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By Kim Velsey 1/11 5:36pm

Feuds

The synagogue's legal battle is on its last legs.

Lights Out: Eviction Stay Snuffed for Sixteenth Street Synagogue

The Appellate Court has denied the Sixteenth Street Synagogue a stay of eviction that would have kept it in its home of 67 years while it explores its dwindling legal options. And dwindling they are.

The Synagogue is reaching the final stages of decade-long legal battle to stay at 3 West 16th Street that has spanned two separate building owners. But the Synagogue will likely need to file its next appeal—if there are to be additional appeals—from a new home base. Read More

By Kim Velsey 1/08 8:38pm

Feuds

The embattled building (Photo courtesy of the Forward).

Shul’s Out: Sixteenth Street Synagogue Praying It’s Staying

The stay of eviction that the Sixteenth Street Synagogue received at the eleventh hour, allowing it remain at 3 West 16th Street through the end of 2012, might have been a holiday miracle. But the holidays are over, and so it would seem, are the last vestiges of hope for the Orthodox congregation that has called the six-story building home for the last 67 years.

Acting supreme court justice Debra James has decided not to extend the stay of eviction that was granted on December 24, pending examination of the synagogue’s claim to 1/3 ownership of the building. The synagogue has been ordered to evacuate the premises immediately.

“It’s very upsetting, how can I tell you otherwise? I’ve been there since 1988. This is my only Jewish home,” synagogue president Richard McBee told The Observer. “This is a very vibrant synagogue, and the idea of that shutting down is just simply wrong.” Read More

By Kim Velsey 12/20/12 5:41pm

Feuds

The building in dispute.

Synagogue Loses Long Eviction Battle, Ordered to Vacate by New Year

The Sixteenth Street Synagogue has called 3 West 16th Street home since 1945, but the shul has been told that it will not be allowed to ring in a New Year there—what would be its 68th. Earlier this week the State Supreme Court decided in building owner Jack Braha’s favor and ordered the Orthodox synagogue out by December 26.

It could very well be the last chapter of a legal battle that has been raging for more than a decade. Although the synagogue, which is planning to file an appeal on Monday, says that it intends to stay no matter what, even if that means being physically removed by marshals on January 7.

“We’re going to stay until the sheriff comes. If they have to arrest us, fine,” Richard McBee, the synagogue’s president, told The Observer. “What else can we do? This is our home. I didn’t pick this fight.” Read More

By Kim Velsey 10/11/12 7:59pm

Feuds

National Arts Club apartments will return to the market.

National Arts Club Reclaims Its Real Estate

They don’t look very good right now, but ten Gramercy Park apartments formerly controlled by ex-president Aldon James and his brother John will soon be returning to the market. Relatively soon, that is, following gut renovations that were much-needed after the apartments’ time in the hands of the two hoarders.

Last week, Real Estate Weekly reported that the National Arts Club had finally reached a settlement with the Attorney General’s office allowing it to tidy up the club’s governance, financial controls and the filthy apartments. Today a state appeals court upheld the National Arts Club’s decision to boot the James brothers, the New York Post reported. Read More

By Kat Stoeffel 3/23/12 10:28am

Feuds

Chanel Boutique Inauguration - Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2012

Karl Lagerfeld Still Angry at Tina Brown, Calls Newsweek ‘Shitty Little Paper’

In January, Newsweek style writer Robin Givhan published a thoughtful essay about the influence of fashion’s foot-in-mouth Renaissance man Karl Lagerfeld.

“Karl Lagerfeld is overrated,” it began. “Such a statement rings like heresy within a fashion universe where the highly acclaimed designer struts upon his lofty stage as the creative director of Chanel—but it’s true.”

It rang like heresy to Mr. Lagerfeld, anyway. He’s been punishing Newsweek boss Tina Brown for it ever since.  Read More

By Kat Stoeffel 8/26/11 12:40pm

Feuds

postmichael

Keith Kelly Takes a Break From His Vacation to Take a Shot at News Corp. Critic Michael Wolff

The New York Post says media columnist Keith Kelly is on vacation, but it appears he found time to contribute reporting to today’s article, “Staff Cries Wolff,” which says anonymous Adweek executives are considering not renewing editorial director Michael Wolff’s contract next month, citing his reportedly brusque management and loose spending practices. Read More