The modern history of New York has been one of old treasures torn down and replaced with glass boxes, so there is something wonderful about seeing a decrepit gem cleaned up and brought back to its full lustre. Ladies and gentleman, the strangest building on East 4th Street has been restored!
As Lost City notes, the curious 62 East 4th Street structure has (after 20 years of finagling) been beautifully renovated by the Rod Rodgers Dance Company and Studios and Duo Multicultural Arts Center, thanks in part to some city funds to restore the edifice. Having stared at the building and its curious circular fire escape our whole lives, we are impressed. The old girl looks good!
Meanwhile, if you are curious, the building has a long and fun history. Over the years it has been "a meeting hall, a German music hall, Astoria Hall, Manhattan Lyceum, the Astor Ballroom, a gay cinema, a hang out for Andy Warhol and Jim Carroll, and a performance space." And, as we noted back in 2008, that Warhol period was an interesting one. Warhol and Carroll apparently used the building to "put on a series of hardcore male porn films in what was called Andy Warhol's Theater: Boys to Adore Galore; all paperwork was being filed under the name: Poetry on Film.
