290 Mulberry is 90 percent complete — and for sale

Every so often we check in on 290 Mulberry at the corner of Houston, where the 12-story development seems to get wavier with each drink at Milano's.




Anyway, an EV Grieve reader passes along word that you can now own the whole shebang for $25 million. Here's the new listing at Massey Knakal:

NoLIta Development: 90% complete, 290 Mulberry Street is a newly developed 12 story building with ground floor retail and 9 lavish full floor apartments above. The building contains a dramatic 2,613SF Penthouse Triplex with 1,650SF of private terraces. This breathtaking building was designed by award winning SHOP Architects.

There is approx. 2,000 SF of GRFL retail. The 9 apartments total approx. 18,000 SF, with approx. 2,600SF of terraces. Recent retail comparables have achieved over $150 SF. Condo sales in the area have commanded a range of $1300-$2300 PSF for 2010.

The exterior is unique patterned brick panels. Amenities include radiant heat walnut flooring, Italian Schiffini kitchens, oversized sound insulated tilt and turn windows, and stone countertops. Floors 4 thru 12 have Empire State Building views. The plans call for private key locked elevators, concierge, doorman, and private storage units.

This project is perfect for a developer or end user. Estimated cost to complete is $2,000,000. 421 A in place. 290 Mulberry is directly across the street from the world famous Puck Building in the heart of NoLIta, one of Manhattan’s hottest neighborhoods

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There's a complicated history... Curbed provides a nice summation here. And perhaps the new owner can slap on a coat of paint.

Step 3: walk it to the curb

EV Grieve reader James Taylor sends along a photo of this discarded iMac (circa 1998, with its "no step three ad" campaign) and asks...

"How long will it be before we see gently used iPads on the street?"

Sidewalk shed comes down at 147 First Ave. — now what?

Several readers noted yesterday that workers removed the sidewalk shed from 147 First Ave. at Ninth Street... Not much has seemingly been going on here since we reported that the space would be demolished... or become a motel.

Anyway!

The "for rent" signs went up in August...





Icon Realty has the listing for the ground-floor space ... which states "perfect for retail store, restaurant." (We sent an e-mail to Icon asking for details.)

We're not sure what's next for the rest of the building. The DOB issued new permits last week for work on "apartment houses."

Last year, Curbed reported that developer Terrence Lowenberg was the owner .. and he hired the notorious Issac & Stern firm as the architects. (New York magazine called Ramy Issac "the controversial penthouse king of the East Village.")

Here's what the space looks like as of last evening.

There's also no word yet where the panhandlers have relocated... In any event, keep an eye on this space.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Ninth Street and First Avenue shocker: Motel ... Hello?

Blockbuster: 147 First Ave. set for demolition

The photography of Steven Hirsch

When we last checked in with Steven Hirsch, the East Village-based photographer was busy posting photos and essays for his Tompkins Square Park-based Crustypunks site.

These days, Hirsch has been uploading more shots on his photoblog.

Here are a few of them, from the East Village and locations around the city...

He is currently teaching at Pratt Institute. You can find more of his photos here.

[Reposted with permission]

'Legal' Miele washer dryer is the 'crown jewel' of this East Ninth Street condo

Here's your almost everyday listing (from Halstead) for a $1.85 million condo on East Ninth Street:

This is a high-end, recently renovated, 3 bedroom/2.5 bath (with office) quiet, corner apartment, surrounded by treetops. Unit 5/KL is the product of a seamless combination with fabulous flow and utilization of space. The large dining area is right off the open kitchen, distinct from the substantial living room. There is a separate home office, with built-in desks. Eight huge closets, including a double-wide food pantry adjacent to the dining area, boast custom-fit, adjustable shelving. The renovated kitchen features a widowed sink, custom built cabinetry, and top of the line appliances, such as a Subzero refrigerator and a Bosch dishwasher. The doors, moldings and light fixtures are all new and the electrical wiring upgraded. The crown jewel is the legal Miele washer dryer. 115 East 9th Street is one of the few full-service, doorman buildings in the East Village with its hallways currently undergoing a beautiful, modern renovation. It is near both Union Square and Washington Square parks, and multiple subway lines. It has a garage, rentable storage space, bike room, meeting/playroom and a laundry room, (not that you will need it). You will pay a very low maintenance, because the building has no underlying mortgage, making the apartment a great value. Pets are permitted with board approval. Pied-a-Terre and guarantors are not allowed.

And of all the photos of this home on the Halstead, there's not one of the crown jewel feature!

Tenant wanted who can leverage the death of the Bowery

Oh, missed this item yesterday in Steve Cuozzo's column in the Post (thanks Racked!) ... 313 Bowery, that one-time home to the CBGB Gallery that now houses the Morrison Hotel gallery is looking for a new tenant ...

(Confused by this — I spotted the "for lease" signs back in August 2009. Not sure what is different about the leasing now. Maybe to whip up some interest?)

So, Cuozzo reports:

The 3300-square foot space at 313 Bowery now occupied by the Morrison Hotel music-photo gallery — named for the famous Doors album and a spiritual successor to the CBGB gallery that was adjacent to the club — has been put on the market by Elliott Azrak's The Max's Kansas City Co., which netleases the property's retail space from the Bowery Residence Committee.

"The netlease holders are looking for not just any tenant, but one who can leverage the history of the block and the unique Bowery demographic," one source said.

That could mean a restaurant/lounge — or another store similar to John Varvatos.

The secret club Extra Place by Max's Kansas City is also part of the deal.


[Photo from September 2009]

Because you want to know more about the plans for 34 Avenue A

Rebecca Marx talked with Todd P. at Fork in the Road last evening... and he shared more about plans for 34 Avenue A:

Patrick says that he and his co-partners (who also include Mo's/Two Boots owner Phil Hartman and Mike House, an architect whose projects include work on Santos Party House) all want to create a venue that "reflects and serves the surrounding community. No one wants this neighborhood to be this gauntlet of bars where you can get Jell-O shots. We are very happy to remove that stain [of Aces & Eights], but at the same time, no one wants more overpriced boutique restaurants."

The new space will have a ground-floor restaurant which, Patrick says, "will be the main revenue source and the main face of the business." Its menu will be seafood-based "Pacific Coast-style Mexican cuisine" (Pacific as in Jalisco, not California) and its atmosphere "casual yet fairly sophisticated as well. We envision high-quality and not bargain-base priced cuisine, but also not prices that price out the average individual."

And!

As for the performance part of the equation, Patrick stresses that "this is not an indie club, not a rock club, and certainly not a dance club." Instead, it will be purely avant-garde. "Our feeling is that it's a genre that really needs to be represented in the city," he says. "Both the Stone and Issue Project Room are great, but they're maybe more of a museum setting than we would like to be. I have a great respect for those things, but you're seeing kind of a presentation of something rather than it being a little more free form."

(DNAinfo also has more on the space here.)

The comment box is awaiting.

As EV Grieve first reported last Friday:
Phil Hartman bringing a 'performance venue' back to former Mo Pitkin's space

And Monday:
[Updated] Bringing 'the tradition of the old Knitting Factory and Tonic' to 34 Avenue A

Landlord: Gas has been restored at 97 E. Seventh St.

Anthony Zachariadis at management company TZM Realty just sent along this message to us. Management had promised to have the gas service restored today. I followed-up and asked Zachariadis if the residents will receive any kind of credit for the days in which they didn't have gas for cooking. (17 days total.) "I have been calling tenants all day to discuss that matter."

Previously.

Community Boards to discuss fate of 35 Cooper Square and the Bowery

Here's more information on the flyer we posted last night...

A rep from the Bowery Alliance of Neighbors sent us an update to upcoming community board meetings that now include agenda items on preserving 35 Cooper Square and the Bowery.

Community Board 3's agenda for Thursday night now includes:

Parks, Recreation, Cultural Affairs, Landmarks, & Waterfront Committee
Thursday at 6:30 pm — BRC Senior Services Center - 30 Delancey St. (between Chrystie and Forsyth Streets)

1. Review of 2010 goals and accomplishments/committee goals for 2011
2. Peter Cooper Park—potential RFPs for food carts in park
3. Request for support by BAN to stop demolition of 35 Cooper Square and for preservation of other Federal houses on Bowery

And at Community Board 2:

LANDMARKS & PUBLIC AESTHETICS 1st APRIL MEETING Sean Sweeney, Chair

March 28 at 6:30 p.m. — Church of Our Lady of Pompei, 25 Carmine St. Father Demo Hall

*Nomination of the Bowery to the State and National Register of Historic District.

[Photo courtesy of EV Grieve correspondent Bobby Williams]

Residents of 97 E. Seventh St. haven't had gas for cooking since Feb. 19

Residents of 97 E. Seventh St. near First Avenue have joined forces after being without gas for cooking since Feb. 19. (They've also launched a Facebook page to make it easier to share information.)

In addition, one resident said that they were without gas, heat and hot water for three days starting on Feb. 19.

According to another resident:

"Management has been leaving 'updates' posted in the hallway, but everyone has been scribbling notes all over them, encouraging each other to fight back against the management. It's gotten pretty heated lately as it's become more clear that the fault lies with the management."

(The super apparently removed the older flyers in the building that contained all the comments from residents.)

In hearing about the situation from two residents, it seems as if the management company and ConEd are pointing fingers at each other over who's to blame for the 17 days without gas for cooking. One resident has said the use of unlicensed contractors led to five gas leaks in the building.

Anthony Zachariadis at management company TZM Realty didn't respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Meanwhile, one resident said that management promised that ConEd will have all the gas hooked back up today. Despite all this, the resident said that the management has refused to discuss rent abatement. Said another resident: "Landlord hasn't mentioned any reimbursement for food expenses or rent...I'm wondering if we will all have to go to court."

Work moves to the backside of St. Brigid's

The renovations continue at St. Brigid's on Eighth Street and Avenue B. Workers put up scaffolding on the church's backside last week...

Meanwhile, the crew continues to rebuild the church's northern wall...

Oh, and some bonus photos that I took back in early January. Don't you miss the snow?





Previous EV Grieve St. Brigid's coverage here.

Wannabe

Only just noticed this the other day under the scaffolding at Spice on Second Avenue and Sixth Street.

City unveils new plan to patrol First Avenue bike lane

Pigeons!

I love this photo by James Maher. Reprinted with permission. Find more of his photos here.

'You lose it here, you're in a world of hurt'

On Friday, EV Grieve Technologically Advanced Form of Extraterrestrial Life Correspondent Bobby Williams spotted the Predator from, um, "Predator" outside Tokio 7 on Seventh Street...

Perhaps the masses were getting a little too close... there's now a fence around Mr. Predator...

Remember: He's using the trees.

Bonus...

"Mars Needs Red Riding Hood'

Last week, DNAinfo spotted a Jesus-"Confessions of a Shopaholic" movie poster mashup on Second Avenue at Seventh Street... Apparently Poster Boy has struck again... here on First Avenue near DeRobertis, there's a "Mars Needs Moms" - "Red Riding Hood" (two movies that no one will see!) combo along with a Public Service Announcement about the benefits of reading neighborhood blogs books.

Thanks to @cultofsoc for sharing the photo.

Graffiti moon

From a rooftop on lower Second Avenue. [Justin V. via his roommate Brian M.]

Efforts continue to save 35 Cooper Square

Flyers are up outside 35 Cooper Square... Interested parties may attend the CB3 meeting Thursday evening....

March 10 at 6:30 pm — BRC Senior Services Center — 30 Delancey St. (between Chrystie and Forsyth)

Photo courtesy of EV Grieve correspondent Bobby Williams

'Crazy Landlord' back to being crazy!

Nearly two years have passed since we first noted the "crazy landlord" sign on the long-dormant corner of Second Avenue and Third Street.

Last we heard something called the Belgian was moving in... As the owner told Eater:

The large french doors will open to a wraparound sidewalk cafe sitting 40 or so under large colorful awnings. It will be romantic yet appropriate. Think a sexier Balthazar marries a corpulent Fette Sau and the offspring is The Belgian.

We've lost track of those plans. The corner has seemingly been quiet in recent months... And now, as this photo taken by EV Grieve reader Salim shows, the corner space is apparently back on the market. And the landlord just take it anymore!

Previously.

[Updated] Bringing 'the tradition of the old Knitting Factory and Tonic' to 34 Avenue A

Last Friday, we reported that Two Boots founder Phil Hartman's name is attached to the new venue proposed for 34 Avenue A, the space that was most recently Aces and Eights ... and Mo Pitkin's before that ....

Hartman sent us a note during the weekend with a few more details on the space:

I've been approached by a local music booker/promoter about helping get the old Mo's space re-opened as a music venue. His vision is to carry on the tradition of the old Knitting Factory and Tonic, and I love the idea of seeing the space revived for the use for which it was created, and to wipe out the stain that was Aces & Eights. There would also be a restaurant component on the ground floor.

My role is as an advisor and a cheerleader — I live and work within a block from there and think it would be great for the neighborhood. So, no, I'm not "re-opening Mo Pitkin's" but hopefully the spirit of that place, and of the old East Village, will be revived!

This is one of the items on the docket for the SLA & DCA Licensing Committee next Monday at 6:30 pm — JASA/Green Residence - 200 E. Fifth St. at the Bowery.

[Updated]
Patrick Hedlund at DNAinfo reports this afternoon that concert organizer Todd Patrick, aka Todd P, is also involved in the project. You can read more about Todd Patrick in this Voice profile from 2006.

A Gathering of Tribes faces an uncertain future on East Third Street

Colin Moynihan at the Times reports on what could be the end of A Gathering of Tribes on East Third Street. The building that has housed the arts and cultural organization at 285 E. Third St. between Avenues C and D is on the market for $2.995 million.



Per the article:

The news sent shudders through generations of poets, artists, musicians and others, who felt a strong sense of devotion to A Gathering of the Tribes, a gallery and salon in the building, and to [Steve] Cannon. A former humanities professor, who taught for 25 years at city university campuses including Hunter College in Manhattan and Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, Mr. Cannon decided in 1991 to turn the building, which he had bought for $35,000 in 1970, into a salon and open house where practically everybody was welcome.

Per the listing at Marcus & Millichap:

INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHT
• Four Free Market Floor-Through Two Bedroom Apartment
• Approximately 3,000 Square Fee
• 22 Feet of Frontage on East 3rd Street Between Avenue C and Avenue
• Possible Conversion into a Single Family Townhouse
• 1,100 Square Foot Garden Located Behind the Building

Cannon sold the three-story federal-style townhouse to its present owner — Lorraine Zhang — in 2004 believing that he would be able to occupy the second floor for at least a decade.

Meanwhile, according to the article:

"Mr. Cannon said he was exploring whether he had any legal recourse to oppose the sale in court. At the same time, he said, he would reach out to friends and arts patrons to see whether any of them might be interested in buying the building and turning it into an artists’ residence and cultural center."