Bowery's 'Bohemian Dream House' Gets Gentrified, Literally

#190bowery wrapped in @gilfnyc Gentrification in Progress tape this morning - #gilf #gilfnyc #gentrificationinprogress ------------------------------------------- #outdoorartnyc #outdoorart #publicart #publicartnyc #streetart #streetartist #streetartnyc #streetartistry #streetarteverywhere #streetartphotography #graffiti #graffitiporn ##graffitiart #graffitti #graffitinyc #graffnyc #nycgraff #dsb_graff #rsa_graffiti #tv_streetart #nycstreetart #dopeshotbro

A photo posted by ArtOnTheRun (@j2mz) on May 26, 2015 at 5:27am PDT

As if the transformation of photographer Jay Maisel's mysterious, run-down megamansion at the corner of Bowery and Spring into fancy (albeit still graffiti-covered) office space weren't an obvious enough sign of gentrification, street artist Gilf spelled it out for us. Per Animal NY and Bowery Boogie, she sheathed the entrance of the corner building in yellow caution tape emblazoned with the words "GENTRIFICATION IN PROGRESS." It might not be the best new public art to see around the city this summer—especially given that it's taken down, but it's sure making a statement expressed by many people over the course of 190 Bowery's sale and subsequent planned conversion to offices.

I'm so over this shit, though he didn't seem to mind so much. #Gentrificationinprogress #jaymaiselbuilding #gilfnyc

A photo posted by gilf! (@gilfnyc) on May 26, 2015 at 12:00am PDT

While the upper-floor tenants (and the Landmarks Preservation Commission) don't mind the graffiti, which has become a symbol of the house and the neighborhood, the ground-floor tenant gets the final say. "While there's a gallery there at the moment, it will likely be a boring global chain," Gilf told Animal. "I'm just so sad to watch NYC unravel into a culturally threadbare mall."

The art show currently on view there is one way to see inside notoriously secretive 190 Bowery. Even though the much-vaunted opening night fete was privatized at the last minute, enraging crowds that had gathered to sneak a peek, social media reveals that it's now easier to see First Show/Last Show. (It closes next week.) Find some photos of the show below—including one awesome couple who got engaged inside.

Joe Bradley @ FIRST SHOW / LAST SHOW (@ 190 Bowery in New York, NY) https://t.co/3B182YizMe pic.twitter.com/AdPLYOugQJ

— jessica h. (@tuckerbaileyco) May 21, 2015

First show, last show at 190 Bowery. #thespacebetween #190bowery #julianschnabel #instasham #art #nycarts

A photo posted by Alex Mitow (@alexmitow4real) on May 21, 2015 at 10:01am PDT

Lucky to get a glimpse inside of the spectacular old Germania Bank building at 190 Bowery, which was open to the public for the first time in 50 years. #firstshowlastshow #schnabel #dancolen

A photo posted by Hoffman Creative (@hoffmancreative) on May 20, 2015 at 7:04am PDT

Congratulations to the future Mr. and Mrs. Rodrigues! True love at 190 Bowery #firstshowlastshow #ulysses #rongorchov #190bowery

A video posted by jen_caryn (@jen_caryn) on May 21, 2015 at 10:10am PDT

· Gilf [official]
· Street Artist Gilf Wraps 190 Bowery in Gentrification [Animal]
· Street Artist GILF Notes the "Gentrification in Progress" at 190 Bowery [BB]
· 190 Bowery Reneges on Public Opening, Angering Public [Curbed]
· 190 Bowery's Fancy Reno Won't Erase Beloved Gritty Graffiti [Curbed]
· 190 Bowery's 'Prime Retail Corner' Is Officially For Lease [Curbed]
· An Illicit Wander Inside The Bowery's Mysterious Mansion [Curbed]
· All 190 Bowery coverage [Curbed]