174 Vanderbilt Revealed: Clermont Greene
One of the more interesting development projects underway in Fort Greene is the Meltzer/Mandl Architects design at 174 Vanderbilt Avenue. With the six-story, 73-unit building about to top out, the developers threw up some marketing bling this week, revealing the project’s name: Clermont Greene. (The building backs up on Clermont Avenue and is in Fort…
One of the more interesting development projects underway in Fort Greene is the Meltzer/Mandl Architects design at 174 Vanderbilt Avenue. With the six-story, 73-unit building about to top out, the developers threw up some marketing bling this week, revealing the project’s name: Clermont Greene. (The building backs up on Clermont Avenue and is in Fort Greene, get it?) We think this’ll end up looking pretty nice from the street but can’t wait to check out the large round fountain that’s slated for the interior courtyard. What kind of prices do you think they’ll be able to get away with here?
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Although they do play off the “greene” in Fort Greene, they are also taking advantage of “green” marketing. I can attest that this site is anything but green/eco friendly. Having replaced an old garage, with gas tanks underground; this crew took it upon themselves to remove them. A certified engineering agency is required to assess and remove any fuel storage tanks, stored underground. Currently, all I’m looking at is a big concrete block, no elements of evironmentally friendly design or concepts, no sustainability considered. I would love to bask, fountain-side… that is, if I could tolerate the heat of the concrete courtyard and the sun glaring off the glass.
Within a one block radius of Myrtle and Clermont, there are at least six new builds in various states of completion: 2 large, 1 medium and 3 small buildings so the immediate area will be different in a year. Clermont Greene is by itself is an acceptable design but really does not fit the property footprint – it needs to stand by itself – or the neighborhood which already has the dramatic architecture of the Armory. It would have been easy for if the designers to complement the Armory with a new design rather than creating more architectural drama. The courtyard design, pool or courtyard, does nothing for the neighborhood as it appears it will be totally hidden from the street and encourages a closed community.
The façade of the other large new building on the corner of Myrtle and Clermont, is successful by being boring. It fits the neighborhood and the new street level businesses should be the beginning of commercial evolution on Myrtle. Think Court Street in Brooklyn Heights or 7th Avenue in Park Slope
I am new to the neighborhood, a resident of Clermont Amory which is a great building by the way, and in the year I have been in the neighborhood, it has dramatically changed for the better. Transportation, primarily a combination of bus or walking to subways, is still the weak point but manageable with a little planning and for the record there is no train faster to midtown than the Q. Those concerned about the ability to attract people to the neighborhood, should not have a concern; indeed the real concern is will be displacement of those living North of Myrtle as the neighborhood becomes more upscale.
Live across the street from the new “Clermont Greene” Love the neighborhood, and yes the subway hike (exactly 10 minutes to the Q and C; 13 minutes to the R,Q,B and W; and 14-15 (depending on the traffic light) to the 2,3,4 and 5) can be annoying, but all the trains are accessible.
The building could be a whole lot nicer, and certainly a whole lot worse. Anyone remember what was there before? It was a truly ugly warehouse. I only hope it brings nice neighbors.
I’m more disappointed in the building on Myrtle – Walgreens coming soon (when we already have two local drugstores that are filled with fabulous people.) Ah. Well.
We actually live on Clinton and Myrtle, a block away — while it’s a 15-20 min walk to the useful subways (Q, B, R) at DeKalb, you do get to walk through the park, and the area (esp Myrtle Ave) has been increasingly developed in the last year since we moved in. We really like it.
It should also be noted that this location is EXCELLENT if you drive to work/have a car. It’s incredibly convenient to the BQE and the two bridges into Manhattan. We don’t have a car, but we do rent Zips a lot and find the location great in that respect.
However, if trying to entice people from other areas of Brooklyn or Manhattan where subways are more plentiful, its distance from the subway and the current rough-around-the-edges status of Myrtle is going to be an issue. We almost didn’t buy our coop because of it. Though now we’re very glad we did.
I also thought there was going to be a swimming pool rather than fountain which made a lot more sense – a safe place for families to hang in the summer. A fountain isn’t the same thing. Also, I thought the facade was going to have much glass and variety. It appears a lot of the good stuff got cut during value engineering…
That location has changed significantly in the last year or so, actually. Luz, Chez Lola, Il Torchio, Gnarly Wines…
True that the subway is a bit of a hike but, it’s not the desolate place it once was.
That said, I’m not digging this one. A fountain seems so ostentatious.
I too lived at the Armory, pretty neat building, well maintained, but the area just leaves too much to be desired. The lack of services really sucks and the Avenue is vacan at night except for drunk Pratt students and drug dealers. I got jumped right on the corner two weeks after we moved in. Granted that can happen anywhere but to be honest I felt like I was in no man’s land which made it worse, transportation is pretty awful unless you like a nice hike to the G train.
The earlier renderings included a swimming pool, not a fountain. Anyone else recall that?
Also, 1:57, the location is fine. Really.
the rendering is of the inner courtyard i believe as this project spans from clermont to Vanderbilt. I would imagine the front facade would look similar though.
well 1:57, its unfortunate not everyone can be pleased.