Revealed: Condo project on East Village gas explosion site

Developer Nexus is planning 21 residential units

The new building proposed for the 2nd Avenue explosion site (Credit: Morris Adjimi Architects)
The new building proposed for the 2nd Avenue explosion site (Credit: Morris Adjimi Architects)

The first set of renderings are out for the condominium project at the site of a 2015 gas explosion in the East Village.

Morris Adjmi Architects is designing the seven-story building at 119-121 Second Avenue, according to EV Grieve. Developer Nexus Building Development Group’s project will have 21 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and a retail space. Amenities will include a fitness room, a common terrace and an outdoor recreation space.

The developer purchased the sites at 119 and 121 Second Avenue last year for $9.15 million. An adjacent site at 123 Second Avenue sold in 2016 for $6 million.

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Because the project is located in the East Village/Lower East Side historic district, it needs city approvals to proceed. The Landmarks Committee at Community Board 3 will hear the proposal on June 18, the publication said. The Landmarks Preservation Commission will also eventually weigh in.

The 2015 explosion — which killed two people and injured more than a dozen others — was caused by an illegally installed gas line at 121 Second Avenue, according to officials. Building owner Maria Hrynenko and four others were arrested and charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide. Last year, a portion of Second Avenue was renamed in honor of the victims. [EV Grieve] — Meenal Vamburkar