Curbed NY: All Posts by EV GrieveLove where you live2012-08-27T15:45:59-04:00https://ny.curbed.com/authors/evgrieve5859651/rss2012-08-27T15:45:59-04:002012-08-27T15:45:59-04:00Counting Down to the End of Mary Help of Christians
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<p><em>People have been saying that "the East Village is dead" since locals spotted the first popped Izod collar on the streets in the early 1980s. In the spirit of that overused expression, East Village-based blogger (and past Curbed contributor) </em><a href="http://evgrieve.com/"><em>EV Grieve</em></a><em> will check in from time to time with a column titled, of course, "This Week in the East Village is dead."</em></p>
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<p> For nearly five years, residents and parishioners have been administering last rites to the <strong>Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church</strong> on East 12th Street near Avenue A. In May 2007, <em>The New York Times</em> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/27/nyregion/thecity/27chur.html">reported</a> that the Roman Catholic church would close as part of a realignment by the Archdiocese of New York.</p>
<p> Meanwhile, rumors of development date to 2008, when <em>The Real Deal</em> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516509&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftherealdeal.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F09%2F09%2Feast-village-playground-in-contract-for-10m%2F&referrer=archive.curbed.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fny.curbed.com%2F2012%2F8%2F27%2F10335398%2Fcounting-down-to-the-end-of-mary-help-of-christians" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">reported</a> that two-thirds of the playground space along Avenue A had been sold in an all-cash deal for $10.4 million. That deal never materialized.</p>
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<p>Some four years later, the Church and adjacent (and vacant) school are still standing. There is one sparsely attended mass in Spanish on Sunday mornings as well as an evening Rosary.</p>
<p> Since July, we've heard from multiple people that an unnamed developer <strong>bought the church and accompanying property</strong>, and it will <a href="http://evgrieve.com/2012/08/residents-say-that-mary-help-of.html">close for good</a> after September 1 to build an <strong>apartment complex</strong>. Church reps have yet to make any official announcements of a sale.</p>
<p> "If Mary Help of Christians Church is demolished, I don't think I will ever be able to go past that property again," Janet Bonica, a parishioner who was born and raised in the East Village, <a href="http://gvshp.org/blog/2012/03/29/memories-of-the-church-of-mary-help-of-christians/">told the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation</a> this past March. "I cannot help but feel that we lost our church because it is sitting on a valuable parcel of real estate."</p>
<p> Aside from the loss of a historic church that opened in 1917, residents are also coming to terms with the continued loss of the community that it represented. The church parking lot has hosted a flea market on and off for several years, a now-near-daily occurrence that attracts a cast of personalities from the East Village of, say, 15 years ago.</p>
<p> "I am already mourning the visual feast and treasure troves of memorabilia, furniture, great vintage, and, of course, visiting my vendor friends in a parking lot filled with characters," said Our Lady of Perpetual PMS, a downtown artist and thrift store connoisseur. "I don't know where else to score both a cheap 1950s slip and a delicious plate of cheap Latin food, in a rare and raw environment where the thought of shopping does not suck nor overwhelm."</p>
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<p> "It isn't commercial, it isn't another bar?it is a place where anyone can enter and interact with people, browse, get ideas and find treasure in someone else's trash," said filmmaker Karen Gehres, a Lower East Side resident since 1984. "It is something real and very alive. What's dire about the closing of the flea market is that it is the last of its kind in our neighborhood."<br>· <a href="http://evgrieve.com/">EV Grieve</a> [evgrieve.com]<br>· <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/tags/this-week-in-the-east-village-is-dead">This Week in the East Village is Dead</a> [Curbed]</p>
https://ny.curbed.com/2012/8/27/10335398/counting-down-to-the-end-of-mary-help-of-christiansEV Grieve2012-07-13T11:20:00-04:002012-07-13T11:20:00-04:00East Village's Mystery Lot Will Soon Be A Lot Less Mysterious
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<p><em>People have been saying that “the East Village is dead” since locals spotted the first popped Izod collar on the streets in the early 1980s. In the spirit of that overused expression, East Village-based blogger (and past Curbed contributor) </em><a href="http://evgrieve.com/"><em>EV Grieve</em></a><em> will check in from time to time with a column titled, of course, "This Week in the East Village is dead."</em></p>
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<p><br> <br>We've been taking our last, nostalgic looks at the <strong>East Village Mystery Lot</strong>, that brick-and-<a href="http://evgrieve.com/2011/04/mystery-lot-is-living-up-to-its-name.html">alien-strewn</a> field of broken dreams (and bottles) that stretches from East 14th to East 13th Streets between Third and Second Avenues. <a href="http://evgrieve.com/2009/07/appreciation-that-empty-lot-on-13th.html">The lot has sat vacant since workers demolished the shell of the</a> <a href="http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1357">old Jefferson Theater</a> in 1999. Once part of the Milstein real estate empire, developer Charles Blaichman paid $33.2 million for the site last fall, bringing an end to the lot’s use for installing rogue art projects and, hopefully, storing dead bodies.<br> <br>A look at DOB records shows that most of the permits are now in order and approved, as of last week, to start construction on an <strong>eight-story, 82-unit project with studios through 3BRs</strong>?specifically 6,409 square feet of residential space and 5,275 square feet of retail space, all designed by <a href="http://www.bksk.com/#/development">BKSK Architects</a>. No word yet on just when the construction commences. (We had one false start already with the arrival of some <a href="http://evgrieve.com/2012/06/mysterious-plywood-arrives-at-mystery.html">mystery plywood</a>. And if anyone has more details on the renderings, please hit us up in the <a href="mailto:tips@curbed.com">Curbed tipline</a>.)</p>
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<p> But the Mystery Lot?a term first coined by Curbed, and later co-opted by at least one East Village blogger?isn’t ready to give up its past just yet. In recent weeks, the East 13th Street side has provided shelter for a group of the annual summer travelers (crusties if you will)?a group numbering as many as 12 last weekend. In addition, people are still keeping to a time-honored tradition of using the space for tossing, say, unwanted office chairs.<br> </p>
<p>Locals have mixed feelings about the impending development. “Are we really mourning vacant lots now? Seems a tad silly,” said one. Another resident figured even a generic apartment building is better than the current situation. "Would that really be worse than a garbage-, rubble-, and dog-crap-filled eyesore?"<br> <br>Vanishing New York blogger Jeremiah Moss <a href="http://evgrieve.com/2012/06/last-days-of-mystery-lot.html">countered</a> that a vacant lot is a more interesting space than another shiny condo box. "The Mystery Lot is so-called because it is mysterious. There is nothing mysterious about a condo with a Subway and a 7-Eleven on the ground floor, and so it's worth mourning," he said. "Also, empty lots allow for a sense of openness, sky and light. Goodbye to that."<br> <br>And goodbye again to the East Village, old friend.<br>· <a href="http://evgrieve.com/">EV Grieve</a> [evgrieve.com]<br>· <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/tags/east-village-mystery-lot">East Village Mystery Lot coverage</a> [Curbed]</p>
https://ny.curbed.com/2012/7/13/10352130/east-villages-mystery-lot-will-soon-be-a-lot-less-mysteriousEV Grieve2011-06-03T18:05:23-04:002011-06-03T18:05:23-04:00The Economakis Mansion's Latest Feature: Branded Plywood!
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<p>In the East Village, renovations continue at the Economakis Mansion at 47 East 3rd Street, the former site of a bitter tenant battle. <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2009/09/04/east_village_tenement_vacated.php">Although it has been nearly two years since the 15-unit tenement emptied out</a> to make way for a jumbo single-family home, the eviction wounds are still fresh. Which is one reason why <strong>EconoWatchers are keeping an eye out for the slightest development</strong>, <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2011/01/05/new_look_for_east_villages_most_controversial_mansion.php">fueling rumors of a private garage along the way</a>. Meanwhile, there is one new item to note: The Economakis-branded plywood. Rather stately, don’t you think? —<a href="http://evgrieve.com"> EV Grieve</a><br>· <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/tags/economakis">Economakis coverage</a> [Curbed]</p>
https://ny.curbed.com/2011/6/3/10463578/the-economakis-mansions-latest-feature-branded-plywoodEV Grieve2011-06-03T16:40:01-04:002011-06-03T16:40:01-04:00The Greenpointing of the East Village Continues on Fifth Street
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<p>There’s a new apartment complex rising on East 5th Street between Avenues A and B. When we last looked at the rendering, a Curbed tipster <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2010/02/23/new_apartment_building_threatens_to_greenpointify_east_village.php">noted</a> that it was reminiscent of the “condos going up in Greenpoint.” Which brings us to today, where we now have a better idea of what 532 East 5th Street will look like. Well, we don’t know about Greenpoint, but the building is <em>green</em>, right down to the promised rooftop gardens. —<a href="http://evgrieve.com"> EV Grieve</a><br>· <a href="http://doortodoorrealty.com/532-east-5th-street/">Official Site: 532 East 5th Street</a> [Door to Door Realty]<br>· <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2010/02/23/new_apartment_building_threatens_to_greenpointify_east_village.php">New Apartment Building Threatens to Greenpointify East Village</a> [Curbed]</p>
https://ny.curbed.com/2011/6/3/10463576/the-greenpointing-of-the-east-village-continues-on-fifth-streetEV Grieve2011-06-03T14:30:53-04:002011-06-03T14:30:53-04:00Straightening Out 2 Fifth’s Bulges Will Cost $30 Million
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<p>Back in August 2009, a small section of the façade at 2 Fifth Avenue <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2009/08/10/it_happened_one_weekend_bulge_reigned_in_at_2_fifth_more.php">appeared to be bulging</a>, though building management said there was never any imminent danger. Management called the “proper authorities” and the sidewalk sheds were erected. Now <a href="http://www.thevillager.com/villager_423/majorfacade.html"><em>The Villager</em></a> brings word that workers will replace the entire brick façade at this residential co-op just north of Washington Square Park starting in August. The vice president of the co-op board puts the prices tag at $30 million, paid for by the co-op’s 320 owners, including former Hizzoner Ed Koch. The project has the blessing of the Community Board 2 Landmarks Committee and now, since the building is in the Greenwich Village Historic District, awaits the Landmarks Preservation Commission's OK on Tuesday.— <a href="http://evgrieve.com">EV Grieve</a> <br>· <a href="http://www.thevillager.com/villager_423/majorfacade.html">Major Facade Fix at 2 Fifth Ave.</a> [The Villager]<br>· <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/tags/2-fifth-avenue">2 Fifth Avenue coverage</a> [Curbed]</p>
https://ny.curbed.com/2011/6/3/10463584/straightening-out-2-fifth-s-bulges-will-cost-30-millionEV Grieve2011-06-03T11:45:37-04:002011-06-03T11:45:37-04:00LES Luxury Rentals Hit the Market After Tenant Buyouts
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<p>Back in February, <a href="http://evgrieve.com/2011/02/lower-east-side-gets-another-high-end.html">Silverstone Property Group announced</a> that it had purchased 157 Suffolk Street, a six-story, 22,398-square-foot building with 33 apartments on the Lower East Side. The remaining longtime residents who didn’t take buyouts were apparently subjected to months of demolition and construction. (One plucky resident even documented the construction delights in a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8LNZLLOxRas">video</a>.) Those tenants not miserable enough to move out now have the pleasure of watching the new neighbors arrive to “The Residences at 157 Suffolk.” The newly refurbished apartments, which recently hit the market, are priced anywhere from $2,695/month for two-bedrooms to $6,000/month for the four-bedroom home, featuring “White Lacquer Cabinetry ? and an impeccable subway tile bath with Rain Shower!” <a href="http://www.citi-habitats.com/viewlisting.php?adID=706707">According to the listing</a>, “you can also enjoy Spring and Summer nights on the Future SKY DECK!!” Given that the remaining residents say they are still paying $1,200 in rent, those rooftop BBQs may be a little awkward. — <a href="http://evgrieve.com">EV Grieve</a><br>· <a href="http://streeteasy.com/nyc/rental/767234-rental-157-suffolk-street-lower-east-side-new-york">157 Suffolk Street</a> [Streeteasy]</p>
https://ny.curbed.com/2011/6/3/10463812/les-luxury-rentals-hit-the-market-after-tenant-buyoutsEV Grieve2011-06-02T18:45:43-04:002011-06-02T18:45:43-04:00Gretsch Dogfight Continues; Gehry's Crane Still Going Down
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<p><em><strong>WILLIAMSBURG?</strong></em>Yesterday's <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2011/06/01/gretsch_to_residents_keep_dogs_away_from_tree_pits_or_else.php">dog-related memo from management</a> at South 'Burg loft building the <strong>Gretsch</strong> has sparked a flurry of e-mails to the Curbed inbox. One resident shares two more pieces of intel: 1) "A disgruntled owner ripped the memo board out of the elevator in disgust" and 2) "A committee is needed to decide if the gates should be repainted glossy black or matte black (and to date no decision has been made)." Gretsch, what's going on over there, friend? [CurbedWire Inbox]</p>
<p> <em><strong>FINANCIAL DISTRICT?</strong></em>It seems as if <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2011/05/27/gehrys_tower_losing_the_crane_55_thompson_almost_full.php">watching the crane inch downward</a> at the New York by Gehry/8 Spruce Street/Beekman Tower is almost as sporting as <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2011/04/22/the_lights_are_on_and_somebodys_home_in_gehryville.php">spying the residential lights go up</a>. A tipster sends along a new photo, noting that the crane seems to be coming down at a rate of two floors per day. Just don’t expect the price of apartments here to fall that much anytime soon. — <a href="http://evgrieve.com">EV Grieve</a></p>
https://ny.curbed.com/2011/6/2/10463818/gretsch-dogfight-continues-gehrys-crane-still-going-downEV Grieve2011-06-02T15:23:26-04:002011-06-02T15:23:26-04:0020 Pine Now Feeling More Playful About Its New Amenities
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<p>The marketing team at <strong>20 Pine</strong> is still working it. Nearly six weeks after <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2011/04/19/20_pine_hopes_buyers_still_like_golf_judgment_against_kent_swig.php">unveiling a new windows-based amenities campaign</a> flaunting its indoor golf simulator and private subway entrance, the 20 Pinesters are now going with a lighthearted approach, perhaps aiming toward the more <em>collegiate</em> of the aspiring Wall Street-dwelling set rather than the high-earning masters of the universe. Cute, but likely not funny to anyone <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2011/02/09/25_million_20_pine_penthouse_is_ready_to_take_a_loss.php">taking a big loss on a penthouse</a>. — <a href="http://evgrieve.com">EV Grieve</a><br>· <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/tags/20-pine">20 Pine coverage</a> [Curbed]</p>
https://ny.curbed.com/2011/6/2/10463814/20-pine-now-feeling-more-playful-about-its-new-amenitiesEV Grieve2011-06-02T12:45:08-04:002011-06-02T12:45:08-04:00Former East Village Burial Society Now a Hole in the Ground
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<p>When we last checked in on 326 and 328 East Fourth Street in November, preservation groups <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/tags/326-east-fourth-street">were fighting a losing battle</a> to landmark the former Uranian Phalanstery and First New York Gnostic Lyceum Temple, an artists’ collective and burial society. The Landmarks Preservation Commission said the buildings <strong>didn’t merit landmarking status</strong>, giving developer Terrence Lowenberg and penthouse-making architect Ramy Issac the green light to add two stories to the top here between Avenue C and D. The 170-year-old buildings have been undergoing a gut renovation in recent months. We caught a glimpse behind the plywood, and didn’t see much of the guts left. Ashes to ashes? — <a href="http://evgrieve.com">EV Grieve</a><br>· <a href="http://ny.curbed.com/tags/326-east-fourth-street">326 East Fourth Street coverage</a></p>
https://ny.curbed.com/2011/6/2/10463820/former-east-village-burial-society-now-a-hole-in-the-groundEV Grieve2009-08-14T15:16:19-04:002009-08-14T15:16:19-04:00Another Hotel is Coming to FiDi! For Some Reason!
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<p>Down in the FiDi, it appears work permits have been <a href="http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/WorkPermitDataServlet?allisn=0001991634&allisn2=0000499543&allbin=1001105&requestid=2">renewed</a> at 24 and 26 John Street, a site that's seen little activity in recent months. According to the Dept. of Buildings, the current seven-floor structure is getting an additional 14 floors for a <strong>hotel</strong>. If all goes as planned, the still-unnamed hotel will join The Hotel Reserve, which opened in December around the corner, and Gild Hall in a neighborhood that may not <em>really</em> need another option. By the way, the architect is the busy Queens-based <a href="http://www.caliendoarchitects.com/showgallery.php?catid=4">Gerald J. Caliendo.</a> As the <em>Observer</em> <a href="http://www.observer.com/2008/real-estate/move-over-howard-roark">noted</a> last summer, "Over the past 6 1/2 years, Gerald Caliendo ... <strong>had 1,604 individual new residential buildings permitted by the Department of Buildings</strong>, more than any other architect in the city."<br>· <a href="http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/WorkPermitDataServlet?allisn=0001991634&allisn2=0000499543&allbin=1001105&requestid=2">Building Permit: 24-26 John Street</a> [DOB] </p>
https://ny.curbed.com/2009/8/14/10535102/another-hotel-is-coming-to-fidi-for-some-reasonEV Grieve