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April 11, 2007

Good Architects for Affordable Housing in Brooklyn!

BAMmap04.jpg
A recent design competition for affordable housing in the Bronx was so successful (see runner-up design on the jump), New York Magazine reports, that the City's Department of Housing is now planning one for Brooklyn. Proposals for the mixed use complex near BAM (to include 150 apartments, a dance theater and retail space) are due May 4. While no specific address was mentioned, we have to imagine that the site is one of the two parking lots above. Can anyone confirm the location? Update: According to the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership press release a commenter linked to, it looks like Lot 1 is the planned location.
Pretty, Affordable Housing for Brooklyn? [Daily Intel]
Press Release [Downtown Brooklyn Partnership]
Map [Brooklyn Academy of Music]

studiomdabronx.jpg




Posted by Brownstoner at 9:28 AM | Comments (16)
Categories: Development

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oh how I wish.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 11, 2007 9:34 AM

If someone started building housing like this in Brooklyn, and particularly in that section of Brooklyn, Brownstoner & Co. would go completely nuts about how it's too tall and doesn't fit in to the character of the neighborhood.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 11, 2007 9:51 AM

Not true, 9:51. We've already said that we think the Forte, for example, is okay for this location, which already has a largely commercial vibe and mix of old loft buildings and stores. As you get east of, say, Ft. Greene Place, yes, we wouldn't be too psyched about that. But it would be entirely reasonable to build a tall building on one of these lots.

Posted by: brownstoner at April 11, 2007 9:56 AM

Agreed. I'm surprised the complaining hasn't started already.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 11, 2007 9:58 AM

Of course, we could just lift the oppresive density requirements imposed upon the people by the Department of City Planning, and all affordable housing would immediately become affordable as developers quickly built properties to satisfy decades of pent-up demand since the Zoning Code of 1964 was shoved down our throats.

I love the New York City Government. It is such a brilliant scheme. Create a housing shortage by making it impossible to build enough buildings to satisfy demand, and then run for public office with an amazing scheme to build "affordable" housing. Then, only give that housing to people you KNOW will be eternally dependent upon your goodwill for their survival.. and voila!

You have become a politician for life.

And people wonder why NYC is becoming a city for the rich and the poor. The rich don't want any competition and the poor are easy to bribe and use as a power base!

Posted by: Eryximachus at April 11, 2007 9:59 AM

this is good, we need more design competitions in america. the reason why europe has better architecture (as well as an excellent ability to blend new/modern/glass with older buildings) is because most public works and museum commissions are subject to design competitions. because of these great young architects are able to build there reputations are firms much more easily.

Posted by: anon at April 11, 2007 10:03 AM

disagree as well, 9:51.

I think this is awesome design - playful, colorful, assymetric, inviting. I would be proud to live in a building that looks like this.

and believe me: i'm a card-carrying "fedders-hater" that loves real brownstones...this is perfect juxtaposition to 1890's architecture.

let's hope it happens...

Posted by: Anonymous at April 11, 2007 10:04 AM

A: Fulton and Ashland
Press release, with link to RFP:
http://www.dbpartnership.org/news/?nid=53

Posted by: g-man at April 11, 2007 10:10 AM

This is too European ugly. I have seen that crappy modern style in Europe.

Please don't built that!

Posted by: Devor at April 11, 2007 10:23 AM

This is too European ugly. I have seen that crappy modern style in Europe.

Please don't built that!

Posted by: Devor at April 11, 2007 10:23 AM

Don't worry, if you go look at this design at the Center for Architecture, you quickly discover that the towers don't seem to have elevators or stairs. Brooklyn lets a lot of bad architecture slip through the cracks, but I'm pretty sure most buildings generally have stairs and elevator cores. So don't fret, it won't get built.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 11, 2007 10:36 AM

right. the architects forgot the stairs and the elevators so it won't get built. i suppose they also forgot all of the door knobs, windows, the parking is on the top floors, and the lobby is flooded with water. please

and Devor the crappy style is the imitative "traditional" american style. Real old buildings are great- nostalgic cheapo want to look like an old building(s) is crap a la disneyland

Posted by: jelly donut at April 11, 2007 11:14 AM

Please the only difference between this and the projects built in Far Rockaway in the 60's is the addition of the red and orange. Go visit if you dare, its around Beach 50th st and the water. You get a great wind tunnel effect when you arrange buildings in this manner. And the interior courts created are always cold and in shadow.

Posted by: ANON at April 11, 2007 11:56 AM

The drawing looks like corner of Lafayette and Ashland...and thus the new houses would fit nicely next to mark Morris facility. Site was once a large hotel (The Granada) with quite a history. One of Brooklyn's finest with a Moorish architecture influence. Visiting baseball teams (playing the Dodgers) stayed there and the top floors were a famous party venue (the Forsythia Room). Fell on hard times, became scandelous welfare hotel (The Brooklyn Arms) and was torn down in early 90's (I think Ratner had something to do with that). A few pieces of the lovely terra cotta were rescued and now reside in some FG gardens.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 11, 2007 2:42 PM

The illustrative above is the StudioMDA design for the site in the Bronx. To which I say, "L'Eggo my Legos." As for the former site of the Granada, that is the planned home of the Theater for a New Audience. (Don't argue with me. Yes, it was going to be on the other side of Lafayette, but the plan has changed.)

Posted by: g-man at April 11, 2007 4:22 PM

I am not a student of architecture but I don't think that all new buildings constructed in Brownstone neighborhoods have to be replicas of the original brownstones or even facsimiles thereof but the rendition of this project shown in these drawings are awful. The project reminds me of some of the ugly buildings built in Coney Island in the 70's and some of the buildings I saw while vacationing in Sweden.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 11, 2007 7:16 PM

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