Amid the endless battle between old school East Village residents and the legion of gentrifiers, a recent tenant-developer deal proved that once in a while, everybody can win. Following the 2011 demolition of the festering beloved Mars Bar, BFC Partners announced plans to build a twelve-floor luxury condo building. But instead of being met with the usual bouts of rage, the developers managed to reach a rather civil agreement with nine of the previous building’s tenants. They were each promised ownership of a new luxury apartment– for a cost of $10.00 each. Yes. That’s ten dollars each. The hell with nostalgic preservation, DAYUM!
The building is called Jupiter 21– ’cause Jupiter follows Mars, GET IT?! — and it’s finally all primped and ready to go. While new residents of the shiny Second Avenue digs will rent units for $3,000.00- $10,000 a month, the old timers are basically set for life, for the price of a six-pack. Jupiter 21 boasts a serenity garden, a rooftop terrace, and a wet bar, along with plenty of sunlight and fancy new appliances in each unit.
While it’s a slight change of aesthetic for living above a bar with no tap, at least they’ll have one reminder of the good ol’ days: Mars Bar will supposedly soon be resurrected downstairs. Hopefully the’ll get crazy discounts on the inevitably pricier drinks, too.
