Commercial Klutch: June Edition

This month our masked commercial crusader peers into his crystal ball.

This column is dedicated to our dedicated reader & commenter, Trolley Dodger. Whereas a request was made for insider information, said shall be provided. Much of what is stated is future or near future, yet it will come to pass my friend.

Forest City will tear down the first Atlantic Center Mall property and make a bigger and better one. They will also demolish Mo’s and PC Richards and replace it with a huge building, with Apple Computer at the base. The arena’s huge effect on both the psyche of Brooklyn and the surrounding real estate will bring us tourist and B & T folks, turning the immediate area into a party. Watch for a fun venue in 604 Pacific. 750 Pacific won’t be torn down but will become a fancy tech tenant property, for one tenant.

Court Street between Atlantic and Union, already home to a new Elliman Real Estate office, an APTSANDLOFTS office coming, Moscot eyewear and other new expensive apparel and accessory stores, will follow the classic real estate office, housewares and clothing model. Cobble Hill is white hot. A national food tenant will shortly take the space next to Nature’s Grill.

Fort Greene’s 55 Hanson Place Shirley Chisholm State Office Building will continue to serve New York State citizens, but will become also a private office property, not another condominium for the 5%.

Atlantic Avenue between Clinton and Hicks will become a fine restaurant row, Colonie and Pete’s Waterfront Ale House (WAY better than is widely known) leading the pack, with several more to follow. Hope Montero survives, we like dive bars.

The coming of Sephora next year to Joralemon and Court will lead a transformation of the street, except where mom and pop owners rule. Dumbo has three or four new bars under way, finally. Bridge Street will get a watering hole. The block with Ignazios, Grimaldi’s and Juliana’s will be hailed as the top pizza block in the world by the food-insatiable media. And everyone else.