Desolate, Foreboding, Untouched Gowanus
Those might not be the adjectives those who live and work in Gowanus reach for, but it’s what AMNY has turned up in their City Living column, which covers the nabe between “south Brooklyn’s signature quaint brownstones and stroller-stuffed streets.” Once a thriving industrial sector, “short-sighted, shoddy construction of the Gowanus Canal and exponential growth…
Those might not be the adjectives those who live and work in Gowanus reach for, but it’s what AMNY has turned up in their City Living column, which covers the nabe between “south Brooklyn’s signature quaint brownstones and stroller-stuffed streets.” Once a thriving industrial sector, “short-sighted, shoddy construction of the Gowanus Canal and exponential growth in the area caused the rapid buildup of sewage, mercury, lead, PCBs, and other foul pollutants. As shipping dropped off dramatically, the stinking sludge only accumulated in the canal, leaving Gowanus a ghost town.” They admit that folks have trickled back in, and artists have set up shop in buildings once devoted to industry. As for rents, they don’t seem like ghost town prices: an 800-sf one-bed plus den on Union Street for $1,900; a 1,300-sf two-bed for $3,875, also on Union.
City Living: Gowanus [AMNY]
Photo by coltermac.
Rob,
The apartment is actually below street grade, but not quite a basement if that makes sense. The staris leading up actually lead to a locked door. The door is now the inside of of a closet in the main hallway upstairs. There is no access in or out via that door.
Years ago, it probably was a duplex though…
i just look at the ad you just posted for the apt. the picture on the bottom right makes the apt look like it’s not private at all. where do those stairs go to the apt upstairs? or is it a dumpex?
*roB*
thats it.
I think it started at 1700 a week or two ago. shouldn’t be too hard to get them to drop it to 1500. Electric is also included which is nice but I would rent it in a heartbeat if it was $1350 but Im sure it would be gone already if they listed it at that price 2 weeks ago.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/fee/954331233.html
Santa – If this is the apartment you are refering to, by an amazing coincidence this usedto be my place for several years before I moved out over a year ago.
$1600 is a stretch, my rent was $1350 when I left. Really loved the backyard, apartment – not so much. But still a decent place to live for that price range.
theres a huge apt somewhere on 3rd ave, maybe president, thats $1600 and it says its 800 sqf. Its got a pretty big yard too. Its been on craigslist forever. Kinda looks like a basement tho but still pretty cool.