground level, etc. Doomed as doomed can be.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Stopping work at 123 Third Ave.

Belgian Ale House crazy enough for "crazy landlord"

Remember that "crazy landlord" sign on the corner of Third Street and Second Avenue that we told you about back in March?



Thanks to an EV Grieve reader who sent along the following shot... we now know who was just crazy enough to take over this long-vacated space...The Belgian Ale House.



This will just be one of many items to be addressed on Sept. 14 in what promises to be an EPIC SLA & DCA Licensing Committee meeting.

P.S.

On Sunday, the corner served again as a makeshift flea market...

What we now know about the karaoke empire on St. Mark's Place

On July 11, we pointed out the new "coming soon karaoke lounge suites" signs on the former Mondo Kim's space at 6 St. Mark's Place. Then came the signs telling that a gourmet deli would share this spot.

And now?



Billiards!



So, according to the signs on the door, the gourmet deli is in the basement...billiards on one...housewares on 2 (OK, OK)...presumably the karaoke will take up the rest of the building.

Yikes.

Oh, and the owners will go before the SLA & DCA Licensing Committee again on Sept. 14. They were already turned down for a liquor license in March, as Eater reported.

Dumpster marks the beginning of the end of 47 E. Third St.

As The Villager reported in its current issue, on Aug. 27, tenants moved out of 47 E. Third Street -- home of the infamous, longstanding battle with building owner Alistair Economakis.

According to the paper, Economakis may have also moved out -- at least temporarily. Pr maybe not.

And now a dumpster is in place in front of the building for collecting the remains of the renovation that will turn the tenement into the family's Mansion.




And check back with the paper later this week: There will be more of an interview with Alistair Economakis -- his longest to date with the media.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Alistair Economakis is suing his cousin Evel for libel

And Economakis gets the whole building for his dream mansion

The 47 E. 3rd St. protest in video

At the 47 E. 3rd St. protest

Conspiracies: Where are all the fliers?

There's so much on the CB3 SLA & DCA Licensing Committee agenda, it won't fit in one screen shot

Bring your sleeping bags on Sept. 14 -- nearly 50 items are on the agenda...



So much to note! Caffe Buon Gusto on Avenue B and Fifth Street is finally on the agenda. 2 U Karoke Lounge Suites at the former Mondo Kim's on St. Mark's is on the docket. We'll have more on all this later...