Dear East 12th Street: Please do not disturb the air sampling

A reader notes the following: There's an air sampling in progress on East 12th Street... As the sign warns, please do not disturb.

And here we thought Booker & Dax was handing out samples of their cocktails...

We'll let you know how the air is.

[Updated] This feature should get a 'Rise' out of you

We interrupt our regular programming to bring you highlights from today's cover story in the Post's Home section titled "Rise in the East" (heh)

... and they have details on some of these stalled developments, empty parcels and mystery lots that we've been watching though the years ...

Should we start with the bad news or the worse news?

Basically, there's a lot of building here on the horizon. Like!

• The Mystery Lot on 13th Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.
This space will become an 82-unit, eight-story development, which should break ground this summer for a late 2013 opening. "Prices are still to be determined for the project’s studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom units," according to the Post.

[Pause]

The article also mentions the developments coming to 74-84 Third Ave. (part of which once belonged to Nevada Smith's) and 316-318 E. Third St., which is awaiting demolition to become an eight story, 33-unit apartment building. Developer David Amirian told the Post that he will offer only studios and one bedroom units.

"The market right now is to build rental. You want to build affordable housing for young people," he said.

Here are photos of the two from the Post.

Hmm, 74-84 Third Ave. looks particularly... ENORMOUS. (I will miss the sun while walking by here.)

A few other passages:

• "[The East Village is] young and up-and-coming, and there are a lot of young professionals who live there and a lot of students and a lot of grad students," Amirian says. "We are definitely looking for other parcels in the neighborhood."

Up-and-coming? Don't you think those days have up and came? Or something.

• Of course, some of the East Village’s rental buildings could eventually go condo. The idea of $2,000-per-square-foot penthouses has to have developers considering the possibility.

Of course!

More on some of the other news items here later when I regain consciousness.

As the Observer put it in their coverage of the Post feature:

In short, the former bastions of East Village grit are giving way to rental buildings where parents will pay for their NYU student to live comfortably and drink heavily.

This is what 154 E. Second St. looked like on Jan. 13, 2012

This year, we'll post photos like this of various buildings, streetscenes, etc., to capture them as they looked at this time and place... The photos may not be the most telling now, but they likely will be one day...

Cafetasia is now the Lantern; fate of 100-ounce beer tubes unknown

Several readers have pointed out that Cafetasia on Avenue A near Sixth Street is under new ownership, and now part of the Lantern family. (There's another Lantern on Second Avenue at 18th Street.) Still serving Thai food.

No word yet if the Lantern will serve 100-ounce beer tubes like Cafetasia...

As Eater reported, Cafetasia went before the CB3/SLA committee in November for a full-liquor license. CB3 denied their request.

Workers quickly start dismantling roof of historic 315 E. 10th St.

So, as you probably know... yesterday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) unanimously voted to create the East 10th Street Historic District.

Preservation groups had urged the LPC to move quickly after learning that developer Ben Shaoul of Magnum Management was planning a rooftop addition to 315 E. 10th St., which would change the aesthetic of the street.

Anyway, as it turned out, the DOB OK'd the necessary permits for Shaoul hours before the LPC hearing.

Per Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, in a statement: "It's truly a shame that these city agencies could not coordinate their effort to prevent this from happening."

As the Post noted today:

EV Grieve reader Jose Garcia just passed along this photo showing workers dismantling the chimney...

As Jose said in a comment this morning:

They've certainly not wasted any time getting started. their crew was up there at 8:30 this morning demolishing the chimneys. a very nice wakeup call.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A bid to protect the integrity of 315 E. 10th St.

Landmarks Preservation Commission expedites hearing on East 10th Street Historic District

Watch a bike disappear a little every day during 2011

From the EV Grieve inbox...via a company called Red Peak...

Last year, we conducted a unique urban experiment for Hudson Urban Bicycles. On January 1, 2011 we chained a fully loaded bike — bells, basket, lights and more — to a post along a busy Soho street. We took a picture of the bike everyday for 365 days, watching it slowly vanish before our eyes. The photos we took were then turned into a daily calendar. We call this project LIFECYCLE: 365 days in the life of a bike in NYC.

We call it 51 seconds of fine lunchtime entertainment.

7-Eleven to complete suburbification of East 14th Street

Back in June, the Exquisite DVD Video store next door to IHOP on East 14th Street hit the market...

Several tipsters have relayed, um, tips on what is coming next to this space... something that will fit in nicely alongside the IHOP, KFC, Subway, Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins on this block between Second Avenue and Third Avenue...

Yes — a 7-Eleven ... there's not much info on the DOB site, but at least one document dated last Monday shows paperwork approving 7-Eleven signage ...

Plywood removal on First Avenue shows off the new Bean; plus, mystery space!

Workers yesterday removed the plywood around the ground floor at 147 First Avenue at East Ninth Street...

And it looks as if there is room for two storefronts here...

Ike Escava confirmed last night that the Bean, as we first reported, will be taking the front part of the space on the corner... he said that he did not know who the other tenant would be...

Regardless, there are always rumors... last fall a reader heard that a bar was taking the other part of the space. (This tidbit from the always reliable construction worker!)

The for rent banner that went up in August 2010 did tout this as restaurant space... so this is certainly a possibility...


According to the listings at Icon Realty Management, the second space is still available. The space is 700 square feet with an asking price of $7,000 per month. Per the listing (PDF):

[A] brand new fully gut renovated building, in the heart of the East Village is close by to the collegiate environment of the nearby universities. This new space with a floor to ceiling frameless glass storefront is perfect for all retail or a restaurant.

The upper levels will soon be home to nice apartments.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rumors: Ground floor at 147 First Avenue will include the Bean AND a bar

Ninth Street and First Avenue shocker: Motel ... Hello?

Blockbuster: 147 First Ave. set for demolition

Today in Urban Dog Etiquette Signs

Spotted on East Second Street near Avenue B...

Your chance to live in a cabin on the Lower East Side

Oh, sorry — thats's a Cabin Caravan. So this Craigslist ad is making the rounds:

Small unusual cabin caravan in Manhattan's lower east side situated on a forested edge of a private lot with 24/7 security. Large windows and a skylight ensure an open and airy feel in the minimally furnished interior outfitted with a full sized bed, desk, lamp and kettle for making tea or coffee. Linens and blankets will be provided.

Appealing places, cheap and otherwise, within walking distance for dining and entertainment and several small parks within easy access to public transportation. A bicycle and a lock are included with the cabin if you prefer travel above ground.

The cabin has no running water or toilet, there is a toilet on the property steps away.
Previous guests have used a convenient 24 hour gym to shower.

Single occupancy or couple preferred, perfect for someone quiet, clean, independent, no pets.

All the windows shut and lock and there are curtains so you are not exposed, there is a heater, the space is small and warms easily, there are plenty of extra blankets if necessary.

$900 for the entire month, can be prorated.

Here's what it allegedly looks like...

Whether this is all real, well, you never know with Craigslist. Still, we're feeling a bout of cabin fever coming on...

Opening Friday, Booker & Dax, where you can find a red hot poker in your drink

Diner's Journal has more information on what is taking over the former Milk Bar space attached to Momofuku Ssäm Bar on 13th Street at Second Avenue.

The place is called Booker & Dax, a collaboration between Momofuku's David Chang and David Arnold, the director of culinary technology at the French Culinary Institute. (The bar is named after Arnold's two sons.)

Here's a passage from the piece:

You may, however, want to put on a lab coat, and perhaps some goggles, when the bartender sticks a device called a Red Hot Poker, heated up to 1,500 degrees, into a mixing glass of Pernod, lime juice, sugar and water. This results in a libation called the French Colombian. “The burning takes the ingredients to a new place,” Mr. Arnold said. The poker, which he custom-made, is modeled after the hot irons early American innkeepers would stick into customers’ cups to heat up their drinks.

The place opens Friday. And, according to Diner's Journal, "the debut menu will feature 16 cocktails, each at $14."

[Updated] Report: City approves East 10th Street Historic District; but Ben Shaoul's buzzer-beater gives him the OK to alter historic building

[Image via Curbed]

Curbed has news from this afternoon's public hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) regarding the East 10th Street Historic District.

"The LPC voted unanimously to create the East 10th Street Historic District."

The East 10th Street Historic District comprises 26 buildings on the north side of East 10th Street between Avenues A and B that reflect the 19th and 20th century history of the East Village.

The vote also effectively ends developer Ben Shaoul's plan to add a fifth floor to the existing four-floor building at 315 E. 10th St.

Updated:

Well, then. Curbed added this to their earlier post:

"While the LPC moved quickly to prevent Shaoul from altering the building, the good mood among preservationists after the LPC's affirmative vote dimmed when it was learned that the DOB issued the developer his construction permits this morning, just hours before the LPC hearing and vote."

Here's the paperwork from the DOB...

The city gave Shaoul the OK to convert the building from nonprofit use to residential — plus an addition floor to the circa 1847 building ... appropriately enough, on Friday the 13th.

Updated:

The Lo-Down has more on this story, including a statement from Elizabeth de Bourbon, the LPC’s director of communications.

[T]he lawyer for the owner contacted us to say his client plans to meet with us to discuss suggestions for the design of the one-story addition and is willing to work with LPC staff as they move ahead on their grandfathered permit.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A bid to protect the integrity of 315 E. 10th St.

Landmarks Preservation Commission expedites hearing on East 10th Street Historic District

Diagrams provide idea of what David Schwimmer's house will look like on East Sixth Street

While we're waiting for the renderings of 331 E. Sixth St. to land in our inbox, we at least have a basic idea of what the under-construction, six-floor superhome will look like here.

Found these diagrams at the DOB site.

Looks like they'll be an elevator. Roof terrace. (Roof party!) No sign of a swimming pool.

Anyway, at least one local blogger is under the impression that David Schwimmer might be the mystery owner of this space.

Finally, the city logged a complaint yesterday from a caller who stated: "CONSTRUCTION ON A FEDERAL HOLIDAY W/O ANY PERMITS FOR DOING CONSTRUCTION ON A FEDERAL HOLIDAY. CLR STATES THAT SHE IS THE TENANT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Is David Schwimmer the 'Friends' star who now owns the demolished 331 E. Sixth St. townhouse?

Outrage over total demolition of historic East Sixth Street townhouse

The last remnant of the Mars Bar on East First Street

The sidewalk art of Mars Bar owner Hank Penza is fading away from the wear and tear of the demolition of 11-17 Second Ave. ...

As seen last July ...

[Photo by Goggla]

Sidewalk shed checks out of the Hyatt Union Square

Progress to note here at the incoming Hyatt Union Square on Fourth Avenue at 13th Street...

Still a lot of work to do. Anyway. Wouldn't it be kinda nice it that was the final look up there?

Meanwhile, still waiting for the hydroponic bamboo garden and halo ...

[Image from Archpaper via Curbed]

The Standard East Village now has an address for its fence

Oh, we just keep noticing the slightest changes/additions at the former Cooper Square Hotel since it became the Standard East Village... look, the hotel address is now on the fence too!

Your chance to own Billy Leroy's desk — for free!

Earlier today, we pointed out some of the free stuff to be had outside Billy's Antiques on Houston... Proprietor Billy Leroy just provided us with an update — there's even more stuff for free...

...including Billy's own personal desk with sticker celebrating his MTA Sign Fiasco. Real Bowery History!

[Updated] Reader report: FDNY responds to smoke scare at BAD Burger

Shawn Chittle and Dave on 7th pass along word that the FDNY has responded to a report of smoke at BAD Burger on Avenue A near 11th Street... the FDNY is on the scene now...

Dave on 7th, who took these shots, reports: "No sign of fire. But BAD Burger employee reports that the kitchen and dining room filled up with smoke. Probably from the furnace. Nothing actually appears to be happening, which is a good thing."

Updated 1/17:
Owner Keith Masco provides an update in the comments.

Memorial for Dashane Santana on Avenue D

Outside the Rite Aid near Seventh Street. The 12-year-old died after being hit by a van while she crossed Delancey Street last Friday.

Hearing tomorrow for the East 10th Street Historic District

From the EV Grieve inbox...via the East Village Community Coalition

Six months after Community Board 3 unanimously supported it, the City's Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has scheduled a hearing for the East 10th Street Historic District. The proposed district runs along the north side of Tompkins Square Park between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Unfortunately, the LPC has yet to schedule a hearing date for the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District. As the LPC waits, we risk losing more historic buildings in our community.

Please join us Tuesday, January 17th to testify in support of this district and urge LPC to move forward with the East Village/Lower East Side Historic District:


1:30 PM
LPC Public Hearing Room 1
One Centre Street (at Chambers)
9th Floor
-Please bring photo ID to enter the building

If you cannot attend the hearing, please email testimony to: comments@lpc.nyc.gov and copy EVCC at director.evccnyc@gmail.com or mail/fax to:

NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
One Centre Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10007
(f) 212-669-7960

Previously on EV Grieve:
A bid to protect the integrity of 315 E. 10th St.

Landmarks Preservation Commission expedites hearing on East 10th Street Historic District

Free stuff outside Billy's Antiques

The gang at Billy's Antiques on Houston near the Bowery are putting out some freebies today. Billy's is now closed for the next year or so to make way for a two-story structure here. (Billy says that he will return.)

Noted

[via EV Grieve reader AC]

Seventh Street and Avenue A.

East 10th Street, 9:37 a.m., Jan. 16

Flyer campaign against Bar Veloce

evflip spotted these flyers along Second Avenue... from someone making allegations against the Bar Veloce management...

We sent an email to the "boycottveloce" account to learn more about this...

Does this mean more condos then? Your chance to claim a vault

Bobby Williams spotted this outside the New York Marble Cemetery on Second Avenue near Second Street yesterday...