Monday, September 29, 2014

Full reveal at the all-new 200 E. 11th St.



The exterior work appears to be complete at 200 E. 11th St., home of the rebranded Eleventh and Third. The 12-floor building went through a top-to-bottom renovation, emerging looking less like a 1970s-era dorm …





Oh, and here is a photo from Saturday after workers removed the sidewalk bridge… (the other photos are from Friday) …



Benchmark Real Estate Group paid $57 million for the building late last year.

The building on East 11th Street and Third Avenue now includes a gym, yoga studio, rooftop terrace and lobby with espresso machines. Apparently people have been indulgingStreeteasy shows five active listings, with an average price of $4,887.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Someone actually paid $57 million for this East Village building

Reimagining this 12-story East Village building, now on the market

NY Copy & Printing forced out of longtime E. 11th St. home, opening second location on E. 7th St.

Eleventh and Third indulges in some nonsensical branding

Rebranded 'Eleventh and Third' will have rentals upwards of $10k

Retail space housing The Smith and M2M asking $25.5 million on 3rd Avenue

Urban Etiquette Sign, sidewalk chalk edition



Spotted this message outside an apartment building on East Second Street between Avenue B and Avenue C...

Kamakura Coffee Shop has closed on East 5th Street



We were really sorry to see that the little coffee shop here just west of Avenue B closed last week. It was a nice, unpretentious spot with good coffee and (mostly) vegan baked goods.

The shop was named for Tom the owner's hometown in Japan. He opened up here last Sept. 30.

Au Breve Espresso remains closed for renovations



On the topic of closed coffee shops… Au Breve Espresso closed back in early August… the sign on the door pointed to a renovation.

Meanwhile, a look inside reveals an empty space… making it appear that this is more of a "closed for renovation" ...





Au Breve's website is no longer active. Au Breve opened in November 2011.

A Davey Drill and a dream



Last Thursday, we noted the arrival of a Davey Drill outside the former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office branch on East 14th Street.

As the above photo shows, the drill is now across the street … doing a little soil sampling in a new spot.

EVG reader stickmanpk, who took the photo, offered some wishful L train thinking.

"Could they actually be thinking about adding a second entrance for the subway at Avenue A in anticipation of the 2,000 new residents we’ll see with the coming developments? Hey, you’ve gotta have a dream…"

Previously on EV Grieve:
UPDATED: Did you hear the rumor about the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office branch closing?

Report: Closure of the Peter Stuyvesant Post Office is pretty much a done deal

First sign of more development on East 14th Street?

Asbestos abatement to begin at former Peter Stuyvesant Post Office

New 7-floor buildings for East 14th Street include 150 residential units

Here is the future of East 14th Street and Avenue A: 7 stories of residential and retail

Sunday, September 28, 2014

When the Circus (Amok) came to town...



Circus Amok performed two free shows in Tompkins Square Park this afternoon... had a whale of a good time!





Photos via Bobby Williams...

Noted



Spotted outside The Winslow on East 14th Street this afternoon...



Photos via William Klayer

Week in Grieview


[Photo Wednesday of Matthew Silver at Astor Place by Derek Berg]

50,000 square feet of condos coming to the former 2nd Avenue BP station (Wednesday)

Houston Street Beer Distributors on East Second Street primed for development (Friday)

"Misinformation" cited as DOB issues Stop Work Order at the former PS 64 (Wednesday)

Torah ark from East Village synagogue finds new home on Wall Street (Thursday)

Avenue A and East Houston shaping up (Monday)

Davey drill arrives ahead of rumored development at former East 14th Street post office (Thursday)

Out and About with Michael "Mikey" Cole (Wednesday)

23-floor building in the works for the former Bowlmor Lanes (Monday)

About cyclists who run lights (Wednesday, 42 comments)

The Cock moving to the Idle Hands space (Friday)

TREE CAT (Wednesday)

M & J Asian Cuisine coming to 14th and B (Monday)

Take a peek at the latest peephole dioramas on Avenue C (Friday)

Ellen Turrietta, the movie (Tuesday)

Now at Red Square — AMERICA'S LARGEST COSTUME SELECTION (Monday)

Jimmy McMillan plans on running for governor (Tuesday)

Exciting new business opens on University Place (Tuesday)

154 Second Ave. comes into full view (Tuesday)

Gut renovations enter 16th month at 338 E. Sixth St., where 1 tenant remains (Wednesday)

Former St. Mark's Bookshop for lease (Wednesday)

5 years later, Os GĂȘmeos returning to the Houston/Bowery Mural Wall (Thursday)

Laundromat replaces laundromat on Avenue B (Wednesday)

Explore the history of Tompkins Square Park … in Tompkins Square Park


[A children’s garden opened in Tompkins Square Park in 1934.]

Ugh. Meant to post this much earlier… from the EVG inbox...

Tompkins Square Park on Exhibit: From Bouwerie To Greenmarket
Sept. 28 & Oct. 5, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Market Information tent

Salt marsh, military parade ground, park, site of dissent...Tompkins Square Park and the land on which it stands contributes a rich history to New York City and the East Village. Join GrowNYC, the East Village Parks Conservancy, and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation as they explore the history of Tompkins Square in images from its beginnings as the bouwerie (or farm) of Peter Stuyvesant through today.

There are more details and archival images at Off the Grid.

'At the Crossroads' today with Circus Amok in Tompkins Square Park

[Photo from 2012 by Bobby Williams]

Via the EVG inbox…

Circus Amok Presents "At the Crossroads." This year, we encounter a heroine at a climate change crossroads! After a mystifying and bewildering vision of the earth at two disparate ends, our desperate circus performer and former operatic contralto must act in haste to in order to save the earth from plunging off the tight rope of doom into the pit of big box capitalism ... or will the Raging Goddesses reach their apoplectic hands into the fate of us all?

The performances (free!) are at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Tompkins Square Park

Circus Amok "is a New York City based circus-theater company whose mission is to provide free public art addressing contemporary issues of social justice to the people of New York City." Read more about them here.

Crescent moon over 2nd Avenue last evening



Here's a report from local astronomy buff Felton Davis… from last night:

A crystal clear night, and the crescent moon was out and over 2nd Avenue shortly after 6 p.m. Later tonight it will pass directly over the planet Saturn — a rare occultation — but not visible from the streets of Manhattan. How high would a person have to be to see this occultation? About 2,548 miles. Let's be grateful for what we can see at street level!





… and Bobby Williams took this photo at 7:42 p.m. from his observatory…

Today in signs that people don't notice



Outside the 2B n 2C sculpture garden on East Second Street...

You're a good mural, Charlie Brown



This mural/ad started going up on East 12th Street near First Avenue yesterday… (And that is Charlie Brown, right? Looks like the lone shirt that he owns.)

H/T dwg

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Reminders: PS 64 press conference tomorrow



As noted on Wednesday, the Department of Buildings has put a stop to developer Gregg Singer's plans to convert the former PS 64 and CHARAS/El Bohio community center on East Ninth Street into a dorm.

The DOB had approved Singer's application to have tenant Joffrey Ballet considered a not-for-profit with housing accommodations as opposed to a dormitory. However, Joffrey is not a nonprofit, meaning the lease did not meet the DOB's requirements for educational institutions.

Councilmember Rosie Mendez and other local elected officials will discuss this latest development during the press conference.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Rebranded P.S. 64 up for grabs: Please welcome University House at Tompkins Square Park to the neighborhood

Deed for 'community facility use only' at the former P.S. 64 now on the market

Efforts continue to fight the dorm planned for the former PS 64 on East 9th Street

Testimony Of Councilmember Rosie Mendez regarding the former PS 64

[Updated] At the 'Save Our Community Center MARCH AND RALLY'

Landmarks Preservation Commission asks to see modified plans for former PS 64

The Landmarks Preservation Commission approves application for modifications at PS 64

'Misinformation' cited as DOB issues Stop Work Order at the former PS 64; community meeting set for Sunday afternoon

Just wanted to be the first to wish everyone a…



East Second Street near Avenue A this morning.

A memorial for bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park tomorrow


[This morning in Tompkins Square Park]

Rev. Billy and East Village residents are meeting tomorrow afternoon from 2:30-3:30 to hold a memorial for the leaning elm that the city removed last Saturday. From the EVG inbox…

The memorial will involve testimonials from residents of the community, including community garden, environmentalists and artists. The Stop Shopping Choir will sing.

The beloved 130-year-old elm was suddenly chain sawed on Saturday the 20th. Mystery surrounds the action taken by the Parks Dept., as the tree was healthy, not "structurally unsound" — as described in an anonymous sign. Bendy leaned to the east, as she has for more than a century.

The NYPD arrested Rev. Billy last Saturday after he tried to prevent workers from cutting down bendy tree. The NYPD charged him with Obstruction of Government Administration (he pleaded guilty), and sentenced him to time served — about 14 hours.

Previously on EV Grieve:
UGH: Bendy tree in Tompkins Square Park has been condemned

Bendy-lujah

That's it for bendy tree

NYPD arrests Rev. Billy for trying to stop Bendy Tree's removal

NYPD releases Rev. Billy after yesterday's Bendy Tree arrest

This morning at the East River Park Track







Spotted by EVG reader Brad212.

And beware…



Rejected headlines:
Opossum, where art thou?

Friday, September 26, 2014

Feed a pigeon, feed a hawk





Tompkins Square Park this early evening around 5:30 ... photos by Bobby Williams

The big sleep



Here's "Endless Sleeper" by The Raveonettes from the new album "PE'AHI."

The Danish duo will be at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Monday and Tuesday.

1 reason to eat at Chipotle on St. Mark's Place this evening



Info. via the Arts For All Facebook page ...

Between 5:30 and 8:30, Chipotle St. Mark's (19 St. Mark's Place) will donate 50% of your purchase to Arts For All if you mention us at the register and show them this flyer.

Arts For All is an NYC-based non-profit that provides arts outreach to in-need children.

The looking for a girlfriend guy now looking for funds for a documentary on looking for a girlfriend



But of course! Spotted on First Avenue and East Fourth Street by EVG reader Lauren Baier today.

Previously

298 E. 2nd St. latest development site up for grabs



Looks like people will need to find a new place to find inexpensive cases of Yuengling.

Houston Street Beer Distributors on East Second Street between Avenue C and Avenue D is now on the market.

Here are details via Corcoran:

This one story warehouse at 298 East 2nd Street sits atop a 25' x 105.92' parcel at the cross roads of the bustling East Village and Lower East Side neighborhoods. It is located in an R8A zoning district with an FAR of 6.02 (approx. 15,941 SF) or up to 7.2 FAR with Inclusionary Housing designated area bonus (approx. 19,066 sq. ft.) This prime development site is across the street from Hamilton Fish Park and a branch of the New York City public library, offering unobstructed southern exposures.

A new development would enjoy sweeping views of downtown and midtown Manhattan, Williamsburg, LIC and more. With City plans in the works to completely rehabilitate the piers on the East River from Midtown to the Financial District as well as the new construction that is sweeping the neighborhood including The Essex Crossing makes this a promising opportunity. A short distance to the promenade, fields, courts and tracks of East River Park, lively restaurants and shops of both the East Village and the LES. Lot area square feet: 2,648. Potential to combine with neighboring building which is situated next to an empty city owned lot...

This is a booming area now adjacent to the luxury rentals of The Adele on East Houston and Avenue D … The Robyn on East Third Street near Avenue D … and the new retail-residential complex coming to the former Mobil station on East Houston and Avenue C.

The listing also notes the proximity to the incoming Essex Crossing on Delancey… which seems like a stretch...



In any event, the asking price for No. 298 is $8.5 million.

Take a peek at the latest peephole dioramas on Avenue C



Since 2005, East Village artist J. Kathleen White has created a set of peephole dioramas that she displays along the fence in the Ninth Street Community Garden at Avenue C.

And the 2014 edition is now on display...







As always, be sure to check them out in person... and here are dioramas from 2013 ... 2012 ... and 2011....

This year's theme: Gold Eggs. (Or "Gold Eggs")



Photos by Bobby Williams

October CB3/SLA highlights: The International and The Cock on the move


[EVG file photo of the International]

CB3 released the SLA licensing committee docket yesterday … there will be two meetings this month — Oct. 6 and Oct. 20. We'll look at the whole agenda (only 21 items in total) in another post.

For the time being, we'll note two bars on the move.

First there's The International, whose owner Molly Fitch is eyeing the vacant space next door that previously housed South Brooklyn Pizza Co. We first reported this last Thursday. You can find out what's in store for 122 First Ave. here. (This item will be heard on Oct. 20.)

Meanwhile, The Cock appears to be leaving its Second Avenue home for Avenue B … specifically 25 Avenue B, according to paperwork at CB3. (The item is set for Oct. 6.)



No. 25 near East Second Street is currently home to Idle Hands. No word on what might become of Idle Hands.

You may find the full agenda here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
The International eyeing move next door to the former South Brooklyn Pizza space

'The Grand Canyon' lives on East 4th Street


[Last September]

Last year at this time, "the Grand Canyon of East Fourth Street" received some attention via NY1.

Residents have been complaining for years about the cracks and uneven sidewalk on East Fourth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C (on the north side, a little closer to C).

Said one resident: "Anybody could fall break their leg or something. It's terrible. That needs to be addressed."

Per NY1 last September:

According to the city's Department of Transportation, it's the property owner's responsibility to fix the sidewalk. It turns out that the sidewalk sits in front of a city housing authority building. After NY1 told that to DOT, inspectors went out to take a look at what needs to be fixed. DOT said it'll start the process to make that happen.

The DOT never actually specified when they would make that happen. A resident notes that the Grand Canyon lives... as these photos from this week show...



Step right up! Don't be shy!



Previously on EV Grieve:
One of these years someone may finally do something about 'the Grand Canyon of E. 4th St.'

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Noted



Well then! EVG reader Riley McCormick spotted this brand-new signage today in the long-tempty corner space on Avenue A and East Fifth Street.

Likely just an alleged wacky ad for the Bartrendr app.

Still, the sign gives you pregnant pause.

Updated

Here's a longer view of the corner... Gestations!



And for added impact — a State Liquor Authority notice...



We'll reach out to the broker for more info on the space... The ads originally stated no bars or restaurants, per the landlord's wishes...

There is also a Facebook page...