Like clockwork, 123 Third Avenue on time, pretty much

So, we've been watching the work on the southeast corner of 14th Street and Third Avenue (aka "East Union Square") starting in April 2008, when the sidewalk shed started going up... and the Tanning Zone came down ...



Workers demolished the two-story building, and the future 123 Third Avenue started going up in the fall of 2008...



September 2009...



The signs said all this would be done by May 1, 2011. (Yeah, right!) Which was Sunday.

So how did they do? I took these shots on April 30...

And now, the sidewalk shed is gone...

Given the number of stalled and dead projects, 123 stayed on track. (Curbed looked at 123's rendering vs. reality last week.)

And as this penthouse party invite* for last night shows, 123 has sold 90 percent of the units... with some $3.6 million (and up!) penthouses left to scramble for...

Not bad for something that looks like the dorm across the street, though with better amenities.

* The 123ers did invite me, though I couldn't attend you know.

Pangea reopens tonight at 5

Last Friday, we reported that Pangea on Second Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street has been closed of late. Owner Stephen Shanaghan told us that he was embroiled in "a landlord-tenant dispute."

Shanaghan sent us an email yesterday:

"After a long day in court, I am pleased to say Pangea has come to a new agreement with the landlord."

They'll be open at 5.

Previously.

Bike rack that housed iconic blizzard bike is... gone!

Readers continue to keep tabs on Caffe Cotto, currently undergoing a gut renovation on Avenue C at Eighth Street...

[Bobby Williams]

[Dave on 7th, who wonders what the chains will be for...]

Meanwhile! EV Grieve reader AC notes something is missing along the sidewalk here on Eighth Street... something that you attach bicycles to...

Why yes... you remember this iconic photo that became one of the iconic shots of the iconic Blizzard of the iconic Dec. 26, 2010....

Perhaps there was a reason the bike went missing last month. Bikes can sense these things, you know.

So the snow is gone (though I think parts of 11th Street still haven't been plowed). The bike is gone. The bike rack is gone. But we have our memories.

Anyway, people are upset, though not really. Still, someone etched this into the Cotto doorway...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: Q-and-A with the bike that became an iconic symbol of the 2010 Holiday Blizzard

UPS can't even afford the East Village

EV Grieve mailbox correspondent Blue Glass notes that the UPS store at 168 Second Ave. near 11th Street has closed...

...the sign on the door explains why....

The Bowery gets a little more class

At Great Jones.

First the 'Black Swan' Oscar snub, now this for Mila Kunis

EV Grieve reader Kurt notes that a worker was painting over one of the far-too-numerous Mila Kunis tags in the neighborhood... this one on 11th Street between Avenue A and First Avenue...

Previously on EV Grieve:
The Mila Kunis 'Black Swan' Oscar campaign heats up

A new canopy for Gallagher's Steakhouse, eventually

A new canopy for Gallagher's Steakhouse, celebratings its 81st year on 52nd Street, arrived yesterday...

... the old one was looking rather worn...

...however, there appeared to be some issue with the new one (or maybe it was just a fitting?) ...

...so it was back to the shop for both...

Previously.

Fun with HBO in Tompkins Square Park

HBO was filming a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" promo something documentary in Tompkins Square Park today... EV Grieve contributor Bobby Williams was on hand for the fun...

...which involved a mime...or someone dressed like one...

... and the ping-pong table...

So the ping-pong table is going to be famous then?

After school on First Avenue

Gone but not forgotten

[dwg]

Superdive sign removal today. Previously.

Breaking: Superdive sign coming down this morning

From the EV Grieve inbox...



From SuperdiveBar:

... in t-minus 30 minutes... the glorious lights on Ave A that have been illuminating off the infamous SUPERDIVE sign will be taken down!
thought you might like to witness the end of an era!

Long Live SUPERDIVE

First the liquor license, now this.

Superdive's liquor license has expired

Actually, the license for Rapture Cafe & Books has expired... In any event, Shawn Chittle sent along this page from the State Liquor Authority, noting that the license for 200 Avenue A expired on Saturday....

Meanwhile, on this month's CB3/SLA docket:

Alterations/Transfers/Upgrades

• To be Determined (Not A Bookstore LLC), 200 Ave A (trans/op) (Superdive)

The art gallery with a full liquor license is back. Last month, the committee told them to do more (and better!) community outreach.

However, now that the license for the space has expired, this can no longer be considered a transfer... and "Not a Bookstore LLC" would have to apply for a new liquor license. And a new liquor license in these parts of Avenue A? Good luck.

Previously on EV Grieve:
CB3 didn't approve a liquor license for Superdive; "a nice neighborhood Internet café-bookstore" becomes a bar with keg service at tables

ZP Auto Repair moves out of NoHo; condo on the way in?

We've been keeping an eye on ZP Auto Repair on the southwest corner of Lafayette and Great Jones , which had been on the market for several years ...

Last Friday, Goggla noticed that the guys were sweeping out the shop with a bit of finality... and today, the shop sits empty...

They'll be working from Brooklyn now.

Meanwhile, we don't know for sure what's coming here. The listing is no longer active at the Massey Knakal site, which stated "the property has Landmark’s Approval for a 6-story steel and glass building for residential, commercial or hotel-use." The property was listed at $4.4 million.

And this was the last rendering we saw:

Extra Place plaza finally taking shape, sort of

More than four years ago, we first heard of the plans the developers of Avalon Bowery Place had for Extra Place — "a slice of the Left Bank, a pedestrian mall lined with interesting boutiques and cafes."



Now, Brooklyn-based Oaxaca Tacos recently added some outdoor seating...

[Photo by Bobby Williams]