This week our “Throwback Thursday” focused on the property located at 930 2nd Avenue, in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, NY. It was built in 1900 and has 5 stories, 16 units, and one commercial space. It is a pre-war building located between East 49th and East 59th Street. This charming, well-run building is a walk-up.
It was formerly occupied by a Chinese restaurant known as “Mei Noodle.” This is a prime restaurant opportunity in Turtle Bay, within a dense residential neighborhood. The site contained a fully built-out restaurant. Scarano Architect, PLLC was hired to install the third location of the famous Italian restaurant “Norma’s.” They filed with the Department of Buildings for a fire suppression system, plumbing, and partition work on the ceiling and first floor, sidewalk, and façade replacement.
There is an interesting history following this address. In May 1867, NYC passed the nation’s first housing reform code called “the New York Tenement Act.” This was in response to the often deplorable conditions suffered by impoverished tenants. The city now regulates sanitation, ventilation, and room size. When plans were filed for 928 and 930 Second Avenue in April 1884, The Board on Plans for Light and Ventilation for New Tenements and Houses carefully reviewed them. Completed in 1885, they each passed. The identical structures were 25 feet wide and 5 stories tall. They were clad in red brick and trimmed in sandstone.
930 Second Avenue was home to a Bargain Shop in the 1970s, followed by Knicker’s restaurant and Bar. Sip and Sak, a Thai Restaurant, found its home there in the early 2000s. This job was for a commercial restaurant renovation where a Chinese restaurant was relocating, and the famous Norma’s Italian Restaurant of NYC was opening its third location.
This was an old building and they had to be careful with what they were doing. They had to make sure the partition work matched the existing work done to look uniform. The clients were delighted with the outcome of the project. Scarano Architect, PLLC delves into all types of architectural jobs, some are big, and some are small. We put the same effort and care into every project we accept. This is how you grow a business. This is why we have been in business for over thirty years.