East Village Movie House Launched Big Careers
What does a beloved TV sitcom mom, Ike and Tina Turner, and one bad motha have in common? All were portrayed by actors who honed their craft at a theater … Continued
From Pier to Park
As the summertime blanket of heat and humidity descends over the city, our thoughts inevitably move toward the cool breezes found at the city’s waterfront. A little bit south of … Continued
A Look Back at the General Slocum Disaster
On the morning of June 15, 1904, the General Slocum steamship set sail carrying over 1,300 passengers, most of whom were women and children and members of the East Village’s … Continued
Umbrella, Umbrella!
No, we’re not referencing the catchy pop song of a similar title (although it’s now stuck in our heads!). We’re talking about the Umbrella House, 21-23 Avenue C, between East … Continued
An Architectural Gem in the Village: 2011 Awardee
While many of our 2011 Village Awardees are located within NYC historic districts, the Church of the Ascension holds the distinction of our only awardee this year that is listed … Continued
Words & Art in the East Village: 2011 Village Awardee
Bob Holman works with words—spoken and written—and for over many years has shared that work with the community around him. This evening, GVSHP will recognize his continuing efforts with one … Continued
Seen and Heard Around the Village 6.5.11 – 6.11.11
The High Line is an Economic Dynamo (NY Times) After the Gold Rush by Neil Young- Album Cover Location (Pop Spots) East Village Mac-‘n’-Cheese Joint Opening Second Location (DNAinfo) 12th … Continued
Village Power-House Female Chefs: 2011 Village Awardee
Here at GVSHP we love successful women (4 out of 6 of our staff members are such women!) and we love food (who doesn’t?). So, we were delighted that West … Continued
Young in Age, but Not in Spirit: 2011 Village Awardee
Over the many years GVSHP has presented the Village Awards, awardees have often been praised for their longevity. Though in rare cases, a newly established organization or business will … Continued
A Specialty Food Shop in the Village: 2011 Village Awardee
McNulty’s Tea & Coffee Company at 109 Christopher Street is a part of a long tradition of Village specialty shops that hint at a time before grocery stores, when shoppers … Continued
Who ya gonna call?! Happy anniversary Ghostbusters
This is an updated version of a post from 2011. The Washington Square Ghost! That’s right folks, we’re talking about Ghostbusters! Today marks the anniversary of the release of the … Continued
Judson Memorial Church: 2011 Village Awardee
Readers who have followed our advocacy work with NYU know that much has recently changed on the south side of Washington Square. But the yellow roman brick, limestone, and terra-cotta … Continued
Manhattan’s Only Designated Cultural District: 2011 Village Awardee
Did you know that Manhattan’s only designated cultural district is right here in the East Village? The Fourth Arts Block (FAB) will be one of eight recipients of a 2011 … Continued
A Foundry on Jane Street: 2011 Village Awardee
In these modern times, it’s hard to imagine that there could be a metal foundry located on the very residential Jane Street. Well, there is, though it’s hardly a recent … Continued
Big Changes in Store for East Village’s Second Avenue Funeral Home
We had a hunch this day was coming. The owners of the former Sigmund Schwartz Gramercy Park Chapel, at 152 Second Avenue, have applied to make substantial changes to their … Continued
Special Program – Greenwich Village: Past, Present, and Future
The Museum of the City of New York presents: Greenwich Village: Past, Present, and Future Wednesday, June 8, 6:30 pm Museum of the City of New York 1220 Fifth Avenue … Continued
Seen and Heard Around the Village 5.29.11 – 6.4.11
Silver Towers Adorable East Village Mural Proposal (Gothamist) Another Protest Outside the Continental (EV Grieve) Annual Jane Street Block Sale on Saturday (NearSay) West Village Cat Fight (NY Post) Summer … Continued
Spot the Shot – Revealed!
This week’s Spot the Shot was taken at 725 Greenwich Street, between Charles & Perry Streets. Have you ever wondered why this row of houses looks more like the Costa … Continued
The Oldest Building in the Village?
Call it whatever you’d like: antique, vintage, or historic. If one thing is for certain, the Village is really, really old. Old by New York City standards, and even old … Continued
Final MTA Mulry Square Vent Plant Designs Unveiled
Last week, we took readers through the tumultuous history of the MTA’s attempts to design an aesthetically appropriate Emergency Ventilation Plant at Mulry Square, Greenwich Avenue and 7th Avenue South, … Continued
Pushcarts on Bleecker Street
When former South Village resident Josette Lee emailed GVSHP a picture of her Dad from the 1970’s standing in front of two pushcarts located on Bleecker Street, we became as … Continued
Spot the Shot!
“Spot the Shot” is Off the Grid’s weekly photo guessing game, whereby we post a photo of a building, architectural detail, or site taken in the West Village, East Village, … Continued
Seen and Heard Around the Village 5.22.11 – 5.28.11
Summer means beautiful flowers for sale! Photos from Dance Parade 2011 (Gothamist) Currywurst Bros. Brings Berlin’s Favorite Food to West Village (Fork in the Road) LA Designer Misses East Village … Continued
Spot the Shot – Revealed!
An astute reader managed to guess the location of this week’s Spot the Shot: the adorable townhouse at 48 East 10th Street, between 5th & 6th Avenues. The aqua-colored vespa … Continued
Memorial Day in the Village
With Memorial Day here, we thought we would take a look at some of the sites in the Village that commemorate those who gave their lives in the service of … Continued
MTA to Reveal Latest Designs for Mulry Square
Next Tuesday, May 31st, the MTA will present its final proposed designs for an emergency ventilation plant on Mulry Square to the Landmarks & Public Aesthetics Committee of Community Board … Continued
Happy 70th Birthday to the One & Only Bob Dylan!
On May 24, 1941 a baby named Robert Allen Zimmerman was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Twenty years later, going by Bob Dylan in homage to one of his influences Dylan … Continued
It Happened Here: 80’s Music Videos
We here at GVSHP spend a great deal of time pouring over archival records and buildings department files to document the history of our neighborhoods — when buildings went up, … Continued
Spot the Shot!
“Spot the Shot” is Off the Grid’s weekly photo guessing game, whereby we post a photo of a building, architectural detail, or site taken in the West Village, East Village, … Continued
Sneak a Peek Inside Four Village Churches This Weekend
This weekend, our friends over at the New York Landmarks Conservancy are hosting a state-wide, free-of-charge Sacred Sites Open House Weekend. The event offers a fantastic opportunity to take shelter … Continued
Spot the Shot – Revealed!
This week’s Spot the Shot comes from…
Seen and Heard Around the Village 5.16.11 – 5.20.11
Meat Co. to Leave for NJ (WSJ) Driver Runs Down Narcotics Officer in Village (City Room) Still Got It: Max Restaurant (Gothamist) On Second Thought: Lower Second Avenue (Forgotten NY) … Continued
The Anthemion
Loyal supporters of GVSHP know our logo well, but few know the true origins of this ancient architectural motif, found in any neighborhood in New York City containing Greek Revival … Continued
Mars Bar Demolition Now Official
In a former post, we took a look at the past and future of the Mars Bar. Today we sadly report that the building’s demolition has been made official…
Historic Landmark Only Partially Damaged After Minivan Attack
Numerous media outlets have reported on the Westchester resident who intentionally drove his van into two narcotics officers standing on the sidewalk outside 73 Washington Place last Friday night. The … Continued
Abe Lebewohl & His Park
This spring marks the 30th Anniversary of the St. Mark’s Greenmarket and Music at Abe Lebewohl Park. The joint milestone got us a little nostalgic (okay, we know, when are … Continued
A Five Year Milestone for Far West Village Landmarking
As early as 1963, Jane Jacobs urged that a fledgling NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) protect and designate the Greenwich Village waterfront and the Far West Village neighborhood in which … Continued
Spot the Shot!
“Spot the Shot” is Off the Grid’s weekly photo guessing game, whereby we post a photo of a building, architectural detail, or site taken in the West Village, East Village, … Continued
Seen and Heard Around the Village: 5.9.11 – 5.13.11
Life After the Amato Opera (EV Grieve) Inauguration of New Organ at Church of the Ascension (NY Times) Birdbath Bakery Now Open on 3rd Avenue (EV Grieve) Wine Shop to … Continued
Spot the Shot – Revealed!
No one was able to guess the location of this week’s Spot the Shot, but it was indeed a tricky one. The tiny man shown in the picture is carved … Continued
Second Avenue Mansions of Yesteryear
Woah! Can you believe the corner of St. Marks Place and Second Avenue once looked like this? Our survey of the history of every single building in the East Village … Continued
Fake Ivy Continues to Flourish in Greenwich Village
It’s now been almost a year since the owners of Nos. 47 West 8th Street and 62 West 9th Street illegally installed fake ivy on their buildings. Because both buildings … Continued
In Memoriam: Doric Wilson
On May 7, 2011, at the age of 72, Doric Wilson passed away, bestowing immense sadness on the Village and beyond. Doric was a rare gem who wore many hats, … Continued
Gansevoort Plaza Designs Revealed
Last night, Community Board 2’s Traffic & Transportation Committee reviewed proposed revised design elements and street furniture for Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking District. The Meatpacking Improvement Association (which will … Continued
Former Macy’s Building Proposed for Landmark Designation!
Did you know that the iconic department store Macy’s actually started out right here in the Village on the southeast corner of Sixth Avenue & 14th Street? Today the Landmarks … Continued
Spot the Shot!
“Spot the Shot” is Off the Grid’s weekly photo guessing game, whereby we post a photo of a building, architectural detail, or site taken in the West Village, East Village, … Continued
Seen and Heard Around the Village: 5.2.11 – 5.6.11
The St. Mark’s Greenmarket kicked off its 30th year on Tuesday! Historic Designation Sought for East Village (NY 1) Two open-air drinking establishments to open on the Highline (Gothamist) Remembering … Continued
Spot the Shot – Revealed!
This week’s Spot the Shot is indeed – congratulations Stephanie! – the Merchant’s House Museum at 29 East 4th Street. The style of architecture is late Federal. Built in 1832, … Continued
Save Chelsea Market — Hearing tonight, and history
Those wanting to fight the plan to build massive additions atop the historic Chelsea Market complex might be interested in an important community meeting tonight, and some history about this … Continued
A Beautiful Benefit!
On Sunday, GVSHP held it’s 13th annual House Tour Benefit in Greenwich Village. The sun was shining and the turnout could not have been better. Attendees were able to tour … Continued
Spot the Shot!
Each Monday we’ll be a featuring a “Spot the Shot” post containing a photo of a building, architectural detail, or site around the Village. All featured photos will be taken … Continued
See You on Sunday at the House Tour!
Ever taken refuge in a treehouse in the middle of a bustling New York City neighborhood? Or climbed through a narrow horsewalk into a private, secret courtyard? Or been in … Continued
Seen and Heard Around the Village: 4.25.11 – 4.29.11
Village Bookstores Survive as Borders Dies (NearSay) New York State Landmark Board to Review NYU Expansion Plans (Washington Square News) Then & Now: One Block Of Broome Street (Gothamist) An … Continued
Seinfeld’s Off the Grid Anniversary
The Brooklyn-born, Long Island-raised, Queens College-educated comedian Jerry Seinfeld was born on April 29, 1954. While no doubt many Off the Grid readers are Seinfeld fans, the following day is … Continued
Which Building is Greenest?
We are all becoming increasingly “green” minded – we recycle, reuse and buy local. Yet, when it comes to the built environment many believe that building new is a better … Continued
Proposed East Village Historic District Maps Revealed!
Last night, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) revealed maps of their two proposed historic districts in the East Village. The larger of the two proposed districts is composed of sections … Continued
Stranger’s Hospital: 143-145 Avenue D, Part 4
This is post #4 in a series devoted to our ongoing research of 143-145 Ave D, documenting all of the detours & discoveries uncovered along the way (for background, see … Continued
A Look Back at the Beatnik Riot
On Sunday, April 9, 1961, what has come to be known as the Beatnik Riot, or Washington Square Folk Riot, took place (see the flashback in the Villager). Since the … Continued
Happy Earth Day from GVSHP!
Preservation is a very vital component of sustainability, so it is no surprise that GVSHP’s office is in an historic building with a strong commitment to being green. The Neighborhood … Continued
Seen and Heard Around the Village: 4.18.11 – 4.22.11
City to Consider East Village Historic District Containing Nearly 300 Buildings (DNA Info) Up Next: House Tour (Manhattan Users Guide) ‘Last’ Mafia hangout now dainty tea shop (NY Post) Piece … Continued
The Church of the Nativity & Landmarking the East Village!
Speaking of the firm Town, Davis & Dakin (which as you’ll recall from yesterday’s post built NYU’s original main building), we recently came across some great shots of the stately … Continued
The Past and Future NYU
This week marks the 180th anniversary of the incorporation of New York University, which was chartered in April 1831 as the City University of New York. And it seems the … Continued
Mars Bar — Before & After
A few days ago, the venerable Mars bar on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 1st Street painted “Thanks for the memories, miss you all” over its entrance, in expectation of … Continued
18 & 20 Jones Street
Much fuss has been made of the news that the adjacent “sister” houses at 18 & 20 Jones Street are both currently on the market. We’re curious to see if … Continued
Welcome Andito Lloyd, Our Newest Staffer!
Today we are thrilled to welcome Andito Lloyd – our new East Village & Special Projects Director – to the small but mighty GVSHP team! Andito will soon become a … Continued
Seen and Heard Around the Village: 4.11.11 – 4.15.11
Historic District Advocates Make a Stand at C.A.S (The Villager) Video: Old Greenwich Village, Just Like the Suburbs! (Gothamist) Developer Meets on Fate of 35 Cooper (The Local East Village) … Continued
This Weekend, GVSHP is Going Green!
Tomorrow we’re teaming up with Green Guerillas and the Manhattan Land Trust to host a self-guided walking tour of the East Village’s varied and remarkable community gardens. Today there are … Continued
The Village Voice Building Didn’t Always Look This Good
We were very excited yesterday to receive the Museum of the City of New York’s announcement that they had expanded their online photo collection by over 10,000 images. But we … Continued
149 Second Avenue
What’s not to love about the charming Greek Revival house at 149 Second Avenue, a throwback to another era in the life of the East Village? The house is the … Continued
837 Washington Street – Not Quite There Yet
As promised in today’s earlier post, we have photos of the revised designs for 837 Washington Street that were presented today at a public meeting of Landmarks Preservation Commission. In … Continued
837 Washington Street – Is the Fifth Time the Charm?
A revised iteration of the proposal to build a towering addition atop the 1938 Moderne-style building at 837 Washington Street in the Gansevoort Market Historic District will be shown today … Continued
NYU’s Twenty Year Expansion Plan, Twenty Years From Now
The Villager/East Villager/Downtown Express newspaper chain recently published an op-ed I submitted regarding the ‘NYU 2031 Plan’ — the university’s blueprint for expansion over the next 20 years, a large … Continued
Rally on Sunday to Save the South Village
This Sunday at 1:00pm, GVSHP will be holding a rally to urge the Landmarks Preservation Commission to designate the remainder of the South Village Historic District. We hope you will … Continued
43 MacDougal Street: Even Worse Than We Thought
Just when we thought things couldn’t get any worse at 43 MacDougal Street, after reading Monday’s post on the building an anonymous neighbor sent us the following photos, which are … Continued
Cornell Edwards of The Flower Stall, 1932-2011
We were extremely saddened to read on EV Grieve this morning that Cornell Edwards, owner of the Flower Stall at 143 E. 13th St, has passed away. Cornell opened The … Continued
The 2010 Census — Highs and Lows
The recently released 2010 census figures for New York City have certainly stirred some controversy, with their finding of only a modest overall population increase in the city, coupled with … Continued
43 MacDougal Street – Demolition by Neglect?
By all accounts it looks like we’re in for a rainy week, which doesn’t bode well for 43 MacDougal Street, the neglected and badly deteriorating 1846 house on the corner … Continued
Purchase your tickets for GVSHP’s Annual House Tour!
Spring means many wonderful things for Greenwich Village: Wisteria is in full bloom, Washington Square Park is full of life, and during our annual house tour several lucky people get … Continued
Edward Hopper’s Drug Store
We’ll be the first to admit it: We have Edward Hopper fever. Those who were present at our recent lecture on the artist’s work know the extent of the research … Continued
The Second Avenue El
The New York Public Library’s digital gallery contains some fun photos of the Second Avenue elevated train, which began operation in 1880 and cast shadows upon the street for more … Continued
The Decline of the Dry Dock District: 143-145 Avenue D, Part 3
This is post #3 in a series devoted to our research of the fascinating building at 143-145 Avenue D. Those of you who have been following our research on 143-145 … Continued
A Successful Centennial
Friday, March 25, 2011, marked the 100 year anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. The Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition, among countless other groups, had arranged events all weekend to … Continued
Digging Up the Past on 125 MacDougal Street
Part of our work at GVSHP involves handling research requests from the public. Recently, we received an inquiry all the way from Italy. Not surprisingly, the building in question was … Continued
A Sense of Place circa 1950
Nat Kaufman was a Villager and a member of the Village Camera Club. This image of a man with a baby carriage at the Annual Washington Square Art won a … Continued
In Memoriam: Lucy Cecere
Greenwich Village lost one of its greats this weekend with the passing of Lucy Cecere at the age of 87. Though small in stature, Lucy was a true giant in … Continued
Off the Grid: Minetta Street and Minetta Lane
Today is the 200th anniversary of the official adoption of the Manhattan street grid, an event of enormous importance to New York as a whole, and in a slightly different … Continued
It Happened Here: Album Covers
The Village and East Village have long been the home of music-makers and music venues; their streets and sites on more than one occasion the inspiration for song-writers and the subject of many … Continued
Did You Know? – East 7th Street
Did you know that East 7th Street between Avenues C & D was once known as “Political Row”? Neither did we, until during the course of our East Village research … Continued
Sixth Avenue Extension – Before & After
At last week’s Edward Hopper panel, speaker Linda Yowell’s dramatic slides of the destruction caused by the 1917 extension of Seventh Avenue elicited great interest from the crowd. We thought … Continued
The Dry Dock Banking House: 143-145 Avenue D, Part 2
This is post #2 in a series devoted to our ongoing research of 143-145 Ave D, documenting all of the detours & discoveries uncovered along the way. For background, see … Continued
Mystery on Avenue D: 143-145 Avenue D, Part 1
What follows is first in a series of posts devoted to our research of the fascinating building at 143-145 Avenue D. Early last year, while surveying Alphabet City as part … Continued
Trains returning to the High Line
Each week we spend a great deal of time tracking applications coming before the Landmarks Preservation Commission for work on historic buildings in our neighborhood (photos and status updates to … Continued
Brunswick Apotheke, Englehardt & Huber, Kiehl’s Since 1851
Our survey of every single building in the East Village has left us questioning some of the neighborhood folklore we’ve always taken for granted. For instance, the building at 105-107 Third … Continued
Jane Street Triangle Redesign Update
This past Wednesday, representatives from the City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) came before Community Board 2’s Traffic and Transportation Committee to present a revised plan for the Jane Street Triangle … Continued
Save the Date! May 1st is our Annual House Tour
Each year, in anticipation of our annual house tour, we scour the Village in search of its most interesting, fun, and fascinating residential spaces. Some of the history we’ve uncovered … Continued
Dates Can be Deceiving
In chipping away at the gargantuan task of researching the history of all the buildings in the East Village, it’s always nice when a building wears its history on its … Continued
Celebrating the Beginnings of a Beloved Village Landmark
Today we pause to celebrate the anniversary of the consecration of one of the Village’s most beloved landmarks: on March 7th, 1846, Grace Church was consecrated at Broadway and 10th … Continued
A Slice of East Village History is Destroyed
EV Grieve sends some sad news from the East Village today, where 326 & 328 East 4th Street – the two remarkably intact 1837-41 Greek Revival buildings the City refused … Continued
Kintecoying
The Department of Transportation’s plans to pedestrianize portions of Astor Place have caused quite a stir in the neighborhood, as they have the potential to obliterate the historic street configuration … Continued
Edward Hopper’s Village
The locations of sites around the Village portrayed in Edward Hopper’s works have been hotly debated, especially in light of the MTA’s plans to construct an emergency ventilation plant on … Continued
