Manhattan: Chelsea & Meatpacking District Archives

Rumblings and Bumblings: Sixth Ave. Scores Another Rental

Oops, forgot this yesterday: a solitary answer to Tuesday's Rumblings and Bumblings questions. Your own questions concerning development around town to tips@curbed.com.

1) Chelsea: Regarding the succulent strip of Sixth Avenue between 29th and 30th Streets (right), the top of Chelsea is indeed getting another giant rental tower to compliment the oh, 22 other rental towers a bit further south. Says a commenter (who also helpfully detailed the history of the block), "The building is going to be a rental (maybe with a little bit of hotel in there if the additional air rights assembled are commercial, which is most likely looking at the topography of the neighb) One thing i am sure about—it wont be a condo, but with the stratus just 6 blocks down having sold 60% of its units pre construction, i believe that the market could handle another condo." Renderings, anyone?
· Rumblings and Bumblings: East Chelsea Razing [Curbed]

On the Racked: Live from the Barneys Warehouse Sale

And now, the latest from Racked, covering shopping and retail from the sidewalks up.

[The scene this morning, pre-frenzy, on West 17th Street]

1) Chelsea: The annual shitshow that is the opening morning of the Barneys Warehouse Sale finds Racked on the scene and brawling for bargains. Excerpt from the front lines: "The selection this year was pretty choice—in the women's department, we spotted Vena Cava and Diane von Furstenberg dresses, Daryl K jackets, Balenciaga sweaters and plenty of Marc Jacobs, among other labels—most of the clothing was only moderately marked down." Click on through for additional analysis and photos from inside.

2) West 30's: Meantime, up at the Manhattan Mall, Amanda Bynes turned out in the (well tanned) flesh to hype the launch of her clothing line at Steve & Barry's. As did her many fans. Just when you think Herald Square couldn't get more repellent.

3) Midtown East: The exterior of Nat Sherman's new store has just been revealed: "a copper-plated mansard roof. Pretty snazzy."

Development Update-o-Rama: Trump Soho, William Beaver, More!

1) Trump Soho: Breaking news: Donald Trump is thrilled with how things are going at a Donald Trump development. "The sales office is just opening, and already we have 2,800 applications for 500 units," he tells Braden Keil. Other reveals: prices are $2,600 or so per square foot; "suites" on the top floors will be as big as 7,000 square feet. Keil says that means prices might be as high as $18.9 million, but we'll wager Trump will charge twice that just for the hell of it. [NYPost]

2) William Beaver House: A Curbed reader emails, "I work on Wall Street (the actual street) and walked past William Beaver House after another ridiculous day in the market. I wonder, what should the odds be on William Beaver eventually terminating buyer contracts and becoming a high-end rental? This was only ever going to be a young-person's development, and now with mortgages being more difficult to attain, and after the recent change of marketing firm, will they have enough buyers to go through with the project as a condo? I was never sure why anyone would buy here to begin with—rentals would be available even if it were condo as foreign buyers would rent out to young guys and gals working locally, and the rental math would have to work out better given the ridiculous selling prices, the two way transfer taxes, and the brokerage fees. Personally I say the odds are pretty high."

3) West Village/Chelsea: A few fresh details on developer Cary Tamarkin's new buildings. At 397 West 12th, the 10-story building's five units will be priced between $5.5 million and $14 million; at 456 West 19th, prices will run $1,500 to $2,800 a square foot. [NYSun]

Rumblings & Bumblings: New School Update, East Chelsea Razing, and Praying for Something Big in Gramurray

If it's Tuesday, and there's development, there'll be Rumblings & Bumblings. If you've got an answer to one of the reader queries below, leave a note in the comments. If you've got another question, or a sweet, sweet digital photograph, drop a line to tips@curbed.com. Answers Thursday.

1) Greenwich Village: A reader writes, "It appears that the New School has plans to tear down its building at Fifth Avenue and 14th Street and replace it with a taller building that will better accommodate its needs. A merchant who now rents one of the retail spaces on the ground floor on 14th Street told me about the plans and that he has to vacate by the end of the year." Last we heard, the boxtastic rendering at right was slotted for this space. Any new intel is most welcome.

2) Chelsea: Last spring, the Sun reported the sale of an entire block of 6th Ave., between 30th and 31st St. to Herald Square Development. Looks like they've made some headway, per this eyewitness account: "The entire frontage has scaffolding and the northern corner is in demolition. By the looks of it the entire eastern end of the block is going to go. Another rental tower to finish out the strip? This is not to be confused with the construction site for the 55-story hotel/condo tower immediately south."

3) Upper West Side: Another reader asks the pressing question, "Has anyone heard about a development proposal for the Cathedral Station post office on West 104th? There are rumors going around the neighborhood."

4) Gramurray: Finally, some religious intrigue in the good old East 20s. To wit, "There's a 2-floor building just off the SW corner of 23rd and 3rd that formerly had an office supply store on the ground floor, and the printing company upstairs has a 'we are relocating' sign in their door. A worker at a nearby business says the building was sold to Japanese investors for 6 million, and they're going to build 'something big.' I had occasion to pass by the building last friday, saturday, and sunday, each time around noon. All three times, the doors were wide open, and a half dozen people were having (I guess) a Shinto ceremony of some sort. When I came by again at night, the place was closed up. Anybody know what is planned for the site? Anybody know what sort of ceremony lasts three or more days, but takes evenings off?"

Rumormonger: Chelsea Hotel for Sale, Asking $90 Million?!

Tantalizing, unverified gossip! The Chelsea Hotel is for sale, with an asking price of $90 million. Broker Nigel Shamash of NSNYRE supplies the commentary: "A link got sent to a few of us broker/principals, hardly a flyer or presentation—there has probably not been one made yet. If you wanted me to tell you how credible it is, I would put it at 90%. Whether the sellers are motivated to move or just feeling the market is anyone's guess. But i think with this commercial market, the building will change hands and will be revamped—probably to a higher-end hotel."

All of this begs the question of why, say, André Balazs might be getting involved with management if the owners just want to sell, so we're guessing this news, if true, is more of a market-feeling move than liquidation. In any case, whoa.
· Hotel Chelsea Fallout: Ethan Hawke Arrives, Naps [Curbed]

The Gripe File: One Main, Sheffield 57, Ariel, Onyx

In the past few days we've seen a sharp uptick in the number of reader rants about some condo buildings. We've bundled them together and present them here as ... the gripe file!

1) Dumbo: "This AM I was taking my usual walk across the Manhattan Bridge when I spotted this non-historical addition to the roof of One Main Street (above). I suppose it's a giant A/C unit and I suppose they'll paint it copper, eventually. No respect any more for classic architecture."
2) Midtown West: "The latest at Swig's Shitfield (oops, Sheffield) 57. There has been a lot of core drilling through the floors and ceilings of apartments, regardless of whether or not they are occupied, often without the permission of the occupants. Earlier this week, a tenant was in her bathroom when a large concrete core, about six inches in diameter and a foot high of solid concrete, fell directly into her tub. The cause was said to be a 'construction error.' There seem to be a lot of' 'construction errors' at Sheffield57 lately. Have we mentioned that the lovely (?) new lobby floods every time it rains?"
3) Upper West Side: In relation to the "shoddy condo" article from today - I thought you guys might like to shine a little light on the Ariel condos on the UWS. A family I know went into contract on a 4-bed unit early in construction. A few months ago, they found out that the original design of the building was faulty, and they had to put supporting columns in several of the rooms in my friend's apartment - rendering the two smallest bedrooms completely useless. They literally put columns right in the middle of them."

The rest of this tale, and some sharp criticism of the Onyx ahead. >>




On Art and Starchitecture in Far West Chelsea

"You know New York (and the west side) has changed when a burnt-out car feels like an art installation," writes Fashion Geek. You also know Frank Gehry anticipated this moment and designed the lines of the building accordingly. All around, good show.
· A Different Kind of Photo Shoot [Fashion Geek]

On the Racked: Menswear Twofer, Duane Reade Burns!!

And now, the latest from Racked, covering shopping and retail from the sidewalks up.

1) Soho & Chelsea: A menswear twofer! Above, the plywood facade is decorated in style at forthcoming Grand Street outpost of menswear boutique Andrew Buckler. And, via The Shophound, news of some unusual Marc Ecko doings on Eighth Avenue.

2) Upper East & Upper West Sides: There's always room for mo' banks, yes? Looks like North Fork Bank has scored on East 79th, while Wachovia is taking over a venerable UWS establishment. Plus bonus UWS retail intel, too.

3) Queens: BREAKING: fire at a Duane Reade! Well, that's one way to get rid of 'em.

Development Update-o-Rama: Stalled at Onyx, 166 Perry

Two reader inquiries today concerning new Manhattan developments. Intel in the comments, please.

1) Chelsea: "does anyone know what the deal is with onyx? a single brick has not moved in that building for months and they are not allowing any of the buyers into the building to see the apartments. they are not giving any information on when the building is going to be ready (although no one expected it to finish in june as indicated by the developer). it is almost 90% sold but it feels as if something fishy is going on."

2) West Village: "I live in the area, and it has been weeks since I've seen any work being done at 166 Perry Street (left). Please investigate."

· Development du Jour: Onyx Chelsea [Curbed]
· Development du Jour: 166 Perry Street [Curbed]

PriceSpotter Big Reveal: Chelsea FSBO Dot Blogspot

Yesterday, we gave you the details on this Chelsea for-sale-by-owner 2-bed. Today, we reveal the listing. We're a lot suspicious of anon #8, who nailed the price, but, hey, we're feeling generous. Here's your gold star, anon. Enjoy.

Listing: 309 West 20th [309West20th.blogspot.com]
Asking: $1.15 million
Perhaps we were a little stingy yesterday with the intel. This is an 1800s carriage house apartment overlooking the gardens, according to our intrepid seller. The courtyard is shared and the bathrooms have new fixtures and stone tiles. The walk-in in the bedroom has windows, in case that was on your list. (Also, to be clear, not a condo. At least as far as we can tell. Sorry for the confusion.) As for the art on the wall, we'll leave it to you to figure out whether it's worth more than walls that hold it.
· PriceSpotter: Chelsea FSBO Dot Blogspot Dot Com [Curbed]

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