The Sanctuary Is New Roosevelt Island Event Space At Former Dayspring Church Stone Cottage On East River Waterfront Promenade Opening Later This Month - Cocktail Bar, Speakeasy Bistro, Health Focused Restaurant & Outdoor Beer Garden Coming To The Sanctuary In Spring

Reported Wednesday September 23 on opening of the The Sanctuary, a new Roosevelt Island event space and restaurant located at the former Dayspring Church on the East River West Promenade  waterfront.



The first event at the Sanctuary will be a September 30 fundraiser for the Queens based Titan Theater Company.

As previously reported:

... A tipster reports that the owner of The Sanctuary also owns the Coffeed chain of multiple locations including  LIC Landing next to the Hunters Point ferry dock and New Leaf  stone cottage restaurant in Fort Tryon Park which appears similar to The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island. I am told that Roosevelt Island's The Sanctuary is a personal project of the owner and not part of the Coffeed  properties.

Stay tuned for more news to come about The Sanctuary including plans for future events, community outreach and opening of the restaurant....

Here's more info on The Sanctuary from press release by Main Street Master Retail Leaseholder Hudson Related:

Hudson/Related today announced The Sanctuary, a new event space and restaurant located in a historic former church on Roosevelt Island. The 5,400 square foot space will offer visitors a health-focused restaurant, cocktail bar, outdoor beer garden and an event space, focusing on community fundraisers and events for non-profit organizations. Located at 851 Main Street, The Sanctuary is scheduled to open later this month, bringing a new community-focused space and breathing fresh air into the nearly 100-year-old building. The space will be run by New York City based Glow Group in partnership with The Sanctuary RI LLC and the nonprofit Helping Humans Across America.

The Sanctuary will be located in the former church of the Metropolitan Hospital, also formerly known as the Dayspring Church. Built in 1924, the charming stone and slate building is constructed of quarried grey gneiss. It has enormous stained glass windows and beautiful views of Manhattan Island and the East River.

“This beautiful, historic building has been a place of comfort and celebration for locals for nearly 100 years,” said Alexandra Kaplan, Project Manager at The Hudson Companies. “As the building lay vacant, we knew it had the potential to bring even more memories to this community. The Sanctuary will do just that, supporting local non-profits, offering healthy food options and creating a unique dining experience, all while maintaining the historical integrity of this incredible structure.”

The Glow Group is a highly collaborative entity that partners with local creative businesses and nonprofits, focusing on the shared goal to provide their community with meaningful event and dining experiences. It's is led by Frank "Turtle" Raffaele -- the restaurateur known for COFFEED, LIC Landing, and New Leaf Restaurant in Fort Tryon Park -- along with longtime business partner Gene Sky and tech entrepreneur Tom Chernaik. It has released a welcoming statement:

“When we first saw this historic structure, we were immediately awed by its architecture and location with sweeping views of the East River and Manhattan and it offers visitors a view of the bridges and the city like no other. We were even more impressed and excited at the prospect of operating on Roosevelt Island. All of the residents and local businesses here have been super-helpful and supportive and we are eager and overjoyed to serve this wonderful community. We are excited to work closely with the Roosevelt Island community and provide new dining and entertainment outings that local residents may not have had here before. We are equally gratified and excited to work with David Kramer and the amazing people at Hudson and Related, as we are proud believers in their vision to transform Main Street through rebranding, renovations, and improvements. Whether you come here for an event, a bite to eat, or a cocktail; our goal is for you to enjoy this fantastic and historic site and leave a little happier than when you came in.”

After hosting the critically acclaimed Titan Theater Company’s annual gala on September 30 featuring performances from Broadway actors, the Sanctuary will officially open to the public for events this fall, with a primary focus on community and non-profit events. The space will also be available for weddings, corporate functions and parties, and will host a number of events for the Roosevelt Island community throughout the fall, including a partnership series with Quiet Events, the group behind the popular Silent Disco parties. For more information on latest events, happenings, and bookings, visit the Sanctuary’s website at www.thesanctuaryri.com.

The restaurant at The Sanctuary is scheduled to open next spring. The chic speakeasy-style bistro will harness the building’s unique location to offer a dramatic experience that remains respectful to the historic location. The restaurant will serve a diverse offering of food and beverages, with a focus on plant-based options, while remaining available for event use. The space is dedicated to highlighting the building's unique location and history, while providing a contemporary experience for visitors through events, food and drink offerings, and fresh nightlife options for Roosevelt Island residents. The significant cocktail menu, a rarity on Roosevelt Island, will be curated by a mixologist to offer options befitting the setting.

The Sanctuary is the latest lease signed by Hudson/Related to bring an eclectic mix of storefronts and offerings to Roosevelt Island. Earlier this year, Hudson/Related announced a lease with Jupioca, a juice, smoothie and tea shop serving high-quality, fresh and nutritious meals and beverages. Other new storefronts include Liukoshui, a hot pot restaurant, and PupCulture, a pet care and spa service.

The Glow Group was founded to encourage public/private partnerships and to help activate underutilized public and private spaces for community benefit. Helping Humans Across America has raised funds to support various non-profit causes, including hosting fundraisers to support charitable endeavors across the nation over the past 12 years.

Concerns have been raised by some residents about parking and increased vehicle traffic to The Sanctuary.

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

PSD will not be allowing any parking at the site, save for limited deliveries and perhaps the bare minimum of staff members (not VIPs). All existing fire lanes and roadways will be kept clear during all events. Anyone who drives to an event will have to park in Motorgate. Any other attendees to the event will be told to take public transportation, including our Red Bus service. PSD will be on hand to monitor the situation and make sure pedestrians do not go near the Octagon Comfort Station construction site or obstruct sidewalks or roadways. PSD will also be setting up an Uber turnaround away from the venue so as to minimize traffic congestion in the area for our residents. PSD will also monitor noise levels during events. Anyone who has a complaint can report it to PSD directly at 212-832-4545.

I've asked The Sanctuary ownership about parking plans. Will update when they reply.

The Twitterverse reacts:

Here's a reason you may be going to Roosevelt Island for food next year: a nearly century-old church is turning into a restauranthttps://t.co/L5i3Apy9v7

— Eater NY (@EaterNY) September 27, 2019

I can imagine this being used regularly by Island non profits / other businesses for fundraisers. @MSTDA_RI, @riraonline @rirctennis @islandkids_ri, the Roosevelt Island Day Nursery, etc.

— Minnehanonck (@minnehanonck) September 27, 2019

The Sanctuary Is Roosevelt Island's New Event Space And Restaurant At Former Dayspring Church, Hosting First Party September 30 For Queens Based Titan Theater Company - Prodigal Son TV Show Filming At Site Today

Reported last May that Hudson Related was about to announce:

... exciting news to come about the vacant Dayspring Church space in response to my question about rumors of a restaurant to open in the space. Mr Kramer expects an announcement this week about the Dayspring Church space which has been marketed as a restaurant/events space....

No additional news has been forthcoming from Hudson Related to date but a recent walk to the beautiful stone cottage shows that the time is near for something to open.



That time will be as soon as September 30, when newly named The Sanctuary, a Roosevelt Island event space and restaurant will host it's first party. A fundraiser for Queens based Titan Theater Company.

A tipster reports that the owner of The Sanctuary also owns the Coffeed chain of multiple locations including  LIC Landing next to the Hunters Point ferry dock and New Leaf  stone cottage restaurant in Fort Tryon Park which appears similar to The Sanctuary on Roosevelt Island. I am told that Roosevelt Island's The Sanctuary is a personal project of the owner and not part of the Coffeed  properties.

Stay tuned for more news to come about The Sanctuary including plans for future events, community outreach and opening of the restaurant.

Earlier today, the new TV series Prodigal Son was filming

at The Sancturay, portraying it as a Church

shelter

and soup kitchen.

Exciting Roosevelt Island Retail Update - Restaurant For Former Dayspring Church Site To Be Announced Soon, Revolving Rooftop Bar For 28 Story Riverwalk Building 9 Considered But Rejected - Planned Main Street Mexican Restaurant To Be Mediterranean Instead, Cafe Eleanor Panini Bar To Open This Summer & More

Roosevelt Island Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder David Kramer of Hudson Related spoke to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Advisory Committee yesterday about status of under construction Riverwalk building 8 & the future Riverwalk building 9. (Stay tuned for story soon)

Mr Kramer also gave an update on Roosevelt Island retail. Starting with the good news, Mr Kramer gave a hint of what he calls exciting news to come about the vacant Dayspring Church space

in response to my question about rumors of a restaurant to open in the space. Mr Kramer expects an announcement this week about the Dayspring Church space which has been marketed as a restaurant/events space.

Other Roosevelt Island retail news - Eleanor's Cafe Panini Bar at 503 Main Street in the Riverwalk Building is expected to open this summer.

The plans for Mexican Restaurant Onda at 548 Main Street (projected to open in summer of 2017) have been revised. The same owners are changing the concept from a Mexican Restaurant to a Mediterranean restaurant due to gas capacity in the space. The margaritas and chips Roosevelt Island residents were hoping for is not to be.

The Bubble Tea Cafe will not re-open. The store was expected to be sold to new owners but that deal fell apart in the last couple of days.

Hudson Related is working with Dr Jack Resnick to keep medical facilities in the former Urgent Care space.

No update on new tenant for former Riverwalk Bar space, closed since last Labor Day. Mr Kramer described the space as the jewel in Roosevelt Island retail crown that has received some nibbles from interested restaurants owners but nothing definite. Non-restaurant uses have been proposed but Mr. Kramer says Roosevelt Island needs a Restaurant Bar in that space.

Mr Kramer encourages Roosevelt Island residents to support Main Street retail. Here's what he had to say.



The Twitterverse reported David Kramer's Hudson Companies signed retail lease for rooftop bar at one of their Brooklyn properties.

Announcing our latest retail lease at The Breeze! 6,000 SF from the team behind the incredible Lavender Lake to become the new dining and bar destination at 315 Meserole in #brooklyn. https://t.co/mhh29UHOg5 @commobserver @S9Architecture @ABSPartners

— The Hudson Companies (@TheHudsonCos) May 30, 2019

pic.twitter.com/0A4ssqMmh5

— 10044ROX (@NYTTYTTYY) May 30, 2019

Surprise, for one brief moment, a revolving rooftop bar was considered for the future 28 story Riverwalk building 9.



But was rejected.

UPDATE 6/3:

I’m eagerly awaiting more details on the Dayspring Church space. Puzzled by the change of plans from Mexican to Mediterranean stemming from a gas capacity issue. Not surprised about bubble tea. Never seemed like they were trying very hard.

— Minnehanonck (@minnehanonck) June 2, 2019

Roosevelt Island Dayspring Church Evicted - Actively Looking For An Exciting New Use For The Stone Cottage On Roosevelt Island East River Waterfront Promenade Says Main Street Retail Master Leaseholder Hudson Related

A tipster reported last week that the Dayspring Church, which occupied the stone cottage on the Roosevelt Island West Promenade next to the Octagon building,

 was evicted from its premises.

by Main Street Master retail leaseholder Hudson Related for non-payment of rent.

In response to my inquiry, a Hudson Related representative replied:

They were evicted and we are actively looking for an exciting new use for the space.

This Dayspring Church October 16, 2018 fundraising appeal explained their financial difficulties:

... Dayspring church in the last couple of years have been through ministry travails and trials, ups and downs, twist and turns that resulted in a considerable decline of membership and attendance.

This put the church in a situation where we could not meet our financial obligations. During this period that stretched about four (4) years, the church was only able to meet 40% to 50% of her monthly bills leaving us with a minimum of 50% indebtedness each month. This is with respect to rent payments.

Today, the church stands indebted to our landlords in accumulated rent and interest of almost $60,000. Our current situation is that the church has been taken to court by the State of New York; the owners of the building, through their management agents. This is to recover the past due rent and interest, evict the church from the property and retake it back before the lease ends, if the accumulated rent of $60,000 is not paid by October 31st, 2018.

We are also in need of financial help in the tune of $50,000 for needed repairs and renovations on the church building, which we have not been able to do due to the financial situation we found ourselves in recent times. We are calling on the people of God to come to the aid of Dayspring Church Family. This church building was shut down and abandoned in 1973 until the church came to reactivate and reopen it for worship services in 1997. The church has spent nearly a million dollars in the past 21 years in rent, repairs and updates....

According to Correction History report in the year 2000:

... services are held here by the congregants of the REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD. The church refurbished and occupied the building in 1997 under minister and island resident Oloe Obed. It was originally the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, built in 1924 as a chapel for Metropolitan Hospital, with an attached rectory for the hospital's chaplain. The chapel was later rededicated to the Order of Saint Dennis.

When Metropolitan Hospital moved to Manhattan in 1955, the chapel stood abandoned for the next twenty years. In 1978 Richard Hemm, the chaplain of the relocated Metropolitan Hospital, occupied the rectory and remained there until the early 1990s.

Modeled on a church in England, the chapel's most noteworthy features are its stained- glass windows and steep- slate roof. It was the last of many island structures built out of island-quarried gray gneiss, and it blended nicely with Metropolitan Hospital's other buildings. Though its architecture is quite reserved, it maintains a handsome and charming distinction amidst the surrounding land....

It was later renamed Dayspring Church.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society President Judy Berdy has a very interesting chapter in her Roosevelt Island book about religion on Blackwell's (now Roosevelt) Island.

Very Dangerous Conditon - Roosevelt Island Waterfront Promenade Between Octagon Building And Lighthouse Park In Almost Complete Darkness Last Evening Reports Resident

Roosevelt Island resident Scott Pirro reports:

⚠️ VERY UNSAFE, @RIOCny ❗️At least a dozen street lamps between Lighthouse Park and Dayspring Church (passed Octagon) are all dark. cc @Rooseveltisland @MainStreetWIRE https://t.co/4gZaIbed9u

— ScottyP (@scottpiro) October 23, 2018

View this post on Instagram

⚠️ VERY UNSAFE, @riocny ❗️At least a dozen street lamps between Lighthouse Park and Dayspring Church (passed Octagon) are all dark. cc @rooseveltisland @davidstone6577 @mainstreetwire

A post shared by ScottyP (@scottpiro) on Oct 23, 2018 at 4:17pm PDT

Mr. Pirro is a Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Common Council member for the Octagon Building.

Roosevelt Island Easter Services At St Francis Xavier Cabrini and Hope Church

Roosevelt Island Easter services are being held at St Francis Xavier Cabrini Church (504 Main Street)

and Hope Roosevelt Island Covenant Church.

According to Roosevelt Island Hope Church Pastor Dan Sadlier

Hope Church Easter Weekend 2018

You are invited to join neighbors, friends, and family for Hope Churches annual Easter Celebration. Pick from one of two identical services (11:30AM and 1PM) on Sunday April 1st, for an hour of music, teaching, some good laughs, and a chance to celebrate the holiday with those from the neighborhood and city. Both services will be held at 543 Main Street. There will be a free community-wide meal immediately following the 1PM service. In addition you are welcome to join us for additional Easter week gatherings

• Good Friday Service | Friday March 30th @ 7:30PM | 543 Main Street (lower level)
• Egg Hunt | Saturday March 31st @ 11AM | Firefighters Park (Register:http://www.hopericc.org/events/egghunt )
• Easter Celebration | April 1st @ 11:30AM and 1PM | 543 Main Street (community-wide meal after the 1PM)

No info about Easter Service at Church of the Good Shepherd.

Dayspring Church info here (851 Main Street, behind Octagon building).

Best Wishes For A Happy Roosevelt Island Easter - From Doctor Who, Fred Astaire and Judy Garland & President Obama

Best wishes for a Happy Roosevelt Island Easter.

Image From Free All Pictures

From Doctor Who.



Put on your Easter Bonnet and Celebrate with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland.



An Easter and Passover message from President Obama

"To all Christians celebrating…Happy Easter." —President Obama: http://t.co/DHnWucPqYX
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 5, 2015

and a history of Easter.



More information on Roosevelt Island Christian organizations available at:

• Church of the Good Shepherd,
• St Francis Xavier Cabrini Church,
• Hope Church Roosevelt Island and
• Dayspring Church.

RIOC Real Estate Development Advisory Committee Meeting Today - Any Progress on Main Street Retail Vacancies?

Among the items on the agenda are a review of the leasing status of current tenants as well as prospective tenants for the existing vacant stores. It will be interesting to see if any progress has been made on applying the New York State Public Authorities Act to Roosevelt Island Main Street retail vacancies. The issue, as explained by DHCR Commissioner VanAmerongen to the January 10 2008 Main Street Wire, is the following:

"There are parts of the Public Authorities Accountability law that make it more cumbersome for RIOC, but they are the same laws that apply to the Queens West Development Corporation and to the Battery Park City Authority and some other, not dissimilar developments. We have been trying to work with the Attorney General’s office to gain greater flexibility but, clearly, the law was not written with the idea of doing rental leases on Main Street. We have to comply with the law but we are trying to gain some greater flexibility." [The Public Authorities Accountability Act, passed in response to a Pataki administration attempt to give Erie Canal land to a developer at bargain prices, and in response to the MTA’s proposed sale of development rights over the West Side railyards, provides that State authorities like RIOC must get top dollar for the State’s properties, or have a good reason not to do so. This generally entails competitive bidding, requests for proposals, and detailed financial representations – something "mom and pop" merchants are unwilling or unable to do.]

RIOC President Shane had this to say in January Main Street WIRE:

Northtown Commercial Leasing: Unhappy to report that there is no progress in resolving the paralysis of the marketing of the vacant stores on Main Street. The application, pushed by Assemblymember Micah Kellner, to the Attorney General for an opinion that would permit RIOC to go forward without the cumbersome steps required by the law, languishes without decision. The legislation introduced by Assemblymember Kellner is grounded in Albany, like almost everything else. I have canvassed some of the commercial brokers in Astoria to get a feel for what would be involved in the appraisal process if RIOC has to go that route. Negotiations with all of the existing tenants has taken place to give them the security of leases so as to encourage interior improvement.

Here is the Public Notice of today's RIOC Real Estate Development Advisory Committee Meeting:

NOTICE OF THE
APRIL 2, 2008 MEETING OF THE
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE
ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the Real Estate Development Advisory Committee of the RIOC Board of Directors will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. at the RIOC administrative office, 591 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York. The committee will meet to:

1. Review present tenant leasing status;
2. Review prospective leasing for vacant stores;
3. Discuss Orphans International use of 559 Main Street (formerly Montauk Credit Union);
4. Discuss lease extensions for Dayspring Church and Trellis Restaurant;
5. Discuss current issues at the Motorgate parking facility;
6. Discuss Public Safety alternate plans to expand and rehabilitate in present space; and
7. Discuss such other business as may come before the Committee

Religious Institutions on Roosevelt Island

With the ending of the Jewish High Holy days on Saturday night and the start of Jewish calendar year 5768, I thought it useful to provide contact information for the various religious faiths located on Roosevelt Island. The information has been compiled by the Main Street Wire and are believed to be accurate as of September 2006. The link above contains contact information for many other Roosevelt Island organizations as well and is a very valuable resource.

Religious Organizations on Roosevelt Island

• 832 6778 Catholic Parish (St Francis Cabrini) 555 Main Street Fr Peter Miqueli; masses TWT 10, 564 Main; Sa 5, Su 8:15, 11:15, 543 Main
• 917 572 6674 Church of the Good Shepherd (Protestant) 543 Main St C Calderhead, Pastor services Su 10;
• 644 2291 Dayspring Church 851 Main St Pastor Olu Obed; services Su 10; admin@dayspringchurchny.org;
• 832 6778 Good Shepherd Community Center 543 Main St Fr Peter Miqueli (to reserve Community Center)
• 486 5733 Jewish Congregation (RIJC) 548 Main St Ron Meltzer 753-0237; http://nyc10044.com/rijc/
• 223 3113 Quran Society of NY at RI 540 Main St David Glenn

Preparing this post reminded me of a very interesting NY Times article from the 9/18/07 New York Times Science section:

Where do moral rules come from? From reason, some philosophers say. From God, say believers. Seldom considered is a source now being advocated by some biologists, that of evolution.

At first glance, natural selection and the survival of the fittest may seem to reward only the most selfish values. But for animals that live in groups, selfishness must be strictly curbed or there will be no advantage to social living. Could the behaviors evolved by social animals to make societies work be the foundation from which human morality evolved?

In a series of recent articles and a book, “The Happiness Hypothesis,” Jonathan Haidt, a moral psychologist at the University of Virginia, has been constructing a broad evolutionary view of morality that traces its connections both to religion and to politics.

And:

Dr. Haidt believes that religion has played an important role in human evolution by strengthening and extending the cohesion provided by the moral systems. “If we didn’t have religious minds we would not have stepped through the transition to groupishness,” he said. “We’d still be just small bands roving around.”

Religious behavior may be the result of natural selection, in his view, shaped at a time when early human groups were competing with one another. “Those who found ways to bind themselves together were more successful,” he said.

Food for thought.