Author Millett leaves Bowery

Author Millett leaves Bower

By Elizabeth O’Brien

“Sexual Politics” author Kate Millett fell victim to the politics of New York City real estate last month when she was relocated from her home at 295 Bowery to make way for the construction of a new apartment building.

Since the building’s location at E. Houston St. used to be an urban renewal site, the city was responsible for finding new homes for the three households that had occupied the five-story building. Millett, who lived at 295 Bowery for 38 years, is now living above the Community Board 3 offices at 59 E. Fourth St.

“They did a very nice job of relocating me,” Millett conceded.

She had fought the relocation for three years. While the city allowed Millett to determine how her new apartment was configured, she said she was still feeling the squeeze after moving from a two-floor space into a 1,700-sq.-ft. unit.

“There’s so little space that it’s sort of hard to get started again,” Millett said from her farm in Poughkeepsie.

Chrystie Venture Partners, the site’s new owner, plans to tear down the building and construct a 205-unit, nine-story apartment building, said Robert Paley, senior development director at AvalonBay Communities, a member of the partnership. It will be an 80/20 development, with 20 percent of the units set aside as affordable housing. The building will also include 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space.

Said Millett: “It’s going to do in the neighborhood.”