Davey Drill Arrives Ahead of 6-Story Development at 194 Orchard Street
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Even as the Orchard Hell Building nears completion, there is no light at the end of the proverbial tunnel for upper Orchard Street. There’s infrastructure work beneath East Houston; a rumored development that will swallow the corner once anchored by Bereket; and a six-story residential building at the old Leather Gallery on Orchard Street.
Plans to demolish and construct the new six-story tumor at 194 Orchard Street were approved by the Department of Buildings nine months ago. Permits were never issued, though. So, there it sat, collecting a rather robust assortment of graffiti. Until yesterday, when a Davey Drill was wedged onto the sidewalk between the building and the curb. The mechanics block the entire sidewalk with cones and caution tape. Soil samples must be taken before work is to proceed.
The replacement building is a six-story dwelling that sports a total floor area of 9,225 square-feet (2,288 commercial, 6,937 residential); there will apparently be five full-floor units. It comes courtesy of architect Israel Veles and owner Hesky Haim of Sky High Group.