Neo-Vanderbiltism Blocked For Now

The owners of an East Village building that was to have become a latter-day Vanderbilt Mansion are blocked, for now at least, from actualizing that dream:

A wealthy couple’s attempt to convert an East Village tenement into a luxurious mansion by evicting at least 10 rent-stabilized tenants was blocked yesterday by a judge.

The judge ruled that the landlords had failed to get permission from the state Division of Housing and Community Renewal to cancel their tenants’ leases.

The decision dashed — at least temporarily — the hopes of Alistair and Catherine Economakis to turn the five-story walkup into their own private home, featuring a library, a gym, a nanny’s suite, five bedrooms and six bathrooms.

The tenants, who said rents at the 104-year-old building range from about $600 to $1,200 a month, were relieved by the ruling, but expected the Economakises to appeal.

“I feel very good about it. It means we can possibly stay,” said Ursula Kinzel, an editor who has lived in her fifth-floor apartment for more than 20 years. “It’s been extremely stressful. It’s been a nightmare.”

. . .

The Economakises and their lawyer could not be reached for comment. Catherine Economakis’ mom is a dean at Columbia College, where, ironically, she teaches courses in urban studies that examine city social and economic problems.

Some backstory.