The Lower East Side’s Dispatch - March 11th, 2026
Major building purchases, an update to 169 Bar's landlord fight, and some major discussions on Essex Market's future.
Winter is almost over. That means the sluggish (local) news cycle period is about to break. In the meantime, enjoy the few tidbits of change coming your neighborhoood’s way.
REIT Buys VITAL Gym Space [Commercial Observer]: The $34 million acquisition of VITAL’s LES home at 180 Broome was quickly followed by the acquisition of their other original location in Williamsburg by the same real estate investment trust, EPR Partners.
CB3 Considers Plea to Overhaul Essex Market Management (The Lo-Down): Ed Litvak covers CB3’s attempt to draft a resolution urging city hall to consider an “alternative management structure” at Essex Market. Read this article for all the background.
Vladeck Park to Receive City Funding [The Lo-Down]: The $50 million funding targets 10 parks that have not received significant public investment in at least 20 years.
Ernesto’s East Broadway Building Bought for $8mm [MAFH]: The six-story building was last sold in 2013 when it looked like this. No worries for Ernesto’s though, their lease ends in 2028.
BabySips to Open Larger Bushwick Wine Bar [Eater NY]: They’re less than a year in but all signs point to a successful first months in business as owners Zoe Clifton and David Wilson eye a spring opening for Bodega Nights at 425 Troutman St.
Essex Market Among EDC-Managed Food Markets Operating at a Loss [Gothamist]: The feel good slant of the article disguises the reality that food at Essex Market is no cheaper (and likely more expensive) than what you can find elsewhere on the Lower East Side. It’s great that that rents are subsidized for legacy vendors and for successful businesses like once-fledgling Dhamaka, but I’ve personally not seen that reflected in prices for consumers. Time for a second round of comparing supermarket prices?
169 Bar Faces Alleged Landlord Harassment [Page Six]: Speculation of what the hell’s gonna happen to 169 bar started long before this article. On Feb 26th, they posted a bizarre 19 pic carousel post on Instagram, alleging all types of harassment from the landlord. Blowtorches, wigs, theft, illegal eviction, it’s there. Both parties are due in court on April 2nd and Page Six has a decent summary of the situation.