Posted by Leonard Steinberg on August 12th, 2013

The Getty/Lukoil gas station at the corner of Tenth Avenue and 24th street is no more: sad-faced cab drivers were seen driving away from the site that for decades had been a re-fueling stop as the building prepares itself to be demolished to make way for Michael Shvo’s new condominium building. You can still pick up a candy bar as the convenience store is still operational, but that will only energize you not your car.

Is Manhattan possibly heading towards an electrical car environment? Electrical outlets are certainly a more efficient means of re-fueling a car when you look at the cost of a gas station real estate-wise. The site (239 Tenth Avenue)recently closed for $ 23,5million (or roughly $ 850/sf) making it one of the most expensive building sites anywhere in Downtown New York. Victor Homes, the financial/developer arm of this transaction is partnered with Michael Shvo and plans to build ultra-high end condominiums to compete with neighboring buildings such as the ones being developed by Adam Gordon at 560 West 24th Street and Cary Tamarkin’s 508 West 24th Street, not to mention future neighbors designed by Zaha Hadid, Robert AM Stern, Thomas Juul Hansen and Norman Foster. The area is certainly attracting the biggest collection of A-grade architectural design anywhere in Manhattan……but where will these wealthy new owners re-fuel their Range Rovers and Bentley’s? Maybe that Tesla showroom around the corner on 25th Street holds the answer…..