Curious to see what our block looked like 400 years ago. Check in at the Mannahatta Project, search for our address, and you’ll discover that as you might guess, it was covered with trees. There was also a lovely little river running north to south between 5th and 6th Ave.
From YIMBY.com:
Earlier this month, developer Ranger Properties paid $22,000,000 for two buildings at the corner of University Place and East 13th Street, in the heart of the Village near Union Square. Then EV Grieve reported that longtime stalwart University Place Gourmet had shuttered, along with a Chinese laundry around the corner on 13th Street.
Now plans have been filed to construct a seven-story apartment building on the site at 34 East 13th Street, and Adjmi Architects is designing. There will be six apartments spread across 15,550 square feet of residential space, for a very spacious average unit of 2,591 square feet. They’ll definitely be condos, with just one apartment per floor. Six stories of apartments will be stacked on top of 3,200 square feet of ground floor retail
Amenities listed on the Schedule A include a “private/public” roof deck (maybe there will be both!) and a gym in the cellar.
The 3,300-square-foot property is currently home to three buildings—a four-story apartment building on the corner that has University Gourmet on the ground floor, a single-story building housing a doggy day care, and a three-story apartment building with the laundromat.
Demolition permits have not yet been filed to knock them down.
Before Ranger Properties snapped up the assemblage for $1,100 per buildable square foot, the site hadn’t changed hands since 1980.
However, 34 East 13th Street will seem small compared to the 23-story tower planned one block south at 100 University Place. Harry Macklowe is developing the building, which will stand 309 feet tall and include 52 apartments. Other projects in the hood will also be high-end condos, including 17 East 12th Street and the nearly complete garage conversion at 12 East 13th Street.
Crumbs Bakery on University and 13th has closed…for the second time.
How do you feel about Union Square. The Union Square Partnership does an annual opinion survey to find out. Some thoughts from the results:
FOSTERING A THRIVING ECONOMY IN USQ
USP asked respondents to share the types of businesses
they would like to see in Union Square. Half of respondents
would like to see more cultural institutions (50%),
followed by art galleries/exhibitions (48%), and cafés/
coffee shops (47%). Many respondents mentioned wanting
to see more local businesses — including small, curated
stores, non-chain coffee shops and eateries, and specialty
grocery stores. This feedback highlights a strong community
interest in maintaining a vibrant retail environment in
Union Square rooted in unique, local offerings.
ENHANCING LIVABILITY IN USQ
USP is committed to keeping Union Square clean, safe, and
beautiful. The majority of respondents are satisfied (very
satisfied and somewhat satisfied) across key metrics of
USP’s work enhancing livability. Respondents reported the
highest levels of satisfaction with the landscaping of Union
Square Park (87%), planter landscaping (87%), Broadway Plaza
maintenance (85%), and public seating areas (77%). While
most respondents remain pleased with the district’s upkeep,
some expressed a desire for extended hours and seasonality
for the public seating areas as well as improved lighting,
especially in Union Square Park and surrounding streets.
Following USP’s 2023 launch of the Public Safety Officer
(PSO) program, perceptions of public safety improved by
15 points in the 2024 survey. The 2025 survey results show
that this perception has largely stabilized, with 87% of
respondents noting that their perception of public safety
in USP’s Core Services Area (CSA) has improved or seen
no change over the past year. Moreover, the percent of
respondents reporting concerns around public safety within
the CSA decreased by 15% in 2025 compared to 2024.
This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, July 28st for superstructure related activities and curtain wall installation between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City. The crane on 13th st. will not be used during the weekend.
Next week (July 30 to August 3), Material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors. Curtain wall installation on upper floors will continue and lower levels will continue on 13th st. with the aid of a small crane. The crane will remain on 13th st. for the purpose of curtain wall installation.
The following week (August 6 to August 10) Material and equipment deliveries and installation work will continue on all floors. Curtain wall installation will continue on all floors.
The New School has been saying since late February that it now plans a smaller building on its 5th Ave. site.
Join Union Square Wines in celebrating five years at their new location. Taste nearly one hundred wines in six hours during our Anniversary Party. Our favorite purveyors from the wine biz will be on hand to pour a wide range of varietals, regions, and styles for all attendess. Guest pourers will be showcasing their wines through two shifts, 1pm to 4pm and 4pm to 7pm – when all is said and done marathon tasters will have enjoyed a little something from almost every wine region in the world! This incredible tasting event is certain to inspire selections for the upcoming summer months. In addition to a legion of wine offerings, guest spirit Fidencio Mezcal will be serving up Joven and Classico Mezcal as well as the complex agave spirit Pechuga all day! There will be something for everyone in celebrating five years at 140 Fourth!