Italian investor buys 73-75 E. Third St. for $15.5 million

Back in late October 2009, we speculated about what home was for sale for nearly $16 million on East Third Street. (Read all about that right here.)

We eventually found the answer: 73-75 E. Third St., directly to the west of the Hells Angels HQ. According to the listing at the time, the 49 units in the buildings were going for $15.7 million...



Yesterday, Massey Knakal announced that the property had been sold "in an all cash transaction valued at $15,500,000."

Here are more details via the news release:

Combined, the two six-story buildings are approximately 22,092 total above grade square feet and have 50 feet of frontage along East 3rd Street. In total, there are 49 one-bedroom apartments, of which, 4 are rent controlled and the remaining 45 units are all free market. All 45 free market units have been renovated to include new hardwood floors, marble tiles in the bathrooms, granite countertops and new appliances including dishwashers in the kitchens and washer/dryer in the units. Most of the units also benefit from exposed brick.

“The purchaser was a foreign national from Italy who had sold a property and used the proceeds in a tax deferred 1031 exchange. New York City commercial real estate continues to be perceived by foreign investors as providing the best opportunity for capital appreciation and multifamily investments are the preferred sector today. It has historically been viewed as a safe haven for both foreign and local investor’s,” said Massey Knakal Vice Chairman and Partner John Ciraulo.

Anywho, no word about the fate of Sanctuary Guest Suites — Bed & Breakfast housed in 73 E. Third St. (There have been a few complaints from nearby residents who claim that this is an illegal hotel. You can read some of the complaints to the city here.)

And this was also the hotel with the guests who enjoyed relaxing on the bench in front of the Hells Angels HQ.

For further reading on EV Grieve:
The Hells Angels kindly request that hotel guests please refrain from sitting on their bench

Continuing to speculate about what 10-room, $15-million home is for sale on East Third Street

We now know what building is for sale for $15 million on East Third Street (hint: buy an alleged illegal hotel and live next to the Hells Angels!)

Local blogger immortalized in chicken cutlets, cheese, onions

So. Several readers have pointed out new menu items at the recently opened Tompkins Square Bagels on Avenue A...

Thanks to owner Christopher Pugliese, who was kind enough to create this in our name.

And how come Chittle gets the bacon on his sandwich?

Where 11-17 Second Avenue used to be

We'll see this through to the end... no matter how depressing...

The take down of 9 (71/2) Second Ave. is happening now...

Read Jeremiah's history of 9 (71/2) Second Ave. here.

Photos yesterday by Bobby Williams.

Parents accidentally throw out children with Christmas tree

Oh, hold your booing until the end of the post!

Just a reminder about the MulchFest tomorrow and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Tompkins Square Park.

I'll be live blogging the whole time from the MulchFest... follow along at Twitter #WoodChippersAreActuallyReallyLoud.

Photo taken Wednesday by Bobby Williams.

A Bowery skyline

At the Bowery and Houston a little while ago... photo by Bobby Williams.

Noted

Seventh Street near First Avenue ... photo by Andrew Adam Newman on Avenue C

It's Japadog

Which opened today at 3. We heard that there weren't any lines either... Did you try it?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Cue the long lines: Japadog opening first New York City location on St. Mark's Place

Photo by Bobby Williams.

Superdive will never die, probably

As we pointed out yesterday, 200 Avenue A was on the State Liquor Authority's full board meeting agenda. Well, we should have caught this one...

A group calling themselves Hospitality LLC with a concept for an "art gallery with a full-service restaurant" concept has appeared before and been rejected by the CB3/SLA committee three times. The group then decided to go directly to the State Liquor Authority for its license.

However, as you can see, the SLA hearing had 200 Avenue A on the agenda under Rapture Bookstore LLC — the trade name for Superdive.

According to someone in attendance, the Hospitality LLC reps were not at the hearing. It was Allan of Superdive and his lawyer present to argue the legality of their denied license renewal last year.

As we understand it, district manager Susan Stetzer was prepared for Team Superdive's appearance. SLA Chair Dennis Rosen tabled their hearing so he could meet with all the interested parties later this month. There's some question about the legality of denying a renewal for Superdive.

At this point, it's unclear whether Superdive wants to reopen as, well, Superdive, or whether the management wants to be part of whatever new venture opens here.

We sent an email to Allan at Superdive seeking comment.

Previously.

Yet another Subway opening in the East Village

So, you remember that computer repair shop-plasma TV installers-DVD rental place on First Avenue between Sixth Street and Seventh Street? Yeah, Intervideo Electronics. They closed in June.

When the "for rent" signs went up during the summer, we were filled with The Dread... and it turns out that this was all for good reason.

Last night, a tipster told us something that no one wants to hear: A Subway (sandwich shop) is opening here at 108 First Ave. Workers on the scene confirmed it to the tipster.

And a look at DOB documents doubly confirms it...

How many more times will we see this: Cluttered little mom-and-pop shop closes; chain store opens.

So now, the east side of the street will stack up like this:
Saifee Hardware
Ricky's
Whatever takes over for the shuttered Polonia
Subway
McDonald's
The best newish bar in the neighborhood
Dunkin' Donuts

Speaking of retail diversity: CB3 makes pitch for businesses other than bars

[Subway on Avenue B]

Community Board 3 has been working on a letter to send off to property owners and real-estate types with the aim of helping persuade local landlords to rent "to a diverse mix of commercial renters, not just to nightlife businesses, banks and chain stores."

The letter has been making the round in various inboxes... The Lo-Down posted the whole thing on Tuesday. Here's most of the letter from CB3 Chair Dominic Pisciotta:

Residents and business owners in CB 3 are working together to ensure the economic vitality of our neighborhood. We believe it is important to involve property owners in this planning as well. Among our chief concerns are maintaining economic diversity and serving local retail needs. Our community has a high demand for more daytime retail business such as grocers, butchers, shoe stores, stationery stores and other businesses that serve our local residents. Research and public input have indicated that our current condition of too many bars and eating/drinking businesses works against promoting a diverse economy.

We want to ensure that you as property owners are aware of these community needs and priorities and that you relay them to your prospective commercial tenants. It is important for new prospective businesses to understand community priorities and plans before finalizing leases and investing money. In this effort, we welcome your participation in our planning and outreach. Please consider the following factors before signing a lease with your next retail tenant:

• Business owners who live and participate in the neighborhood are considered more community‐ friendly than absentee owners.

• Businesses should have diverse price points for our diverse community.

• Businesses open during the day and that attract daytime street traffic are a current priority.

• Businesses that offer a product or service other than eating and drinking are a current priority.

Some areas in our neighborhood have been overwhelmed with bars and restaurants. Our community does not have the infrastructure to be an entertainment zone. CB3 recommendations to approve liquor licenses will reflect this. It is important and fair for potential businesses to be aware of these priorities and areas.

Let's hope that it does some good... in just the last week, we've seen two small restaurants close (Polonia and Itzocan Café) and two small businesses shutter (Vampire Freaks and the Autumn Skateboard Shop). ... and the arrival of yet another Subway...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Of the 147 storefronts on Avenue A, 70 of them are bars, restaurants or vacant

Japadog opens today at 3; no lines forming (yet)

[All is quiet last night outside Japadog on St. Mark's Place]

Grub Street called it — that Japadog would open Jan. 5 — today! — at 30 St. Mark's Place. Indeed, as the sign out front says, the dogstars* will open this afternoon at 3.

When we reported this fact, we joked that the lines would start forming on Jan. 2. Several people said that we were stupid. "You're stupid," wrote one person in an email to us.

Anyway! Japadog President Noriki Tamura left this message on Facebook on Dec. 25... in part: "[T]his is only the beginning of Japadog's legacy of becoming the world’s best hotdog store. Japadog's mission of making the world happy though hotdog still goes on, and we will like to devote all our time to make Japadog a better place. We thank everybody again for making everything possible."

And if you go, let us know how it is. And if you go and there's a line, please take a photo for us. We'll reimburse you with the handful of Tums in our desk drawer.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Cue the long lines: Japadog opening first New York City location on St. Mark's Place

* Say, whatever happened to Keanu Reeves' band Dogstar anyway? (Actually, please don't answer.)

An appreciation: Coffee (or espresso!) at DeRobertis

Since April 20, 1904 here on First Avenue just south of 11th Street... I can always do without CNN on in the background... but I'll take it...

Visit the DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe website here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Watching football at DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe

Bobblehead Bop

From the EV Grieve inbox...

Together, legendary guitarist Johnny Ramone, and legendary punk-rock bassist Dee Dee Ramone created a wall of sound that defined the driving force of the Ramones. For the first time ever in their history making legacy, Johnny and Dee Dee have been rendered as bobblehead figures, or as FUNKO calls them, Wacky Wobblers.

Both of these stylized 6-inch tall figures come decked in traditional Ramones leather jackets, and armed with their weapons of choice, (guitar and bass respectively). They're detailed right down to Johnny's infamous frown, Dee Dee's enigmatic glare, and the matching shoulder chains that bookended them on stage while changing the face of rock 'n' roll.

Info here.

Discarded Christmas tree catches fire, lights up car on Seventh Street

@JSMeudt sends along these photos from Seventh Street between Avenue A and First Avenue... where a discarded Christmas tree on the curb apparently caught on fire last night and, well...

You can see what's left of the tree above...

There's a little more about this — as well as other tree fire safety tips — at the Strollerderby blog.