The Force can have a strong influence on the weak-minded

One last thing about corners on the Bowery... here at Bleecker, above Double Crown (these are older photos... they've gussied up the front since these were taken...)




For months I've been looking at that Star Wars pinball machine up on the second floor...





I walk by here a lot... and I've never seen anyone playing the damn thing...It just sits there, posing. A forgotten toy. Something to show off to the world below.

Then I realized the apartment is for sale (almost on the market for three months) ... and the pinball machine is there to -- possibly! -- lure in wealthy geeks...

It's listed at $2.6 million (the home, not the pinball machine):

BEAUTIFUL NEWLY RENOVATED FULL FLOOR LOFTS AT BOWERY AND BLEECKER
2 Bedroom 2 Bathroom, Private Keyed elevator and washer/dryer! This amazing loft at Bowery and Bleecker combines Landmark Status and Modern Luxury. Originally constructed in 1866 and now meticulously recrafted and enhanced, this full floor loft has 14’ floor to ceiling windows on both the North and East sides, with the finest modern interiors.

Features: 14’ ceilings, fabulous Poliform kitchens accented with Corian counter tops featuring Miele appliances, Sub Zero and Bosch technology. Each unit comes with a pre-wired sound system and 50” plasma TV, California Closets, PRIVATE key lock elevator and video security. You’ll enjoy amazing light & views, an inviting and totally livable layout, all in the epicenter of Downtowns most exciting neighborhood.

And not a word about the pinball machine in the pitch!

PS
Here are some photos of the unit ... the two renderings are entertaining ...and the pinball machine makes an appearance here...





The last one is my favorite. Looks like a comfy position to read a book, dude...what, accidentally sit on one of the GF's stiletto heels?



Anyway, Star Wars pinball? Half-naked women in towels? I'm shocked this placed hasn't already been sold...

Atop the Bowery one day a few years back

Here's a photo from Docman's Flickr account looking south on the Bowery from Fourth Street... you can see the Sunoco station on the right... where 57 Bond is now... and, well...no Bowery Hotel on the left, Avalon Bowery Place ... I don't know the exact date of this shot...but it's not that old, though it seems like a few lifetimes ago...

World Famous Pee Phone getting competition

We'll be keeping an eye on this upstart on Third Avenue near 12th Street.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New prices for the world famous Pee Phone wiped away

It's a black fly in your Chardonnay...It's a death row pardon two minutes too late

Thanks to New York magazine for including my Pirates of the Yunnibbean post in their Neighborhood Watch feature this week... (And thanks to EV Grieve reader Pinhead for the link...)

Noted

"Downtown Girls," MTV's new reality show about a group of friends living and loving on the Lower East Side, debuts tonight on MTV. The Times was unkind to the show in its review. "Someone called Shallon is hung up on a younger guy who lives with his parents in Jersey (yup, Jersey). She asks rhetorical questions as she looks intently at her laptop."

And EV Grieve readers had this to say the last time this show was mentioned hereabouts:

Anonymous said...
Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die Die .....seriously.

APRIL 27, 2010 3:42 PM
hf said...
Can I stop vomiting yet?

APRIL 27, 2010 3:42 PM
eveats said...
Dude... Really?!?

APRIL 27, 2010 4:41 PM
esquared said...
gurj? shallon? klo? where's smurfette?

APRIL 27, 2010 4:50 PM
Anonymous said...
Can I move to Brooklyn yesterday, please?

APRIL 27, 2010 7:00 PM
Karate Boogaloo said...
Holy christ...has HBO started a lawsuit yet? This makes Sex In the City, dare I say it, look positively intellectual. Wow...fucking wow...what a pile of shit.

APRIL 27, 2010 8:11 PM
creature said...
I need those two minutes back. Yikes.

APRIL 27, 2010 8:56 PM
buffi said...
speechless.

APRIL 29, 2010 8:20 AM
Anonymous said...
Does someone actually find these people attractive? Even the Jersey Shore kids had more to offer.

Downtown Girls - MTV Shows

Your chance to be Tom Cruise's neighbor

As you may know, Tom Cruise owns several units in the American Felt Building on 13th Street and Fourth Avenue ... and when the Cruise clan is in town, here's where they stay... Anyway! There's a new listing in the building for an 1,100-foot, one-bedroom home for $1.2 million...

Per Sotheby's:

Located in Union Square, in a hot village location, this rarely available open and airy 1,180+/- sq ft loft, features a large foyer, living room with a natural gas exterior vent fireplace, dining area, sleek open kitchen with a Bosch Dishwasher, Viking Range and GE Refrigerator, Maytag Washer & Dryer, a master bedroom with an extraordinary bath featuring a double sink, separated toilet area with Waterworks tiles and shower fixtures. This loft also offers beautiful original hardwood floors, excellent closet space, soaring 13 ft ceilings, oversized windows with open City views from South and West exposures and an extra storage room in in the basement designated to the usage of the unit, make this loft a perfect downtown home. The loft is located in the 1909 American Felt building, a full service condominium with a well maintained common roof deck and a garden.

Here are real photos of the apartment with what could be if you were neighbors...







Previously on EV Grieve:
When 2-3 apartments in the same building just aren't enough

East Village apartments more expensive than 2 Cooper Square

Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal noted that a three-bedroom apartment in 2 Cooper Square was going for $20,000 a month, which would make these the most most expensive apartments in the neighborhood....

Well, that's not true... just around the way at 6 E. First St. is a new-to-the-market penthouse for $25,000 a month... and here's the adjective-laden listing...

Enjoy the ultimate indoor/outdoor lifestyle from this spectacular 3700SF triplex penthouse loft perched atop a former steel and concrete warehouse located at the crossroads of Soho, Noho, and the burgeoning Bowery district. Connected by a custom cantilevered steel staircase, each level of this amazing home offers something unique and unforgettable. On the first floor, you'll find a massive Living/Dining area bathed in southern light with 11-foot beamed ceilings, exposed brick walls, a wood-burning fireplace, and light from a 50-foot expanse of oversized windows. This fantastic room features an enormous state-of-the-art chef's kitchen with a six-burner Viking range, Subzero refrigerator, built-in Miele espresso/cappuccino maker, and a 50-bottle temperature controlled wine refrigerator. There is a generous-sized Bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and a tasteful powder room for guests. Ascend the stairs to the dramatic sun-blasted second level -- a grand-scaled entertaining space with 13' ceilings, polished concrete floors, custom walnut wet bar, full bathroom + direct access to an incredible wrap terrace ideal for sunbathing, stargazing and dining al fresco. Tucked away at the end of the hallway you'll find the serene Master Bedroom suite replete with fireplace, separate office, large walk-in-closets, and a fabulous sky-lit bathroom with steam shower, oversized jetted soaking tub, bidet, and gorgeous teak and limestone double vanity. Further up the cantilevered staircase is the sun-drenched top level, a breathtaking room with four exposures, spa-quality bathroom, and direct access to yet another phenomenal terrace with unobstructed 360 degree views. Additionally, the residence offers multi-zoned central air-conditioning, radiant heated floors, a separate laundry room and custom lighting on dimmers throughout. Not to mention, there is the prime location in the heart of the vibrant Bowery District, just steps from the city's hottest new restaurants, bars, boutiques and Whole Foods market. Come home to 6 East 1st Street, the ultimate Downtown oasis!

And here are the photos...







Anyway, as for 2 Cooper Square... still no sign of rent details at the 2 Coop site...

Epic urban etiquette sign: "BIRD feeding IS ILLEGAL"

On St. Mark's Place near First Avenue.

Third store opens today in Extra Place

There's some kind of high-end looking furniture-wood shop opening in the corner space tonight at Extra Place...






Meanwhile, seems like a good time to take a quick inventory of Extra Place...

Starting in 1978 (photo via Forgotten New York)...



OK, anyway, as it was first reported back in the spring of 2008, the Avalon Bowery team aspired to turn the cul-de-sac into "a slice of the Left Bank, a pedestrian mall lined with interesting boutiques and cafés."

With the new furniture shop, there are now three storefronts in business... Bespoke Chocolates...



...and Montana Knox ...

Looks as there are 4-5 retail spaces available...




...it feels a little lonely back here...



...not quite yet what the Avalon Bowery folks envisioned with their rendering a few years back...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Extra Place now officially a Dead End

Meanwhile, Extra Place continues to maintain its proud heritage

Perhaps he just saw Extra Place for the first time in 15 years or so?

The Chocolate Wars (well, not at all, but we needed something that sounds CONTROVERSIAL)

Giving Extra Place the warm, comfortable feel of suburbia

Looking at Extra Place

The Mercury Lounge turns colors

The Mercury Lounge on Houston has a new look...

Before!



Now!




And so far, it looks as if the Shastone Monuments signage will remain...



By the way, as Curbed reported, the building that houses the Mercury Lounge was sold earlier this year... though the Mercury has a lease through 2018...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Some faded ad glory reappears above the Mercury Lounge

The Mercury Lounge survived John Mayer, it can survive this

[Top photo via Curbed]

Something Sweet for Third Avenue and NYU

The former Atlantic News on Third Avenue and NYU is becoming....



...something called Just Sweet Dessert House....



According to their Web site:

With an Asian-theme menu choice, our inspiration comes from a balanced fusion of contemporary and traditional culture. Our menu selections are inspired from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, and Korea.

We strive to introduce unique selections of desserts into the local marketplace. Our featured desserts include Taiwanese Shaved Ice, Chinese Tong Sui, Crepes, frozen drinks, and seasonal specials.

Opposition to South Brooklyn Pizza's liquor license

South Brooklyn Pizza opened in April at 122 First Ave. between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place... they go before the SLA today for a liquor license... and as this sign shows on First Avenue, there's opposition...



I haven't tried this pizza yet... A reader passed along his or her experience:

A guy who works very hard selling a $4 slice in a neighborhood that buys $1 slices and $2 Falafel complains to another worker about how hard he works to sell the pizza and it isn't even his place. While the cheese is good (although a little too subtle), and the crust thin and crisp, the flavor is underwhelming. The first-class ingredients could use a little kick-up. I don't plan to spend $4 there again.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors!: Will PJ Hanley's be opening a pizza shop on First Avenue?

A Stop Work Order for the P.J. Hanley's pizza parlor on First Avenue

Table 12's sidewalk cafe debuts

Many thanks to EV Grieve reader Project Chow (@projectchow) for passing along word that Table 12's sidewalk cafe has debuted on 12th Street and Avenue A...





Per the CB3/SLA, The sidewalk cafe must shut down at 10 p.m.... and they can set up again at 8 a.m.

With this addition, though, part of Chico's Kool Bloo sign was painted over ... Project Chow has some before and afters too... (thanks to @chufucious)




Previously on EV Grieve:
New sidewalk cafe for Table 12

New Japanese restaurant paying homage to former tenant?

As I've faithfully reported, the former Cookout Grill on First Avenue at 13th Street is becoming a Japanese restaurant. Extensive renovations continue...



And, so far, good news: It looks as if the new owners are honoring the memories of the former tenant... Too often, heartless new owners have no respect for the storied history of an address... neutering a space without regard of what it meant to the people...




...and, yes, I'm making fun of myself here...

No more sidewalk shed for PS 122

First Avenue and Ninth Street... No more sidewalk shed for now anyway...






Previously on EV Grieve:
Meet PS 122's new steel tower