Zillion-Dollar Condos Selling Fast

Bookmark THIS LINK if you want to keep track of what the New School is saying about construction of its new building.

After over six years of delays, Union Square Pavilion is finally open to the public. The main draw of Simon Oren’s sprawling restaurant is the outdoor patio, which overlooks the park (and, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the beautiful Greenmarket). Chef Mario Urgiles, formerly of Maison, will cook simple dishes like pappardelle al pesto, wild-mushroom bruschetta, and branzino with vegetable ratatouille. Think of this as Tavern on the Green for the downtown set.

Mexicana Mama, the intimate Mexican joint on East 12th St., has shuttered.

The Times reports that Jackson Diner on University Place will be replaced by Nix, a high-end vegetarian restaurant. Gentrification by carrots.

Looks like Tong Thai Brasserie is ready to open on 13th just east of University. The menu looks much more interesting than that of the average Thai place, and they will be doing delivery as well.

Zoning changes around Union Square, specifically to OUR zone, C6, are designed to make it easier for a wider variiety of businesses to set up shop at the ground floor level and above. The details are here. For example,

• Arcades

• Axe-throwing

• Billiards/pool halls

• Bowling alleys

• Escape rooms

• Golf simulator driving range

• Indoor go-karts

• Indoor skateboard park

• Interactive or virtual reality attractions

• Laser tag

• Miniature golf

• Observation towers

• Ping pong/table tennis

• Play spaces/family fun centers

• Wax figure exhibitions

• Seasonally: haunted houses and similar fright attractions

• Comedy shows

• Concerts

• Dancing

• Open-mic night or poetry reading

• 3-D printing

• Brewery

• Ceramic studio

• Jewelry making

• Wholesale and/or large-scale bakery

• Woodworking

• Other food and beverage producers, such as coffee roasters, ice cream makers, and shared commercial kitchen or food business incubator space

• Other makers