4th Avenue is seen by some as an architectural shit show, and sales at the thoroughfare’s biggest condo so far aren’t doing so hot, but an article in the Sun today says the majority of buyers at the avenue’s new condos come from just up the hill: Mostly, they live in Park Slope. The piece quotes a Sloper who says he doesn’t want to miss out on buying in an area that might appreciate, and brokers note that part of 4th’s appeal is that most of the surrounding area lacks substantial new development. According to sales directors at many of 4th’s condos, half their buyers are coming from the Slope. (One wonders how scientific these stats are.) Of course, controversy about the avenue’s lack of affordable housing and by-and-large unappealing new structures remains. “The grand plan of having Fourth Avenue become the ‘Park Avenue of Brooklyn’ is coming back to slap city officials in the face,” says Aaron Brashear, a CB7 member and founder of the Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights. “The buildings are ugly and architecturally devoid. They are more of a dormitory style than high-end buildings.”
Park Slope Residents Head to Fourth Avenue [NY Sun]
Novo Takes a Nosedive [Brownstoner]
4th Avenue, the Boulevard of Broken Promises? [Brownstoner]