Pret a Manger to Union Square

A model apartment has been completed, and you can see it in all its glory here.

Finally, the big part of the renovation is complete. And the fountain lines up with 5th Ave., which, apparently, was really important to the architects even though no one else seemed to care much.

Got $15 million? That’s what it will cost you to buy the burned out deli on the corner of 13th and 5th, which has stood vacant for the past two years. At that price, and given the zoning regulations, the most likely outcome would be a 10-story luxury condo building. But now doesn’t seem to be a good time for new condo development, so there are no takers. Even the New School, which as we all know is interested in increasing its presence in the area, has said that it is uninterested in the lot. Check out the fascinating history of the building.

The stubby little building at 31 East 17th St. on the northern border of Union Square Park next to Barnes and Noble sits on a plot of land that has a very interesting history. Read all about it here.

It looks like our local BID wants to stretch its boundaries as improvements to Union Square and 14th St. continue to be planned.