Permits filed to demolish former theater turned grocery at 100 Avenue A

[Bobby Williams]

The city OK'd a demolition permit yesterday for 98-100 Avenue A, which housed East Village Farms until Feb. 7, 2012.

Developer Ben Shaoul purchased the former theater turned market last month for $15.5 million, according to public records. (While the name of Shaoul, president of Magnum Real Estate Group, isn't listed on the records... his name appears as the owner of the property on the asbestos abatement flyers that went up in early June. Magnum's name is also on the demolition permit.)

Nothing is on file yet with the DOB regarding a new building for the address here between East Sixth Street and East Seventh Street. However, a listing for the retail spaces that we noted last month provides an idea of what Shaoul and company have in mind ... a large retail space with 40 residential units above...



Last year, the previous landlord — Suh, Yon, Pak Associates, Inc. — proposed to keep the store on the first and second floor, and then add a third and fourth floor for residential use. For whatever reason, the landlord never got this plan approved. Subsequent plans on file with the DOB showed a proposed addition to the back of the building ... and increasing the size of the store at the first and second floors.

As we've previously posted, the Avenue A Theatre opened here in 1926. It was operated by RKO, followed by Loew's. It closed in 1959. The various markets here used the theater space for storage.

[1949, via Cinema Treasures]

On Jan. 12, 2012, we posted photos of the not-so-secret theater inside here from photographer Kevin Shea Adams. (You can read his post and see more photos here.)

[Kevin Shea Adams]

[Kevin Shea Adams]

Several residents were hopeful that a developer with the ways and means and desire to preserve would restore the building for use as a theater. But that's too much to ask for.

In any event, you likely won't be seeing less of this out front ...

[Bobby Williams]

Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Asbestos abatement continues at 98 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's latest East Village trophy

Scaffolding arriving for demolition of 100 Avenue A

[Photo by Katie Reifman]

Workers arrived this morning to start erecting the sidewalk bridge and various other things needed to demolish 100 Avenue A between East Sixth Street and East Seventh Street ... The city OK'd a demolition permit in June for 98-100 Avenue A, which housed East Village Farms until Feb. 7, 2012.

Developer Ben Shaoul purchased the former theater turned market in May for $15.5 million, according to public records.

We don't know specifically what will be here... as with 181 Avenue A, Shaoul reps filed the plans in the hub self-service... and they will not be made public until the city approves them.

However, a listing for the retail spaces that we noted in May provides an idea of what Shaoul and company have in mind ... a large retail space with 40 residential units above...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Asbestos abatement continues at 98 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's latest East Village trophy

Construction watch: 100 Avenue A

[Bobby Williams]

Prep work for the demolition of 100 Avenue A is getting serious... the scaffolding has arrived... and workers put up the plywood along Avenue A...

The city OK'd a demolition permit in June for 98-100 Avenue A, which housed East Village Farms until Feb. 7, 2012.

Developer Ben Shaoul purchased the former theater turned market in May for $15.5 million, according to public records.

We don't know specifically what will be here... Shaoul's reps filed the plans in the hub self-service... and they will not be made public until the city approves them.

But a rendering on the plywood shows a building looking like this:



...six floors of residences above the retail component here between East Sixth Street and East Seventh Street.



A retail listing that we posted in May stated that the building will contain 40 residential units.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Asbestos abatement continues at 98 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's latest East Village trophy

Full reveal at 100 Avenue A

On Monday afternoon, workers started removing the construction netting and scaffolding from 100 Avenue A ... eventually offering a full reveal of developer Ben Shaoul's condoplex between Sixth Street and Seventh Street...

And by late yesterday afternoon...



Per the marketing copy, "100 Avenue A is a vibrant new style of premium condominium living not yet seen on Tompkins Square Park."

As previously noted, residences (32 in all) at the 6-story 8-story building start at $1.3 million. (A construction worker told EVG correspondent Steven that new residents could likely start moving in as early as next month.) A Blink Fitness Center, with prices starting at $25 a month, will occupy the retail space.

Anyway, the 7-days-a-week work paid off... this is 100 Avenue A in July 2015...



... and a look back to 2009, when the one-time movie theater was East Village Farms...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Asbestos abatement continues at 98 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's latest East Village trophy

Now what's going on with 100 Avenue A?

[Last March via Bobby Williams]

East Village Farms at 100 Avenue A between East Seventh Street and East Sixth Street closed Feb. 7, 2012. (A whole year already? Jeez.) Since then, not much of anything has happened inside the space, though the sidewalk does serve as a makeshift shelter.

[Feb. 2 via Bobby Williams]


[Wednesday via Bobby Williams]

However, in recent days, there has been some activity inside the former grocery...

And plans have changed here. Last year, the landlord was proposing to keep the store on the first and second floor, and then add a third and fourth floor for residential use.



For whatever reason, the landlord never got this plan approved. Now, as a tipster notes, the landlord has ditched the idea of adding the additional floors. Plans on file now with the DOB show a proposed addition to the back of the building ... and increasing the size of the store at the first and second floors.





Per our tipster: "I just wonder by increasing the floor area for the first and second floor, what sort of commercial entity are they looking for? Who would need such a large floor plate (and 2 stories) besides a market/grocery or a Duane Reade-type pharmacy? It's too big for a restaurant, bar or clothing store. So I wonder who they think will lease the space?"

Good question. Have any guesses? Or any tips about the space? Then please leave a comment or drop us a note via the EV Grieve email.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

[Updated] First sign of future construction About the outside of 100 Avenue A

A Davey Drill arrived yesterday near 100 Avenue A at Seventh Street...


[Bobby Williams]

But it apparently has nothing to do with 100 Avenue A as we previously suggested. (Has to do with with Niagara and Black Market.) Our apologies.

It's the first sign of any work activity related to the future of the former East Village Farms, which closed back in February. The city disapproved the first round of plans to renovate the space, including adding a "dwelling unit" and roof garden on the upper floors.

Workers bring in the drill before a construction/demolition job to test water levels and gauge the composition of the soil and stuff beneath the street. (H/t, BoweryBoogie.) This doesn't mean work will be starting tomorrow. But it's on the way.

So! Let's move right into this then.

Meanwhile, as you've probably noticed... the space in front of the former grocery has turned into a makeshift shelter at times... (We first noted this back on April 6.)


[Bobby Williams]


[Bobby Williams]

In recent weeks, it appears an effort has been made to clean up the space.


[Dave on 7th]

As the signs show, Anthony is trying to keep it tidy.


[Dave on 7th]


[Dave on 7th]

On numerous occasions, we've watched the NYPD move people along...





Typically they head to the Park or congregate on the corner of St. Mark's and Avenue A. Or they simply move around the corner...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Signs of renovation life at 100 Avenue A

[Photo from June 13 by Bobby Williams]

Nothing has really happened renovations-wise here at 100 Avenue A since East Village Farm (or Farms, as I like to call it) closed back in February.

The city disapproved the first round of plans to renovate the space, including adding a "dwelling unit" and roof garden on the upper floors.

But!

On Monday, 100 Avenue A reps filed new paperwork with the DOB:

LOWERING OF THE EXISTING CELLAR WHICH INCLUDES FOUNDATION WALLS AND FOOTINGS. NO CHANGE IN USE, OCCUPANCY OR EGRESS.

And at an estimated cost of $175,000.

Well, that's not much, but it is some kind of proof that plans are still in the works to convert the former grocery and theater.

Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Demolishing 100 Avenue A

We noticed a few workers on top of 98-100 Avenue A on Friday… they were jackhammering away...



And a rooftop view...


[Photo by Paul Dougherty]

The former movie theater/grocery is coming down to make way for Ben Shaoul's retail-residential complex here between East Sixth Street and East Seventh Street. The rendering posted on the plywood shows a new building looking like this...



A retail listing that we posted in May stated that the building will contain 40 residential units.

Also on the plywood outside 98-100 Avenue A…



Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Asbestos abatement continues at 98 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's latest East Village trophy

Workers back demolishing what's left of 98-100 Avenue A

The demolition has picked up again at 98-100 Avenue A, where Ben Shaoul is building a 6-floor residential building with 29 apartments.

Work had come to a stand still here between East Sixth Street and East Seventh Street for several months … but workers are back knocking over the carcass of the former theater-turned grocery. You can see the remnants of the auditorium in these photos from EVG reader Erika…





Demolition started last November. At this rate, the new building should be up by, say, 2021. Not that anyone is in a hurry for another brick box from Ben Shaoul.



Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Asbestos abatement continues at 98 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's latest East Village trophy

Ben Shaoul's proposed new Avenue A building will be 8 stories with a roof deck

Meanwhile, 98-100 Avenue A is lying in ruins

[Updated] Stray voltage warning along Ben Shaoul's Avenue A project

Con Ed has has put up cautionary tape and cones outside the rotting carcass of 98-100 Avenue A between East Sixth Street and East Seventh Street.



So be careful!

As for the address, there hasn't been any much activity in about six months at developer Ben Shaoul's incoming retail-residental complex. There are now approved plans for a 6-floor building with 29 apartments.

Meanwhile, the area under the sidewalk bridge has served as a makeshift shelter for a handful of people...


[Photo by Edward Arrocha]

Updated 7:01 p.m.

The warning signs are gone ...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Asbestos abatement continues at 98 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's latest East Village trophy

Ben Shaoul's proposed new Avenue A building will be 8 stories with a roof deck

Meanwhile, 98-100 Avenue A is lying in ruins

A last (maybe) look at 100 Avenue A

Construction wrapped up in recent weeks at 100 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's condoplex between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. The entrance (above) was ready for entry action the week of Thanksgiving.

To date, we haven't actually seen anyone moving into the 32-unit building... this past weekend, someone left all the lights on...



As previously noted, residences at the 6-story 8-story building started at $1.3 million. The website for broker Nestseekers shows that just two units are currently available. (Hey, nudity sells!)

The Blink Fitness Center in the retail space opened on Oct. 25, and it appears to be doing decent business. And if you're looking for an investment, the retail portion of the building is for sale for just a little less than $24 million.

Shaoul bought the former theater-turned market at 100 Avenue A in the spring of 2013 for $15.5 million. The demolition started in November 2013.

---

And a look back to 2009, when the one-time movie theater was East Village Farms...



Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Asbestos abatement continues at 98 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's latest East Village trophy

Wooing the condo crowd with naked women motif on Avenue A

The retail space at Ben Shaoul's 100 Avenue A is available for $24.5 million; plus, naked model marketing clarification!

Trying to figure out what is going on at 98-100 Avenue A

Part of the former Alphabets storefront will serve as sales office for Ben Shaoul's 100 Avenue A

Someone threw black paint bombs at the naked women condo ad along 100 Avenue A

Take a look at the inside of Ben Shaoul's condos at 100 Avenue A

100 Avenue A announces its incoming sales office with familiar naked, graffitied person motif

Meanwhile, 98-100 Avenue A is lying in ruins

[EVG file photo from December]

There hasn't been much activity lately at developer Ben Shaoul's incoming 8-story retail-residental complex at 98-100 Avenue A. For starters, the city has yet to approve the plans for the formally ornate theater turned grocery store. (The city last disapproved the plans on Feb. 14, according to public records.)

There are also two partial Stop Work Orders from late January … one for "failure to protect adjoining structures" and one for "debris/building — falling or in danger of falling."

And so, what's left of the now roofless building has been exposed to the elements… here's a view of things from Saturday via EVG reader Scoop Wilson…









… and here's another view from EVG reader Shannon Kendall …



Previously on EV Grieve:
A little bit of Hollywood on Avenue A

East Village Farms is closing; renovations coming to 100 Avenue A

Inside the abandoned theater at East Village Farms on Avenue A

Reader reports: Village Farms closing Jan. 31; building will be demolished

Asbestos abatement continues at 98 Avenue A, Ben Shaoul's latest East Village trophy

Ben Shaoul's proposed new Avenue A building will be 8 stories with a roof deck