Don't Try to Remember

By the looks of it, the condo tower known as 181 Sullivan Street—and built on top of the bones of the old Sullivan Street Playhouse, for decades home to "The Fantasticks"—is about ready to open it doors (as much as the doors of such a place are open to the likes of you and me). There's still work to be done, but it can't be long now.

If you want in (that is, if they're not all already sold), these "Five fantastic condominium residences" (as they've been rather callously advertised) will set you back $2.25 million.

While, all things considered, I'd rather have the Playhouse back, I have to admit the new structure isn't atrocious and does an OK job fitting in the surrounding area. This block of Sullivan, between Bleecker and Houston, is one of the loveliest in the city. The row of identical, brick, Greek Revival townhouses on the west side of the street are all painted in different subdued colors, from light pink to gray to pale yellow. (See below.) It gives off the effect of a street in Bermuda or some port town in the Mediterranean. Just plain lovely.

Lotsa history here. Mayor Fiorella LaGuardia was born at 177. Robber Baron Jay Gould lived at 179. Now, famous and rich folks live here, like Anna Wintour.