Eve I would love to have some major $$ enterprise, but I don't relish adding to the 'misery' there. Renting rooms out to Europeans and watching them trampling NYC as a 'tourist destination' -- ick. (If only it was still a nice 'Shanty' in there! But it's lost all its western-facing light and air. And it will be torn down as soon as they get their $700.-a-month ancient renters out... whenever.)
That little island at the end of 14th Street Miss U. I am certain you must recollect (or heard) at one time was the S&M gay club, THE ANVIL. The building was originally just an old apartment dwelling (1970s), then a trick hotel, then the lower level was an odd combination of topless club and men's gay bar! That is, topless girl dancers on most days, and gay men on the weekend.
The basement 'backroom' became so popular, that while you were doing your topless gig, gay guys were walking in all night long and flipping out. Before long they went to guys only, and the girls lost another venue.
So there's alot of lovely sleazy history in that spot... that no-one now wants to acknowledge.
An unluxurious location indeed and well-suited for the transient wild nightlife that once went on there.
Reminds me of going into the Bagel place now at 24th and 6th after they threw Billy's Topless out, and asking for a 'topless bagel please with a schmear' and no-one laughed.