200 Smith Street Torn Down
We passed by 200 Smith Street, at Baltic, just yesterday, and noticed that demolition of the three-story building was underway. Today a tipster sent in this photo with the demolition almost totally complete. There are no building permits for demolition (they appear to be going the Alt 1 route) but it looks like it’ll remain…
We passed by 200 Smith Street, at Baltic, just yesterday, and noticed that demolition of the three-story building was underway. Today a tipster sent in this photo with the demolition almost totally complete. There are no building permits for demolition (they appear to be going the Alt 1 route) but it looks like it’ll remain a three floor, two-unit building. Other than the original building looking kinda crappy and rundown, is anyone away of any more pressing reason (like structural problems or a fire) that would have necessitated a tear-down? GMAP P*Shark DOB
Photo by Eugene Gannon
Jessie’s was a failure from the start. I’ve tried going there several times during the month that they were supposedly “open for business” but never been successful. Apparently they were only open from about 12 p.m. till about 4 p.m. and I come back at around 5. Now correct me If I’m wrong, but if a store is only open for about four hours a day, how do you make enough money to pay for the rent in the first place especially if the store is poorly advertised? Pepe Viola was a better place and I knew the manager. He told me that they were only closing down because business was declining and the competition around the block was too much.
I liked that place when it was Viola. It was pretty reasonable for a meal there. I suspect they may have gotten priced out of the neighborhood.
Often restaurant close after ten years as their lease is up and the landlord jacks up the rent. That take out place wasn’t there long enough to get a rent increase unless they did not have a lease.
Does anyone remember the Chinese restaurant ?
When Jessie’s closed, there was a notice in the window saying that the landlord had raised the rent exorbitantly and they couldn’t afford to stay, but that they wanted to. I used to get take-out from there & it was always good, so I was disappointed when they left. The “order all your meals for the week dealio” was just an option – they had brunch and other regular service. Schadenfreude that the landlord never could find a tenant after kicking them out.
Let’s hope someone with taste can build something decent. Proper scale is most important. Excellent design, though rare, is possible. Keep your fingers crossed! Architecture is always good when it’s a nice surprise. Is a building restricted in scale here? Smith Street could use an architectural shot in the arm, so to speak. A nice big retail space would be good, lots of windows and light. They could build a mini Manufacturers Hanover Trust (43rd & 5th in Manh) since they seem to be disrespecting that one in their makeover to “Big Box” retail.
Thanks oldtimer, I had forgotten about Pepe Viola. Used to be part of our dining rotation when I first moved here.
That was once a wild Chinese restaurant, you would always get something else besides what you ordered. Then it became an OK and cheap Italian restaurant,can anyone remeber the name ? It was one of the second wave of places to open after Patois.
CMU – Please report back.
I would love for something non-sucky to open in that space. But isn’t the new place run by the same people who ran the last few failed attempts?
(I read that on the Internet someplace, so it must be true.)
cmu – which is that? The one on 5th @ Pres. or 7th @ 3rd?