Joie de Vivre Hotel at 50 Bowery Tops Out at 22 Stories
This image has been archived or removed.
They’ve reached the top.
That controversial new hotel at 50 Bowery – the first New York branch of the Joie de Vivre brand – was just capped at the end of last week. The final few floors were tacked onto the building in the month since our last progress report. Requisite American flag is planted on the highest point.
The superstructure now sits at roughly twenty-two stories, dwarfing pretty much everything in sight. It’s also visible from street level within an eight-block radius. The glass encasement is not too far behind, already affixed to much of the east-facing exposure.
This Joie de Vivre flagship hotel at 50 Bowery is almost seven years in the making, forged by the hand of owner Alex Chu and Peter Poon Architects. The brand resides in the stable of properties owned by Commune Hotels & Resorts. Expect a debut in 2016.
This image has been archived or removed.
It’s worth reiterating the contentious history surrounding this parcel of the Bowery. Both developers and preservationists had previously tussled over architectural remains found at 50 Bowery. The latter believed the historic colonial-era Bull’s Head Tavern was beneath the project site; contractors also uncovered a cache of artifacts – bottles, plates, and oyster shells – that apparently date back over 150 years. However, there was still debate as to whether the tavern that George Washington frequented existed on this spot. It’s a moot point, either way, but there are allegedly plans to incorporate some of the artifacts into some sort of display upon completion (oh, goody).
This image has been archived or removed.
The future hotel at 50 Bowery
Recent Stories
LES Cop Shooting Still Cold Case 8 Years Later
Eight years later, it remains a cold case. In the early morning hours of July 5, 2012, two cops sustained gunfire during a drug bust in the Seward Park Extension on Essex Street. The shooter is still wanted for attempted murder of a police officer, and remains at large. Officers Brian Groves and Eric Corniel chased a suspected […]
Vendors Return to the Market Line on the Lower East Side
As the city slowly attempts to normalize in the wake of COVID-19 lockdown, so too does Essex Crossing. Its underground food court – the Market Line – is now back to business. Several vendors returned and are open, albeit via pick up and delivery only. Those who live within a ten-mile radius of the Market […]
Mayor’s Borough-Based Jail Plan Defunded $473M and Now on Hold
Grassroots groups in diametric opposition to the city’s borough-based jail plan this week declared victory at its delay. For now. Last week, City Council and Mayor de Blasio approved the $88.1 billion budget for the 2021 fiscal year. Within the accompanying report, the city mentioned, “Planned commitments for new borough-based jails have been reduced by […]
Elizabeth Street Garden Reopens Post-Shutdown
At a time when city folk are clamoring for more open space, the Elizabeth Street Garden comes to the rescue. The one-acre sculpture park – nestled in the middle of Little Italy – reopened to the public over the weekend. Yet, with limited hours. Temporary visitation is weekends from 10:00am to 6:00pm. There are also […]
Beverly’s Bar Shutters After 7 Years on Essex Street
The pink neons have gone dark, as Essex Street loses one of its cool kid hangs. Beverly’s, the trendy art bar founded in late-2012 by Sweet Paradise veteran Leah Dixon, closed forever last week. Just shy of its eighth birthday. A leasing sign hangs awkwardly from the rolldown gate. “We are looking reality in the […]
