Pret a Manger to Union Square

Information is sketchy, but it appears that Pan Am Equities, the real estate company that owns the collection of “True North” apartment buildings, including one on our 13th St. block, is now in the process of reconfiguring 24-26 East 13th St., the former home of the New York Health and Racquet Club, into 39 apartments, up from the previous 24. The ground floor and basement may once again hold a fitness facility. It’s unclear if the overall size of the building will change, but it appears not.

The most iconic holiday market in New York, the Union Square Holiday Market, returns on Thursday, November 18th. Over 150 vendors will showcase a dynamic mix of global cuisines, original art, handcrafted accessories, and more through Friday, December 24th. Come experience one of the City’s most beloved traditions!

Curbed.com is reporting on a terrible HVAC noise problem being caused by the system installed by Vapiano last summer. Watch the video, and you’ll see and hear the problem. Here’s the report:

There’s nothing like a good noise controversy to round out the day, so here’s a tipster’s accusation that University Place chain restaurant Vapiano is destroying neighbors’ eardrums: “For the last seven months, residents of 48 East 13th Street, 107 University Place and 35 East 12th Street have been living with an egregious noise condition created by Vapiano’s HVAC system. Attempts to correct this with the various NYC agencies (DEP, DOB have thus far have not been effective. Vapiano has been issued 3 noise violations thus far by the DEP, has been the subject of TV news coverage (NY1 & Fox5), has been found in violation of the Building Code (twice!) and yet the residents are still subjected to the loud illegal noise levels from early morning to well into the late. This has been going on every day since July 16th of 2010.” Precise! So what do the locals plan to do about it? >> The neighbors have a plan: shame the restaurant via blog, video, and petition. Says our tipster about the video, “there is nothing wrong with your speakers, that’s actually what Vapiano’s HVAC system sounds like. If the noise is too loud and you can’t understand what people are saying just turn up the volume!” Noise wars: on.

From the NY Post:

University Place is about to get a new, fun restaurant: the first New York outpost of Vapiano, a German-based chain of some 30 casual Italian eateries, which will open soon at 113 University at 13th Street. A Newmark Knight Frank team including Jeffrey Roseman repped the tenant and a Newmark team also repped the landlord, the Amalgamated Lithographers Union. Vapiano has locations in six other US cities. In Manhattan, it will have about 7,000 square feet on two levels in a long-vacant space. The asking rent was $200 per square foot. The chain, which calls itself a “fuel stop for grown-ups,” serves inexpensive antipasti, salads, pasta and pizza prepared on-site as customers watch. (Many dishes are priced under $10, according to Vapiano’s Web site). The new place also promises a full bar and “lively happy-hour scene.” Roseman chuckled, “It’s been described as a fast-casual cross between Mario Batali and Chipotle with uber-style.”

Have a look at Vapiano.

Once again, Jeremiah of Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York eulogizes another block lost to development, in this case the nearby block of 3rd Ave. between 13th and 14th Streets.

Soon to arrive in the former Blick Art space. ce.