A Current Look at Third Place Horror Show

It's just wrong. That yellow beam looks very fragile. I am starting to believe that change is inevitable, people need places to live ... BUT can't these developers do a better job aesthetically?

Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 10:11 AM

On the postive side, as you walk down 3rd Place from Court the look and continuity is not broken.
It is only when looking from Clinton St. that you are subjected to the horror.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 10:22 AM

It looks like there was zero attempt to either match the color of the historic building, or contrast the color with a complementary color. Non matching reds/oranges are some of the most jarring color combos possible. The extension is just ugly, not the least bit modern or conceptual.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 11:11 AM

Anonymous 11:11 am's got it right -- this isn't a modern extension, this is a developer extension. A modern extension would have some thought behind it, starting with contrasting materials. THis developer pile, on the other hand, is simply about maxing out FAR.

--an architect in Brooklyn

Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 11:14 AM

Hard to believe, but the photo makes the place look even better than in real life! The color of the extension and original brick clash horribly. It's hard to believe someone would want to pay good money to live there. Have there been any buyers?

Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 1:48 PM

"I understand that people may feel entitled to their opinions on the built environment, but pointless, ignorant and dangerous speculation about the structural integrity of buildings does nothing for the quality of architecture in this city or the readers of Brownstoner."

The perception of structural soundness is one factor of curb appeal. Even if something is structurally sound (as I'm sure this is), the perception of it being weak or shoddy is both shorthand for the shoddiness of this addition and fair game for any discussion of this place's aesthetic qualities, impact on neighborhood or ultimate resale value.

Play ball.

--an architect in Brooklyn

Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 2:02 PM

Unfortunately, this is what the market seems to want. The question is not why do developers build this sort or crap, but why do people keep on buying the apartments. If developers thought that by building well designed buildings that they could get a higher price, they would build better stuff.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 2:03 PM

A developer who does an interesting design does get rewarded far greater than one who does a less nice design. Just look at the prices in DUMBO and in Williamsburg. It's all well and fine to say you might not want to live in those nabes. But the prices they are getting there are extraordinary. And the reason in part is the high end designs many (not all, of course) developers are using and the better quality materials. Also isn't there some merit in the reward of knowing you did a nice job? I don't blame architects for the end result of this, or any other, job. I place the blame squarely on developers.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 30, 2007 7:38 PM

This is not a developer but 21 year old with bad ideas. He thought he was going to make some quick money and all he made was a big mess.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 31, 2007 3:26 PM

I'd love to see an expansion made of all glass and steel, attached to a brownstone. But this is some sort-of kind-of attempt to match the color and blockiness of a brownstone with an icky yellow thing slapped on for modernity's sake.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 31, 2007 7:16 PM

I just had a hilarious vision of the person who buys the unit with access to the yellow pole, "accidentally" tripping and tossing a can of neutral color paint onto the yellow pole. "Oops!"

Posted by: Anonymous at January 31, 2007 7:19 PM