Sounds and Smells of Spring
The sounds and smells of spring have finally arrived and are inspiring us all. The good weather and promise of low-interest rates from the Fed are energizing buyers and sellers to spring into action. In the last few weeks, there has been a surge of “contracts signed”. Unlike last year, sellers are pricing their properties realistically and buyers who were on the sidelines feel more confident and are jumping into the real estate waters to snatch-up a good deal.
The average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.06 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending Thursday, down from last week when it averaged 4.28 percent, according to Freddie Mac. A year ago at this time, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.40 percent. CNBC – reported by Diana Olick @dianaolick
This month’s Culturally Inclined features the West Village sharing a walking tour through the rambling narrow streets once cow paths, local galleries and art installations, jazz music venues, eclectic gifts shops and boutiques to meander into, restaurants to try and historic pubs to learn about the mystic lore while you wet your whistle, fitness spots to try out and a market snapshot to apprise you of current trends.
Commerce Street is one of the few remaining “L” shaped streets remaining in Manhattan as reflected in the banner photo located between Seventh Avenue South and Barrow Street. Commerce Street is sheltered by many historic buildings: the Cherry Lane Theater – 38 Commerce Street, 11 Commerce a plaque states it was the former home of Washington Irving, Jr. the author of Rip Van Winkle and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, 17 Commerce Street – previously the home of Aaron Burr. Walking these streets you feel a mystic presence. To read more about the historic townhouses while wandering on these enchanted streets click on the Forgotten New York’s story about Commerce Street and Bedford and Barrow. The historic Isaacs-Hendricks House (1799) – 75 1/2 Bedford is the oldest house in the Village and Chumley’s – 86 Bedford (Bedford & Barrow) a notorious speakeasy nearby is where the term 86’d originated. At first “86” was code from the cook to the waiter indicating they were all out of whatever the customer just ordered. Bartenders in speakeasies adopted it to mean, “No more hooch for that guy. Get him off the floor and boot him out of here.” Chumley’s has been reinvented again and is now a swanky speakeasy/restaurant.
Commerce was one of a handful of streets in the vicinity that were named for French revolutionary virtues; others included Art Street (now part of 8th Street), Science Street (which became Waverly Place) and Reason Street (renamed Barrow). Art, Science and Reason are gone; only Commerce remains. Sounds like a parable, doesn’t it?
Despite the name, the street has never been much of a business district; the story about banks moving here from downtown to escape an 1822 smallpox epidemic is apparently a just-so story made up to explain the sleepy street’s inappropriate name. And it was never really named Cherry Lane; that was a story invented by William Rainey, co-founder of the theater, to explain its name, which is actually a pun on London’s Drury Lane. [NY Songlines]
A new West Village is burgeoning with the St. James Terminal, the former freight terminal for the Highline and New Developments: including The Shepard | 175 West 10th | 100 Barrow | 90 Morton | 111 Leroy Street | | 127 Leroy Street | 160 Leroy Street |and 550 Washington. 100 Barrow was so popular that it is now sold out.
- Saturday, April 13 from 12:00 – 3:00 PM in Garibaldi Plaza Historic District Open House Weekend
- Saturday, April 13 – Sunday, April 14 Click here for the full weekend schedule!
Hot New Farm to Table Restaurant: “Ardyn”
Helmed by chefs Adam Bordonaro (@adambord) and Ryan (@chefrylo88), Ardyn (@ardynnyc) is an American Restaurant where fresh ingredients are at the forefront of modern techniques. The farm-to-table concept features a menu of locally sourced small-batch ingredients. Included within the space is a technique-driven cocktail bar, an à la carte menu in the dining room, and a seven-seat experiential chefs counter. Click on Link to visit Ardyn – 33 West 8th Street website.
Explore my Website: http://www.karenkostiw.com for West Village neighborhood guide, market data and so much more. Spring is a perfect time for a self-guided tour of the West Village. The Village Alliance Office 8 East 8th Street offers “Village Access Card” (FREE -All residents, students, and employees of zip codes 10003, 10011, 10012, and 10014 are eligible ) providing discounts to restaurants, retail shops, healthy & beauty, and service shops. Now that the good weather has rolled-in give me a call to catch-up. We can connect on Instagram to share our New York City favorite pictures and experiences throughout the year.
