City’s Best Pizza…If You Can Wait

The sale of two units at Brack Capital Real Estate’s condominium conversion at 15 Union Square West may be set to shatter records for the sale of a single-family home on the square, the Corcoran Group’s Timothy Rothman told The Real Deal yesterday, since the new owner plans to combine them into one duplex spread. Rothman, a vice president at Corcoran on the Spiegelman team, represented a mystery foreign buyer in the deal for penthouse 11 and unit 10B at the building, which closed together yesterday for between $16 million and $17 million, he said, though he declined to give a specific price. The units were not on the market as a combination; their individual asking prices were $10.7 million and $6.5 million respectively. Rothman would not reveal the identity of the buyer due to a confidentiality agreement.

The Center for Jewish Society, at 15 East 16th St., will be presenting a very special exhibit, beginning on January 27th.

For the first time in history, the Anne Frank House will present a pioneering experience outside of Amsterdam to immerse visitors in a full-scale recreation of the Annex, where Anne Frank, her parents and sister, and four other Jewish inhabitants spent two years hiding to evade Nazi capture.

Anne Frank The Exhibition gives visitors of all ages the chance to learn about Anne Frank, not as a victim but through the multifaceted lens of her life—as a girl, a writer, and a symbol of resilience and strength. More than 100 original collection items from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, including several never-before-exhibited artifacts, help to convey the context that shaped Anne’s life, death and posthumous fame. Her diary is one of the most translated books in the world.

Order tickets here. 

Here’s a 1910 view of the south side of 14 St. looking east from 6th Ave. from what was then the platform of the elevated train. As you can see, Macy’s was headquartered there (where Urban Outfitters is now) and expanded along the block over time as it grew. Eventually, the cobbled-together space got too complicated and the store decamped for its massive new digs in Herald Square. If you look closely at this building today, you can still see vestiges of Macy’s red star icon in a few places.

What a surprise that Dean & Deluca on University has closed after more than 15 years. What will become of that prime location?

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.

On a recent visit to Everyman Espresso on East 13th Street, we were stopped by a sign saying the coffee shop will close for renovations starting June 25th.  A barista inside who explained the work should take 3 – 4 weeks.  After that,  they’ll have snazzy new interiors.