200 Years of NYC History Demolished on the Bowery for an 8-Story Condo-Hotel
This image has been archived or removed.
Consecutive weeks of brick-by-brick demolition resulted in the loss of three of the oldest buildings on the Bowery. There is now a huge gap of open air on the block, soon to be plugged with an unneeded condo-hotel development.
The takedown of 138-142 Bowery was implemented at all costs, and ultimately resulted in a stop-work order last month for hazardous conditions at the project site (i.e. unstable scaffolding supports). Another cessation from the Department of Buildings followed a few weeks later (February 22) for disobeying the first order. Nevertheless, the area hasn’t slowed much of late, and as of now, the buildings are gone.
The elimination of 138-142 Bowery from the neighborhood effectively destroys invaluable area history. Indeed, number 140 dated back to the 1790s and was originally owned by men associated with the butchering trade. It was later a shoe store and millinery (“Callahan the Hatter”), among other functions. As a testament to its perseverence, the architecture persevered for more than two centuries; until 2011, when the owner lopped off the trademark dormers to nullify any possibility of landmarking.
This image has been archived or removed.
Callahan the Hatter at 140 Bowery (1932), Photo: MOCNY
These three structures were sold to Emmut Properties as part of the five-property, $47 million portfolio back in December (total assemblage is 134-142 Bowery). Plans for the eight-story development are still in play, though remain “disapproved” by the Department of Buildings. And to that end, the developers wish to “preserve the look and feel of the Bowery.” Seriously.
As previously reported, the 44,000 square-foot replacement will be divvied up between commercial hotel (30,825 square-feet) and residential use (13,859). That equates to 46 hotel rooms and 21 upper crust apartments. A retail tenant and rooftop “recreation area” are also included in the pending plans. Timeline for completion is apparently next year, though that seems unlikely.
This image has been archived or removed.
Recent Stories
Cops Release Photos of Suspects Wanted in Stabbing Outside Delancey Street Starbucks
Police last week released images of the suspects wanted in connection to a stabbing outside the Delancey Street Starbucks in late-March. The suspects fled and are still at large. On March 21, four hooligans stabbed a pedestrian who was walking to the northbound M15 bus stop at Allen and Delancey Streets. The assailants attacked the […]
Food Delivery for Clayton and Jim During COVID-19 Shutdown
New York is ramping up for some tough weeks of battling Covid-19, but one thing the virus can’t do is break the spirit of its inhabitants. Neighbors are looking out for each other. The Village Sun previously reported that filmmakers Jeff Brenner and Adam Juegos spent March 22 hustling around the city to buy groceries and […]
Little Italy Butcher Moe Albanese Dies from Coronavirus; Neighbors Pay Tribute
Moe Albanese, longtime Little Italy butcher and fixture of Elizabeth Street, passed away Tuesday evening due to complications from COVID-19. He was 95-years-old. The news was confirmed by his granddaughter, Jennifer Prezioso, in a post on Instagram. At the Albanese Meats butcher shop on Elizabeth Street, a makeshift memorial is underway. Flowers, candles, and condolence […]
Street Art Duo ASVP Completes 8-Story Mural at Essex Crossing
ASVP just put the final touches on arguably its most ambitious mural. The eight-story treatment on the backside of 145 Clinton Street. The duo spent nearly six months painting the expansive artwork, which is dubbed “Figure No. 6.” This past Sunday saw some of the final brush strokes, so to speak. Despite the COVID-19 quarantine. […]
Legendary Little Italy Butcher Moe Albanese Battling COVID-19
Moe Albanese, longtime Little Italy butcher and fixture of Elizabeth Street, is fighting for his life. The nonagenarian is struggling due to complications from COVID-19 infection, according to his granddaughter. “As I write this now, my grandfather is at the hospital due to complications from covid-19,” his granddaughter Jennifer Prezioso wrote on Instagram. “Moe is […]
