In case you haven’t seen the renderings for 15 Union Square West, here they are. And here’s one $4,100,000 listing. The interesting thing about this development is that it retains the original cast-iron window frames from the 19th-century while wrapping the whole thing in 21st-century glass. Take a close look when you walk by. And here’s the history of the building. And a recent New York Times peek inside the model apartment.
Click here to find out all about the many events in the Summer in the Square series that will take place in Union Square over the next few months. There is lots to do.
Visit Koi, at 32 Union Square East. They say:
A celebration, a date or just a relaxing break in the day, there is always a reason to get together around a cup of KOI tea. KOI brings joy to the world. Freshly brewed tea and flavorful ingredients, prepared with passion are the key to KOI’s authentic taste and the reason why people come back again and again. In each and every KOI store, the staff is keen to share our happiness and love of tea with you. They do their best every day to make your experience memorable. Hear the sound of tea being brewed, of ice being crushed, and of laughter. Smell the aroma of our freshly prepared ingredients. Be excited by the chewiness of our milk tea pearls. Enjoy the fun and comfortable surroundings. And the warmth of our tea shakers. With KOI, happiness happens naturally.
Free flu shots from Mount Sinai will be offered at Paragon Sports on September 28.
Here’s a groovy photo of a groovy chick planting flowers in Union Square on the first Earth Day, 40 years ago. Funny to think she’s over 60 years old now. 
Here’s what’s happening in their building as described in a memo sent to the university community:
June 22, 2009
From President Bob Kerrey and Provost Tim Marshall Abatement of Hazardous Materials in the University Center at 65 5thAvenue This is a follow-up to the recent announcement of the closing of the 65Fifth Avenue. There were some questions from members of our communityand we thought it would be helpful to provide additional information. The closing occurred because our university’s trustees have approvedthe removal and abatement of hazardous materials in the building.Several Board members with considerable New York City constructionexperience recommended that abatement work be started in advance of thedecision to build since it is highly likely that decision will be madethis fall. Abatement of hazardous material will shorten the duration ofthe construction of the University Center project. However, becauseabatement results in stripping the interior of the building of allfinishes, it was necessary to close the building in order to performthis work. Please note that the abatement work would have beennecessary regardless of future building plans. The Board had previously authorized the production of schematicdrawings for a new building. This authorization has led to extensivecollaboration with the newly created University Facilities Committee.This committee is working closely with the architect, and severalsubcommittees have been formed to offer input around particular kinds ofspaces. This input will likely lead to a final Board decision in the fall toproceed with construction of the Fifth Avenue University Center. Thisdecision will depend upon evaluation of new construction cost estimates,of actual enrollment results, and of financing. We recognize that the closing of the 65th Fifth Avenue has resulted insignificant dislocation of student activities. We have accommodated someof these activities with new construction in Arnhold Hall on 13thStreet. However, more needs to be done. We are pursuing severalpromising real estate opportunities that give us confidence that we willbe able to provide the new amenities this year. In the unlikely event adecision is made not to proceed with the new construction, or to delayconstruction for a long period of time, the trustees will review alloptions for dealing with the existing building at 65 Fifth Avenue. We expect that a schedule of construction activities at the site can beannounced within a couple of weeks, when we expect the abatement anddemolition contracts approved by the trustees to be finalized. Afterworking with the University Facilities Committee to reach broadconsensus about the program for the new building, we will continue tomeet throughout the summer with the Committee and with other user groupsin developing the schematic design. We are also working to set upvenues for regular communication to the entire University communityabout the project’s progress.
From the Times:
The countdown has begun to the closing of the 16th Street space that this influential restaurant has occupied for 30 years. The cafe, which was the first piece of Danny Meyer’s culinary empire, has been a favorite of New York’s publishing world and jump-started the renaissance of the Union Square area. But it will not renew its lease at a higher rent, and in the spring will relocate to nearby 235 Park Avenue South, at East 19th Street.
To mark the final days at its current spot, from Dec. 1 to 12, the last day of service, the restaurant will switch to a three-course dinner menu called the 12 Nights of Union Square Cafe, highlighting some of its best-known seasonal dishes, including garganelli with white truffles, beef tartare, lamb braciole and Berkshire rack of pork. There are optional wine pairings from some of the restaurant’s favorite producers. Lunches will feature the regular à la carte menu:
Dinner reservations Dec. 1 to 12 by phone only, $85 prepaid; lunch reservations up to 28 days ahead, opentable.com;
Union Square Cafe, 21 East 16th Street, 212-243-4020,
unionsquarecafe.com.