Have you ever wondered, “Who lives above that place?” Introducing Life Above. 

Lawrence’s uncles. (Photo: Ted Simmons.)

You may not know them by name, but you definitely know Milon, Panna II, and Royal by sight: they’re the Bangladeshi-Indian restaurants with all the Christmas lights that share the same building on First Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets.

In between Milon and Panna II — flanked by two sidewalk barkers competing to pull people in — is a door that leads to 16 apartments, including the second-floor studio where Lawrence Chance, 50, has lived for 20 years. He recently welcomed us in to discuss the upsides and downsides of life above the iconic East Village businesses.  (In case you’re wondering: no, his apartment didn’t smell like curry.)
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