The return of the WASP

[On the Bowery]

You've probably seen the many No Parking-filming notices on parts of Sixth Street and Seventh Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue... and on the Bowery for WASP2017...


[7th Street]

WASP2017 is short for Woody Allen's Summer Project, a still-untitled movie starring Elle Fanning, Selena Gomez, Jude Law, Diego Luna and Liev Schrieber, among many others. Crews will be filming in parts of the East Village today and tomorrow.

Last year, Allen filmed a few scenes for "Wonder Wheel" around here ... and in 2009, he was here shooting "Whatever Works" with Larry David.

DA: Man sentenced to 40 years in prison for November 2015 rape in East River Park

A man who attacked and raped a 26-year-old woman jogging near the FDR Drive and Cherry Street in November 2015 was sentenced to 40 years in prison today.

Here's part of the news alert from the DA's office:

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the sentencing of Paul Nies, 30, to 40 years in state prison and 20 years’ post-release supervision for raping and robbing a 26-year-old woman who was jogging in East River Park in November 2015.

On September 12, 2017, the defendant was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury of the top counts in the indictment against him, including Rape in the First Degree, Robbery in the Second Degree, and Strangulation in the Second Degree.

“This was a brutal stranger assault, and I commend the victim for her bravery in bringing her attacker to justice, as well as the prosecutors and members of law enforcement who worked tirelessly on this case,” said District Attorney Vance.

As proven at trial, at approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 25, 2015, NILES attacked a 26-year-old woman as she was jogging in East River Park and forced the victim to move to a different area of the park, where the defendant sexually assaulted her. Following the attack, Niles took the victim’s phone and credit card, which he later used at a fast food location in Brooklyn.

As The Lo-Down reported, at the time of the attack, "local residents complained about poor lighting in East River Park." A reader told the Lo-Down today that the new lighting is not working at this time.

Image from November 2015

First sign of upcoming renovations at the former Webster Hall

[Photo from Sept. 30]

The new owners of Webster Hall are taking the first steps toward renovating and updating the landmarked building at 125 E. 11th St. for use as a live-music-only venue.

Reps of the owners will be meeting with Community Board 3's Landmarks Committee next Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Here's the agenda item:

Certificate of Appropriateness, Webster Hall, 125 East 11th St: addition of three new doors at street level within the historic façade to improve ingress and egress, provide accessibility for the disabled, and allow more efficient load-in and out of performers.

And a notice of the meeting is posted on the building here between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue...



Adding three new doors doesn't sound like the most exciting-controversial development ... just one that's necessary to help upgrade the facility and make it ADA compliant. To date, work permits have yet to be posted with the DOB.

Webster Hall closed on Aug. 10. Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment, along with AEG-backed The Bowery Presents, bought the building from the Ballinger family for $35 million in the spring.

The new owners will renovate the space, dropping the club nights to focus on live music. Some reports suggest that the new venue won't be ready until 2020. Billboard reported that there may be a name change here too.

Previously

[Updated] Construction watch: 421 E. 6th St.

[GIF via Meredith Rendall]

Late last week, workers removed the scaffolding on the west-facing wall of 421 E. Sixth St., the former Con Edison substation and Walter de Maria studio that Peter Brant is converting into an exhibition space.

This reveal provides the first look at the renovated circa-1920 building, which will reportedly host a few exhibits a year as an extension of the Greenwich, Conn.-based Brant Foundation Art Study Center ... and serve as a home for some of Brant's private art collection.

It might be worth taking a look at the progress here between Avenue A and First Avenue... starting with the Sixth Street side...





... and from the Seventh Street side...



Renovations are in the second year year. I don't even remember hearing about a completion date. "We plan to open it in a few years," Brant told the Times in October 2014 before the start of the construction.

The construction didn't really get going until April 2016. After complaints about the ongoing noise — particularly the jackhammering — the construction crew started posting a "weekly look ahead" schedule in August 2016 that outlines the work taking place.

Brant bought the building for $27 million in August 2014.

Updated 10/12

I haven't walked by in a few days... and the scaffolding is down on the Sixth Street side...



Previously on EV Grieve:
About that "giant-robot laboratory" on East Sixth Street

RIP Walter De Maria

What is your East Village dream home?

Walter De Maria's 'giant-robot laboratory' going for $25 million; inside is amazing as you'd expect

Here's what Peter Brant wants to do with his new exhibition space on East 6th Street

Work on disaster protection for Haven Plaza underway

Work started this past week on a natural disaster-resistant infrastructure to protect Haven Plaza in case of another destructive hurricane such as Sandy.

The project was announced back in the early summer for the affordable-housing complex on Avenue C at 13th Street.

Here's is a recap via the media advisory:

This new two-story structure plus basement and the upgrades throughout the complex are in direct response to 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, when the nearby East River overflowed its banks, the Con Edison East River Generating Station adjacent to Haven Plaza exploded, and, as a result, Haven Plaza lost all electricity and steam for heat. Residents – many elderly – were trapped without elevator service, electricity, heat or water. Men and women of the National Guard shared their field rations with residents until the power returned.

The $9.89-million project, which received the funding through the New York City Build It Back program, is expected to be complete in August 2018, per the new plywood signage.



Previously on EV Grieve:
Protection for Haven Plaza on Avenue C in case of another hurricane like Sandy

Shake Shack's Death Star branch opens today

[Photo from last Friday]

The Shack Shack for 51 Astor Place/IBM Watson Building/Death Star at Third Avenue and Ninth Street opens this morning at 11.

Here's more via the Shake Shack website:

A reflection of Shake Shack’s relentless focus on excellence, experience and hospitality through innovation, the Astor Place Shack will introduce a new guest flow at the restaurant. Set to open its doors on Tuesday, October 10th at 51 Astor Place on the corner of 9th Street and 3rd Avenue, the Shack is designed to enhance operations and guest experience and will feature kiosk-only ordering, a cashless environment, and an optimized kitchen for greater throughput.

Custom-designed by Shake Shack, the Shack kiosk was developed to allow Shake Shack to serve more guests at peak times – whether in-Shack, for pickup via the Shack App, or even delivery – resulting in fewer lines, less wait time and quicker speed of service at every channel. Several kiosks will line the Shack and team members known as Hospitality Champs will be stationed around the kiosks to assist guests with their orders and answer any questions.

The Shack kiosk replicates the experience of the Shack App with a sharp aesthetic, an intuitive touch screen interface and ease of ordering. Guests simply select their food, place an order and choose to receive an alert via text when their order is ready. The new technology offers guests yet another way to experience Shake Shack – when, where and how they want it – and demonstrates Shake Shack’s commitment to digital hospitality. Earlier this year, Shake Shack launched a mobile ordering app for iOS and Android platforms and introduced the ShackBot, through Facebook Messenger and Twitter DM, to answer guests’ most frequently asked questions.

The Astor Place Shack presents an exciting testing ground for Shake Shack to strengthen operations and experiment with new and innovative ways of connecting with loyal fans. Building a business model to support digital innovation, Shake Shack will lead with a starting wage of $15 per hour to continue to be on the forefront of competitive wages and developing the leaders needed for growth.

A new guest flow... Hospitality Champs... ShackBots...

For some reason I think of this Gary Numan song now...

Monday's parting shot

Photo on Avenue A by Grant Shaffer...

'Crystal' days in Union Square

[Photo looking west via @UnionSquareNY]

In case you didn't already see this... back on Friday, the NYC Parks Department and the Union Square Partnership, in partnership with Marlborough Gallery, unveiled sculptor Dale Chihuly's Rose Crystal Tower in Union Square Park (in the southeast corner).

Here's more via the Parks Department website:

The Rose Crystal Tower stands 31-feet tall and is composed of Polyvitro crystals and steel. Polyvitrois the artist’s term for a plastic material which he casts into individual chunks which resemble glass, but are lighter and more resilient. Chihuly used Polyvitro crystals in the artist’s landmark exhibition, Chihuly in the Light of Jerusalem 2000.

The tower is part of the 50th anniversary of the Parks Department's Art in the Parks program.

And here's another angle from Friday (photo by Liz Ligon for Union Square Partnership) to get a feel for where this thing is ...



The piece will be on display through October 2018.

You can read more about it at Town & Village.

Report: No charges for Sudanese diplomat who allegedly groped woman at Bar None

A Sudanese diplomat reportedly groped a woman at Bar None on Third Avenue early Sunday morning, then tried to run from police. However, according to the Daily News, the NYPD had to cut him loose because of his diplomatic status.

Per the News:

The 23-year-old woman told cops that Hassan Salih, 36, pawed her breasts and buttocks about 2:30 a.m. Sunday at Bar None on Third Ave. near 13th St., officials said.

The disgusted woman grabbed a bar security guard to report what happened and they called the police.

The cops arrived and detained Salih as they conducted interviews, and that's when the diplomat tried to make a run for it.

Salih was caught and brought to the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street. Given his diplomatic immunity, though, police released him.

Per the Post:

The website for the Sudanese Mission to the UN lists Salih as a “second officer” — a mid-level position requiring five to 10 years of experience, according to the international group.

In May, he was selected to represent Sudan on a UN committee that oversees non-governmental human rights groups, according to UN Watch.

1st signs of Ben Shaoul's Bloom 62 going condo on Avenue B?

Almost two years ago to the day news arrived that developer Ben Shaoul was planning to convert his Bloom 62 rental building on Avenue B into a condominium property.

The Real Deal reported on Oct. 8, 2015, that Shaoul, president of Magnum Real Estate Group, filed plans for an 81-unit condominium that will have a total sellout of $95.2 million, according to a summary of the offering plan filed with the state Attorney General’s office.

Meanwhile, there has been speculation that the under-renovation storefront at 44 Avenue B between Third Street and Fourth Street (a Steve Croman property) would serve as the sales office for the condos.

On Friday, an EVG reader spotted this signage on the storefront with newly tinted windows...



The sign says Liberty Toye coming soon to 62 Avenue B, Bloom 62's address ...



There's a generic website where interested parties can request more info for a building that will presumably be going by Liberty Toye...



As of this past weekend, there were 10 Bloom 62 rentals — with an average price of $4,899 — on the market at Streeteasy...



Before becoming a luxury rental, the building at Fifth Street was home to Cabrini, which closed for good on June 30, 2012. The 240-bed center — sponsored by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus — provided health care for low-income elderly residents in the East Village. Cabrini opened in 1993 and served 240 patients and employed nearly 300 people. Shaoul reportedly paid $25 million for the property and closed down Cabrini.

After Shaoul took over, the rental building quickly became a party palace, with residents enraging neighbors with rooftop DJ parties. Shaoul cracked down on the rooftop ragers in the summer of 2015. Maybe not good for upcoming condo business.

In March 2015, Shaoul put Bloom 62 on the market … with an $80 million asking price. However, he later pulled the building off the market.

Liberty Toye will join Shaoul's other East Village condos — the A Building on East 13th Street and the incoming 98-100 Avenue A.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Claim: Ben Shaoul is the new owner of Cabrini nursing home, will convert to condos

Report: Local politicians reach out to Ben Shaoul as re-sale of the Cabrini Nursing Center seems likely

More details on Cabrini's closing announcement

A look at the 'Hip young crowd planting roots at Bloom 62'

Ben Shaoul looks to make a whole lot of money converting nursing home into high-end housing

Ben Shaoul is selling Bloom 62 for $73 million — all cash!

165 Avenue B back on the market, again

Last I heard, about two years ago, was that Sum Restaurant, serving a Cantonese-style menu, was in the works for the refurbished retail space at 165 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street.

As you may have noticed, that restaurant never materialized, and a big for lease sign arrived in the front window at the end of the summer.

The listing is now online. It notes that this is a "Prime Avenue B location on a restaurant block." The asking rent is $$8,750, which is good for 1,000 square feet plus a 300-square-foot patio space.

And no post about 165 Avenue B can go without mentioning a long-ago (seemingly!) tenant — the junk-thrift shop Waldorf Hysteria.


Previously on EV Grieve:
165 Avenue B back on the market

165 Avenue B has been sold, and 2 apartments are on the market

A 12th Street Steiner East Village reveal

[Photo on Sept. 18 by dwg]

Last month (Sept. 18 to be exact), workers began removing the scaffolding and sidewalk bridge from the 12th Street side of Steiner East Village, developer Douglas Steiner's block-long condoplex.

We thought that the remaining scaffolding and sidewalk bridge would then soon come down on Avenue A and 11th Street, though that hasn't been the case so far.

So we'll go with what we have — a view of Stei Town's main entrance and private garage...



If this helps finding the garage...



The building, which features an indoor pool and 5,000-square-foot "rooftop park," also holds the distinction of having an East Village record-breaking sell-out of $225 million.

Last we saw, more than half of the 82 units were sold (that was a July report). The Steiner website currently shows eight available units.

Lastly, a look at Steinerburg Saturday morning from 12th Street...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Developer Douglas Steiner lands $130 million loan for EV condo construction

Douglas Steiner's church-replacing condos emerge from the pit; plus new renderings

Developer Douglas Steiner presents Steiner East Village

An update on Steiner East Village, 'Usherer of Alphabet City Gentrification'

A barber shop coming to 4th Street

Signage is up for the incoming tenant at 199 E. Fourth St. — B&H Barber Shop.

The retail space here between Avenue A and Avenue B was previously the Eye Beauty Spa, which closed during the summer after 15 months in business. And before this, it was Salon Champu.

As previously noted, this building was one of six on Fourth Street that the Kushner Companies bought for $49 million from Ben Shaoul’s Magnum Real Estate Group and Meadow Partners back in 2013.

Sunday's parting shot

Photo on Seventh Street via Derek Berg...

Week in Grieview

[Photo on Avenue A and St. Mark's by Derek Berg]

Stories posted on EVG this past week included...

Landlord Steve Croman off to Rikers (Tuesday)

Mayor and Mendez team up for Town Hall meeting on Oct. 12 (Friday)

Eastville Comedy Club looking to move to former Chase space on Avenue A (Monday)

The return of Hitchcocktober (Wednesday)

Out and About in the East Village (part 2) with Nancy Blum (Wednesday)

Chelsea Thai coming to former Neptune space on 1st Avenue; Filipino fare for Avenue A (Thursday)

Joe & Pat's hiring on 1st Avenue (Monday)

Also coming soon and hiring: Szechuan Mountain House on St. Mark's Place (Monday)

A break-in at Bali Kitchen on 4th Street (Wednesday)

Mount Sinai Union Square opens new urgent care center (Thursday)

Curb work damages Yiddish Theatre Walk of Fame star (Thursday)

Former L'Apicio space being gutted to make way for new Indian restaurant (Tuesday)

Crops for Girls closes on 9th Street (Friday)

Poke N' Roll for 9th Street (Thursday)

Touch-screen kiosks that do not take cash will be the order at Shake Shack's Death Star branch (Tuesday)

Ai Weiwei installation work underway at Cooper Union, Washington Square Park (Wednesday)

Dian Kitchen bringing food from the Yunnan Province to 9th Street (Monday)

8 more solar-powered, rat-proof trash cans arrive in Tompkins Square Park (Saturday)

Sara Kay Gallery debuts on 2nd Street (Monday)

The Planeta Jazz Series continues at 8th Street and Avenue B (Wednesday)

Dusting Balloon Rabbit (Red) in the IBM Watson Building (Wednesday)

Openings: Ummburger, the Fern, Kokus (Friday)

Along came some spiders on 7th Street (Monday)

...and on the front doors at the Black and White Bar on 10th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue, a tribute to Tom Petty, who died this past Monday, created by Dan Krupin...



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A vision for PS122 — 'a really lively building'

[Photo from Friday]

The New York Times today takes a look at five major contemporary dance hubs below 23rd Street, including PS122 on First Avenue at Ninth Street.

PS122, which opened in the former school in 1980, has been presenting performances from other venues since gut renovations — including the addition of an elevator, new stairwells and full ADA compliance — started in February 2013 at the 122 Community Center.

According to the Times, PS122 "is poised to reopen soon."

Here's more from today's article on Jenny Schlenzka, the first female director of PS122, who previously served as a curator of performance at MoMA and MoMA PS1.

The dance and visual art worlds have become increasingly entwined over the past decade. So Ms. Schlenzka’s appointment as executive artistic director of PS122, a haven for dance experimentation since 1980, was not a shock. Her first season, tentatively scheduled to begin early next year, will focus on the history of the East Village and of PS122. She said that until she has keys to the renovated building, a former public school on First Avenue, she couldn’t elaborate further.

Her larger vision, she said, is for “a really lively building” where people come and go all day for performances, talks, rehearsals and exhibitions.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Here's the sidewalk bridge-free corner of 9th Street and 1st Avenue — and the 122 Community Center

Come along on a tour of the under-renovation 122 Community Center on 1st Avenue


[The final rendering via Deborah Berke Partners]

Dumpster of the Day

Putting one to good use yesterday on St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue... photos by Derek Berg

EVG Etc.: The mayor's affordable housing efforts; Jimi Hendrix Way pitched for 8th Street

[2nd Avenue curb work yesterday via Derek Berg]

A look at de Blasio's affordable housing efforts (The New York Times)

East Village Puerto Ricans on the President's response to Hurricane Maria (B+B)

About the late-night Con Ed work on 14th Street (Town & Village)

A long read on the history of the Bowery (Curbed)

Remembering "design guru" Jim Walrod (The New York Times)

A look at the new Wagamama menu on Third Avenue and 11th Street (Gothamist ... previously on EVG)

The Films of Paul Bartel retrospective starts Oct. 13 (Anthology Film Archives)


[Suspicious curb work crop circles on 2nd Avenue via Derek Berg]

Kickboxing chain opening a location at the former G & S Sporting Goods on Essex Street (The Lo-Down)

Jimi Hendrix Way co-naming proposed for part of Eighth Street (NY1)

End of days for the DL on Delancey? (BoweryBoogie)

A David Bowie exhibit is coming to the Brooklyn Museum next year (Gothamist)

Left Bank Books is now online (Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

This past week, workers removed the remaining sidewalk bridge and scaffolding on the west side of Avenue C between Seventh Street and Sixth Street in front of the NYCHA-owned building.

Per an EVG reader: "I've been living on C for 6 years now and can't remember a day when it wasn't a fixture of the buildings along that stretch of sidewalk."



However, the temporary boilers that arrived after Sandy in 2012 remain in place on Sixth Street...



... and via the EVG inbox... a benefit Sunday for post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rican Relief at the Clemente, 107 Suffolk St. at Rivington on the Lower East Sode. More details here.



... and there's a Benefit for Hurricane Harvey Pets at the Ruff Club, 34 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street, from 1-4 Sunday afternoon. Details here.

8 more solar-powered, rat-proof trash cans arrive in Tompkins Square Park

Workers were out in Tompkins Square Park this morning... delivering and installing more solar-powered, rat-proof trash cans — the Big Belly — in the eastern section of the Park.



They are taking the place of these ...



... which do not provide much protection against hungry critters ... and whose circular design doesn't display art as well as the Big Belly model...



One of the workers said that they were delivering eight of the new trash receptacles to Tompkins Square Park.


[Photo by Steven]


[Photo by Steven]


[Photo by Steven]

The high-tech trash cans are part of Mayor de Blasio's $32 million plan to help reduce the number of rats in several neighborhoods, including the East Village. The first batch of the new Big Bellies arrived in the Park in July.