Simo Pizza is scheduled to arrive on University Place in the former home of Argo Tea (and before that, good ol’ Dean and DeLuca) sometime in the fall. They already have a branch in the Meatpacking District, and the pizza looks good…and affordable.
Curious about how the renovation of Union Square is proceeding? The Villager has all the details here. The bottom line: on schedule.
All New York locations of Crumbs bakery, including the one on University Place, unceremoniously shuttered last night. No more cupcakes.
I write to remind all that the lower 8 floors of this building are still a construction site which is regulated by the Department of Buildings. New School has heard your complaints but at this time we do not control this site. It is our hope that when we take over the building we can make some necessary changes. The University Center is a LEED building with many energy saving designs incorporated into the building so that we will be good neighbors.
Next week (December 23rd to December 27th ), material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on the academic floors inside the building. (Site closed on Christmas)
The following week (December 30th to January 3rd ), material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on academic floors (Site closed on New Year’s Day)
This weekend the site will be open on Saturday and Sunday, December 21st and 22nd for interior activities between the work hours of 7AM and 7PM as permitted by the City.
The city’s biggest Duane Reade has opened on 14th St. next to Best Buy and Nordstrom Rack. It’s open 24 hours, as is Best Buy. Shop all night.
Construction of the glassy turtle shell-shaped dome on top of Union Square’s landmarked Tammany Hall building is officially underway. The building at 44 Union Square, formerly home to NYC’s Democratic party machine, is being transformed into modern office and retail space. New construction photos provided to 6sqft show the start of the unconventional dome’s installation, with the diagonally intersecting glass and steel now visible from the street. The political organization of Tammany Hall formed in New York City in the late 18th century and helped Democrats control city and state politics for decades. After a few different headquarter locations, the society landed in a building on East 17th Street and Union Square. The International Ladies Garment Workers Union bought the building in 1943. Other tenants have included the New York Film Academy and the Union Square Theatre. Designed by BKSK Architects, the redevelopment project consists of a gut renovation and the addition of four stories of retail space in the building’s base, with three levels of office space on the upper levels, including inside the dome. The architects designed the glass dome as an ode to the turtle which Lenape Chief Tamanend stands upon on a Philadelphia statue. Tammany Hall was named after the leader. According to the firm, the dome is “meant to be both evocative and respectful of the building’s past while also bringing architectural spectacle to this rather staid corner of Union Square.” BKSK first submitted plans to revamp the historic building in 2014. After the project was approved a year later by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, developer Reading International secured $57.5 million in financing. Renovations began in 2016. The dome features a framework of intersecting glass and steel, manufactured by German-based firm Gartner. There’s no doubt the top floor will not only be drenched in natural light but also offer unique views of Union Square and beyond.
