UES Corner Near Queensboro Bridge Faces Wrecking Ball, Records Show

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Sometime, even demolitions can get a downsize.

After filing demolition plans over a year ago for seven buildings on the east side of Second Avenue between East 60th and 61st streets — nearly the whole block — city records show that the owner is considering a smaller, more quaint plan of demolition.

The demolition permits call for flattening both 1140 and 1142 Second Ave., encompassing the southeast corner of the block.

The building at 1140 Second Ave. was the former home of the Subway Inn, now relocated a few doors down, and late dive bar The Blue Room. Next door at 1142 Second Ave. was a longtime laundromat — and a longtime tenant whose refusal to leave complicated owner Sean J. Lavin's initial demolition plans.

It is unclear if the tenant has vacated his apartment, which appears to have been at 1142 Second Ave.

Lavin has owned all of the buildings on the block for years.

He completed his block-opoly when he purchased the three northernmost lots for $5.5 million in June 2021.

In December 2021, Lavin, who appears to be affiliated with the firms Townhouse Property Group and Lavin Development, filed plans to demolish seven buildings on the block, 1140-1152 Second Ave., spanning from the northeast corner of 60th Street up toward the corner of 61st Street.

Lavin also filed demolition plans for 1158 Second Ave., which left 1154 and 1156 Second Ave. unscathed.

Months later, in March 2022, Lavin withdrew demolition permits for 1140-1150 Second Ave.

The demolition filing for 1158 Second Ave. is still active, while the plans for 1148 and 1150 Second Ave. remain withdrawn.

Patch was unable to get in touch with Lavin to hear what his plans were for the demolition permit shuffle.

Meanwhile, the Subway Inn remains closed as it awaits a new liquor license since it moved 50 feet down the street in June.