Easy as...: Alphabet Plaza makes first appearance above ground

Work continues here at East Houston and East Second Street/Avenue D... future home of a 12-story mixed-used apartment building called Alphabet Plaza ... the new structure has made its first appearance above ground, as these photos from EVG Facebook friend Edward Arrocha show...





Still waiting to see new renderings... as well as learning what franchises will be leasing the retail space (smart money is on Walgreens).

Previously on EV Grieve:
Will Avenue D finally turn into Avenue C?

Listing appears for Houston and Avenue D development

Report: 12th-story 'Alphabet Plaza' in the works for Second Street and Avenue D

Alphabet Plaza ready to rise on Avenue D

Alphabet Plaza is rising on East Houston and Avenue D

202 First Ave. is for sale

There's a new listing at Eastern Consolidated for 202 First Ave., the story-story building that houses No Relation between East 12th Street and East 13th Street.

A few details from the listing:

Of the 20 residential units, 5 apartments (25%) are Rent Stabilized with an average monthly rent of $1,016, which represents over a 50% discount to current market rates. The remaining fifteen (15) one, two, and three bedroom apartments (75%) are free market with an average monthly rent of $2,903. 8 of the units have a washer and dryer and 3 units are duplexed with rooftop terraces. In total, the 20 occupied apartments are renting at well below market rates with an overall average monthly rent of $2,431, offering tremendous upside to new ownership.

In summary, the in-place rents at the Property are substantially below market and the building is in excellent physical condition. It has been very well maintained, evidenced by its continuous 100% occupancy. Located in one of Manhattan’s most desirable submarkets, the Property offers an opportunity for investors to reposition the building and capture the significant upside potential.

The listing notes that No Relation "recently signed a new 5-year lease with no options, 3% increases per annum."

Asking price: $13 million.

[Updated] Nevada Smiths might be opening today in their new Third Avenue home

[A look inside a few weeks ago]

We've heard rumors for months now that Nevada Smiths was opening in their new home at 100 Third Ave. — dating back to October ... and every time, those rumors were wrong... Last evening, Zagat reported that the soccer bar would be opening today. Nothing official about this just yet on the Nevada Smiths Facebook page.

Nevada Smiths has been moonlighting at Webster Hall since late 2011. We first reported on the move and demolition of the bar's old home in November 2011.

DANinfo's Serena Solomon got the first look at the $3 million Nevada Smiths last July. The space will reportedly sport 20 plasma televisions scattered throughout the space as well as a pair of massive projection screens that measure 18 feet by 10 feet.

Meanwhile, here's a little look at what used to be in the building at 100 Third Ave.

Updated 5:30 p.m.
Several readers confirmed that the new Nevada Smiths did open earlier this afternoon.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Nevada Smiths is closed, and here's what's next

Those persistent rumors about 74-76 Third Avenue and the future of Nevada Smith's

The East Village will lose a parking lot and gain an apartment building

Here then, where Nevada Smiths once stood

Here's what's left of the motorcycle that caught on fire Sunday night

The one on East Third Street that was parked in front of the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer.

No word yet on the cause of the fire.

Thanks to ‏@katieaka for the photo.

Today's hawk

Late this afternoon in Tompkins Square Park. Photos by Bobby Williams.

Giuseppi Logan

Always good to see Giuseppi Logan in Tompkins Square Park. Photo by Bobby Williams.

[Updated] Taylor Mead is (temporarily) leaving New York

Taylor Mead, the poet and former Warhol star currently living in hellish conditions during his Ludlow Street building's gut renovation, was scheduled to appear Sunday at the Anthology Film Archives.

He was to appear with director Michel Auder to discuss the 1970 cult classic "Cleopatra," which Mead appeared in alongside Nico and Gerard Malanga. However, that appearance has been moved up to tonight.

Per the Anthology website:

Since going to press with our Spring schedule, we've learned that Taylor Mead will be temporarily leaving NYC (for an undetermined period of time) just before our originally scheduled program on Sun, April 14. As a result, we have added a screening on Tues, April 9, with Taylor in person! Since this may be the last chance to see Taylor here in NY for some time, this evening is not to be missed! Come say goodbye to Taylor as he embarks on an adventure out west!

As you may have read, Ben Shaoul bought the building Mead lives in last summer. Mead, 88, continues to live in his rent-stabilized apartment while the rest of the building is converted to market-rate homes. (Mead has lived here for 34 years and pays $380 a month in rent.)

According to a report in the Post, "Workers hammer outside his door from 7 a.m. till the evening. Plaster falls from his walls and roaches crawl up his legs. The kitchen sink doesn’t work."

Word began to spread via Mead's friends and family last week that a buyout/relocation deal was in the works.

As for tonight, the film starts at 7.

Updated 10 p.m.
We asked Clayton Patterson, who has been working to help Mead, for an update. He said that Mead will be spending a few weeks with his niece in Denver... and that there are possibles trips to New Orleans and Upstate New York to follow... "then hopefully back to the LES." Patterson noted that Mead has not ben receiving any help from any local officials. He received one visit from reps from the offices of Councilwoman Margaret Chin and the Cooper Square Committee, as BoweryBoogie noted. "If Taylor had to rely on these political groups and our politicians he would probably be dead by now," Patterson said last night via email. He was unaware if Mead had reached a buyout agreement with the landlord.

[Image via]

Bleecker Bob's closes on Saturday

Via the store's Facebook page:

ONLY 5 days left!!!!!
get to Bleecker Bob's NOW!!!
we're closing this Saturday April 13!!!

Now word just yet if they have found space in the East Village.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[UPDATED] Let's help Bleecker Bob's find space in the East Village

Bleecker Bob's is for rent

Workers remove last fire-damaged car from East Ninth Street

A fire on East Ninth Street late Friday night destroyed three cars parked next to the controversial former P.S. 64 between Avenue B and Avenue C... this afternoon, workers removed the remaining car from the street...



Photo and video via MoRUS.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Early-morning car fire on East 9th Street

Looking at the remains of last night's East Ninth Street car fire

Father Pat lost his car in Friday night's fire

[Updated] Report: CB3 says yes to Golden Cadillac, denies the Asphalt Jungle

Golden Cadillac received the OK last night from the CB3/SLA committee to take over the former Boca Chica space on First Avenue at East First Street, Grub Street's Mary Reinholz reported this morning. (Read more about Golden Cadillac here.)

Meanwhile, regarding another big-ticket item, we heard from several attendees of last night's meeting about the contentious nature of the discussion over The Asphalt Jungle, the new cocktail lounge from the Dutch Kills team. They were applying to take over the former Mercadito Cantina space at 172 Avenue B.

Jean-Paul Buthier, owner of vintage shop Rue St Denis next door, was one of the people to speak out against the applicant. From his view, there are already enough bars on Avenue B ... "Maybe we need more AA meetings."

We'll let Grub Street pick up what reportedly happened next.

Seemingly stung by the Frenchman's comment, [Dutch Kills partner] Boccato replied that he and his partner Ian Present had roots in the East Village and were trying to create a safe and reputable establishment. "We're not carpetbaggers," he said, adding, "with all due respect, sir, your accent doesn't sound like a Native New Yorker." The barman's zinger elicited groans and protests from spectators, and even resulted in calls from committee chair Alexandra Militano for attendees to settle down.

The committee later voted to deny the Asphalt Jungle application. Read the rest of the Grub Street post here.

Updated 4-10
The Dutch Kills team have said they will not move forward with this project on Avenue B.

Tree of life

Yesterday in Tompkins Square Park via EVG contributor jdx.

See Madonna in the East Village again for the very first time

Fashionista has a post on "MADONNA: A Transformational Exhibition," a traveling collection of "unseen" photos of her Madgeness from her days in the East Village circa early 1980s... Photographer Richard Corman talks about meeting Madonna for the very first time... at her place in 234 E. Fourth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B...

I went into the building and the seas parted – there must have been 20 kids sitting on the stoop and in the hallway and then I went up to meet her. I really didn’t know what I was getting into, but as soon as I met her, as soon as she served me espresso on a silver plated tray with Bazooka bubblegum, I knew I was in for a ride.

The exhibit opens Thursday with a private event. Read the Q-and-A (and find more photos) here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Madonna in the East Village circa 1982

How can I really be expected to post today when 78 degrees™ is on the way?

As you probably know, the force of gravity has increased to move the Earth closer to the sun. Or is it the other way around?

No matter!

78 degrees?!

Should we be standing in line for something now? Water? Sunscreen? A sidewalk table at DBGB?

Previously on EV Grieve:
How can I really be expected to post today when the Storm of Feb. 8™ is on the way?

Here are your updated East Village bike share locations, probably

This past weekend, Citi Bike relaunched its website, as Streetsblog first noted. Membership sign-up isn’t available yet, they point out. But! The next Citi Bike demonstration is scheduled for April 21 (Earth Day) at Union Square.

In the meantime, workers are installing bike-docking stations in Brooklyn... and you can expect some here soon enough.

And the Citi Bike site now has updated information on the planned docking stations when the program finally rolls out next month.

Here are the planned East Village locations. (It's very possible that I missed one from the interactive map, which you can find here.) A modified list from the last time that we took a look.

• North side of East 14th Street near Avenue B
This station will have 33 docks and is located on the sidewalk.

• South side of East 11th Street near First Avenue
This station will have 35 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• South side of East 11th Street near Second Avenue
This station will have 39 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• East side of Lafayette Street near E 8th Street
This station will have 55 docks and is located in a no-parking area of the street.

• East 7th Street near Cooper Square
This station will have 42 docks and is located in a public park or plaza.

• North side of St. Mark's Place near Second Avenue
This station will have 39 docks and is located in a no-parking area of the street.

• North side of St. Mark's Place near First Avenue
This station will have 31 docks and is located in a no-parking area of the street.

• North side of East 7th Street near Avenue A
This station will have 35 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• South side of East 6th Street near Avenue B
This station will have 27 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• South side of East 10th Street near Avenue A
This station will have 36 docks and is located on the sidewalk.

• South side of East 13th Street near Avenue A
This station will have 39 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• North side of East 9th Street near Avenue C
This station will have 38 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• East side of Avenue D near East 11th Street
This station will have 24 docks and is located in a NYCHA (public housing) development

• East side of Avenue D near East 8th Street
This station will have 24 docks and is located in a NYCHA (public housing) development

• South side of East 5th Street near Avenue C
This station will have 31 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street

• South side of East 6th Street near Avenue D
This station will have 23 docks and is located on the sidewalk.

• East side of Avenue D near East 3rd Street
This station will have 23 docks and is located on the sidewalk.

• South side of East 2nd Street near Avenue C
This station will have 31 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• North side of East 2nd Street near Avenue B
This station will have 37 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• South side of East 2nd Street near Second Avenue
This station will have 31 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• South side of East 3rd Street near First Avenue
This station will have 31 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• South side of East 2nd Street near Second Avenue
This station will have 31 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

• South side of East 4th Street near Second Avenue
This station will have 39 docks and is located in the parking lane of the street.

Reactions?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here are your East Village bike share locations, probably

Report: Citi Bike share back on track for a May debut, probably definitely

The East Village is in the 1st rollout phase of the bike-share program this May, probably for sure

Exciting new business opening on East 14th Street

The mostly awful but serviceable (mostly!) Cafe Amore's Pizza Restaurant closed on East 14th Street near Fourth Avenue just about this time last year.

Now! There's signage indicating who the new tenant will be.



Bank branch! Not a surprise! What else would you expect to open here? Or anywhere?

And h/t to EVG regular Gojira for the tip.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Marshal seizes Cafe Amore on East 14th Street

Father Pat lost his car in Friday night's fire on East Ninth Street

[EVG reader Galwegian]

Several people in the comments have pointed out that one of the cars destroyed in Friday night's fire on East Ninth Street belonged to Father Pat, certainly a well-known figure in the neighborhood ... his car is the red Honda Civic.

DNAinfo talked to Father Pat yesterday. Per the article:

"I heard some noise, and I saw a thick shadow and one of the cars was on fire," said Father Pat, who said not having a car will make his work more difficult.

"It’s a loss. It's disappointing. But I'm rolling with the punches."

Father Pat, 81, founded Bonitas House, a shelter for troubled teenagers and illegal immigrants, on East Ninth Street nearly 50 years ago. Here's an interview that GammaBlog did with Father Pat back in January.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Looking at the remains of last night's East Ninth Street car fire

Wiener watching on St. Mark's Place

From the EV Grieve Wiener Wire... workers put up the "world's best frank" lettering yesterday at the incoming Papaya King at 3 St. Mark's Place ...

Meanwhile (via Eater last Wednesday), Design Observer interviewed Andrew Bernheimer, the architect who designed the East Village Papaya King. Headline: How to Design an Iconic NY Fast Food Joint? Bernheimer studied everyone from from Katz's to Shake Shack for this creation.

Excerpt!

So how do you design a place that retains the je-ne-sais-quois authenticity of an iconic New York place without it becoming a generic franchise joint?

Use the language of their original store, and then deploy elements in slightly different ways. Don’t merely replicate things. For example, we decided to push the entry in from the street (the opposite of the original incarnation, which occupies a prominent corner on the Upper East Side) and widen it, to create a sheltered entry space. And we made it bright yellow, which picked up on their color scheme. Also, signage is really important. Sometimes we are taught in architecture school (or later on, learn in practice) that nostalgia isn’t valuable, and our impulse is to fight it. But in this case nostalgia was important, very much so.

Lastly, Wiener Watchers are predicting that Papaya King will be ... the place to be this summer... as evidenced by how the space is already attracting crowds...


[Saturday afternoon, via Stephen Popkin]

... and the leftovers from crowds...


[Sunday morning]

Via Twitter, the folks at Papaya King said that they are hoping to open by May 1. "Psyched to be coming downtown."

Taking another look at that crazy bed frame installation inside The Fourth

The Fourth is the name of the restaurant going into the space at the five-years-in-the-making Hyatt Union Square on Fourth Avenue...

Walked by it and stopped to admire this again inside the eatery...



Gives us the spins, for some reason...

3 spring-like scenes

Photos today by Bobby Williams.

If you're going to tonight's CB3/SLA meeting...

Just a reminder that it's in a different location this month (and hereafter) ...

SLA & DCA Licensing Committee
Monday, April 8 at 6:30 pm — University Settlement Neighborhood Center
189 Allen Street (between Houston and Stanton ... north of main entrance.

Among the many items on the agenda:

• Golden Cadillac (RIP Boca Chica)
• Cagen
• The Asphalt Jungle
• Ex-Soho Billiards to Red Square

But no Living Room...

Find the full agenda here.