East Village

Manhattan residents may be pleasantly surprised or significantly perturbed when a horde of red-and-white-clad SantaCon 2022 participants flood the streets of Midtown, Murray Hill, and the East Village this Saturday. The annual cosplay event draws thousands of festively-dressed participants into the borough for a day of drunken shenanigans all in the name of charity. The pub crawl is a blast for all of those involved, and not so fun for residents of the neighborhoods and people who need to travel through these areas. Ahead are a few suggestions for those looking to avoid the action during this year's SantaCon.
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Events & Things To Do

NYC clears water for drinking at the Jacob Riis Houses after false alarm over arsenic results

Photo courtesy of edenpictures on Flickr

September 12, 2022

NYC clears water for drinking at the Jacob Riis Houses after false alarm over arsenic results

Positive test results showing dangerous levels of arsenic in an East Village public housing complex were false. Environmental Monitoring and Technologies Inc., the testing firm that originally reported unsafe levels of arsenic at the Jacob Riis Houses, said there had been "trace levels" of arsenic introduced into the original testing samples analyzed on August 26, resulting in a false positive test, as Gothamist reported. The city on Saturday announced the tap water was cleared for drinking following new tests of the original water sample.
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Affordable Housing

Investigation underway after arsenic is found in water at East Village public housing complex

Image courtesy of edenpictures on Flickr

September 6, 2022

Investigation underway after arsenic is found in water at East Village public housing complex

Residents of the Jacob Riis Houses in the East Village may have been exposed to water with dangerous levels of arsenic for more than a week without being notified by the city's public housing authority (NYCHA) until last Friday, as first reported by the non-profit news site, The City. While recent tests indicate there are no longer high levels of arsenic in the water, the public housing complex's roughly 2,600 residents still lack clean water. The federal monitor overseeing NYCHA opened an investigation this past weekend into the agency's actions surrounding the test results.
Details here

Affordable Housing

Photo credit: MW Studio for The Corcoran Group

May 31, 2022

Manhattan’s oldest home, a 1795 East Village house built by the Stuyvesant family, asks $8.9M

Old house lovers will want to note this sale: Manhattan's oldest home, built in 1795 for Nicholas Stuyvesant, a great great grandson of city founder Peter Stuyvesant, is on the market for $8,900,000. The East Village townhouse at 44 Stuyvesant Street in the St. Marks Place Historic District has retained most of its original layout, according to Mansion Global. The 5,500-square-foot, 24-foot-wide home is the oldest building in Manhattan that has been used continuously as a single-family dwelling.
Discover the secrets of this historic East Village gem

The Loisaida Festival returns to the Lower East Side after two-year Covid hiatus

All images courtesy of Loisaida Inc.

May 16, 2022

The Loisaida Festival returns to the Lower East Side after two-year Covid hiatus

After two years of virtual celebrations, the annual parade honoring the Lower East Side's Puerto Rican and Caribbean community will take place in person. Hosted by the Loisaida Center in partnership with the Acacia Network, the Loisaida Festival is returning for its 35th year this Memorial Day Weekend. The event will kick off on Sunday, May 29 at 11:30 a.m. with a parade showcasing organizations, community figures, artists, and performers before moving north up to the main stage on 12th Street. The festival will be held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Avenue C between 5th and 12th Streets.
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Events & Things To Do

Alexander Skarsgård lists his top-floor East Village co-op for $2.6M

All photos courtesy of Yale Wagner

May 9, 2022

Alexander Skarsgård lists his top-floor East Village co-op for $2.6M

Actor Alexander Skarsgård has just listed his top-floor townhouse co-op at 119 East 10th Street for $2,599,000, roughly $300,000 more than he paid in 2017 for the East Village apartment, which once belonged to actress Parker Posey (Chloe Sevigny also lived in the same building before heading to Brooklyn in 2013). The Emmy-nominated star of “Big Little Lies” and “True Blood" oversaw a thorough renovation of the loft-like one-bedroom home, giving its pre-war details and wood-beamed ceilings a careful upgrade, a renovated kitchen, and more (h/t Architectural Digest).
Tour the new, improved version of this top floor co-op, this way

New mural in the East Village honors history of Ukraine

All photos courtesy of Mike Krautter

March 28, 2022

New mural in the East Village honors history of Ukraine

A new public art installation was unveiled in the East Village this weekend that aims to show solidarity with Ukraine and its people. Created by New York-based Ukrainian artist Misha Tyutyunik, "Ukraine: A History in Solidarity" depicts a famous monument inspired by the story behind the naming of Ukraine's capital city of Kyiv. A gift from Citizens Bank, the artwork was designed with help from Kyiv residents during Tyutyunik’s time in Ukraine in 2019 and painted on Saturday with help from the public.
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Events & Things To Do

$3.5M parlor-level condo in this 120-year-old East Village townhouse aptly mixes new and old

All photos courtesy of Melanie Greene for The Corcoran Group

March 22, 2022

$3.5M parlor-level condo in this 120-year-old East Village townhouse aptly mixes new and old

A condo that maintains original elements but manages to look brand new is not an easy task, but this two-bedroom home in the East Village does just that. Located on the parlor floor of a Greek Revival townhouse that was built in 1900, the apartment boasts original details like crown moldings, baseboards, and medallions, while keeping things modern with top-of-the-line appliances, heating and cooling systems, and stunning built-ins. The condo at 219 East 12th Street is now available for $3,495,000.
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Distinctive Homes

East Village duplex with a dreamy garden and balcony asks $3.5M

All photos by Rise Media

December 21, 2021

East Village duplex with a dreamy garden and balcony asks $3.5M

For many homebuyers in New York City, outdoor space is a must-have amenity. While most will settle for any slice of green space or sliver of a balcony, this available East Village duplex offers both. The two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath condo at 62 East 1st Street offers a dreamy 1,000-square-foot backyard garden and patio, with a spacious balcony above it. The home is now on the market for $3,488,000.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

The 30+ best neighborhood shops in NYC for finding the perfect gift

Photo credits clockwise from top left: Park Deli; Frankie Marin/Verameat; Quality Goods; Michele Varian

December 10, 2021

The 30+ best neighborhood shops in NYC for finding the perfect gift

We've been shopping online for what seems like forever, and there's not a thing wrong with it–except when we crave that amazing experience of finding just the right thing and getting to take it with us now. While brick-and-mortar shops aren't going away anytime soon, we appreciate the good ones that much more. If you're lucky enough to live in New York City–where shopping is high art–some of the best shops on the planet could be just around the corner from where you live. You're sure to find something fabulous for everyone on your list among the local addresses below.
Amazing local NYC shops, this way

Events & Things To Do

Photo by Jim Henderson via Wikimedia Commons

December 7, 2021

How to steer clear of NYC SantaCon 2021

The idea behind the annual cosplay event is solid: A "charitable, non-political, nonsensical Santa Claus convention that happens once a year to spread absurdist joy." With booze, of course. But after entering the mainstream and picking up steam for a full 25 years (the event took a year off in 2020, because, you know), the annual pub crawl seems better suited to a 1980s frat house than the streets of NYC. And we're pretty sure there are better ways to spend a day of drunken debauchery than yelling across Midtown bars over a horde of sloshed Santa clones. This year's SantaCon details are here, so you can figure out where not to bring a first date on Saturday, December 11. A few more suggestions, ahead.
Ho, ho, no

Events & Things To Do

36 mixed-income apartments available in the East Village, from $857/month

Rendering courtesy of NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

October 19, 2021

36 mixed-income apartments available in the East Village, from $857/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 36 apartments at a new East Village rental. Located at 302 East 2nd Street, the 14-story building, called "East Village Homes," was developed by Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE), a nonprofit that serves low-income immigrant communities across the city. New Yorkers earning 50, 80, and 140 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, which range from $857/month one-bedrooms to $2,774/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Listing photos by MW Studio for The Corcoran Group

September 28, 2021

$7.95M penthouse overlooking St. Marks Church has a Spanish Mission feel atop the East Village

This penthouse in the East Village is stunningly gorgeous, there's no arguing that. But the exact style is so unique it's hard to pinpoint. The current owner, interior designer Alfredo Paredes (a 33-year veteran of Ralph Lauren Corp.) describes his oasis as "bohemian, yet industrial," though we're also getting major Spanish Mission/Santa Barbara vibes. Located at 235 East 11th Street, the two-bedroom duplex has treetop views of St. Mark's Church in the Bowery across the street, as well as a 960-square-foot terrace from which to enjoy them.
Take the tour

Distinctive Homes

This $1.57M East Village loft has original tin ceilings and Tompkins Square Park views

Listing photos by Russ Ross for the Shii Ann Huang Team at Compass

September 27, 2021

This $1.57M East Village loft has original tin ceilings and Tompkins Square Park views

There's so much about this full-floor loft that feels like the old-school East Village, starting with the treetop views of Tompkins Square Park. The three-bed, two-bath co-op at 313 East 10th Street was redesigned by architecture firm AvroKo, who preserved much of the pre-war charm including tin ceilings, reclaimed wide plank oak floors, exposed brick, and two decorative mantels. They also added modern conveniences like handsome, floor-to-ceiling closets and contemporary shelving units. At 1,400 square feet, it's asking $1,575,000.
Look around

Distinctive Homes

September 24, 2021

MTA unveils colorful new subway mosaics at Bedford and 1st Avenue L train stations

This week, the MTA unveiled two new mosaic series at the 1st Avenue and Bedford Avenue L train stations. In the East Village, artist Katherine Bradford created Queens of the Night, a fanciful tribute to the creatives and essential workers (depicted as superheroes) who ride the L train. And in Williamsburg, artist Marcel Dzama created No Less Than Everything Comes Together, a collection of theatric fairytale-like figures under the sun and moon.
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$1.9M Alphabet City triplex has a solarium, roof deck, and cool church views

Listing photos by Hayley Ellen Day for DD Reps

September 8, 2021

$1.9M Alphabet City triplex has a solarium, roof deck, and cool church views

This penthouse at 50 Avenue A is just under $2 million, and it has a lot going for it for that price. To start, the two-bedroom layout is split among three floors, which includes a living room terrace, a solarium, and a roof deck overlooking the low-scale neighborhood. The interiors are the perfect mix of modern finishes and artsy touches, all with cool views of the historic Church of the Most Holy Redeemer around the corner.
Have a look

Distinctive Homes

Artist William Wegman’s former East Village artist’s loft is for sale for $2.75M, original mosaic included

Listing photos by Yale Wagner for Sotheby’s International Realty

August 31, 2021

Artist William Wegman’s former East Village artist’s loft is for sale for $2.75M, original mosaic included

Artist William Wegman is best known for his fantastical photos of his Weimaraner dogs, which were even turned into a series of murals at the 23rd Street F, M subway station. Early in his career, he bought the East Village building at 431 East 6th Street, a former synagogue, turning it into his studio and residence. In 1996, he sold it to poet Paola Igliori, and other owners over the years have included artist Jack Sal, curator Cay Sophie Rabinowitz, and documentary filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Now, the very unique space is looking for a new artist-in-residence. The main-floor duplex is being sold for $2,749,000 or along with the street-level art gallery for $5,495,000.
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Distinctive Homes

East Village home and art studio of late abstract painter Jay Rosenblum hits the market for $4M

Listing photos by Yoo Jean Han for Sotheby’s International Realty

August 24, 2021

East Village home and art studio of late abstract painter Jay Rosenblum hits the market for $4M

Abstract expressionist artist Jay Rosenblum moved into this East Village townhouse at 502 East 11th Street 50 years ago, setting up his studio in the skylit space on the top floor. Though he passed away in 1989 at age 55 from a bike accident (his wife Muriel passed away in September), the home is owned by his daughters, Julia Crane and Maria Rosenblum, according to Mansion Global. Now, for the first time in five decades, they've put the home, which they call "Bohemian rhapsody" for its 1960s/70s vibes, on the market for $3,995,000. Built in 1836, the 4,000-square-foot townhouse is the oldest on the block and is configured as four apartments.
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A three-level garden and a bonus room make this East Village co-op worth the $1.9M ask

Listing photos by Russ Ross Photography

August 6, 2021

A three-level garden and a bonus room make this East Village co-op worth the $1.9M ask

This East Village co-op is technically a one-bedroom, which may make the $1,895,000 ask seem a bit high. But the 1,200-square-foot spread has two floors, a bonus media room, and a nearly 550-square-foot tri-level terrace that feels like a true urban oasis. Located at 425 East 9th Street, the home has contemporary interiors with exposed brick accents and excellent closet space.
Go inside

Distinctive Homes

Wegmans will open in the old Astor Place Kmart location in 2023

Photo of 770 Broadway (cropped) via Wikimedia Commons

July 29, 2021

Wegmans will open in the old Astor Place Kmart location in 2023

Earlier this month, the Kmart on Astor Place, a strangely beloved neighborhood fixture, closed abruptly after 25 years. The store at 770 Broadway was one of only two locations in Manhattan; the Penn Station outpost closed in early 2020. Now, landlord Vornado Realty Trust has announced that they will bring in Wegmans grocery store as the new tenant, scheduled to open in the second half of 2023.
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Uncategorized

This $7.85M East Village penthouse has a 40-foot glass atrium and Tuscan-inspired terrace

All photos courtesy of Luciane Serifovic

June 23, 2021

This $7.85M East Village penthouse has a 40-foot glass atrium and Tuscan-inspired terrace

A one-of-a-kind penthouse in the East Village has returned to the market asking nearly $5 million less than when it listed in 2018. Custom designed by former HBO CEO Michael Fuchs as a "house in the sky," the apartment at 130 East 12th Street measures over 6,500 square feet across three floors, with extra square footage found in the form of two outdoor spaces. It's currently asking $7,850,000.
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Distinctive Homes

The two-level terrace is a private getaway at this $2.1M Greenwich Village co-op

Listing photos by Krisztina Crane from Evan Joseph

May 27, 2021

The two-level terrace is a private getaway at this $2.1M Greenwich Village co-op

The secluded, bi-level roof terrace at this two-bedroom Greenwich Village co-op is truly magical. Located at 49 East 12th Street, between University and Broadway, the seventh-floor outdoor space overlooks the low-scale neighborhood while still providing views of the larger skyline. The split-level interior is just as cozy, with a wood-burning fireplace, exposed brick walls, and a solarium bedroom. It's asking $2,095,000.
See inside, too

Distinctive Homes

The 34th annual Loisaida Festival makes a (virtual) return to the Lower East Side this month

Photo of a previous year’s Festival by Melvin Audaz

May 12, 2021

The 34th annual Loisaida Festival makes a (virtual) return to the Lower East Side this month

In 1987, Avenue C was renamed Loisaida Avenue, "a Spanglish name for the Lower East Side, connoting the Puerto Rican and Latinx community which have had a significant presence there since the mid-20th century," explained Village Preservation executive director Andrew Berman. That same year on the Sunday before Memorial Day, the vibrant community hosted the first Loisaida Festival to celebrate their neighborhood's culture. Thirty-four years later, and the Festival is still going strong. For the second year, the event will be virtual on two Sundays--May 23 and 30--featuring an exciting roster of musicians, performers, and family-friendly entertainment.
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Events & Things To Do

Transformative East Village drag nightclub Pyramid Club closes for good

Photo by Americasroof via Wikimedia Commons

April 2, 2021

Transformative East Village drag nightclub Pyramid Club closes for good

After 42 years, the East Village's legendary Pyramid Club has closed permanently, as was first reported by EV Grieve. The club at 101 Avenue A is "credited with creating the East Village drag and gay scenes of the 1980s, launching a new politically-conscious form of drag performance art in the early 1980s," according to Andrew Berman of Village Preservation, and is the place where celebrated performers such as Lady Bunny and RuPaul got their start. The Pyramid Club has remained closed since the pandemic began, as nightclubs were never permitted to reopen until now, but the burden of the past year made the owners decide to shut down for good.
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City Living

Big Gay Ice Cream’s first location in the East Village will not reopen

Photo by City Foodsters on Flickr

January 21, 2021

Big Gay Ice Cream’s first location in the East Village will not reopen

Big Gay Ice Cream's first brick-and-mortar location has permanently closed, as EV Grieve reported on Thursday. The East Village store at 125 East 7th Street opened its doors in 2011 after operating as an ice cream truck for two years. According to the neighborhood blog, the store has been closed since Gov. Andrew Cuomo's coronavirus pandemic "pause" order in March and now a for-rent sign hangs in the window.
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Food & Dining

Listing photos courtesy of Brown Harris Stevens

January 8, 2021

Model Erin Wasson puts her fashionable Alphabet City loft on the market for $2.65M