Those rumormongers over at the Times are perpetuating the (unconfirmed) gossip that the cast of “Real World: Brooklyn” will live in Downtown’s Belltel Lofts. The article has some excellent man-on-the-street quotes from people who live, work, or play near the building. It’s less safe, I feel, says 19-year-old Bruce Wallace. They could get mugged out here. Wallace notes that the cast’s entertainment options in the area might be limited to stuff like catching a movie or going to Junior’s. (We think this is pretty short-sighted: After all, the Real Worlders would only be about eight blocks from the newish IHOP, and perhaps they’ll get to shop at the new H&M.) An employee of nearby Petland Discounts, meanwhile, has this to say: “Compared to other places they were living, I think this would be a downgrade. A few bars, a few stores, that’s about it. Clubs, they have to go to Manhattan. It’s kind of rough out here. They’ve just got to keep their eyes open and ears open. And a man who works at a religious goods store in the area thinks They’d be jeopardizing their safety. Too many side streets. At least one person sees only good from MTV setting up shop at BellTel: Ronn Torossian, a spokesman for the Bridge Street condo. We think this building will continue to gentrify Brooklyn, and certainly having MTV there will only accelerate that,” says Torossian. “We expect that it will increase property values. StreetEasy shows 17 active listings in the former telephone company building ranging from $517,000 to $1,899,000.
MTV’s Unscripted Show May Get a Dose of Gritty Brooklyn Reality [NY Times]
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