Situated at the corner of East 4th Street, this property places your business at a key intersection in the East Village, surrounded by the neighborhood’s legendary mix of independent retailers, restaurants, bars, music venues, and community institutions. The building’s East Village location ensures it benefits from one of downtown Manhattan’s busiest and most densely populated residential and commercial corridors.
Key Features
Prime East Village / Second Avenue Location
- Situated on Second Avenue, a major north-south thoroughfare that serves as the commercial spine of the East Village, one of Manhattan’s most iconic neighborhoods, known for its punk rock history, street art, and world-class dining .
- Located at the southeast corner of Second Avenue and East 4th Street, offering exceptional corner visibility and dual-street frontage.
- Moments from St. Mark’s Place (East 8th Street) , one of NYC’s most famous streets, known for its vintage shops, record stores, and vibrant nightlife .
- Steps from Tompkins Square Park, a beloved neighborhood hub drawing hundreds of daily visitors for its farmers’ market, dog run, concerts, and community events .
- Minutes from NYU’s main campus, with its over 50,000 students, faculty, and staff creating consistent daily demand for retail and services .
Unmatched Neighborhood Foot Traffic
- Second Avenue in the East Village is one of downtown Manhattan’s busiest pedestrian and vehicular corridors, drawing a constant flow of local residents, NYU students, artists, musicians, professionals, shoppers, diners, and tourists .
- The building’s corner location at 4th Street captures foot traffic from both Second Avenue and the side street, maximizing visibility and walk-in potential.
- The area’s thriving restaurant, bar, and music venue scene generates additional evening and late-night traffic .
- Tompkins Square Park draws daily visitors from dog walkers, families, skateboarders, and attendees of the weekly farmers’ market and community events .
Spacious Retail Layout – 2,093 SF
- Approximately 2,093 SF of ground-floor retail space .
- Located in a building constructed in 1920, offering classic pre-war character with a prominent storefront in the East Village .
- Available as part of a multi-space offering: the First Floor at 2,094 SF, the Entire Basement at 1,308 SF, and the Entire Mezzanine at 713 SF, providing flexibility for expansion or multi-level retail concepts .
- Originally configured as a bank branch, providing spacious interior proportions suitable for a variety of retail, service, or hospitality concepts.
- Ideal footprint for an established retailer, restaurant group, fitness concept, or gallery seeking a signature East Village presence.
- At approximately $28.67 per square foot, this represents a premium price befitting this prime corner location in the heart of the East Village.
Excellent Transit Access
- Easy access to multiple subway lines, connecting to all of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens:
- L train at First Avenue
- F train at Second Avenue
- 6 train at Astor Place
- N, R, W trains at 8th Street–NYU
- 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W trains at Union Square/14th Street
- Multiple MTA bus routes along Second Avenue, First Avenue, and 14th Street .
Diverse & High-Value Customer Base
This East Village location serves a broad and loyal customer base including:
- East Village residents from surrounding residential buildings
- NYU students and faculty
- Young professionals and creatives
- Artists and musicians
- Shoppers and diners from St. Mark’s Place
- Visitors to Tompkins Square Park
- Tourists exploring the East Village
- Nightlife and entertainment patrons
- Dog walkers and park visitors
Ideal For Businesses Such As
- Full-service restaurant or bar
- Specialty food market or grocer
- Fitness or yoga studio
- Boutique retail (apparel, vintage, accessories)
- Art gallery or exhibition space
- Music venue or performance space
- Coffee shop or café
- Beauty salon or barbershop
- Wellness or medical practice
- Professional office or showroom
- Tattoo or piercing studio
- Record store or music shop
- High-end concept store
Highlights
✔ 2,093 SF of prime retail space at the corner of Second Avenue and East 4th Street
✔ $60,000/month — premium East Village location
✔ Exceptional corner visibility with high-profile Second Avenue frontage
✔ Former Bank of America branch, available for immediate possession
✔ Flexible 10-15 year lease term
✔ Surrounded by iconic East Village retail, dining, and nightlife
✔ Outstanding foot traffic from residents, NYU students, and visitors
✔ Steps from St. Mark’s Place and Tompkins Square Park
✔ Excellent access to multiple subway lines and bus routes
✔ Previously home to Dinosaur Hill and adjacent to Veselka, two legendary East Village institutions
Conclusion
72 Second Avenue offers a rare opportunity to establish or expand your business at one of the East Village’s most prominent intersections. With 2,093 SF of flexible retail space, exceptional corner visibility, unmatched neighborhood foot traffic, and a diverse customer base that includes residents, students, artists, and visitors, this property is ideally positioned for long-term success in the heart of one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods.
Whether you’re opening a restaurant, boutique, fitness studio, gallery, or specialty retail concept, this prime East Village corner location provides the visibility, accessibility, and customer base needed to thrive in one of Manhattan’s most dynamic and beloved communities.
Contact us today to schedule a private tour and secure this outstanding East Village retail opportunity!
