SRO Restaurant at 245 Bowery Sheds Plywood

We’re swiftly approaching the high-water mark of two years since news first broke that 245 Bowery, home of the ninety-year-old Sunshine Hotel flophouse, would transform into another swank nightspot. Progress during this interim period – eons in city time – has been fairly difficult to judge, as everything is transpiring behind lock and key. Nevertheless, we started noticing some rustling about last month, witnessing workers enter/exit through the Stanton Street entrance. And yesterday morning…well, the (almost) full monty of the future SRO restaurant concept.

Just as the Bowery awoke yesterday morning, contractors were spotted peeling the weather worn circus-themed plywood from the facade of 245 Bowery. No more secluded piss pot and its pungent stank of urine (eventually). Overall exterior design of SRO remains true to the schematics presented many moons ago during the whole State Liquor Authority application process. Archways, exposed brick, the works.

As for the liquor license, Community Board 3 wasn’t completely on board with the idea back in June 2010, but ultimately signaled approval for on-premise privileges. License is still pending with the folks at SLA.

As far as we know, the establishment is still dubbed SRO, and is brought to the Bowery by the same team behind Alta. Christopher Chesnutt and Ewa Olsen.

May 2010