[Click on image to go big]
Here's this week's NY See, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's comic series — an observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Grant Shaffer's NY See
[Click on image to go big]
Here's this week's NY See, East Village-based illustrator Grant Shaffer's comic series — an observational sketch diary of things that he sees and hears around the neighborhood.
Mysterious 84 2nd Ave. sells again, this time for $7.8 million
[Photo yesterday by Derek Berg]
Ownership of 84 Second Ave. has changed hands now for the second time in two years.
In its real-estate transaction listings this week, the Times noted that the property was sold for $7.8 million. (The paperwork hit public records on May 16.)
Per the Times:
A local private investor has bought this vacant four-and-a-half-story mixed-use walk-up in the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District. The 4,812-square-foot building, to be gutted and renovated, was once the site of Sopolsky’s Dress Suits, which rented dinner jackets and tuxedos, and in the mid-19th century served as a temporary home for women. Any development of air rights, totaling 4,788 square feet, is subject to approval by the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Buyer: 84 2nd Avenue Owner L.L.C.
Seller: West 26th Street L.L.C.
The buyer shares the address of Highpoint Property Group, a real-estate development company.
According to public records, the building sold in May 2016 for $5.1 million. Betty Sopolsky via an LLC was the seller, with the buyer listed as West 26th Street L.L.C.
The previous set of owners were looking to make some major renovations to this walk-up between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. Landlords of buildings located within a designated New York City historic district must receive a permit from the Landmarks Preservation Commission for major work.
Among other things, there were plans to create four residential units (condos?). Those work permits had yet to receive city approval. (The city disapproved them last October, per the Department of Buildings.)
There was also a petition in circulation in opposition to the planned alterations to the rear of the building.
In January, CB3's Landmark's Committee issued a partial Certificate of Appropriateness for the address. (They issued a similar partial approval in October 2017.)
According to the official minutes from the January meeting, CB3 OK'd the front façade plan and opposed the rear yard addition. Among other points, CB3 officials said that "great care should be taken to monitor this fragile building and its neighboring buildings."
As we understand it, the previous owner didn't follow through with the plans with the LPC, instead selling the building.
As we've noted several times through the years, the address has a dark past, which includes the still-unsolved murder of Helen Sopolsky, proprietor of the family's tailor shop who was found bludgeoned to death in 1974, per an article at the time.
The storefront has remained empty since her death in 1974.
[Undated image via]
The new owners haven't filed any new work permits with the city to date.
The front door was open yesterday, revealing a gutted interior ... and door to a garden out back, as these photos by Derek Berg show...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Plywood and a petition at 84 2nd Ave.
Workers clearing out the mysterious 84 2nd Ave. storefront
Renovations proposed for mysterious 84 2nd Ave.
Papilles now open on 7th Street
Papilles debuted this week at 127 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue.
Here's what Florence Fabricant at the Times had to say about it in a recap of openings around the city:
Andrea Calstier and Elena Oliver, a French couple and fledgling restaurateurs in their early 20s, have joined with a more experienced partner, Nicolas Thoni, to create an intimate spot with an open kitchen. Mr. Calstier’s menu is rooted in French-Mediterranean fare. The name of the restaurant translates to taste buds.
And a few interior shots via the restaurant's Instagram account...
This space was previously home in recent years to Le Village and Table Verte, both via owner Didier Pawlicki.
More about Sauce Pizzeria, opening later this summer on 12th Street
In late May we noted that signs were in the windows at 345 E. 12th St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue for a new restaurant called Sauce Pizzeria.
EVG reader Adam C. thought that the logo looked similar to that of Sauce Restaurant on Allen and Rivington.
Good eye, Adam. A rep confirmed that Sauce Restaurant and Sauce Pizzeria are from the same ownership.
Here's what the rep shared:
Sauce Pizzeria will be a nostalgic pizza parlor, where homemade sauces are the star, each simmering pot visible upon entering the quaint yet eclectic space. At the counter, guests will be able to choose from a selection of signature pies, composed salads, and signature bowls.
Owner Adam Elzer has a heavy “sauce on everything” philosophy and will offer extra sides of sauce with all orders to enhance meals.
Sauce Pizzeria is slated to open at the end of the summer.
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
So long to the 3 rhinos
Late last night, workers packed up "The Last Three" sculpture on Astor Place ... Peter Feld shared these top two photos...
...and here's the rhino-less Astor Place this morning...
The 17-foot sculpture had been here since March.
Australian artists Gillie and Marc Schattner recreated the last three Northern White Rhinos – Sudan, Najin, and Fatu – "to inspire, educate and mobilize the global community to raise their voices and affect real change against illegal rhino poaching trade."
The two have yet to disclose the new NYC location of "The Last Three" ...
NIKO East Village debuts on Avenue D and 6th Street
The construction phase is winding down at 79-89 Avenue D, the site of a 12-story retail-residential building via L+M Development Partners.
The banner announcing the building's name here between Seventh Street and Sixth Street was recently unveiled — say hi to NIKO East Village (H/T Dave on 7th!) ...
Not sure exactly what NIKO stands for in this usage. There's a teaser website where potential renters can request more info on the units.
In April, the affordable housing lottery launched for the building. NIKO includes 28 permanently affordable units (out of 110 total). Residents who qualify for the housing have until June 26 to apply for one of the units. Find the details here.
Amenities at the address — officially 751 E. Sixth St. — will include a fitness center, landscaped roof deck and an outdoor terrace.
The lots previously housed one-level storefronts that included a Rite Aid, which relocated one block north to the ground floor of the Arabella 101 building. Rite Aid signed a lease to return to the retail space at No. 79.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: Space that houses Rite Aid on Avenue D hits market for $22.5 million
Report: New 12-story, mixed-use building in the works for Avenue D
Permit pre-filed for new 12-floor building at 79-89 Avenue D
Flowers inside skateboard planter on 7th Street destroyed
[Reader photo from April]
Back in April, a small bed of flowers inside a tree guard made out of skateboard decks on Seventh Street between Avenue A and Avenue B drew praise from neighbors.
Someone even took the time to leave a sign noting: "Thanks skateboard gardener! The flowers are awesome!"
Unfortunately, most of the flowers were destroyed. Per a reader: "Someone killed all the sunflowers and wildflowers planted in the skateboard planter [Monday] night."
We even heard from the Skateboard Gardener, who said: "Very frustrated people couldn’t leave them alone to grow."
And here are some photos of the plot coming to life earlier this year...
Previously on EV Grieve:
Props for the Skateboard Gardener of 7th Street
Tarallucci e Vino East Village reopened last evening after a months-long renovation
Tarallucci e Vino, which closed in February for renovations, officially reopened last night in its home of 16 years on 10th Street and First Avenue. The owners announced the news on Instagram...
The cafe's founder, Luca Di Pietro, now had five locations in NYC. The East Village outpost was his first.
Updated
Here's Di Pietro today outside the cafe...
[Photo by Steven]
The cafe's founder, Luca Di Pietro, now had five locations in NYC. The East Village outpost was his first.
Updated
Here's Di Pietro today outside the cafe...
[Photo by Steven]
Report: Tokyo-based yakitori restaurant with a Michelin star coming to Elizabeth Street
In its real-estate transaction listings yesterday, The New York Times reported that the restaurant's owners signed a 15-year lease for 292 Elizabeth St., the home until February of Siggy's Good Food.
The rent is roughly $23,500 a month, per the Times.
Eater's guide to essential Tokyo dining described the Michelin-starred restaurant this way:
Torishiki takes the basics of yakitori — morsels of chicken that are skewered, grilled, and basted — and elevates them to another level. Owner Yoshiteru Ikegawa uses virtually every part of his premium shamo gamecocks, tending the skewers over his glowing charcoal grill with artisan intensity. Among his specialties: chochin, the rich yolk of an unhatched egg; grilled tofu, rich with chicken fat; and the warming, nourishing chicken broth that closes every meal.
As for Siggy's, the owner of the all-organic restaurant cited the economy and bureaucracy for the reasons behind the closure on Elizabeth Street after nearly five years in business.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Bad news for fans of Siggy's Good Food
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Expect to see some 'Kitchen' crews
There's a decent chance that you might see the crew for "The Kitchen" some time tomorrow night or Thursday morning... as the posted flyers show, the production will be on multiple avenues and side streets... including parts of Cooper Square, Second Avenue, First Avenue ...
The drama, set in Hell's Kitchen during the 1970s, follows the wives of Irish mobsters (Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss) who team up to take over running the business after their husbands are sent to prison. Andrea Berloff is the writer and first-time director.
Blank slate at the Bowery Mural Wall
Banksy's time on the Bowery Mural Wall has apparently come to an end ... the wall has been painted over.
In March, Banksy used the space as a protest over the incarceration of Turkish-Kurdish painter and journalist Zehra Doğan.
No word at the moment about who might be next to showcase his or her work here at East Houston.
Here's the 1st look at the new building proposed for the 2nd Avenue explosion site
This coming Monday, CB3's Landmarks Committee will review an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the new residential building proposed at 119-121 Second Ave. — the site of the deadly gas explosion site from March 2015.
Ahead of that meeting, CB3 has posted the 39-page application on its website. (PDF here.)
The materials include renderings via Morris Adjimi Architects of the proposed building...
[View from along 7th Street]
As previously reported, Shaky Cohen's Nexus Building Development Group filed plans in February for the development.
According to the Nexus website, 119-121 Second Ave. "is a high-end condominium building ... with seven floors including 21 apartments and a retail space. Residential units are one, two and three bedrooms."
Cohen paid $9.15 million for the empty lots at No. 119 and 121 between Seventh Street and St. Mark's Place.
In a previously recorded transaction, Ezra Wibowo paid $6 million for the adjacent property at 123 Second Ave. A source told the Post in March 2017 that this was a long-term investment. "He’s not in a rush to build or develop."
The lot sits within the the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District. CB3's committee will hear the proposal before it eventually continues on to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. (The CB3 meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. on Monday at Grace Church School, 46 Cooper Square.)
The meeting notice arrived on the fence at the property yesterday...
[Photo by Chris Rowland]
Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa died in the explosion on March 26, 2015. The defendants in the case, including Maria Hrynenko, the former owner of No. 119 and 121, are expected to go to trial in September.
Previously.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: 2nd Avenue explosion sites have a new owner
Dedicating Moises Locón Way and Nicholas Figueroa Way on 2nd Avenue at 7th Street
Soil testing underway at the 2nd Avenue explosion site
Help for Juan Carlo, the flower vendor at Bueno East Mart on Avenue A
This flyer was posted in a residential building on Third Street near Avenue A.
[Click to go big]
According to the flyer, Juan Carlo, who works overnight selling flowers at the Bueno East Mart on the southeast corner of Third Street and Avenue A, was "brutally beaten up by two assailants" early Saturday morning.
Neighbors have started a fund to help with his medical bills. There's a donation jar now at Mary O's, the Irish bar-restaurant at 32 Avenue A between Third Street and Second Street.
Updated 5 p.m.
Patch reports that Carlo was trying to stop the two men from stealing flowers. The suspects reportedly punched Carlo and slammed him to the ground.
H/T Carl Bentsen
[Click to go big]
According to the flyer, Juan Carlo, who works overnight selling flowers at the Bueno East Mart on the southeast corner of Third Street and Avenue A, was "brutally beaten up by two assailants" early Saturday morning.
"He sustained a broken nose and lacerations to his face and arm. Several hours later — because he didn't want to leave his station unattended — he made his way to Beth Israel."
Neighbors have started a fund to help with his medical bills. There's a donation jar now at Mary O's, the Irish bar-restaurant at 32 Avenue A between Third Street and Second Street.
Updated 5 p.m.
Patch reports that Carlo was trying to stop the two men from stealing flowers. The suspects reportedly punched Carlo and slammed him to the ground.
H/T Carl Bentsen
Last day for 'The Three Rhinos' on Astor Place
After nearly three months on Astor Place, it's time for "The Last Three" sculpture to move on.
Australian artists Gillie and Marc Schattner will be moving their 17-foot bronze sculpture, which arrived here on on March 15, later tonight.
The Schattners recreated the last three Northern White Rhinos – Sudan, Najin, and Fatu – "to inspire, educate and mobilize the global community to raise their voices and affect real change against illegal rhino poaching trade." (Shortly after the sculpture's unveiling, the BBC reported that Sudan had died.)
Visitors to the sculpture were encouraged to leave a goodbye message ... with the artists hoping to collect 1 million messages worldwide to "put them toward a petition for approaching governments about eliminating the demand for rhino horns through education." You can read more about the project here.
The sculpture had its fans... for example...
❄️ Snow begins to cover "The Last Three" rhino sculpture located in Astor Place, New York City on April 2, 2018. The incredible 17-foot-tall interactive artwork is being created to raise critical awareness about rhino conservation. (Photo: Gordon Donovan) #GOODBYERHINOS pic.twitter.com/ZfP498efaF
— Gordon Donovan (@gordonovan) April 2, 2018
Cool new artwork on Astor Place #nyc. “The Last Three”, highlighting the threat of extinction which looms over rhinos. pic.twitter.com/z3z7cIAUU9
— NYU Primatology (@nyuprimatology) March 25, 2018
Upon its unveiling, New York magazine art critic Jerry Saltz wrote that "it is an ugly, bathos-filled folly that proves my adage that 95 percent of all public sculpture is crap. ... It’s like a Vegas acrobatic act."
In any event, the sculpture won't be going too far: the Schattners will be moving it to a yet-to-be-disclosed new location in NYC.
Previously on EV Grieve:
A sneak preview of the world's largest rhino sculpture, coming to Astor Place early next year
World's tallest rhino sculpture arrives on Astor Place this week
The rhinos have arrived on Astor Place
6 months of inactivity at 75 1st Ave.
The new development site at 75 First Ave. between Fourth Street and Fifth Street has remained dormant since the DOB issued a Stop Work Order here back on Jan. 11.
The DOB complaint from January notes "no protection for pedestrians." (Several EVG readers have also noted how dicey this stretch is for cyclists too.)
However, it appears there will be some work starting up here again soon... the city recently rescinded part of the Stop Work Order in order for workers to relocate the pedestrian walkway...
Despite the slow-going here with construction, the sales phase commenced last August for what will be an 8-floor, 22-unit condoplex. The four units on the market are asking between $1.79 million and $2.25 million.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Developer: A shorter building in the works now for 75 First Avenue
High-rise for 75 First Avenue back in play
Long-stalled First Avenue site now has a brand-new rendering
Report: Long-dormant 1st Avenue development site changes hands
Plywood report and the future of 75 1st Ave. (Spoiler: condos)
Sales underway for Rite Aid-adjacent condoplex on 1st Avenue
Monday, June 11, 2018
Monday's parting shot
Lola Sáenz shared this late-afternoon photo from deep in the forest of Tompkins Square Park...
News roundup: Feds say that the NYCHA covered up public housing dangers for years
BREAKING: In a blistering new report, Feds find NYCHA managers lied for years about squalid conditions; City agrees to pay $2 billion and appoint a federal monitor https://t.co/wihP4BFBGL via @NYDNGregSmith pic.twitter.com/dMv6k50sKA
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) June 11, 2018
Here are some excerpts from today's news coverage about how the city reportedly covered up dangerous public health conditions at NYCHA properties for the past eight years.
Via The New York Times:
The federal government on Monday delivered a withering rebuke of New York City’s housing authority, accusing officials of systematic misconduct, indifference and outright lies in the management of the nation’s oldest and largest stock of public housing.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan said the authority, which houses at least 400,000 poor and working-class residents, covered up its actions, training its staff on how to mislead federal inspectors and presenting false reports to the government and to the public about its compliance with lead-paint regulations. The failures endangered tenants and workers for years, the prosecutors said, and potentially left more children than previously known poisoned by lead paint in their apartments.
Via Politico:
The report concludes a two-year investigation into one of Mayor Bill de Blasio's biggest managerial failings.
De Blasio signed a consent decree with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan that commits the city to $1 billion over four years and $200 million in subsequent years to fix dire conditions throughout the housing authority's 325 complexes.
In doing so, he took more ownership of an agency whose head he appoints but which is legally a responsibility of the federal government. Any changes will be made under the watch of a federally appointed monitor.
Via NBC 4:
As a result of the settlement, NYCHA will now have to create three new departments: one for compliance, one for environmental health and safety, and one for quality assurance.
Via the Post's coverage of the news conference with Mayor de Blasio:
When a New York Times reporter suggested the mayor had been forced to sign the decree by the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s Office, rather than agreeing to it willingly, Hizzoner blew up.
“It was not forced, it was a decision, my friend. Seriously my friend, you represent a rather prestigious journalistic entity. Do not put words in someone’s mouth. That’s really not cool,” the mayor said. “I was not forced for a minute. I had the choice if I wanted to do something different to do something different. So really try and respect the truth.”
Earlier in the day, de Blasio issued a statement blaming NYCHA’s problems on "decades" of underfunding by the federal and state government, and "neglect" by prior city administrations.
You may read the consent decree here ... and the complaint here.
Noted
The IHOP-IHOb reveal occurred this morning.
Here's USA Today:
IHOP announced that it was changing its name to "IHOb," with the “b” denoting burgers. The change is not permanent, a company spokeswoman said, but rather is a move to promote its new burger line.
Known for its pancakes, the newly dubbed IHOP is releasing seven Ultimate Steakburgers as part of its rebranding effort — all the while keeping its breakfast items on the menu.
Unfortunately, the name change didn't go the way that some people wanted...
International House Of Brian Eno https://t.co/u54UfQgDLK
— Brian Eno (@BrianEnoMusic) June 10, 2018
Lancelotti Housewares expands on Avenue A
Some positive small-business news to share ... Lancelotti Housewares, which opened in 1996, has expanded into the recently vacated adjacent space at 66 Avenue A between Fourth Street and Fifth Street. The new space debuted this past Friday...
And earlier...
The space next door became available when Mast Books moved to the corner at Fifth Street.
The 7 restaurants that have closed on the Bowery in the past year
This past weekend, the owners of Hecho en Dumbo (b. 2010) and Cherche Midi (b. 2014) shut down their respective restaurants.
This makes, since last spring, seven restaurant closings on (or near!) the Bowery between Fourth Street and just south of Houston. Other recent casualties:
• L'Apico (b. 2012), 13 E. First St. in the Avalon Bowery complex.
• DBGB (b. 2010), 299 Bowery
[The former Wise Men]
• Wise Men (b. 2013), 355 Bowery
• Agozar! (b. 2002), 324 Bowery
• Paulaner Brauhaus (b. 2013), 265 Bowery
There was also Rebelle (b. 2015) at 218 Bowery just south of Prince Street.
In any event, there weren't any reasons provided for the closures. DBGB chef-owner Daniel Boulud told this to The New York Times: "In this location, it’s busy on weekends but erratic in the early part of the week."
[The memory of DBGB lives on in Extra Place]
There are, of course, plenty of other places to drink and dine along here, starting at Fourth Street and down to Houston — BBar and Grill, Phebe's, the Bowery Market, Great Jones Cafe (close enough), Gemma, the Wren, Sorbillo Pizzeria, Bar Primi, Think Coffee, Saxon & Parole, 310 Bowery Bar, Sláinte, Bowery Meat Company, Baar Baar and the food court at Whole Foods Market® Bowery. Perhaps there are just too many choices.
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