Oh my god, I lived in this building a decade ago! On the first floor. It was indeed renovated—and none of the piping had been patched around, so I had constant roaches even after I did a mediocre job of fixing it myself. It was absolutely not rent-stabilized and I got priced out within a year. What a story! What a character!
Let’s see, in 1995 (after two NYU dorm rooms on Washington Square Park) I was living in a 400-square-foot studio on Waverly Place, then moved to the Red Square Building on Houston with a roommate… In the studio, I could brush my teeth while sitting on the toilet… and Ethan Hawke was my neighbor! I’m sure that’s renting for thousands now. Love this story—it brought on nostalgia. I have mouse stories, too…
Compelling narrative, Sari -- a true tale from the colorful streets of Manhattan. (I'm a son of Inwood, raised in a postwar apartment with step-down living room . . . and no "gift" surprises.)
There are eight million stories in the vivid city. This has been one of them I'm grateful you share so stylishly. 😉
Love this! I worked on one of his books! But I only met him twice during that time. I did actually wonder how he got away with turning his famous apartment into a spectacle!
Wow, that's a New York story if ever there was one! Beautiful.
Not only a remarkable only in New York story but a testament to the gutsy, fearless gal you are! AMAZING!
Sari-truly an excellent and quintessentially New York essay. It brought me right back to my bathtub in the kitchen apartment in the 80's. Kudos!
Oh my god, I lived in this building a decade ago! On the first floor. It was indeed renovated—and none of the piping had been patched around, so I had constant roaches even after I did a mediocre job of fixing it myself. It was absolutely not rent-stabilized and I got priced out within a year. What a story! What a character!
Let’s see, in 1995 (after two NYU dorm rooms on Washington Square Park) I was living in a 400-square-foot studio on Waverly Place, then moved to the Red Square Building on Houston with a roommate… In the studio, I could brush my teeth while sitting on the toilet… and Ethan Hawke was my neighbor! I’m sure that’s renting for thousands now. Love this story—it brought on nostalgia. I have mouse stories, too…
Such courage - and intuition - on your part!
This was gripping right to the end. (And gah! Mouse coffins lol ...)
Compelling narrative, Sari -- a true tale from the colorful streets of Manhattan. (I'm a son of Inwood, raised in a postwar apartment with step-down living room . . . and no "gift" surprises.)
There are eight million stories in the vivid city. This has been one of them I'm grateful you share so stylishly. 😉
Fantastic story and story-telling, thank you!
What a great story!
Mouse coffins wouldn’t bother me, but the worry that that odd tenant might still have a key would!
Another great NYC story, Sari! And omg, mouse coffins! I can't even imagine...
I grew up a few blocks down from you on West 13th Street.
In an apartment building that had no 13th floor. But it was on 13th Street. Figure that one out.
Great story.
Love this! I worked on one of his books! But I only met him twice during that time. I did actually wonder how he got away with turning his famous apartment into a spectacle!
Such a great New York story; thank you for sharing this.
I do have a collection of jewelry boxes, which are now tiny, empty coffins to me. I think they need to go now. What a great story!
Really enjoyed reading this, Sari!!