New developments are under way in NYC, though some are facing legal troubles that could slow down progress. Here’s a look at the progress of some of the city’s newest developments.
New East Village Condo Building Coming to Site of Gas Explosion
Following a gas explosion in 2015 that killed two people and injured several more, developer Nexus Building Development Group will be transforming some of the space into a new seven-story condo. Located in East Village at 119 and 121 Second Avenue, two of the three sites that were leveled by the explosion were sold to the developer for $9.15 million. Morris Adjmi has since been brought on to design a seven-story condo for the 119 Second Avenue site.
According to the current plans, a total of 21 apartments will be spread out over the building’s seven floors. Retail space will be located on the lower level, while some of the building’s amenities will include a common terrace, a fitness room, a laundry room, bicycle parking and outdoor recreation space.
The third building, which was located at 123 Second Avenue, sold for $6 million in the fall of 2016. This spot is not part of the development plan. The cause of the 2015 explosion was a gas line at 121 Second Avenue that had been illegally installed. The owners of the buildings at 119 and 121 Second Avenue along with two others are currently awaiting trial for manslaughter charges.
New Tribeca Development Nears Completion
Located at 111 Murray Street, a new 64-story Tribeca development featuring a glass façade and a total of 157 apartments is nearing completion. Prices for the available units begin at $4.3 million for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment and go up to $18.9 million for a five-bedroom, six-bedroom condo. Developed by the Fisher Brothers and Witkoff Group, the project has been in the works since the fall of 2014. The original plans called for a 950-foot structure, but the size reduced the following year to 792 feet and 64 stories.
DDG’s Upper East Side Tower Faces More Lawsuits
DDG’s Upper East Side condo development, which has already been mired in lawsuits, is facing more legal issues. This time, elected offcials and community groups have paired up to sue the developers as well as two city agencies in an effort to prevent the project from moving forward. In the lawsuit, DDG is accused of exploiting a section of the zoning code in an effort to circumvent height restrictions. The lawsuit goes on to say that the DOB and Board of Standards improperly allowed the developer to circumvent the zoning code.
The developers were hit with a stop-work order in the summer of 2016 as the company carved out a lot on the property to allow for a taller building. After the stop-work order, the developer increased the lot size and the DOB allowed construction to resume. The new lawsuit, which has been filed on the behalf of community groups such as Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts and Carnegie Hill Neighbors, has not resulted in a stop-work order. The tower, which will reach 32 feet once complete, is currently at its 16th story.