BodyRok arrives on University Place

In response to community concerns about the time in the evening we end our concrete placing, DOB has granted our request to start placing our concrete at 6am, which will allow us to finish this work earlier in the evening. We have 10 more instances like this until we finish our superstructure in early June.

Therefore next week (April 2 to April 6), Superstructure work will continue at the 9th and 10th floor levels. Wednesday, April 4th, we will have an identical pour with a 6 am start time and similar end time, weather permitting. Deliveries for the internal systems of the building have been ongoing and will continue, although they should not greatly affect the flow of pedestrian and road traffic.

The following week (April 9 to April 13), we will continue superstructure concrete and slabs on the 10th and 11th floor levels. Deliveries for the internal systems of the building have been ongoing and will continue, although they should not greatly affect the flow of pedestrian and road traffic.

This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, March 31st for superstructure related activities between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City. To control noise levels within the site, work activities will be limited to the placement of formwork and concrete, plumbing and electrical work, rebar for concrete placement, using the crane and equipment to support all activities.

Safety horns are used, and required by law, to coordinate lifting with the crane and to alert the workers of the danger overhead. We have directed the operators to limit the use of horns to one short sounding and to use the crane later in the day so as to avoid any excess noise.

In addition to the normal work on the job site, the 14th St. Con Ed Vault utility connection street work will continue per DOT Permit granted for weekends only.

The New York Times has a fascinating article about the deli across from the co-op on 13th St., reviewing its history as a Schraftt’s restaurant and talking about the importance of its now destroyed architectural details. But what’s really interesting is the revelation of the first details of what’s going to be built there: a ten-story building with one triplex, three duplexes, and ground floor retail. “As for the apartment house, which is being designed for an owner who bought the site this year, the architect says plans are still in flux but she will probably produce “a contemporary interpretation of the Fifth Avenue apartment houses in the neighborhood” — the same goal of harmony that Schrafft’s sought 70 years ago.”

Wondering what happened to the cute green building on 13th between 5th and 6th that housed Taste of Tokyo and La Dolce Vita? It’s gone. In its place will rise a small boutique hotel.

Looks like University Place will soon get a branch of the popular Pop Burger near 10th St. Also at that location, a coffee spot called Pop Roast. Expected opening: early 2011

Goodbye Borgo Antico on 13th across from our front door. It’s turned into City Tavern, a rather uninteresting bar with regular old bar food.

The closing of The Adore is a real loss to the block. Here’s a great article on the history of that fascinating little building. Rumored to come next: a high-end cocktail lounge.