2024 development watch: 280 E. Houston St.

The corridor along the westbound lane of Houston Street between Avenue A and Avenue B is a full-on construction zone as work continues to pick up at the 12-story residential in the foundation stages. 

Here's some of the background about the all-new 280 E. Houston St.:

In the fall of 2021, workers demolished the one-level strip of storefronts here (Dunkin'/Baskin-Robbins, Subway, China Town restaurant, etc.) adjacent to the 13-floor residential building formerly known as Red Square. 

In October 2022, as The Real Deal first reported, landlord Samy Mahfar and investors picked up the property from members of the Hirsch family for $36.8 million. Per TRD's report, "the Hirsch family obtained demolition permits and did enough foundation work to qualify the site for the 421a property tax abatement before it expired in June [2022]."

The site was originally going to yield a 6-story building. 

The new development will contain 224,809 square feet of space — for residential, commercial and community use. The residential portion will total 211,028 square feet for 157 apartments, per DOB records. The commercial section will feature 12,000 square feet while the community facility is 1,300 square feet.

We've heard from a few unhappy residents whose apartments on Second Street face the pit with the echo-y surround-sound noise.

The photo below is from July...

Stacie Joy took the below photo last October from 6 Avenue B...

The rendering lists a December 2024 completion date.

Friday's opening shot

New this week outside the Second Avenue F stop... MM by WizardSkull. 

Oh Mickey, you're so fine...

Thursday's parting shot

Wrapping up Christmas at Phebe's on Fourth Street and the Bowery... thanks to EVG reader Sarah for the photo today...

Today in parking feats on 7th Street

Photo by Derek Berg

Development watch: 50-64 3rd Ave. (and TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen is still open)

Demoliton prep continues on the west side of Third Avenue between 10th Street and 11th Street, where six buildings will come down in the months ahead. 

As we first reported, a residential complex is expected to rise along this parcel — 50-64 Third Ave. (See the rendering here.) 

Per previous reports, Kinsmen Property Group — a joint venture between State Building Group and another Toronto company, Madison Group — bought the walk-up buildings over the past three years, paying more than $60 million for the parcel. 

Only one building will remain on the block after the demolition — 48 Third Ave., the 5-story property owned by Isfahany Realty Corp. on the northwest corner at 10th Street with Healthy Greens Gourmet in the retail space. 

On Tuesday, workers were spotted removing the fire escape from the corner building at 11th Street, where Ainsworth was the last retail tenant in the space ...  (thanks to Jacob Ford for these two shots)... 

Meanwhile, plywood now covers the other vacant storefronts and entrances on the block...  

... except for TLK by Tigerlily Kitchen at No. 58... which, despite the appearance of its neighbors, remains in business...

A TLK rep told us that they are open and serving as usual. At this point, the rep said it is not clear how long they will be able to do so.

However, they are participating in the winter Restaurant Week (Jan. 16 – Feb. 4) with a special dinner prix fixe.

Hospitality veteran Michelle Morgan opened the restaurant featuring a healthy, Hong Kong-inspired menu in late 2021.

P.S.

Kotobuki closed in the fall at 56 Third Ave. ... the restaurant is still offering deliveries in the area and plans to open in a new space in the East Village. More here.  

Jen the bookseller closes the book on her Avenue A vending days

Photo from February 2020 by Steven 

After nearly a 9-year presence during warmer-weather months on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place, Jen the bookseller has announced that she is starting a new chapter in her life and will no longer be street vending here. 

She made the announcement yesterday on Instagram: 

I deeply loved and appreciated every conversation i had, every exchange of ideas, all the books that we shared, and the friendships and the projects that were born of Vortexity Books. i am forever grateful for all the spontaneous laughter, the tears, the love, the chaos, the rage, and the honesty that the streets revealed. We went through ALOT together ... if you ever stopped by the table — know that i loved you and that this community forever changed how i view the world, and has reconfirmed my belief in the power of books and their ability to unite people. 

And... 

Long live all of you who made this project exist by being with me on the street ... and in spirit around the world and who read and believe in books as much as i do. i hope to see you all again and work with you on other projects... 

Thanks to Jen for all the quality books at reasonable prices through the years... her arrival each year always marked the beginning of spring and warmer days ahead.

Le Dive owners looking to take over the Boiler Room space on 4th Street

File photo by Stacie Joy

Restaurateur Jon Neidich, under his Golden Age Hospitality brand that includes the scene-y Le Dive on Canal, is applying for a new liquor license for 86 E. Fourth St. just east of Second Avenue — and the current home of longtime dive the Boiler Room.

On Monday evening, the Golden Age Hospitality reps will appear before CB3's SLA committee.

As for the unnamed new concept for No. 86, there will be food service with various sandwiches (turkey club, BLT, croque monsieur, etc.) and cocktails, according to the sample menu on the questionnaire here. The configuration shows 21 tables for 42 guests (with plans to use the unenclosed roadway space from 5-10 p.m.) The proposed hours are daily from 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.

After a two-plus-year court battle over pandemic-related back rent payments, the Boiler Room announced last summer that it was leaving its home of 34 years ... ownership will be moving to 45 Second Ave. between Second Street and Third Street (previously home to the Moroccan specialty shop Timbuktu) later this year.

Monday's meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Find the Zoom link here. This is a hybrid meeting, and there is limited seating available for the public — the first 15 people who show up at the Community Board 3 Office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.  

Yuca Bar closed for renovations on 7th and A

Photos by Steven

Yuca Bar is now closed for renovations on the NW corner of Seventh Street and Avenue A ... door signage points to a Jan. 25 reopening date for the restaurant offering Latin cuisine and weekend brunches ...

Wednesday's parting shot

The remains of the Kate's Joint flag above Avenue B at Fourth Street... the vegetarian restaurant closed here in April 2012 after 16 years in service.

The space has been home to the Half Gallery since early 2020.

A look back at today's sunrise — the best so far in 2024

Several readers mentioned today's spectacular sunrise... and thanks to Mike Dugan for this view from 14th Street and Avenue B...

Longtime East Village sewing shop Gizmo will be relocating in early 2024

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Updated 2/26: Unfortunately, the deal for a new Gizmo space fell through, and Rosa and Hossein are searching again for a new space. Details here.

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After 32 years in business on First Avenue, Gizmo will relocate at the end of February. 

Owner Hossein Amid (below) said that his rent has increased at 160 First Ave. between Ninth Street and 10th Street to a point where he can no longer afford it.

Amid is considering two smaller spaces, either on 10th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue or 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

"Staying on the Avenue is too expensive," he said. "We are downsizing, a smaller store, but still in the neighborhood." 

Meanwhile, there are some sales at the shop packed with fabrics, notions and thread. They also offer sewing machine repair services.

Gizmo is usually open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on Sundays. Phone: (212) 477-2773.

2024 development watch: 42-46 2nd Ave.

Our look at potential 2024 development now focuses on the empty lot along the east side of Second Avenue between Second Street and Third Street, the site of an abandoned development project.

The parcel hit the sales market in October... Avison Young has the listing for the lot — billed as a "redevelopment property" for "multifamily development." 

As previously reported (first here), there were approved work permits for an 11-floor mixed-use building on the site of a former three-building parcel.

Gemini Rosemont Development was behind this 100,568-square-foot new building ... the development, using 42 E. Second St. for its address, included 88 residential units and 9,600 square feet for retail.

However, those plans are obviously officially dead as the city moved to revoke the permits thanks to the tenacious efforts of Robert Proto, the landlord of 50 Second Ave. The Real Deal highlighted his role in this article.

In 2020, Gemini Rosemont spent more than $50 million to assemble the development ... buying the former La Salle annex at 38 Second Ave. and Second Street. The $14.5 million purchase of the four-story building was the third of three contiguous plots they acquired. The Los Angeles-based commercial real estate investment company closed on 42-44 Second Ave. and 46-48 Second Ave. (the former Church of the Nativity) in March 2020 for $40 million. 

While it's unlikely we'll see any construction commence on the site this year, we'll likely find out the new owner and their plans.

2024 development watch: 33-37 1st Ave.

As we start the new year, we'll look at a few of the developments that will likely take shape in 2024.

We begin with 33-37 First Ave., a vacant three-building assemblage between Second Street and Third Street.

Demolition permits are already on file. While some asbestos abatement occurred over the summer, we haven't seen much other activity. 

So far, no sign of any new building permits — or renderings to provide a clue as to the development in the works. Public records list R.M.H. Estates as the landlord of both properties.

New Double Dragon, the last business in these buildings, closed in July. Perhaps in 2024, owner Shawn Lin will open another quick-serve Chinese restaurant in a new location. At least we know where that great New Double Dragon signage is.

Glizzy's has left St. Mark's Place

Photos by Steven 

After a Nov. 1 opening, Glizzy's has already vacated 34 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue. 

Workers were spotted removing contents from the space last week. We're told that Glizzy's will reopen in Soho.

In an Instagram message, the Glizzy's team cited "partner and landlord" issues behind the EV vacate. 

The brand started in Williamsburg in 2022, billing itself as "Brooklyn's best hot dogs." (That Metropolitan Avenue outpost recently closed.)

Meanwhile, Crif Dogs remains the top dog on St. Mark's Place.

Closings: Milk Burger on Houston

Photos by Stacie Joy 

A year-end closure to note: The Milk Burger outpost has shut down at 321 E. Houston St. between Attorney and Ridge... no official word on what was behind this closure... 

The burger joint arrived in July 2022, and the Bronx outpost of the brand launched in 2011 remains in service.

El Maguey y La Tuna closed here in 2018 after the landlord reportedly doubled the rent.

Patis Bakery bringing the bread to Broadway

ICYMI: Patis Bakery is opening a café on the SE corner of 12th Street and Broadway (the Bean was here a few years ago before moving down Broadway to a larger space).

The bakery-café chainlet sells pastries, sandwiches, soups, salads, etc., at 15-plus locations in and around the NYC metropolitan area... this outpost might make for a decent post-Strand-splurge spot. (The bookstore is right across the street.)

Monday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Seventh Street and First Avenue this morning... Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

2024 marks the 50th year in business for Ray's Candy Store

2024 photo by Peter Brownscombe 

At Ray's Candy Store, 2024 started with an anniversary as the shop officially turned 50. 

Ray Alvarez reportedly bought the shop at 113 Avenue A near Seventh Street in 1974 for $30,000. 

Also, this month, Ray celebrates his 91st birthday. (The day seems to be celebrated both on Jan. 1 and Jan. 25!)

So a happy anniversary and birthday to Ray!

Spin city

Photos by William Klayer

From this morning on Avenue A between Fifth Street and Seventh Street at the start of the annual "Isle of Manhattan: One Lap 'Round the Island" event...

P.S. They meet back here afterward too.

About those New Year's Eve fireworks

We received several queries about the fireworks display that commenced last night around 8... taking some people by surprise (and traumatizing their dogs). 

Given the noise, a few residents thought the brief (5-to-7-minute?) Macy's-grade show originated somewhere in this neighborhood. 

It was, though, coming from Williamsburg and not one of the more-publicized fireworks events. This is via the city's 311 site on the list of legal fireworks displays that the FDNY issued permits for: 

• Sunday, December 31 at 8 PM 
• Williamsburg Bridge 
• Sponsor: Kool Hunter LLC, DBA Heads in the Sky 

Here's part of the grand finale ...