The disappearing 253 E. 7th St.

[Image from 2014 via Massey Knakal]

In July 2014, we reported that 253 E. Seventh St., a townhouse between Avenue C and Avenue D, was for sale.

The listing for the vacant, four-story building noted that the buyer could keep the existing structure and add floor area. Or! "The buyer could demolish the existing and structure and build a new ground-up development."

Well, as we noted previously, the buyer opted for plan B.

An EVG reader who lives nearby shared photos of the demolition underway… (Another neighbor noted that the asbestos removal started in late 2014.)



Per the reader: "Brick by brick, 253 East 7th Street disappears into history, clearing the way for luxury development."



There are permits pending approval at the DOB for a 6-story building with six residences.

The building exchanged hands in August 2014 for $4.3 million to an LLC with a Grand Street address.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Options for this lovely East 7th Street townhouse include demolition

New building in the works for 253 E. 7th St.

Picturesque ivy coming down on East 8th Street

The abundant ivy on the east-facing wall that frames the De Colores Community Yard & Cultural Center on Eighth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C won't be around for much longer.

A volunteer gardener at De Colores explained that the ivy has been obscuring some windows at 309 E. Eighth St. and has been harboring an untold number of pests. ("Lots of bugs, rodents, squirrels, bees, wasps, birds — you name it.")

In addition, parts of the wall that haven't been covered with ivy are also damaged, so there's some hope that the landlord (Steve Croman) of the gut-renovated building will make some repairs on the exterior.

The ivy is nearly 3-feet thick in areas and is nearly 60-feet high.

"The main roots — the size of a tree trunk — have been cut and it will probably start dying soon," the volunteer gardener said. "People love the ivy and stop and take pictures of it all the time, so here's your last chance."

Sixth Street Yoga Junction now open in the Sixth Street Community Center

Sixth Street Yoga Junction opened on Oct. 5 … they are located on the third floor of the Sixth Street Community Center, 638 E. Sixth St. between Avenue B and Avenue C.

Here's more about the studio:

Sixth Street Yoga Junction is a community yoga studio in the East Village of New York City. We offer affordable, vinyasa based yoga classes for all levels. This "junction" is intended as a meeting point for the community as well as a joining of attention, body and breath within ourselves as we practice. We offer you a welcoming space and the guidance to cultivate a relationship to your inner experience.

You can find pricing and more info at the Sixth Street Yoga Junction website and Facebook page.

Free Rat Academy on Friday

Via the EVG inbox...

Free Rat Academy
Friday, Oct. 16
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Dias y Flores Community Garden
520-522 East 13th Street, between Avenues A & B

Kindly RSVP to any of these contacts:
ratportal@health.nyc.gov
646-957-0247

And this is just mere blocks from where Pizza Rat made international headlines several weeks ago… though there's no way of knowing if Pizza Rat will be around for this…

Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man

Spider-Man fighting overdevelopment on Avenue A and East 11th Street?

Photo today Grant Shaffer

3 new retail tenants for 51 Astor Place: Bluestone Lane Coffee, Chop’t and Flywheel Sports

[EVG file photo]

Here's the news via the EVG inbox...

SRS Real Estate Partners announces the signing of three retail transactions at Edward J. Minskoff’s 51 Astor Place. Leases were recently executed with “best in class” operators Bluestone Lane Coffee, Chop’t Creative Salad Company and Flywheel Sports.

These three tenants join CVS at the building, further transforming the Astor Place streetscape and enhancing the amenities for the office tenants and surrounding neighborhood. Only one retail space remains in the 400,000 SF Fumihiko Maki-designed tower.

Here's more about Bluestone Lane Coffee, which has five Manhattan locations:

Bluestone Lane offers a refined product proposition dedicated to producing the highest quality coffee and complimentary foods, delivered in an engaging way. We are focused on creating environments where customers are immersed in the experience and leave feeling like a local.

Bluestone Lane Coffee is influenced from the renowned coffee culture hub of Melbourne, Australia, where premium coffee is a way of life.

Buy a condo on East 4th Street, get a photo of graffiti art

As we've been reporting, there's a gut rehab (new building really) happening at 324 E. Fourth St. between Avenue C and Avenue D… The condoplex is called Altes House.



The above photos show how the address — with three new floors — is looking these days… before eventually looking like…


[Image via Mortar Architecture + Development]

In December 2013 and January 2014, the then-empty building served as a makeshift gallery for a group of 40-plus artists, as was widely reported.

We'll get back to that in a moment. Yesterday, The New York Times had an update on what's going on at the Altes House.

First, the pricing for the units, which will sport lacquered cabinets and Carrara marble counters in the kitchens, with walnut vanities and heated towel racks in the bathrooms.

Altes House’s apartments, which are expected to open this winter, range from one-bedrooms with about 600 square feet to a three-bedroom penthouse with about 1,600 square feet. Prices average about $1,300 a square foot, or starting at $749,000 for a one-bedroom. The Miller Samuel appraisal company estimates that apartments typically sell for about $1,100 a foot in the neighborhood. Sales are to start this month through the Harkov Lewis Team of Halstead Property Development Marketing.

And then there's the memento that Altes House buyers will receive upon signing up...

Provocative artwork, some depicting Cubist nudes, children’s toys and explosives, that was splashed across walls in the empty building ... and discovered by Mortar Architecture and Development, the developer, has been professionally photographed for posterity. And buyers in the 11-unit, seven-story project ... will receive these framed photos as gifts, to preserve the building’s legacy.

“There were things that were broken, there was this graffiti everywhere, but once you started to get into it, and look at it, you started to become amazed by each piece,” said Anthony Morena, the principal of Mortar, about that morning in January 2014 when he entered the abandoned building and discovered the striking street art. To others, the scene inside might have appeared to be major vandalism. Cupboards were smashed, a stove was painted black and Budweiser bottles styled like Molotov cocktails were stenciled onto a cupboard.

Previously on EV Grieve:
2 new floors, gut renovation in store for empty tenement that last housed a Hanksy art show

At Hanksy's 'Surplus Candy' art show in an abandoned East Village tenement

Gut renovations underway at 324 E. 4th St., most recently the makeshift gallery for Hanksy and Co.

The unique façade of 324 E. 4th St. is gone

324 E. 4th St. getting the 2 building look (but just 1 rooftop terrace)

Teaser site arrives for the Altes House, 11 boutique condos for East 4th Street


[EVG photo from February 2014]

Arepa Factory has opened on Avenue A

The quick-serve Venezuelan restaurant opened Saturday at 147 Avenue A near East Ninth Street …



It wasn't open yet for the day when we walked by… but the space looks nice on the inside…

A photo posted by Arepa Factory (@arepafactorynyc) on Oct 9, 2015 at 4:19pm PDT

A photo posted by Arepa Factory (@arepafactorynyc) on Oct 9, 2015 at 4:19pm PDT

Has anyone tried it yet??? (They have a Twitter account here.)

The storefront used to be part of Café Pick Me Up, which decamped to join the Gnocco space on East 10th Street back in June.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Arepa Factory coming soon to Avenue A

After nearly 4 years empty, 37 St. Mark's Place may be getting new retail tenants

Workers have removed the for lease signs and put up paper on the windows at 37 St. Mark's Place … where several storefronts here in the corner building at Second Avenue have sat empty since late 2011.

Timi's Gelateria Classica™ closed at the end of 2011 in one of the spaces… while Michael "Bao" Huynh's Baoguette Cafe shut down at summer's end in 2012.

Still no takers for the former 7-Eleven space next door, though…



Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Reader report: The 7-Eleven on St. Mark's Place has closed (48 comments)

A few more details about renting the former 7-Eleven space on St. Mark's Place

Timi's Gelateria Classica™ facing eviction on St. Mark's Place

[Updated] Baoguette Cafe still looks rather closed

Avenue A's high-wire act

Several readers have asked in recent weeks what the story is with the wire/line that, in the right light, is very visible above Avenue A between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street (and maybe elsewhere?)… it has been up there for months now… running from the light pole on the northwest corner of Sixth Street to the southeast corner of Seventh Street… and then across to the northwest corner of Seventh Street…



Another view…



… and because of contractual obligations…



… and it also stretches from the northwest corner of Sixth Street to the southeast corner… (and it looks like some wire up at Fifth and A too...)


[Photo by Derek Berg]

Perhaps a clue on Avenue A and East Fourth Street…



Facts and theories welcome…

Updated 9:08 a.m.

That was fast! Many people had the answer... see the comments for the explanation...

So long Sounds

Tonight is the last night for Sounds at 20 St. Mark's Place... after 36 years in business here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

Thank you @helenango for the photo...

Previously on EV Grieve:
The last record store on St. Mark's Place is closing

Week in Grieview

[Photo on 2nd Avenue yesterday by Derek Berg]

The Union Square Food Emporium will become a Key Food (Tuesday)

Out and About with Elsie Flores of the Andrew Glover Youth Program (Wednesday)

Owners of the Wayland opening the Drift on Avenue C (Monday)

The Red & Gold Boil has closed on St. Mark's Place (Tuesday)

Ben Shaoul replacing luxury rentals with condos at Bloom 62 (Friday)

A family continues to feel the loss on Second Avenue (Thursday)

Bench in Tompkins Square Park dedicated to food writer Josh Ozersky (Tuesday)

Former home of the East 12th Party Crew now for sale (Monday)

The Korean Teachers’ Credit Union now owns 49% of 51 Astor Place, which people still think is in Midtown South (Wednesday)

Indian-speciality movie rental shop closes on East Sixth Street (Friday)

As the traffic islands disappear and appear on Third Avenue (Tuesday)

Brewing Soon signage arrives for Caffe Bene on Avenue A (Monday)

Purple Ginger out, Kin Asian Bistro is in on East Sixth Street (Thursday)

A rental with everything but the kitchen sink (no, really) (Thursday)

MoRUS extends Adam Purple memorial show through Oct. 25 (Wednesday)

Long-dormant First Avenue development site changes hands (Tuesday)

Squirrel jumping (Tuesday)

Old Flat Top's new friend (Monday)

Black Seed bagels opens Monday (tomorrow) on First Avenue (Thursday)

When it's time to remove the Mickey Mouse statue with an erection from the Standard East Village (Tuesday)

4-bedroom rentals arrive at 329 E. 10th St. (Friday)

A barber shop is coming soon to East Second Street (Thursday)

… and the vintage boutique Dusty Buttons opened yesterday in its new home at 324 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue… (back story here)


[Image via Facebook]

Finally, you can get a burger served on a chocolate doughnut on the Bowery

[EVG photo from last week]

PYT — "Home of America's Craaaziest Burgers" — debuted on the Bowery last evening. This is the first NYC outpost of the Philadelphia burger place known for some pretty wacky creations.

See for yourself on their sidewalk sign here at 334 Bowery between Great Jones and Bond… for local flavor, PYT is offering the Basquiat Premium Beef Burger…



For now, PYT's hours are 7 p.m. to midnight… and cash only.

In the meantime, you can check out PYT preview pieces at Gothamist … and Eater …

Since last November, Forcella, Espoleta and Gia Trattoria have come and gone fairly quickly at this address.

Previously on EV Grieve:
PYT bringing its offbeat burger creations to the Bowery

Noted

H/T @HopeBeach

Heart around the Park

[Photo by Lola Sáenz]

The Hearts of the World project made a stop yesterday afternoon in Tompkins Square Park…

First, here's more about the Project:

Hearts of the World allows children, many from devastated areas, to explore their inner worlds, their passion, their fears and their unique potential. Since 2010, Hearts of the World has fostered self-expression through painting workshops in ten countries. Started at the Lower East Side Girls Club, by its founder, NYC-based artist Nicolina, the HOTW team has partnered with schools, social service agencies and arts organizations to create life-altering workshops.

And a few scenes from the afternoon, where people were invited to paint what was in their hearts…


[Photo by LS]


[Photo by Chris Flash]


[The Human JukeBox Brass Band via CF]


[Project founder Nicolina Johnson via CF]

Previously on EV Grieve:
Hearts of the World returns to Tompkins Square Park tomorrow (Saturday!)

Raul's Candy Store is red (again)

Just noting the new paint job from this past week over at Raul Candy Store, which has been at 205 Avenue B between East 12th Street and East 13th Street since 1981. (It opened on Avenue D in 1976.)

Here's a photo from late August…



… and from 2009…

Today in Eroto-Boutiques on East 7th Street

A longtime East Village resident is having her annual stoop sale today… via the EVG inbox…

I'm doing another old-fashioned, non-commercial mega stoop sale Saturday … real prices…

This one is a total clean out … there will also be music, women's clothing sizes 6-12, household items and more

MEGA STOOP SALE & Eroto-Boutique
Saturday Oct. 10, 9 – 5 PM
70 E. 7th St. between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue

Hearts of the World returns to Tompkins Square Park tomorrow (Saturday!)

Via the EVG inbox…

Join us this Saturday afternoon (tomorrow!) in Tompkins Square Park, have a seat at our 100-foot-long table and paint what's in your "heart" as part of the Hearts of the World project.

Bring your painting home with you or donate it to our worldwide exhibition tour. *All materials provided*

Great for kids, adults and everyone in between.
The Human JukeBox Brass Band is playing music all afternoon. The Lower Eastside Girl's Club will be making FREE silkscreen prints. (Bring a t-shirt, tote bag, etc...)

Tompkins Square Park, Center Circle
Saturday, Oct. 10, 1-5 pm, *FREE*
(Rain date Sunday, Oct. 11)

Find more info on the Facebook events page here.

'Thigh' masters

There are like 5000000000000000 bands playing the annual CMJ Music Marathon next week.

Here is one of the groups — Heaters with "Levitate Thigh." The Michigan-based trio will be at Elvis Guesthouse on Avenue A Tuesday evening.

The 6&B Harvest Fest is tomorrow (Saturday)

Rescheduled from last Saturday's rainout ... now 2-7 p.m. tomorrow.

The garden entrance on Avenue B between East Sixth Street and East Fifth Street.

Check out the lengthy list of local merchants who donated the raffle prizes here.