[Photo by Derek Berg]
Heard some grumbling from residents about what they consider a fairly half-assed plow job in the Park this past week... Kinda have to pick your spots to walk...
Monday, February 10, 2014
Today's mid-morning Tompkins Square Park snow shot
[Photo by Derek Berg]
Heard some grumbling from residents about what they consider a fairly half-assed plow job in the Park this past week... Kinda have to pick your spots to walk...
New building at 227 E. Seventh St. — revealed
The construction netting came down Friday at the all-new 227 E. Seventh St. just west of Avenue C… here ya go…
[Photo by Dave on 7th]
What do you think?
Here was the rendering… as you can see, the developers ditched the all-glass façade...
[Via BuzzBuzzHome]
There are six condos here… we haven't seen any pricing yet for these homes. (Perhaps you have?) Regardless, one amenity is having the ability to be first in line for any matches showing at Zum Schneider next door.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Asbestos abatement on East Seventh Street, then a new 6-story building
3rd hearing set tomorrow for proposed hotel next to the Merchant's House Museum
Nearly a year has passed since the last time the developers of a proposed hotel next to the Merchant's House Museum made their case to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).
The groups will reconvene tomorrow for the third hearing on the matter. Folks from the Merchant's House Museum on East Fourth Street between the Bowery and Lafayette as well as other local residents and officials are concerned that the proposed 9-story hotel would compromise the structural integrity of the Merchant's House.
During the second meeting before the LPC last March 12, the developers provided what Curbed described as a thorough nine-part presentation on how the construction would be completed in a manner that would not damage its historic neighbor. In the end, the LPC "had significant objections to the proposed design of the hotel itself" and were looking for a third-party expert to weigh in on the matter.
Here's the message from the Merchant's House website ahead of tomorrow's meeting:
A developer is planning to build a 9-story hotel at 27 East 4th Street, adjacent to and towering over the Merchant’s House Museum. The new 9-story building would not only overwhelm the 180-year-old landmark Merchant’s House and be strikingly inappropriate to the historic residential context of East 4th Street within the Noho Historic District, but the construction process for a building of this scale is absolutely guaranteed to damage the house.
The potential damage to our very fragile 1832 landmark building — a federal, state, and city landmark, inside and out — during demolition of the existing garage and construction of the new hotel is huge. According to analyses performed by structural engineers, if our building shifts, even 1/4 inch — as is predicted by the developers — the original landmark 1832 decorative plasterwork, considered the finest extant in New York City and a national treasure, will be damaged.
While there isn't any public testimony tomorrow, the Merchant's House is encouraging people to show up in support. (Find more details on the meeting, which starts at 2 p.m., here.)
Find Curbed's coverage of the proposed development here.
The Merchant's House was the sixth landmark designated in 1965, when LPC was first created.
The space next door to the museum is currently this one-level structure… housing Al-Amin Food Inc., which stores food carts…
[Via Google]
Previously.
INA opening a designer consignment store on East 13th Street
Photo Tech Repair Service moved away from its home on East 13th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue last fall ... merging with their West 34th Street location…
And now signs are up announcing the new tenant — another location for INA …
Here's more about INA via their website:
INA is New York’s most established designer consignment store. Since we opened in 1993, we have been accepting only the finest designer clothing, shoes, accessories, and select vintage, all carefully curated by our trained staff. In addition to choosing merchandise that is only of the highest quality and condition, INA staff are attuned to current fashion trends, as well as being collectors and followers of couture history, examples of which often find their way into our stores.
Currently, the closest INA shop is at 15 Bleecker St. between the Bowery and Lafayette.
Please stop feeding the rats and bugs
Today's Urban Etiquette Sign comes from East Fifth Street between Avenue A and Avenue B… where someone is apparently dumping food in this tree pit… not sure if the above buffet arrived before or after the sign did. Regardless, that looks pretty tasty. Maybe a kale carrot slaw that's heavy on the carrots? The rule of thumb is two medium-sized carrots for every cup of kale.
Shima space for lease on Second Avenue
The "for lease" banners have arrived at Shima, the Japanese restaurant on Second Avenue and East 12th Street that abruptly closed last month.
No sign, however, of the listing just yet at the Newmark Grubb Knight Frank website.
Shima's sister restaurant Sapporo East on First Avenue and East 10th Street also closed last month.
How you can support The Neighborhood School by eating at Stanton Social on Wednesday
Via the EVG inbox…
The Neighborhood School (aka TNS, aka PS 363) is a diverse public school on East 3rd Street in the East Village. Over 45 percent of the students live below the poverty line. In 2011, the school’s art funding was cut drastically, which quite frankly blows. Thankfully, celebrity chef and Food Network star Chris Santos has stepped in to help — again. In 2012, he hosted a fundraiser at his restaurant Beauty & Essex; on Wednesday, he’ll be hosting one at Stanton Social (99 Stanton between Orchard & Ludlow), from 5 pm to 1 am.
Santos will donate $10 to the school for every person who reserves in advance (5pm-1am) and mentions TNS. He’ll also donate $5 for every non-TNS cover that night, PLUS he’ll match whatever the total is. The money will go toward supporting the school’s wonderful art program.
In the past, the school raised half the money for the art program itself; Title I funding and Studio in a School provided the other half. But the removal of federal assistance paired with NYS’s drastic budget cuts mean that TNS has to raise the full amount in the future. That’s why the school community is touched and honored by Santos’s commitment.
There are often tensions between diverse public schools and snazzy new neighborhood businesses; Santos is mindful of the potential divide. And TNS is grateful for his outreach. We hope everyone who values public education and tasty pre-Valentine’s-Day noshes (because going out on Valentine’s Day itself is for amateurs – it is the Whitman’s Sampler of urban dining experiences) will come on out and support the school.
To support the school: Call Chef’s Assistant Erica at 212.995.0099 or email her for dinner reservations on 2/12/14 – be sure to mention TNS when you book!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Coldcakes
You always post photos of abandoned cupcakes in Tompkins Square Park.
Photo by Bobby Williams
Week in Grieview
[Morning from Avenue B at St. Brigid's]
Nashville Hot Chicken coming to the former Odessa Cafe and Bar (Monday)
Man accused of rape on East Seventh reportedly says the sex was consensual (Wednesday)
Some part of 7A will stay in new 7A's name (Monday)
Help for injured artist Arleen Schloss (Tuesday)
Go inside Walter De Maria's home and studio on East Sixth Street (Monday)
Out and About with Tom Clark (Wednesday)
Recreating the 1980s East Village for this film shoot (Tuesday)
Hey, it snowed! (Monday)
A discussion about the Cooper Station PO (Thursday, 39 comments)
Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes going condo (Friday)
A temporary new look for the Mudtrucks (Thursday)
An excellent urban etiquette sign (Tuesday)
No relief from the 7-Eleven AC units on Avenue A (Thursday)
Are NYC cyclists more law-abiding on the streets now? (Wednesday)
The longterm impact of the IBM Watson Building (Tuesday)
Flinders Lane now open on Avenue A (Monday)
Criss-crossing East Houston...
Well, we've done a lousy job documenting the latest mural up on the wall at East Houston and the Bowery … where this past week the Brooklyn-based artist Maya Hayuk created some vibrant patterns… these photos are from yesterday … hopefully no one tagged the wall again…
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Celebrate the 35th anniversary of 'The Warriors' tonight
Sorry for the short notice… just heard about this…
In February 1979, Manhattan was a different place. Don't even get us started on Brooklyn. New York City was cold, and it was dangerous. It was a time of colorful gangs, graffiti covered trains, and broken truces. It was a time, of… The Warriors.
New York City has cleaned up a lot since then, but to be honest, we kind of miss the sense of style and danger exemplified by Turnbull AC's, The Orphans, The Warriors, The Lizzies, The Punks, and The Gramercy Riffs.
35 years after it's debut screening, Celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the groundbreaking film that has captivated multiple generations with it's street smart characters, and violent action, in the city where it was all created! Eat, Drink, and get rowdy at (Le) Poisson Rouge - a multi-media art cabaret that offers impeccable acoustics, so those bottles clanking are guaranteed to give you chills!
We'll have DJ Small Change spinning the tunes from the epic film soundtrack before and after the movie and giving away Warriors Movie Soundtracks courtesy of LaLa Land records.
We'll also be giving out prizes and random free drinks to those who represent the best dressed members of the gangs from the film!
Plus: Q+A with Apache Ramos from The Orphans and other stars of the film!
Hosted by NYC Punk Rock Icon John Joseph!
(Le) Poisson Rouge is at 158 Bleecker St. Show starts at tonight 7. (Doors, 6) Tix are $10 at the door. Find more details here.
"The Warriors" debuted on Feb. 9, 1979…
AND BEWARE THESE BAD
P.S.
Luther needs more beer!
Friday, February 7, 2014
'Moonshot' kingdom
Tickets went on sale today for Dean Wareham at the Bowery Ballroom on April 5... He is on tour with a four-piece band (including Britta Phillips, his wife) playing songs from his first solo record that's out next month as well as others from his previous bands, Galaxie 500 and Luna.
From 2003, here's Phillips and Wareham doing a cover of Buffy Ste. Marie's "Moonshot."
Noted
[Photo from Jan. 7 by Anton van Dalen]
"I hate to say this, but if I see one more 7-Eleven, I’m going to throw up." — Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President, at an event this morning, responding to a question about small-business opportunities.
Quote from Politicker set up via Grub Street
NYPD looking for these 3 assholes in alleged anti-gay attack on 1st Ave.
The NYPD is seeking three men (pictured above) in connection with an alleged anti-gay attack on First Avenue in the early hours of New Year's Day, according to published reports. Here's the word from NBC New York:
The 27-year-old victim got into an argument with the men, who were allegedly making anti-gay statements while walking along First Avenue near 15th Street at about 3 a.m. on New Year's Day, police said.
The victim, who was with another man, was then physically assaulted by the three men, according to police. He suffered bruising on the side of his head.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
Noted
Dear Patrons of the Tompkins Park Dog Toilet:
When the snow melts, the evidence remains. #PickItUp @evgrieve
— John Del Cecato (@delcecato) February 7, 2014Building that houses Bowlmor Lanes will convert to condos, like everywhere else around here
(More) Changes are coming to University Place. A tipster sends word that the building at 110 University Place that houses the parking garage and Bowlmor Lanes between East 12th Street and East 13th Street will be cleared out in the months ahead "in favor of (what else?) luxury condos."
While some shopkeepers and residents have been buzzing about this lately, the development doesn't come as a complete surprise. News of this was tucked away in a Steve Cuozzo item at the Post on Jan. 6. In a piece about Billy Macklowe buying 156 Williams St., Cuozzo also mentioned one of the developer's other properties — 110 University Place. Macklowe, CEO of William Macklowe Company, an investment firm, declined to comment on the future of the building.
However, Cuozzo reported: "we’ve learned from brokers that leases for Bowlmor and a garage at the site expire imminently ... and that demolition for a new building will likely start this summer."
Macklowe purchased a long-term controlling position in the building here back in the fall of 2012, as the Post first reported. At the time there was speculation about Bowlmor's long-term future in this space.
Bowlmor has operated here since 1938. (They also have a location in the former New York Times building in Times Square.)
Meanwhile, in other rather dreary news, our tipster hears that the former Jack Bistro at East 11th Street that closed last fall …
… is being fitted for a — ding! ding! — TD Bank branch. Will be a fine next-door neighbor for the European Wax Center that opened in the space last held by the Cedar Tavern.
And, while we're over here, might as well look at the building behind 110 University Place — 17 E. 12th St.
The former parking garage is also being converted into luxury condos. The Real Deal first reported on this possibility back in August. The city OK'd the condo-conversion plan on Dec. 10, which includes the addition of three new floors.
A rendering at the GreenbergFarrow site shows a building that looks like…
Per the copy with the rendering:
The concept for the architecture was to be elegant and respectful to the neighborhood, creating human-sized apertures at the streetwall, and a transparent and airy aesthetic on the added setback floors. The building was imagined to be re-clad with a cementitious rainscreen system. The rooftop amenity space is a required common area which will allow for a shared exhilarating experience with fantastic city views.
Finally, if you can possibly take any more, the former parking garage right behind here at 12 E. 13th St. is also getting the super deluxe treatment… where a five-bedroom unit will seek $28 million. The condo building will also be the first in NYC to use the robot parking system. (So much for the need for parking garages!) Head to Curbed if you'd like more details.
A 'Dear Super' letter: One way to find a new apartment
An EVG reader who lives on East Eighth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C sent along this "Dear Super" note affixed to the front door of an apartment building.
As you can see, the apartment hunter is reaching right out to the super — skipping those busybody middlepeople like brokers! — for help securing a "quieter one bedroom or large loft studio" to move to.
The apartment hunter does a fine job of presenting him- or herself — "very clean, reliable, keep a beautiful apartment with pride."
Anyway, what an old-fashioned way to find an apartment. Perhaps it might just work? Hard to say! My super always ignores my notes. "We do not have any hot water again…"
[Updated] Part of the Pizza Bagel Cafe space available to lease on First Avenue and East 14th Street
There's a new listing for 224 First Ave., currently home to the Pizza Bagel Cafe at East 14th Street.
A few details from the RKF listing:
POSSESSION
Arranged
TERM
Long term
FRONTAGE
160 feet on First Avenue
SITE STATUS
Currently Pizza Bagel Cafe
NEIGHBORS
Artichoke Pizza, CVS/pharmacy, Chase, Duane Reade, GNC, McDonald’s, Starbucks, The Vitamin Shoppe
COMMENTS
Directly adjacent to the First Avenue L subway line, Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village
Prime East Village corner location
All logical divisions considered
No word on rent...
Updated 10:49
Pizza Bagel Cafe is not closing. They are just downsizing. The space for lease will be smaller, per a tipster.
Birdbath Bakery back in business with new door
The bakery on Third Avenue and
Previously.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
[Updated] For the Mudtrucks, chrome is the new black
[Via Mudspot's Facebook page]
Well, it looks like Mudspot Coffee has retired their familiar orange ... the Mudtrucks, which have been around since 2000, have a new look as of yesterday ... @sammers133 spotted the new chrome model on Astor Place today...
Nice! But will the truck absorb too many rays reflecting off of 51 Astor Place? May need some better AC come summertime.
Updated 4:30
We checked in with Mudspot General Manager Yasmina Palumbo about the change.
"Well, it kinda just happened. We were part of an event that asked us to go chrome for the day. We did it and we liked it so much we decided to keep it — but just for a minute. Mudtruck Orange will be back — way before the melting sun of summer!"
Walk through Tompkins Square Park? Grab your skates and dog sleds!
Walked through Tompkins Square Park early this morning... it was icy ... but plowed. Mostly!
(One Park watcher said the place was only plowed for crews to shoot scenes for the Jim Gaffigan TV pilot ... have no idea if the plow part is true... crews are there today to film, though ...)
Anyway, apparently things haven't gotten much better as the day progresses...
@evgrieve Tompkins looks & feels like the Yukon right now, ice EVERYWHERE. Only dog sleds & ice skates should be allowed
— introspectivenarwhal (@bonatron9000) February 6, 2014Not that this is the first time the Park has been an ice rink...
Careful out there...
For rent signs come down at former Sushi Lounge
An EVG reader happened to walk by this morning at the moment a broker (or somebody) removed the for rent signs at the former Sushi Lounge on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place.
Alex Stupak, the chef at Empellón Cocina and Empellón Taqueria, plans to open his third restaurant here. CB3 OK'd his liquor license last month.
The Sushi Lounge closed at the end of October ... and eventually relocated a block and a half to the west on St. Mark's Place.
We haven't spotted any new work permits just yet for the address.
Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Chef Alex Stupak vying for former Sushi Lounge space on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place
Here are a few scant details about chef Alex Stupak's new venture on St. Mark's Place
Reader mailbag: What has happened to the Cooper Station Post Office?
We usually hear gripes about the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office on East 14th Street. That branch, as you likely know, is closing in the coming weeks. ( The USPS will lease the former Duane Reade on East 14th Street near First Avenue for retail services, such as stamp sales and P.O. boxes.)
Meanwhile, the Cooper Station branch on Fourth Avenue at East 11th Street was the PO Oasis, a magical place where you didn't have to wait in line for 90 minutes … and where you could find employees who smiled — and not just when they were going on break while you were standing in line.
Now, ahead of the Peter Stuyvesant closure, an EVG reader wonders if that branch's "inept and lazy management" has been transferred to Cooper Station.
The reader explains.
This post office used to be quite good (considering), but since November the lines have gotten longer and longer and slower, the self-service machines mostly don't work, the place looks dirtier and more run-down than it used to (although all the lights are left on on both floors 24 hours a day when it is closed).
The latest trick (which is what I heard was standard operating procedure for Peter Stuyvesant) is failing to deliver packages and lying about it. I ordered from Amazon and the USPS claims they tried to deliver at 6:04 p.m. on Sunday — never mind they don't work on Sundays and the lobby of my building is open and attended 24/7. They didn't leave a slip so now I can't go to pick up the package. I rescheduled the delivery online for yesterday and nothing happened either. [Updated: The USPS is delivering for Amazon on Sundays now.]
It's a shame because the Cooper Square location used to be the place people went to avoid the East 14th Street debacle — not any more.
PO paradise lost? Anyone else notice a change (for the worse) in service at Cooper Station?
Previously on EV Grieve:
Peter Stuyvesant Post Office now also open to ruin your Sundays this month
Today in rants: the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office
Meanwhile, at everyone's favorite local post office branch...
Has anyone taken advantage of this 'great news' at the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office?
Memorial planned for longtime East Village resident Don Holley on Saturday
Don Holley, a beloved champion of the East Village, was struck and killed by a car upstate on Jan. 6. He was 62.
This Saturday from 4 p.m.-6 p.m., his friends and loved ones will hold a memorial in his honor at Nublu, 62 Avenue C between East Fourth Street and East Fifth Street.
Report: 7-Eleven's AC units have forced residents from their bedrooms on Avenue A & East 11th St.
[Photo via the No 7-Eleven Blog]
As previously reported, workers installed several AC and refrigeration units adjacent to the incoming 7-Eleven at 500 E. 11th St. last September ... placed inches away from the bedroom windows of tenants. The No 7-Eleven Blog noted last week that landlord Westminster Management has racked up $17,000-plus in fines for the illegally placed units at 500 E. 11th St.
While no one appears to be much in a hurry to do anything about these AC units… life continues to be miserable for some surrounding tenants. The No 7-Eleven Blog heard firsthand from tenants for a post yesterday:
The illegal refrigeration unit is placed on the one story roof between 500 and 502 East 11th St. immediately outside of the bedrooms of four separate, second floor apartments (two in each building). This unit significantly violates the noise pollution laws (twice cited by the DEP). The noise and vibrations that this unit emits have resulted in tenants in 502 East 11th St. to abandon their bedrooms and re-position their entire family in the living room. The noise is constantly grinding, clicking, and vibrating making it unbearable for ALL the tenants on all the floors between the two buildings — one of whom is a freelance film editor who is now unable to work at home.
According to the blog, the tenants will request another noise reading next month … with a court date possible in the future.
Previously on EV Grieve:
3 new AC units at incoming 7-Eleven prompts Partial Stop Work Order
A WHOOSHING AC unit update: 'We are roundly being ignored by 7-Eleven and Westminster NYC'
Looking at some East Village slush puddles
The northwest corner of Third Avenue and East 10th Street sported some a fine moat of muck…
…the northeast corner of Avenue A and East Second Street could have been a contender… However, the fellows at Ave. A Deli & Food fashioned this footbridge for pedestrians…
One EVG Facebook friend said that the guys from the deli "were standing outside grinning at all of us who found it so helpful and nice."
A few details about Bar Primi, coming to the former Peels space on the Bowery
Peels closed for good on the Bowery on Jan. 22.A "casual pasta shop" called Bar Primi is on the way in the space at East Second Street from restaurateurs Andrew Carmellini, Josh Pickard and Luke Ostrom, as Eater first reported.
The group goes before CB3's SLA licensing committee on Monday night for a new liquor license for the address. The paperwork (PDF!) that the applicants filed at the CB3 website ahead of that meeting provide a few scant details on what to expect… The proposed hours are 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. seven days a week. The paperwork shows 22 total tables, seating 94 people as well as two bars good for 41 seats. (They also plan to have an outdoor cafe, just like Peels.)
Hmm, what else… Bar Primi will employ between 50-60 people… and "management will be charged with the responsibility of operating a restaurant that does not disturb its neighbors."
Eater noted that if all goes well for the trio, then Bar Primi will open this summer.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
William S. Burroughs was born 100 years ago today
[Burroughs in 1965 via the Evening Standard/Getty Images]
In honor of this… let's revisit an EVG post from January 2010 … where we looked at 222 Bowery (aka The Bunker), where the writer lived off and on starting in 1974 … the post was about Brooklyn-based photographer Peter Ross and his collection "of weird, touching, and often unexpected" photos of the possessions found inside the bunker … including items such as blow darts and nunchucks that once belonged to Burroughs.
At this time in 2010, the building's owner, John Giorno, had left Burroughs' apartment intact. In 1998, Giorno succeeded in getting landmark designation for the 1885 brick loft building, according to the Times.
Meanwhile, if you're in the mood, then here's a video short with Burroughs titled "The Bunker" …
Per YouTube:
Set in William S. Burrough's New York City apartment, the Bunker, this experimental film mixes images and audio of the nuclear holocaust from Hiroshima, Burroughs, and real confessions.
In February 1984, Burroughs celebrated his 70th birthday at the Limelight… where some up and comer sat next to him…
[Photo via Dangerous Minds]
Find the Official Burroughs 100 website here.
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