A luxury real estate developer has filed plans to demolish three small buildings which are currently home to several small businesses.
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As reported by Crain’s New York Business, Torkian Group recently filed to demolish 1382, 1384 and 1386 Second Avenue (between 71st and 72nd streets). The company bought the site last September from Copperwood Real Estate and Y Leaf LLC for $25 million.
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While two businesses at 1384 Second Avenue are closed (InVite Health and Express Brows), several at the other two buildings remain up and running: Two Wheels Vietnamese and Windsor Florist at 1382, and Fei’s Laundry & Cleaners and Wo’s Custom Tailoring at 1386.
The owner of Wo’s, who asked to remain nameless, told East Side Feed on Friday that because of the forthcoming demolition, they’re moving their business to 1018 Lexington Avenue (between 72nd and 73rd streets) in March. They’ll be taking a second floor space above Grace Deli & Cafe.
Torkian Group has built residential towers including The Cameo in Hell’s Kitchen and The Delecor at 250 East 83rd Street. Crain’s reports that “[This] property allows for a developer to construct a mixed-use or residential building spanning about 60,000 square feet with the potential to add air rights.”
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East Side Feed contacted Torkian Group about the development but has not received a reply as of writing.
The Upper East Side has been brimming with news of new residential developments. Last month, real estate developer Manocherian Brothers submitted plans to construct a 23-story apartment building just a five-minute walk from this one.
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The avenues are going to consist of tall glass apartment buildings and I imagine the rents will be astronomical. So much for small businesses that serve the community. I passed 86th and First Avenue. The corner that once housed a locksmith, florist (they both relocated within the neighborhood) wine store and nail salon is completely torn down. I can’t help but feel sad and I’m not a luddite; I understand progress but all of this tear down isn’t progress.
Predatory developers rule this city. Even churches are willing to tear down adjacent buildings to sell the air rights or tear down the church itself. Prosperity gospel heresy? Alive and well.
Sorry to lose a remaining “Chinese” laundry.
Besides the loss of affordable apartments, the problem with these buildings being torn down is the loss of small businesses, bars and restaurants that can NEVER afford to come back and occupy any of the retail space in the new building. Pretty soon the avenues will consist of nothing but tall buildings, that are basically unaffordable to most, and expensive retail stores, banks, medical offices, etc. Somewhere someone had posted that the city should demand that the retail space in these new buildings be built out and offered to the small business they kicked out or a similar business.