Meanwhile, across the street from the Copper Building...

A newish ad for 13th Street at Avenue B...



... was this based on market research for incoming Copper Building residents...?

The one rental on the market in the Copper Building

There may be just one unit left for sale in the Copper Building on Avenue B at 13th Street ... but there is also one studio for rent — unit 5C.

According to Prudential Douglas Elliman:

6 Month Minimum. $400 BELOW MARKET VALUE! NO CONDO FEES! BRAND NEW - NEVER LIVED IN! VIRTUAL DOORMAN! The Newest & Most LUXURIOUS Condo in the E. Village. No Expense Spared - This Amazing Studio features Juliet BALCONY, Floor-to-Ceiling Windows, Walk-in Closet, Central AC, En Suite WASHER/ DRYER. Kitchen features Hi-end Appliances including Dishwasher and Microwave, and Granite Counter's. The Giant Bathroom is Stone Tiled with Zuma Soaking Tub, and Kohler and Grohe finishes. FREE AMENITIES: Full-time Virtual DOORMAN, Sun deck, Private Storage, Fitness Center, BIKE STORAGE, and a private Zen garden. Located in Prime East Village steps from the L Train, Cafés, Yoga Studio, Tompkins Square Park, Union Square, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and so much more!! Sorry, No Pets.

Price: $2,050.

Futurizing: Copping a look at the Copper Building residents

Well, now that those sheets have been removed from the corner floor-to-ceiling windows at the Copper Building on Avenue B and 13th Street, an EV Grieve reader comments (with disturbing enthusiasm), "I hope that they never get blinds. This could be our Standard Hotel!!"

Hmm, may give a whole new meaning to "granite countertops and high-end appliance packages."





Previously.

Copper Building retail space back on the market

We've been keeping an eye on the retail space at the Copper Building on Avenue B at 13th Street... someone removed the for sale signs back in May...



At the time, Brian Meier, senior vice president at Prudential Douglas Elliman, said via email that the space was sold to an investor, who has a contract out on the storefront...

Anyway, perhaps that original deal fell through... there is a new sign up now for the space...

Asking price is $6,000 per month... here's a look at the info... check out the restrictions (no delis or laundromats!...)

What you need to know about attending an open house at the Copper Building

In case you were going to check out an open house at the Copper Building on Avenue B at 13th Street...see if that $3.8 million penthouse is suitable... Here's the deal...



You go inside the plywood door and wait by the table. As the sign says, someone will then be down in approximately 15 minutes for the tour. You may want to push back your brunch reservations.

Previously.

Is a 99-cent store going into the Copper Building retail space on Avenue B?

[October 2010]

We've been curious about what would take the corner retail space here at the Copper Building on Avenue B and East 13th Street ... home of million-dollar penthouses.

There was an a rumor about a 7-Eleven opening here... But that is simply not true — the retail-space-for-lease ad specified no delis or laundromats.

In recent weeks, workers have put up brown paper on the windows... and we finally got a look inside.... Let's see, packages of undershirts...

... and plastic toys for kids...

Looks like a 99-cent type of store ... like the ones remaining around the corner on East 14th Street. We asked a broker here last week for information on the new tenant, but never heard back.

Previously.

Store for rent in the Copper Building

2 Cooper Square isn't the only new East Village condo that will feature retail space... "store for rent" signs have now gone at the Copper Building on Avenue B at 13th Street...




No info just yet on pricing and what not for the space... the original listing didn't mention anything about retail space...

Waiting to hear about retail tenant for the Copper Building

As we noted last week, there looks to be activity in the retail space at the Copper Building on Avenue B at 13th Street.

Brian Meier, senior vice president at Prudential Douglas Elliman, said via email that the space was sold to an investor, who has a contract out on the storefront. No word just yet on who the new tenant will be...

In any event, you can likely rule out a Subway sandwich shop here.

At the Copper Building, your luxury East Village penthouse awaits you — still

The Copper Building is nearly all sold out... only two units remain on the market, according to StreetEasy, including the pièce de résistance — the penthouse. The unit hit the market at $1.65 million, and recently the Coppertoners knocked 9 percent off to bring it down to a more manageable $1.5 million.

As the listing subtly points out:

This is the penthouse of your dreams. The 22 foot high floor-to-ceiling windows provide absolutely breathtaking vistas the moment you enter the home. Following the beautiful wide oak wood stairs brings you to the master suite and full bath fit for the king (or queen) of New York. The apartment also features a 650 square foot private terrace. Your luxury East Village penthouse awaits you.

In case you can't make it by for the open house on Sunday afternoon (2-4:30), then check out some of the scenery via the PH pics...

Historic copper door returns to synagogue-turned condos on 6th Street

[EVG photo]

On Saturday, workers placed the refurbished front door back on the former Congregation Mezritch Synagogue at 415 E. Sixth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue... the door is made of red oak and faced with copper on its outside. The New York Times noted last December that the door "is being returned to its original state, though some wooden panels are being replaced by glass."


[Photo by Michael Hirsch]


[MH]

Here's a photo of the door as it looked in April 2014...


[Photo by Bobby Williams]

A worker told EVG Facebook friend Michael Hirsch that this main entrance will no longer be used... that the entrance to the building will be on the right-hand side...



...right by the newly arrived Prince tag...



The worker also claimed that the congregation will no longer have a presence in the building, which, if true, comes as a surprise.

As previously reported, the synagogue — active here since 1910 — had fallen on hard times, "with a dwindling membership and few resources to maintain the building," as the Times noted. Previous plans called for the demolition of the building. Those plans never materialized, and a new developer, East River Partners, emerged and proposed the current arrangement.

Also, for background via the Times:

As part of the current agreement, the developers are providing at least $20,000 annually to the congregation for the next 198 years, in addition to a $600,000 payment up front. East River is also giving the synagogue a $180,000 “fit-out allowance” for the synagogue to design and rebuild the sanctuary and other spaces, like offices or meeting spaces in the basement.

So, if the synagogue isn't going to have a presence here, what's the money going for... and who has it? Of course, the worker could have simply been confused (or misspoke), meaning that the whole structure will no longer house the synagogue.

The three residences (two units will have the original stained-glass windows) will range in price from $2.95 million to $4.4 million.

The building's slogan is "History reimagined … For modern living."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Plan to add condos to historic East Sixth Street synagogue back on

Play spot the potential penthouse atop the East Village synagogue

A final look inside the Anshei Meseritz synagogue on East Sixth Street

Stained-glass windows removed ahead of condo conversion at Congregation Mezritch Synagogue

Condos at former East 6th Street synagogue will start at just under $3 million

Sidewalk bridge comes down as condo conversion continues at former East 6th Street synagogue

History reimagined with $4.4 million penthouse at former 6th Street synagogue

Icon Realty shaves $4 million off of its 9th Street townhouse ask

[Image via Streeteasy]

Icon Realty's 7-level townhouse at 327 E. Ninth St. has been on the market these last six months as both a $30,000 rental and a $17-million whole-building buy.

Icon recently dropped the ask from $17 million to $13 million.

And to refresh your memory about the design and amenities... here's Streeteasy:

Designed by Isaac & Stern Architects with interiors by Paris Forino, this brand-new building was designed with a traditional limestone facade that stands as a new classic. Utilizing modern finishes that establish a new contemporary elegance, this home raises the benchmark for luxury living in the East Village.

Each sunlit floor offers open layouts and a transitional aesthetic featuring a light color palette which has been highlighted by White Appalachian Oak Floors with radiant heating and Christopher Peacock Kitchens with luxurious Italian Arabescato Marble countertops and backsplashes.

Bathrooms feature Dornbracht fixtures adorned with Zebrino Marble.

The building features outstanding private outdoor experiences with private balconies on each floor, an expansive roof deck and multiple landscaped private patio spaces with copper trimmed LED perimeter lighting and full outdoor kitchens.

The townhouse — nearly five years in the making — is at the site of a former parking lot here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Icon's 9th Street townhouse now available for $17 million

The big dig begins for 6-story, 2-unit condo on East 9th Street

East Ninth Street parking lot will yield to 6-floor residential building

A look at Icon Realty's 9th Street building where the rentals are $30k a month

An abandoned car in an empty lot that will soon yield a 13-floor residential building

Walking on East Houston near Ridge Street, we noticed an abandoned car in the long-empty lot on the south side of the street... not sure how long it has been there...



Anyway, spotting the car served as a reminder to check in on the status of these lots. Last summer, The Lo-Down reported that an unknown buyer has purchased the two vacant lots at 327 and 329 E. Houston St. for $8.4 million, as well as two adjoining parcels at 331 E. Houston and 163 Ridge St. for another $4 million.

It's part of the portfolio that belonged to reclusive real-estate baron William Gottlieb.

Plans were filed in February for a 13-floor residential building with 78 units for the L-shaped 331 E. Houston St./163 Ridge St. parcel. (The DOB disapproved the first round of plans on June 14.) Records show that Stephen B. Jacobs is the architect for the project. (His firm's East Village work includes the Copper Building on Avenue B and the Village Green on East 11th Street.) Jon Halpern of "East Houston Development LLC" is listed as the owner on the DOB permits. (Halpern is a partner and head of Real Estate Investments at Marathon Real Estate Mortgage Trust.)

There are also demo permits on file for the former laundromat here...



There's nothing on record for 327 and 329 E. Houston St.

As for the car, perhaps a test run for the future parking garage here?



Previously on EV Grieve:
An L-Shaped footprint ready to make its impression on East Houston Street

Luring potential East Village condo buyers with a DJ and fine art raffle — not to mention an open bar and Katz's

The folks at Prudential Douglas Elliman are throwing a big party (hot!) Tuesday evening to introduce "2 hot new developments" — the Copper Building at 215 Avenue B at 13th Street ... and the no-fancy-name 525 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B. As you can see in the disco-ball decorated flier above, potential condo buyers and various crashers will be treated to an open bar and food from Katz's. ("Send a salami to a condo buyer in...")



So, you know about Upper Avenue B's out-of-place Copper... But how about 525, which is real close to "THE ONLY REAL FRAT HOUSE AT NYU!" According to the listings for one of the seven available homes:

525 East 12th Street is one of the latest and finest new boutique condominium developments of the East Village. Superiorly located, this unique floor through lofts project, is facing the serene, beautifully landscaped Sauer Park. The building offers private keyed elevator that opens into each apartments, T.V. intercom system, 10 Years tax abatement, low C.C. and much more. This garden duplex is one of the most unique properties in downtown. Townhouse living: Gracious entry leads into an extraordinary double height living room with walls of windows overlooking your own private landscaped garden. The enormous chic Italian SCIC chef's kitchen is open through a Caesar stone quartz bar and equipped with a Subzero fridge, Wolf Range, A Zepher exterior vent that removes all cooking odors, Miele… D/W and Marvel dual zone wine cellar. The upper floor occupies the south facing bedrooms that give onto Sauer Park, the master bathroom with double sink and Neptune bath and the second bathroom that's furnished with green glass tiles and natural stone. Family room/ mezzanine includes the Washer and Dryer and its own WIC. Each zone has its own self controlled HVAC unit.

Prices at 525 range from $1.2 to $1.8 million.

Starting The Copper Age

Walking by the Copper Building on Avenue B at 13th Street at night... you'd get the idea that people have moved into the luxury condos...





Indeed, one reader has reported that he or she has seen moving trucks out front. And a Streeteasy commenter said: "I was told the first tenant will be moving in on August 4th."

Speaking of Streeteasy, just five of the 17 units remain on the market. Of those left to sell, three of the units are the super-swanky penthouses... including the pièce de résistance (which is French for expensive condo) — the four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with "sweeping" views of downtown Manhattan. Last fall, the price of this 4x4 was bumped up by $250,000 to $3.85 million, where it remains today....

A look at Icon Realty's 9th Street building where the rentals are $30k a month

The two residential units at Icon Realty's 327 E. Ninth St. have been on the market (per Streeteasy) for the past month.

So far, no takers for the rentals here between First Avenue and Second Avenue at this site of a former parking lot.

The listing notes that this building — nearly five years in the making, somehow — is "Redefining the Townhouse Experience."

Here's part of the pitch:

Designed by Isaac & Stern Architects with interiors by Paris Forino, this brand-new building was designed with a traditional limestone facade that stands as a new classic, elegantly utilizing modern finishes that establish a new contemporary elegance, raising the benchmark for luxury living in the East Village.

Both beautifully appointed residences offer open layouts and a transitional aesthetic featuring a light color palette which has been highlighted by radiant heated White Appalachian Oak Floors and Christopher Peacock Kitchens with luxurious Italian Arabescato Marble countertops and backsplashes.

Bathrooms feature Dornbracht fixtures adorned with Zebrino Marble.

Both residences feature outstanding private outdoor experiences with private balconies on each floor, a private expansive roof deck and multiple landscaped private patio spaces with copper trimmed LED perimeter lighting and full outdoor kitchens.

And photos...





The quadruplex and the triplex are asking $30,000 per month (with one month free on a year-long lease). Also, there is no fee.

H/T Steven

Previously on EV Grieve:
The big dig begins for 6-story, 2-unit condo on East 9th Street

East Ninth Street parking lot will yield to 6-floor residential building

Famous people looking at buying East Village home

According to a Hollywood Life exclusive, Katy Perry, who is famous for some reason, and her beau Russell Brand, are house shopping around these parts...

An eyewitness tells us she ran into the wacky couple walking into an open house at an apartment building in the East Village on April 11, just as she was walking out.

Dressed like they hadn’t changed since going out the night before — our eyewitness says Russell was wearing skintight leather pants, while Katy was sporting a skin-tight mini skirt with lace print and platform shoes — the couple checked out the two bedroom apartment in the village’s Alphabet City neighborhood. And although we couldn’t get an asking price out of her, our eyewitness did tell us that she heard Russell ask if he could use the bathroom, which is apparently a big no-no at open houses.

Hmmm... the Copper Building had an open house today... Here are other open houses today that fit the bill...

[Photo via]

Dollar Plus store opens below million-dollar condos

As we've noted (here and here), the East Side 99¢ shop was moving from East 14th Street to become the first retail tenant in the Copper Building.

And on Saturday, the Dollar Plus store opened here on Avenue B at East 13th Street ... where a handful of the 17 residences top the $1 million mark, according to Streeteasy.

... and last night, with the new sign above the front door...

Early renderings of the building do not show any discount stores in the retail space...

Finding the right retail tenant in upscale housing must be difficult. For instance, a 7-Eleven opened in the ground floor at 52E4 — the 15 stories of condo on the Bowery and East Fourth Street.

Regardless, the Dollar Plus store is a good one.

7-Eleven alert: Are 2 chain stores replacing Bar on A and Angels & Kings?

[From August]

In recent years, when a business closes around here, it's inevitable that the Starbucks-7-Eleven-Subway rumor makes the rounds as a replacement.

We heard this after Graceland closed ... when 34 Avenue A was looking for a new tenant ... when Kate's Joint closed on Avenue B ... when 219 First Avenue had retail space available; ditto for the Copper Building retail ground floor — and so on. Sometimes it turns out to be true, and other times, it's just a rumor. Or something people use merely as a threat.

So we heard the Starbucks-7-Eleven-Subway whispers about the recently shuttered Bar on A at East 11th Street. In part, these rumors surfaced because Ben Shaoul of Magnum Real Estate owns the building ... and two of his East Village properties are now home to a Starbucks (First Avenue at East Third Street) and a 7-Eleven (Broadway and East 12th Street). On Monday, one of the construction workers gutting 170 Avenue A told told a reporter from The Local that a 7-Eleven was taking over the former Bar on A space.

[Photos by Shawn Chittle]

However, in addition, workers have cleared out Angels & Kings, Pete Wentz's onetime emo hangout behind Bar on A at 500 E. 11th St. (aka 170 Avenue A). According to the work permits for No. 500: "REMODEL EXISTING STAIR CONNECTING CELLAR AND FIRST FLOOR. REMOVE INTERIOR NON-LOAD BEARING PARTITIONS AT FIRST FLOOR."

[Last evening via EVG reader Cheryl Pyle on Facebook]

An EVG regular who has been watching all this unfold thinks that the two spaces together are too big for just a 7-Eleven, and believes that the two spaces would yield both a 7-Eleven and a Subway. Or a Starbucks. This is only a theory. But plausible.

In January, the CB3/SLA gave the OK for the people behind Keybar on East 13th Street to take over the Angels & Kings space and open a bar-restaurant serving Hungarian food. No word on whatever happened to those plans.

However, there's nothing just yet on the DOB permits pointing specifically yet to a 7-Eleven, Starbucks or Subway. One connection: The applicant of record for both 500 E. 11th St. and 170 Avenue A is Bentonville, Ark.-based Harrison French & Associates, an architecture and engineering firm whose clients include 7-Eleven, Starbucks and Subway. (Harris French did the 7-Eleven on Broadway at East 12th Street and East 14th Street.)

In any event, nothing official has been released about the corner's future. But given NYC's current retail environment, you may want to get ready for the first national, non-bank chain/franchise on Avenue A. And probably not the last.