Over a Decade Later, Still No Passive House for ABC No Rio on Rivington Street

The saga of the new and improved ABC No Rio is a neverending story. In this chapter, activity is spotted in the mid-block chasm formerly known as 156 Rivington Street.

Not much to report, though, other than the promised delivery date of the spring 2022 for the new development, posted on Department of Buildings signage.

The last meaningful update from this long-dormant project site was actually around this time last year. It was then that ABC No Rio director Steve Englander revealed the need to redesign the foundation and rework excavation plans, after digging test pits earlier that fall.

Tough slog would be putting it mildly. The passive house project at 156 Rivington is over a decade in the making, and the original tenement home on Rivington Street came down some three years ago.

The planned four-story Passive House facility, designed by local architect Paul A. Castrucci, will eventually boast larger exhibition and performance spaces (doubling the size), in addition to a green roof and second-floor terrace. The solar-equipped building will also have an elevator and host the organization’s zine library, computer lab, print shop, dark room, and kitchen.

Until then, ABC No Rio remains in exile.