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August 8, 2007
37 Nevins: Visigoths Prepare to Sack Rome
As we cycled down Schermerhorn Street last week, we were surprised to see both a "Sold" sign and a scaffolding up at 37 Nevins. We've always had a thing for this beautiful three-story brick building so the scaffolding gave us pause: This architectural gem, with its cast iron cornice and bays, couldn't be getting torn down, could it? Unfortunately, it could (it's not landmarked) and it is. On July 23, the Department of Buildings issued a demolition permit that refers to a pending application for a new building; presumably it would also include the plot next door where a smaller brownstone structure is also teed up for demo. According to Property Shark, the 8,000-square-foot building is underbuilt by 20,000 square feet. The LLC that owns the property has a mailing address c/o The Brody Group but Eric Brody says that he's just consulting on the project. More photos on the jump. GMAP P*Shark DOB
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Comments
this where they are going to build a hotel, I think....
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 12:15 PM
This is why many buildings on Fulton (and Livingston and Schermerhorn) need to be landmarked.
We're going to lose many more architectural gems as Downtown Brooklyn becomes more attractive to residential and commercial development.
I'm very much pro-development, but I don't want Downtown Brooklyn to end up looking like LIC or, god forbid, Houston.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 12:15 PM
say it isn't so :(
Posted by: Anon at August 8, 2007 12:16 PM
As per usual I am disgusted at what one sector of our society deems to do in the way of progress.
Rehabbing this wonderful structure is the only right thing to do in my opinion.
But, alas, I am not a developer, or in the scumbag Brody family either, consultant, architect or developer.
I guess I can take solace in the last thought.
Posted by: Action Jackson at August 8, 2007 12:16 PM
This is a shame, it could have been rehabbed for office/work space. Of course, the "Visigoths" on this site will write in saying you/we want to save every brick....standing in the way of progress.....greatness of Brooklyn.....etc. So it goes.
I know you can't save everything, even when it adds to the character of the streetscape in that wonderfully 19th century way that is fast disappearing.
I will choose my battles. If they try to tear down those twin terra cotta faced Flemish storefronts on Livingston near Nevins and Bond, then I'll be out there standing in front of the bulldozers. Those are gems.
Posted by: Preservationista at August 8, 2007 12:16 PM
A hotel? You're not talking about the Sam Chang development, are you #1?
It be a damn shame if such a nice looking building was torn down for one of Chang's monstrosities.
Posted by: BK123 at August 8, 2007 12:17 PM
I don't think the cornice or bays are cast iron, they look more like pressed metal components made of tin or galvanized steel. They are nice nonetheless.
Posted by: Sam at August 8, 2007 12:27 PM
I don't think this is the McSam site because that hotel, while listed as being on Nevins and Schermerhorn, was announced before either the "For Sale" or the "Sold" sign went up on the pictured site. I think the hotel is going to be built on the assemblage on the West side of Nevins, where all the stores have been boarded up for several months now. A Van Brody blotch on one corner and a Sam Chang canker on the other. Oh what a glorious architectural era we live in!
Posted by: John Ife at August 8, 2007 12:41 PM
If it is to be a hotel, think of how nice and appealing it could have been if they kept the original bottom building and built up, even if it was a gut of the existing structure inside. I understand it is a cost issue, but do all developers lack the vision to do something a bit different? I would think it would pay off in the long term to the hotel proprietor.
Posted by: lp at August 8, 2007 1:11 PM
Hopefully in its place they will build a gray brick building with oversized windows that don't open and built-in ac units sticking out of the facade.
Posted by: Francis at August 8, 2007 1:54 PM
Sam 12:27 PM, I agree with you... pretty sure that it's pressed metal tinwork...
It's awful that this beautiful old building is being destroyed.
Posted by: bren at August 8, 2007 2:23 PM
@Francis--
Or maybe a fake-stone-skinned building with raw steel balconies jutting out randomly, and plenty of "wrought-iron" railings, bars, and ornaments!
Posted by: etmthree at August 8, 2007 2:33 PM
This is a dodgy corner. I'm sorry to see this building go, but at this stage, anything would be better than what has been there.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 3:01 PM
This is a dodgy corner. I'm sorry to see this building go, but at this stage, anything would be better than what has been there.
Does it really matter what has been there? Isn't the future more important. Wouldn't it be nice to see the building restored to its original self? You don't make any sense.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 3:06 PM
yes, 3 parcels for demo --35 Nevins, 37 Nevins and 321 Schermerhorn.
323 Schermerhorn also transferred ownership on same day as the other parcels - but no demo filed for this one. It is multi-family and probably lot of rent-stab tenants. But maybe air-rights could go to other parcels?
So demo parcel is 71' x 75' . I would guess a good size building will be proposed.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 3:10 PM
Also, the corner prop on west side of nevins just transferred to what I guess is the Sam Chang hotel group.
Fact is, downtown Brooklyn has been given ok for highrise development.
Yes, we will lose what could be some nice older buildings (how come it is always new developer getting all the flack and not the owners for past 50 years who let these bldgs deteriorate?) - but many are not all that unique and you do have to sacrifice somewhere.
The total of all this development is good news for NYC. Work hard to save significant important intact places - don't waste yourself on this stuff - You do end up sounding very anti-development and progress.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 3:42 PM
I'm usually a full on board preservationist, but am glad to see development going on hear. I've lived in Boerum Hill for 25 years and still get the creeps when I walk around this stretch of Nevins at night. Kind of yucky until you get to State street.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 4:06 PM
I'm the dodgy corner commenter. The upper floors of these buildings have been boarded up for years and the things all around are decrepit. On the south side of the street is a half way house with people hanging around out front who often make learing comments when you walk by. This is one of the few streets that I carefully cross the road, first to avoid this building and the one next to it that has had crumbling scaffolding next to it for years and then to avoid the halfway house on the next block. This is not an easy development site. While preservation matters, there is much more going on here. I am thrilled to see any development in what has been a seriously neglected corridor. I'm with Anon 4:06.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 4:36 PM
Just to be clear, I'm fine with both of the sites being developed; it's just that it's so damned depressing (to someone living a block and a half away) to see these two particular schlockmeisters involved.
Posted by: John Ife at August 8, 2007 4:40 PM
I live around the corner from this and as sad as it is that they may not preserve the buildings I don't think there's not much of choice. I've passed by those buildings for the last 4 years in the morning and at night, the smell of mold and piss is overwhelming I don't see how they would be able to preserve them. Although they haven't brought in a wrecking ball, and the demolition crew has very methodically kept every beam in place and knocked everthing else out, At least on the corner building from 1908. But I am glad they are cleaning up Nevins, it's been really scary to walk on it at night. I wonder though how the folks staying at the new hotels and condos will feel when they get followed and harrassed by the residents of the Stepping Stones house, for the mentally ill, substance abuse homeless folks. It's been freaky for me.
Posted by: Jannese at August 8, 2007 4:49 PM
Anonymous at August 8, 2007 4:36 PM:
That building with the "crumbling scaffolding" is an absolute haven for rats. I have no idea how the owners get away with keeping the scaffolding up all these years without there being any visible DOT or DOB permits. At least when these developments get built, whatever their architectural merits, I'm sure there will be pressure brought to bear to get the scaffold building sorted out.
With regard to the halfway house (which is on the West side of Nevins), I have never seen any problematic behavior by any of the residents in the 10 years I've lived in the immediate vicinity.
Posted by: John Ife at August 8, 2007 4:52 PM
that's because your name is john and her name is jannese. very different experience if you are a woman. i too have been leered at, harassed and followed by a few key players at 50 nevins. not to mention the dudes from that building that have done a brisk business selling drugs to the lowlifes who troll state st. looking for a fix.
as far as developing the area - i will be sad to see that pretty building go - as well as the ironic "beauty above" sign a few doors down. i will not, however miss the rats, the piss, and the drunken bums.
Posted by: ladylove at August 8, 2007 7:25 PM
Brownstoner,
You are always refering to contextual. Well here - in this context- the sooner this area gets rebuilt - the better. Bless the highrises or whatever else happens. It is ugly as sin and won't miss this strip at all.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 8, 2007 9:30 PM
The new development on the eastern side of the street will be a 21 story luxury condo building, enthusiastically tauted on the Brody website, so I find it odd that they say they're only "consulting." I live next door and will have to move after my lease is up because I will be in eternal darkness. The message in downtown Brooklyn from here on out is pretty clear: "if you're not rich, get the hell out; trust fund kids and corporate lawyers only." This in the end is the real meaning of the term "BID".
Posted by: guest at August 24, 2007 1:37 PM
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