East Village

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.
More this way
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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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
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.
See it all
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.
Take a tour here
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
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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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.
Find out more
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
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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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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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.
Find out more
January 8, 2021

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

Fashion model and Lucchese designer Erin Wasson and her husband, restaurateur Bart Tassy, have put their East Village loft on the market for $2,650,000. Located at 175 East 2nd Street, between Avenues A and B, the 1,500-square-foot home has incredible beamed ceilings, exposed beams and brick, and two beautiful skylights. There's also a 1,400-square-foot private roof deck with views as far as the Financial District and Chrysler Building. The couple bought the unit for $1,650,000 in 2006 and listed it as a $10,000/month rental in 2017.
Look around
January 4, 2021

You can buy Gem Spa’s iconic storefront sign, egg cream machines

While you can no longer order an egg cream at Gem Spa in the East Village, which closed its doors for good in May, you can own a piece of the legendary institution. The landmark newsstand, which has been located on the corner of St. Marks Place and Second Avenue for a century, is auctioning off iconic memorabilia and signage from the store, including its bright yellow storefront sign, egg cream equipment, and gates with designs by the artist Paul Kostabi. The auction has been extended to January 7 at 10 p.m.
Details this way
December 21, 2020

Inside Casey Rubber Stamps: How this tiny rubber stamp shop has survived for 41 years in NYC

Tucked away on East 11th Street between First and Second Avenues is a small rubber stamp shop, which, according to the small sign in its window, is "closed when not open" and "open when not closed." Casey Rubber Stamps is filled from floor to ceiling with rubber stamps that have all been handmade by John Casey and his two team members. John Casey is originally from Cork, Ireland and first founded his shop in 1979 on Seventh Avenue South in the West Village. He moved the shop to the East Village 19 years ago but still makes his stamps the old-school way with a negative, a plate, and a mold process that is both more time consuming and expensive than newer methods involving liquid polymer materials or laser cutting. Ahead, go behind the scenes to see how all the amazing rubber stamps are made, tour the interior and workspace, and learn about the shop's history from John Casey.
All that right here
December 21, 2020

Finnerty’s, popular Bay Area sports bar in the East Village, has permanently closed

Considered New York City's unofficial San Francisco sports bar, Finnerty's announced this morning that it's permanently closing its East Village location. For the past 11 years, the Irish pub on Second Avenue has been a go-to spot for Giants and 49ers fans, even hosting the Giant's World Series trophy three times. "The pandemic, along with being unable to reach an agreement with our landlord, forced our hand. There just wasn’t any way forward for us," said Finnerty's owners Dieter Seelig and Brian Stapleton.
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December 11, 2020

East Village Ukrainian restaurant Veselka is expanding with a pierogi bar

When Veselka first opened on the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 9th Street in 1954, the business was a small candy shop and newspaper stand. Sixty-years later, and the Ukrainian restaurant serves up 21,000 pierogis, 2,500 latkes, and 110 gallons of borscht each week. That is until the pandemic hit. In September, owner Tom Birchard spoke about how the restaurant was struggling. But thanks to a dedicated customer base filling its heated sidewalk seating and indoor tables, as well as a growing delivery and national shipping arm, Veselka is expanding to the space next door, as was first reported by EV Grieve. The addition will be complete with a new "sushi bar-style counter that will showcase the restaurant’s pierogi-making process," according to the New York Times.
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November 23, 2020

Astor Place Hairstylists has been saved from closing

Just two days before it was set to close for good, Astor Place Hairstylists was saved by a group of New York investors. As the New York Post first reported, enough money has been raised to keep the East Village basement barbershop "open for at least another 75 years," businessman Jonathan Trichter told the newspaper on Monday. Astor Place Hairstylists announced last month plans to permanently close just before Thanksgiving due to a lack of business because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Find out more
November 18, 2020

Nearly everything is custom-made at this $3M East Village two-bedroom

No detail was overlooked in the design of this two-bedroom home in the East Village. From the custom chef's kitchen to the walls of built-in shelving and storage, the apartment at 170 Second Avenue manages to be extremely efficient without sacrificing sophistication. Currently asking $2.995 million, the apartment sits on the 12th floor of a pre-war co-op that was completed in 1928.
See inside
November 9, 2020

‘Say Their Names’ installation at The Public Theater honors Black lives lost to police brutality

The Public Theater will debut this week a new art installation that honors Black American lives lost to police brutality. Starting November 11, the facade of the East Village theater will display "SAY THEIR NAMES," a visual exhibit that includes at least 2,200 names of Black people killed at the hands of police between 2013 and 2020. Curated by Garlia Cornelia Jones, the projection covers the entire building at 425 Lafayette and features work by ten artists.
Get the details
November 5, 2020

After 17 years, Caracas Arepa Bar is closing in the East Village

Before the entire East Village was a hub of hip food, the stretch of East 7th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue was somewhat of a pioneer in the new guard of restaurants, and one of the first places to set up here was Caracas Arepa Bar. In 2003, the Venezuelan restaurant was opened by owners Maribel Araujo and Aristides Barrios, who met at another arepa bar in the city of Caracas and often get credit for popularizing arepas in the city. But, sadly, after 17 years, the restaurant is the latest to fall victim to the pandemic and announced on Instagram that the last day for their East Village location will be November 8.
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