January 13, 2008 - January 19, 2008
January 18, 2008
Friday Blogwrap
546 Vanderbilt demolition. Photo by threecee.
340 Court Street #2: Collateral Damage Edition [GL]
Now Open: Union Market South Slope [Racked]
Save the Date: Gothamist Turns 5! [Gothamist]
Video Contest for Brooklyn Teens [Bed Stuy Blog]
Melville House Opens Tomorrow [Dumbo NYC]
New Development GripeWire [Curbed]
Today on the Renovation Blogs and Forum
There are a couple new posts on the Renovation Blogs:
Breaking News: Bathroom Hooked Up [Bed-Stuy Reno]
Beneath My Feet [Windsor Terrace Reno]
Here are some of the topics posted on the Forum today:
Smart to Buy Deeded Parking You're Not Going to Use?
Recommendations for an Asbestos and Demo Crew?
Recommendations for a Sink and Vanity Supplier?
A Rant on Manhattan RE Tax
Open House Picks
Carroll Gardens
391 Union Street
Halstead
Sunday 1-3
$2,200,000
GMAP P*Shark
Prospect Lefferts Gardens
66 Midwood Street
Corcoran
Sunday 12-1:30
$1,400,000
GMAP P*Shark
Windsor Terrace
619 Greenwood Avenue
Warren Lewis
Sunday 12-2
$985,000
GMAP P*Shark
Bedford Stuyvesant
305 Stuyvesant Avenue
Corcoran
Sunday 2-3
$695,000
GMAP P*Shark
Open House Picks: Six Months Later 7/27/07
Comment: Decent pricing=sales all around for this batch. How 'bout that markup on the Cobble Hill house?
Open House Picks 7/27/07 [Brownstoner]
Just Sold in Brooklyn
PROSPECT PARK SOUTH $1,060,000
81 Rugby Road GMAP
Prewar three-bedroom, two-bath 22-foot-by-47-foot house on a 35-foot-by-100-foot lot, with living room, dining room, office, full finished basement with family room and wet bar, central AC, driveway and garage. Taxes $4,422. Asking price $1,100,000, on market one week. Broker: Alexandra Reddish, Mary Kay Gallagher Real Estate.
WILLIAMSBURG $650,000
219 Withers Street GMAP
Two-bedroom, two-bath condo, 1,000 square feet, with high ceilings and hardwood floors; building features elevator and roof deck. Common charges $298, taxes $54. Asking price $685,000, on market 12 weeks. Broker: Justin Brunwasser, The Developers Group.
Just Sold! [NY Post]
Photo of 81 Rugby Road by Kate Leonova for Property Shark.
Rentals of the Day: Sunset Park Picks From Craigs
The listings we found this week for Sunset Park present an interesting contrast to the Kensington rentals highlighted last week: In a nutshell, it looks like Sunset Park is a much better value than Kensington right now. Here are the Craigslist pickings, clockwise from upper left:
1. 1-bed, 700-sf, near park, $1350; 40th St. at 6th Ave.
2. Gut-reno 1-bed, 1 block to train, $1100; 58th St. at 4th Ave.
3. Jr. 1-bed, EIK, parquet flrs, $1100; 54th St. betw. 3rd/4th aves.
4. 2-bed railroad, sep. kitchen, $1300; 45th St. at 3rd ave.
5. Studio, elevator bldg, terrace, $1075; 57th St. at 3rd ave.
Brooklyn House of Detention Plans Falter
Ideas for adding new uses to the Brooklyn House of Detention seem to be going nowhere. After the Observer reported that the city was giving up on its plan to allow for retail and condos jail because of a lack of developer interest, the Brooklyn Paper followed up last week with an article saying there’s been talk of putting a new middle school in the jail at Atlantic and Smith. This week, though, the paper files a story saying city has officially abandoned the school-jail proposal. The condo plan was originally floated because the city wants to make the jail's 2012 reopening and expansion (it's supposed to go from 749 to 1,469 inmates) more palatable to the surrounding community. Last week Marty Markowitz told the Daily News that he's still searching for "creative ideas for the site."
Sorry Bids Shove Shiv in City's Plans to Expand Brooklyn Jail [NY Observer] GMAP
Jail Middle School is Sentenced to Death [Brooklyn Paper]
Lock 'Em Up [Brooklyn Paper]
No go for new Condominium Complex [NY Daily News]
Is Great Lakes Going to Dry Up?
Some Slopers on Brooklynian are wondering whether Great Lakes, the much-loved bar on 5th Avenue and 1st Street, is in danger of closing. A "For Lease" sign was put on top of the building, and the property is being shown by Massey Knakal. Great Lakes' lease is up in April, according to Kari Neering, Massey Knakal's director of public relations, who says it's likely that the bar will close then. A source with knowledge of Great Lakes' situation says the bar probably isn't going anywhere, though. "The landlord is looking around to see how much interest there is in it," said the source, who asked not to be identified, "but this sort of thing happens all the time, and it doesn't mean the bar is going to close." Time will tell, apparently.
Great Lakes ... For Lease? [Brooklynian] GMAP
AIA’s Zoning Tweaks Draw Heat
Brooklyn Downtown Star has an article about how the American of Institute of Architects’ push to change the city’s zoning text—which has flown under the radar of many community boards and was fast-tracked into ULURP a public-review process similar to ULURP—is being opposed by the City Council’s top dog in terms of zoning, Councilman Tony Avella of Queens. The institute’s changes would increase lot coverage on smaller lots and allow taller max base heights for some buildings in R6 through R10 zones. City Planning has certified AIA’s proposed zoning changes but the architects didn’t have to conform to the typical ULURP process requiring that community boards be notified of zoning changes and be given 60 days to respond to proposals. Avella, who chairs the Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee of the Council’s Land Use Committee, is pissed that AIA (whose members stand to profit from the changes) held private meetings with City Planning prior to being certified and that the proposal wasn’t required to come before community boards. “I think it is a disgrace that the AIA didn’t reach out to any community groups,” said Avella, who held a press conference about the matter last week. “I’m also disappointed that City Planning didn’t do more outreach. This whole process seems backwards.” The proposed changes have been shown to some community boards, including Brooklyn’s CB7, which was not impressed by the presentation an AIA lobbyist made last month. “They say the changes are designed to improve the art of architecture,” said Aaron Brashear, a CB7 member and cofounder of the Concerned Citizens of Greenwood Heights. “Even if that were the case, they still did a poor job of due process.”
Councilman Demands, Architect Group Declines [Brooklyn Downtown Star]
Tony Avella, Civics Blast Zoning Text Amendment [Times Ledger]
AIA Proposed Zoning Tweaks: Beware the Domino Effect [Brownstoner]
Officers’ Row Supermarket Not Happening Anytime Soon
The controversial plan to demolish ten 19th century houses owned by the federal government in order to build a supermarket at the Navy Yard has been "delayed indefinitely," according to an article in this week’s Brooklyn Paper. Federal officials say they need to determine if the Officers’ Row buildings can be preserved and hold a series of meetings about the buildings with the city and neighborhood residents. Those meetings wouldn’t begin until March, according to Kristin Leahy, the manager of the National Guard Bureau Cultural Resources Program, who said it was impossible to estimate how long the review process would take. The potentially lengthy review isn’t being greeted favorably by politicians who have been pushing for the feds to hand the properties over to the city so they can be torn down to build a supermarket that would serve residents of the nearby housing projects. “I’m disappointed,” said Councilwoman Letita James. “We’re trying to expedite the process.”
Navy Yard Supermarket on Hold as Feds Consider ‘Row’ [Brooklyn Paper]
Federal Goverment Not Rushing Admiral's Row Decision [GL]
Admiral's Row: Feds Must 'Consider' Preservation [Brownstoner]
Admiral's Row: "Extremely High Level of Historic Integrity" [Brownstoner]
Officers' Row: Let's Have Our Cake and Eat It Too [Brownstoner]
Officers' Row Preservation Coming to a Contentious Head [Brownstoner]
For Officer's Row, Supermarket All But Certain [Brownstoner]
Photo by j. vasco.
State of the City: $3.1 Billion Deficit
In his State of the City speech last night Mayor Bloomberg warned that “this is likely to be a difficult year” and announced belt-tightening measures in response to the Independent Budget Office’s projection that the city will see a $3.1 billion deficit in 2009. Bloomberg is ordering all city agency heads to cut their budgets by 2.5 percent this year and 5 percent next year. Despite the predictions of economic woe, the mayor said the city would continue to offer the $400 property tax rebate and will roll out a few new services, including one that allows online access to 311. Bloomberg also noted that 2008 is the 130th anniversary of the death of Boss Tweed and said it was time to “finally put to rest his style of politics.”
Mayor Hails City’s Immigrants and Innovation [NY Times]
Mike Takes Baby Steps in City Plan [NY Post]
Photo from nyc.gov.
Weekend Events
Brooklyn Blogade
This Sunday, Clinton Hill Blog hosts this month's Brooklyn Blogade event. The monthly event for Brooklyn bloggers will take place at Frank White Cafe + Gallery. The menu includes hot Belgian waffles and an assortment of toppings. Sunday, 11:00 a.m. 936 Atlantic Avenue (at St. James).
Sunset Park Neighborhood Summit
The Second Sunset Park Neighborhood Summit takes place this Sunday. Sponsored by Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors, Friends of Sunset Park, Trinity Lutheran Church, Sunset Park Autonomous Zone, and 42nd Street Block Association, Sunday's summit will publicly present the results and recommendations of the first summit held in September. Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church, 46th Street and 4th Avenue. (347) 689-3472.
BAX: Space Grant Showcase
Today and tomorrow, Brooklyn Arts Exchange presents Doug Howe/Thalatta!'s Jean & Joe, Miriam Wolf's Bite Down, and David Vining/Cagey Productions' The Zombie Chronicles. Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m. $15; $8 low-income. 421 Fifth Avenue. (718) 832-0018.
Dumbo Arts Center: The Charismatic Rally
This special event, presented by artist Michael Weber and the Corporation for Public Good, will promote the Interactive Social Contract, an experimental new form of government, philosophy and religion, developed to achieve the Biologically Ideal Social Form. Saturday, 8:00 p.m. governmental construction, 9:00 p.m. rally, 10:30 p.m. DJ. 30 Washington Street.
Name No One Man Reception
The Hogar Collection presents "Name No One Man," a new exhibition of paintings and sculpture from Michael Behle and David Choi. The opening reception is tomorrow. Saturday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 362 Grand Street. (718) 388-5022.
Our Town Reading
This weekend, Brave New World Repertory Theater hosts a reading of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town as part of its Fifth Annual Play Reading Salon Series. Reservations are required. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. dinner, 8:00 p.m. reading. Sunday, 12:30 p.m. brunch, 1:00 p.m. reading. $18. Old Stone House, JJ Byrne Park, Fifth Avenue (between Third and Fourth streets).
Freegan Bike Workshop
Tomorrow, 123 Community Space offers a workshop on turning found bike parts into working bicycles. Saturday, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 123 Tompkins Avenue (between Myrtle and Willoughby). (917) 582-9010.
Have an event you think we should list? Send it along to events@brownstoner.com.
Friday Links
Coney Island and Ocean View aves. Photo by Lisanne!
State Makes Bid to End Costly Tax-Refund Loans [NY Times]
Making Sense of the New Real Estate Market [NY Times]
Better High-Rise Construction Monitoring Sought [NY Sun]
Ask Babs: Realistic Money for Buying a Condo? [NY Daily News]
NY Leads Country in Green Construction [NY Daily News]
Bernanke to the Rescue as Stocks Fall [NY Daily News]
Wilting Bonuses Wallop Taxman [NY Post]
Four Churches Receive Grants [Brooklyn Eagle]
January 17, 2008
Thursday Blogwrap
Cumberland Avenue. Photo by Di-pict.
Williamsburg Getting 'Ugliest Scarano Building Ever'? [Curbed]
Dumbo Condo Comparison: 1 Main and 57 Front [Dumbo NYC]
A Beautiful Carroll Gardens Recollection [GL]
Halal on Fulton [CH Blog]
Bad Business [Bed-Stuy Blog]
Closing Bell: A Skate Park For Gowanus
As we learned at a recent community board meeting, a local group is still pushing to transform the under-used public park on 3rd Avenue and Douglass Street into a skateboarding paradise complete with new bathrooms and equipment. Totally tubular! GMAP
Streetlevel: Yoga for the Outer-L Train Crowd
Yoginis of the Williamsburg hinterlands may lack some of the material blessings of their Bedford Avenue brethren, but starting soon they won't have to do without the spiritual and physical conveniences. Judging from the activity in the storefront of the architecturally-challenged building at 628 Metropolitan Avenue, a new yoga studio called Abhyasa will soon be joining other small business like Red Toe Nails boutique and Crest Hardware on this stretch of Metropolitan. As of this morning, Abhyasa's opening date was not posted and the paper in the windows blocked any view of the interior. Anyone know when we'll be able to start saluting the sun? GMAP
House of the Day: 242 Washington Avenue
We had already started to write up 242 Washington Avenue as a House of the Day when it hit us: We've been inside that house. We were guests at a lovely al fresco dinner party last summer. In fact, Mrs. B had just been talking about how the owner's duplex would make a good interiors post. Given the conflict of interest, we'll steer clear of opining about the $2,300,000 asking price, and just say that the owner's duplex of this five-story, 5,500-square-foot house is really nicely done in a simple but elegant manner. We've never seen the upper three rental units, but judging from the photos they're not as nice. They do, as the listing points out, generate over $50,000 a year in income. This'll be an interesting one to watch.
242 Washington Avenue [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
Condo of the Day: 150 Ocean Parkway
While the design of this 2003 condo building at 150 Ocean Parkway isn't likely to get potential buyers too excited, we think the developer deserves credit for lining up the facades and rooflines. Respect for surrounding buildings is a rare thing in this development climate! That doesn't mean that the price on this resale one-bedroom is a good one, though. The 630-square-footer is asking $349,000, or well over $500 a foot. According to PropertyShark, only one other unit has sold in that range, and it was back in 2006. Think this has a chance?
150 Ocean Parkway [Orrichio-Anderson] GMAP P*Shark
Atlantic Yards Watch: Demo on Dean
With this week's dismissal of the Atlantic Yards environmental impact lawsuit and news this morning that construction on the project is starting to affect the lives of nearby residents, we thought it would be a good time to check in on some of the demolition that's been moving ahead while the pencil-pushers have been fighting it out in court. Over at 647 Dean Street (at the corner of Vanderbilt), the formerly empty lot is now a graveyard of the muscular concrete columns that used to hold up the warehouse building one lot to the west. If you take any good Atlantic Yards demo photos this weekend, please send them along. GMAP P*Shark
Inside Third & Bond: Week 20
It might be January, but we aren’t falling into that post-holiday slump here at Third & Bond. In fact, our team is growing with the addition of Kiska as our Construction Manager. Kiska Construction, headquartered in Istanbul, is well known the world over for major infrastructure projects like bridges (shown above) and tunnels. Under the umbrella of Kiska Construction is a subsidiary, Kiska Development, that does residential construction in New York. Some of their residential projects include (l to r) a residential tower on The Huntington, Central Park West, and the Wildflower Estate Condominiums.
For those of you who don’t know: developers most frequently do not have in-house construction capabilities, so they hire it out...
Two Affordable Housing Developments Planned in Bed-Stuy
A development team is working to bring two new mixed-use properties to a stretch of Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy. Both of the buildings, which will be developed by the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and BRP Development Corp., are supposed to have significant affordable housing components as well as ground-floor retail. One of the developments, tentatively titled Gateway Condominium, is going to have 84 units. The condo is planned for the corner of Fulton and Albany, and the developers want to set aside about 70 percent of the units for residents making less than 165 percent of the area median income. The working title of the other building, which should go up on Fulton and Troy, is Cornerstone Apartments, and the developers want it to be 100 percent affordable. The parcels where Goldman and BRP want to build are both owned by the city, so the project needs to go through ULURP before the developers can get control of the properties and start building. The team is looking to start building by next October, according to Alicia Glenn, a managing director at the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group. "We saw it as a great opportunity to develop quality residential and retail on an important corridor," says Glenn. "The project will help retain ethnic and economic diversity." GMAP
Assemblywoman Millman Fights Flyer Scourge
Assemblywoman Joan Millman continues to be at the forefront of Brooklyn’s anti-unsolicited-flyer movement. On Tuesday the assemblywoman helped push a new bill through the assembly that builds upon legislation passed last summer banning the unsolicited placement of flyers and circulars on owner-occupied buildings containing up to four units, according to a press release sent out by Millman’s office yesterday. The bill will give the city the power to enforce violations on the ban. “This is a problem for many of my constituents,” stated Millman, whose office offers free signs that tell solicitors to bug off with all that wasted paper.
Shoo, Flyers, Don't Bother Me [Brownstoner]
Pfizer v. Vito for Rights to Old Pfizer Plant
Although the 15-acre Williamsburg property that Pfizer is letting go of as it says goodbye to Brooklyn seems destined to one day be turned into affordable housing, an article in the Observer notes that there’s a battle brewing about who gets to control the redevelopment. Pfizer has put out an RFP seeking private developers to build a mixed-use, mixed-income complex on the site, but Assemblyman Vito Lopez wants the state to seize the site via eminent domain and be in charge of issuing an RFP that would call for around 1,700 affordable housing units. Pfizer said in a statement that the company finds it “extremely puzzling that a legislator would propose a government seizure of private property through eminent domain to ostensibly re-develop the properties with the same types of uses we are already considering.” Puzzling indeed. The insidious creep of E.D.
Pfizer Offering Williamsburg Plant Site for Affordable Housing [NY Observer]
Will Pfizer Need Anti-Depressants Over Brooklyn Property? [Curbed]
Fate of 163 Washington Still TBD
The Board of Standards and Appeals has yet to make a final decision on whether to let a controversial 16-story tower rise at 163 Washington Avenue. On Tuesday the BSA decided to leave the case open but end the public hearing portion of the proceedings; the board is asking the developer to make another submission backing up its claims about when, exactly, it completed work on the property’s foundation. GLC Developers’ documentation is an issue because critics of the project have repeatedly contested the firm’s claims about when and how contractors finished foundation work, a big sticking point since GLC is arguing it has the right to put up a 16-story building because its contractors completed enough of the foundation to be vested under the area’s old zoning, which changed in June. “There are basically huge problems with their concrete pouring timeline and their record of trucks, truck numbers, and even exact dates, and these problems exist not only in the developer’s own construction logs but also in the logs and official papers officially recorded by the concrete testing agency,” says Peter Eide of Building Too Tall, a community group that is opposing the project. “After making these submissions to the file the developer and his law team then made things even worse by submitting new logs and official papers from the concrete testing agency that are completely changed—new truck numbers, new pour times, new dates, new everything—and with no supporting documentation for these changes. It's all just made up as far as anyone can tell.” If the BSA is satisfied with the developer’s submission, it’ll rule on the project on March 4th.
BSA Considers 163 Washington Plans For a 3rd Time GMAP DOB
Day of Reckoning for 163 Washington Avenue? [Brownstoner]
CB2 Votes on Two BSA Recommendations [Brownstoner]
CB2: Thumbs Down on Washington, Thumbs Up on Grand [Brownstoner]
Clinton Hill Rezoning Rejects Pitch BSA Bail-Out To CB2 [Brownstoner]
Race Against Clock at 163 Washington [Brownstoner]
AY Appeal Denied, Construction Headaches Begin
Yesterday there was word that another legal challenge related to Atlantic Yards had been denied, and construction on the complex began to inconvenience Dean Street residents. The New York State Appellate Division denied a motion for an appeal for a case that was tossed in November related to the legality of the ESDC’s relocation plan for 13 renters (12 of them rent-stabilized) in the Atlantic Yards footprint. According to Atlantic Yards Report, however, attorney George Locker plans to file the same motion before the Court of Appeals. If the Court of Appeals decides to take the case, the lawsuit could stay alive for another year, said Locker. Meanwhile, there’s an article in the Daily News this morning about how construction on the mega-project is starting to hit home for people who live nearby: Hundreds of Dean Street residents woke up yesterday morning without water as contractors began to work on replacing an old water main. "This is just the beginning, and it's already starting up," said one person who lives on Dean Street. "Imagine when it's midway through the project. It's gonna get worse."
Yet Another Atlantic Yards Appeal Dismissed [NY Observer]
The "Other" AY Lawsuits Might Take a Year to Resolve [AY Report]
Pipe work at Atlantic Yards Shuts Water Off for Residents [NY Daily News]
Atlantic Yards Renter Relocation Lawsuit Tossed [Brownstoner]
Photo by threecee.
Thursday Events
Greenpoint/Williamsburg Parks Meeting
Today, the Greenpoint Williamsburg Association for Parks & Planning hosts a town hall meeting at Warsaw, the Polish National Home, to discuss parks and waterfront development. The meeting will provide updates on the status of open spaces and parks in the area. Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Warsaw, 261 Driggs Avenue. (718) 228-2595.
Society for Clinton Hill Meeting
The Society for Clinton Hill holds a general meeting today. Discussion includes the feasibility of a Clinton Hill/Fort Greene food coop, the Admiral's Row Houses, and neighborhood crime and traffic. Refreshments will be served. Thursday, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. St. Luke’s Church, 259 Washington Avenue.
George Saunders at BAM
The Brooklyn Academy of Music welcomes author George Saunders as part of its Eat, Drink & Be Literary series. The sold-out event includes a buffet dinner, wines, live music, and a talk. Thursday, 6:30 p.m. $48 (sold out). 30 Lafayette Avenue. (718) 636-4100.
Brooklyn Reading Works: Side Street
Brooklyn Reading Works presents a reading of Side Street, a new play by Rosemary Moore. Ian Morgan of The New Group directs. Thursday, 8:00 p.m. The Old Stone House, Fifth Avenue (between Third and Fourth Street).
The Lack of Desire Reception
BAC Gallery presents "The Lack of Desire," an exhibition curated by Scott Henstrand. The opening reception is tonight. Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 111 Front Street, suite 218. (718) 625-0080.
Hiro Returns Reception
Gloria Kennedy Gallery hosts an opening reception for "Hiro Returns," an exhibition by Hiromitsu Kuroo. It runs through February 23, 2008. Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 111 Front Street Gallery 222. (718) 858-5254.
Have an event you think we should list? Send it along to events@brownstoner.com.
Thursday Links
Manhattan Avenue. Photo by looktouch.
OTB Agency Announces Plan to Halt Operations [NY Times]
Bernanke Is Said to Support Stimulus Measures [NY Times]
One Hanson Clocks Are Ticking, and in Sync [NY Times]
Mayor Plans Budget Cuts, an Aide Says [NY Times]
Why 110 Amity Plan Was Rejected [Brooklyn Eagle]
Mike is Keeping Property Tax Cut [NY Post]
Marty Curbs His Parking Habit [NY Daily News]
'Back to Basics' in 2008 [NY Sun]
New York Spanish Rises [NY Sun]
January 16, 2008
Wednesday Blogwrap
Carroll Gardens. Photo by allysonmmurphy.
Rezoning Process Begins, 2019 Completion Date [GL]
Karl Fischer Row Gets Green From Behind [Curbed]
Build Your Own Bike at Bike Workshop [Bed Stuy Blog]
Img: Red Door to Nowhere [Dumbo NYC]
Still Shuttered on Myrtle [CH Blog]
Brooklyn's Simple Life [Gothamist]
Closing Bell: Move-In Day at One Hanson
Welcome to the neighborhood, One Hanson residents. And welcome back, functioning clock.
Today on the Renovation Blogs and Forum
There's a new post on the Renovation Blogs:
The Power of Paint - Part 3 [Windsor Terrace Reno]
Here are some of the topics posted on the Forum today:
How Do You Distinguish Between a 2- and 3-Family Townhouse?
Where in Brooklyn Can I Buy Cabot Semi-Solid Deck Stain?
Anyone Have Experience With Sponge Painting?
Tips For Removing Mold?
Streetlevel: Lots of Doings on Vanderbilt
We’ve haven’t been on our game in terms of reporting on Vanderbilt Avenue’s retail/food scene, and there’s a lot of catching up to do. First off, there were two new additions to the avenue over the last six months or so: This summer, the nostalgia-tinged ice-cream/coffee joint Old Brooklyn Parlor opened, and a couple months later cocktail bar Barrette joined the party. In terms of coming attractions, there are fliers posted to a storefront between St. Marks and Prospect promising the impending arrival of an organic juice/coffee joint. More exciting, however, is word that the owners of Beast are going to open a new business directly across the street from their original location. The space, which used to be filled by the store HouseBroken, is currently being renovated. Any other Vanderbilt action we’ve missed?
House of the Day: 535 1st Street Revisited
After Corcoran failed to move it back in 2006 first at $3,500,000 and then at $3,100,000, the limestone mansion at 535 1st Street in Park Slope has just come back on the market for another try with Douglas Elliman. The asking price? $3,675,000. The princely pad is 4,420 square feet large, but we're not sure why something that failed to sell 18 months ago would now sell for 20% higher in this market. A the very least, it wouldn't hurt to have some interior photos to look at. (There is one on the old HOTD link below.)
535 1st Street [Douglas Elliman] GMAP P*Shark
House of the Day: 535 1st Street [Brownstoner]
Condos of the Day: 536 Henry Street
It looks like brownstones aren't the only overpriced kind of property in Carroll Gardens these days. The condo conversion at 536 Henry Street has been on the market since around Labor Day, according to StreetEasy. Since then just one of the four units has gone into contract—and it took a small price cut to get it done. In the meantime, there are two two-bedrooms for $869,000 apiece and a three-bedroom for $1,275,000. There's an open house this Sunday from 12 to 1:30, but it's looking like it'll take more than that to move these babies.
536 Henry Street [StreetEasy] GMAP P*Shark
Development Watch: Universal Church at 1091 Fulton
While we don't much like the looks of this new home for Universal Church at 1091 Fulton Street, if its presence on the block will help clean up the corner of Classon and Fulton, we'll be willing to forgive the blandness of the five-story design. In addition to fronting on Fulton Street, the structure appears to wrap around in an L-shape to include 40 Claver Place around the corner. Given the size, we assume there will be some residential component to the project, but can't tell for sure from the permits.
Another Church on Fulton (As If It Needs One) [Brownstoner] GMAP DOB
Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up
Closing Today: Pies & Thighs
351 Kent Avenue (South Fifth Street), Wiliamsburg
"I can’t figure out a cute way to sugarcoat the despondency with which I report this next bit of news, so I’ll give it to you straight: Pies ‘n’ Thighs, home to the finest pulled pork sandwich in New York City and an estimable bastion of down home dessert goodness, is closing... The ladies of Pies ‘n’ Thighs hope to reopen the restaurant soon, in a space where they can sell beer and be a little more restaurant-y about things, or, as their website puts it 'to build a bigger, better, more miraculous hole in the wall.'" [NYT Diners Journal]
Cheese Wars: BGH vs. Pacific Standard
Two new-ish Brooklyn bars, both known for their solid beer selections, have recently announced upcoming cheese tastings. Bar Great Harry (280 Smith Street at Sackett Street) will host theirs on Thursday, January 22nd and is already selling advance tickets for $50 a pop. That doesn't seem like a terribly steep price for good times, 6 Dogfish Head brews, and 6 perfectly paired cheeses from Stinky... until you read that Pacific Standard (82 Fourth Avenue at St. Marks) is pushing a "very modest $5 buy-in for the cheese tasting" for their beer-and-cheese night on Tuesday, February 5th.
Openings: Greene Grape Provisions and Dram Shop
"At their Fort Greene wineshop Greene Grape, partners Amy Bennett and Jason Richelson specialize in small producers and 'handcrafted' wine. This week, in a canny attempt to fulfill the rest of your dinner-table needs, they’ll open Greene Grape Provisions, a gourmet grocery up the block (753 Fulton St., at S. Portland Ave., Fort Greene; 718-233-2700)… 'Angry Wade' Hagenbart has opened his second Brooklyn bar, Dram Shop, with an emphasis on bourbon and Scotch, a shuffleboard table, and a Mexican-accented pub-grub menu (339 9th St., nr. Fifth Ave., Park Slope; 718-788-1444)." [New York Magazine]
After the jump: Chowhounders discuss which foods make Brooklyn better than LA, Union Market expands, and the Times shares a fun fact about fortune cookies.
Two Trees Rental on Atlantic Rises As TJ’s Treads Water
Two Trees isn’t wasting any time putting up its new rental next to the future home of Trader Joe’s on Atlantic Avenue. It's not clear whether the City Council has officially approved the building at 182 Atlantic Avenue, which is slated to rise 10 feet higher than what’s allowed in the Cobble Hill Historic District, but last week the DOB issued a permit for a six-story building. Even if Two Trees is waiting for the Council’s OK on those last 10 feet, though, the rest of the development (which is supposed to look like the rendering on the jump, per Curbed) is going up very quickly. At the same time, no work has been done on the Trader Joe’s building, a state of affairs that’s not sitting well with Lost City. The blog points out that Two Trees argued the new rental should be green-lighted because the developer was going to be a worthy custodian of the landmark former bank/future supermarket:
For the past couple weeks, the new structure has been a hive of activity, quickly rising floor by floor. Meanwhile, at the future home of Trader Joe's: tumbleweeds. No action since the interior was gutted months ago. Apparently, Two Trees has its priorities, and they're the exact opposite of the wants of the neighborhood, which doesn't crave the rental and is longing for the supermarket.
Of course, for all we know, the hold-up in renovating the bank building has to do with Trader Joe's and not Two Trees. Any insider perspectives?
Update: We've heard from Councilman de Blasio's office that the Council did not approve Two Trees' application to build 10 feet higher than what's allowed in the Cobble Hill Historic District. The Council sent the proposal back to the Planning Commission, and the plans were subsequently approved at 50 feet, conforming to the district's height limitations.
10 Feet for Trader Joe's Building Preservation: A Fair Trade? [Brownstoner] GMAP
Will Two Trees Proposal for Atlantic Ave. Get Chopped? [Brownstoner]
Skewed Priorities [Lost City]
Does Walentas' Size Matter on Atlantic Ave.? [Curbed]
Continue reading "Two Trees Rental on Atlantic Rises As TJ’s Treads Water"
Union Pool Goes Spanish Colonial?
Everyone loves Union Pool—it’s a great local bar with a long established and huge backyard. The outdoor space went from the standard cracked pavement to a classy built out wood lined courtyard complete with a fire pit in just a few years. Passing by the bar this weekend, we noticed a temporary plywood wall partially hiding a permanent cement block wall topped with Spanish “terra cotta” tiles running nearly the span of the lot. We recall this space being fairly wide open, in the past used as an alternate entrance and more recently for garbage storage, etc. According to a DOB application, there's "no change in use, egress or occupancy" associated with the wall. one neighbor told us the wall has been erected to prevent bar goers from “sneaking in through the back door.” Any one know what’s up? GMAP DOB
Update on Carroll Gardens Development Issues
Carroll Gardens is home to one of the most vocal community activist groups in all of Brooklyn, and it seems like the constant clamor about development issues in the neighborhood is starting to have an effect. For starters, Council Member Bill de Blasio is going to officially call for a downzoning of Carroll Gardens at a rally on January 29th. De Blasio will introduce a resolution to limit new building height in the neighborhood to 50 feet, a restriction that the he wants to see go into effect immediately while City Planning conducts a downzoning study. Meanwhile, as Gowanus Lounge reported, the Borough President wrote a letter to Planning Director Amanda Burden highlighting concerns about out-of-context development in Carroll Gardens. There has also been news recently about some of the more controversial developments in the area. Most interesting, perhaps, is the tidbit that Robert Scarano is no longer the architect of record for 333 Carroll Street. It’s unclear whether new plans for the building will retain the current hulking rooftop addition. And demolition is slated to begin soon on a property nearby that has also raised concerns, 340 Court Street. At that site, the Clarett Group (a Brownstoner advertiser) has pledged to cap building heights at six or seven stories, but many residents have fretted about what Clarett will actually build.
de Blasio Calls For Downzoning of Carroll Gardens [BSCG]
Borough President Writes Planning Director About Carroll Gardens Rezoning [GL]
333 Carroll Street Update: Scarano Out! [PMFA]
Foreclosures In New and Unusual Places
Glancing at the list of foreclosures on the docket tomorrow, we noticed, among the usual sea of properties in Bed Stuy, Crown Heights and East New York, a couple of houses in areas that have not felt the sting of the current mortgage crisis much-—Park Slope and Bay Ridge. The house at the left, 271 11th Street, is a three-story (two plus English basement) place with a lien of $148,300, a surprisingly small amount to lead to a foreclosure in this part of town; the charmer on the right, 513 72nd Street, has a larger tab, $428,044 to be exact. Both are scheduled to be auctioned tomorrow at 360 Adams Street at 3 p.m.
Foreclosure: 271 11th Street [PropertyShark] GMAP
Foreclosure: 513 72nd Street [PropertyShark] GMAP
NYC Property Values Level Off
The large yearly gains in the city’s property values appear to be a thing of the past. The Finance Dept. estimates that city property values rose only 1.44 percent in 2007, a big drop after six years of double-digit increases (in 2006, for example, there was an 18 percent gain). The smaller increase in values is being attributed to declining values in small homes outside of Manhattan. The growth in real estate values over the last several years has helped buoy the city’s economy and contributed to record budget surpluses. The lower assessments may force the city to make increases in the tax rate or end the $400 property tax rebate, according to David Weprin, chairman of the City Council Finance Committee. “This is an indicator that we might be up for some tough fiscal times, and Wall Street isn’t helping, either,” Weprin told the Times. “Property values are no longer going up; they’ve stabilized, and I would expect that’s the trend we’ll see before they go down.”
Gains in NYC Property Values Start to Flatten Out [NY Times]
Home Values Drop, But Taxes Go Up [NY Post]
Growth in Property Market Value Slows [NY Sun]
Photo by crown heist.
Wednesday Events
CB6 Meeting
Community Board 6 holds a presentation and discussion on the rules of use for the redeveloped playground space at P.S. 15 (rendering above). Representatives for the Trust for Public Lands City Spaces program and Public School 15 will be on hand. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. P.S. 15, The Patrick Daly School. 71 Sullivan Street (Richards/Van Brunt Streets).
Junior League of Brooklyn Meeting
Learn more about the Junior League of Brooklyn today at the first of three information parties being held this month. The league is a women's organization dedicated to volunteer work and community improvement. To RSVP, call (718) 624-3288 or email them at membershipinfo AT brooklynjuniorleague DOT org. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Library at Grand Army Plaza, Youth Upper Programming Room.
CB10 Gowanus Expressway Meeting
Community Board 10 presents information on the new American Institute of Architects proposal for the Gowanus Expressway. The AIA will be sharing its idea with the CB10 Traffic and Transportation committee. Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. 621 86th Street.
Mazeppa at BAM
The Brooklyn Academy of Music hosts a production of Tchaikovsky's Mazeppa tonight. Based on the story by Aleksander Pushkin, the opera features Russian baritone Victor Chernomortsev. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. $35 to $85, $17.50 to $42.50 students and seniors. BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette Avenue. (718) 636-4100.
CB2 Meeting
Community Board 2 holds a land use meeting today at 6:00 p.m. at Polytechnic University, Dibner Library, Room LC400, 5 Metro Tech Center.
Coney Island Night
The Montauk Club salutes Coney Island with a night of food, fun, and festivities, featuring a photo exhibit from Ron Meisel. Wednesday, 6:00 p.m. 25 Eighth Avenue. (646) 334-0241.
Infinite Line Reception
The BRIC Rotunda Gallery hosts an opening reception for the exhibition "Infinite Line: Contemporary Drawing in Time and Space," which features drawings from six artists. Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 33 Clinton Street. (718) 875-4047.
Evan Fallenberg Reading
BookCourt hosts a reading with Evan Fallenberg, who reads from his novel Light Fell. Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. 163 Court Street. (917) 553-6244.
Have an event you think we should list? Send it along to events@brownstoner.com.
Wednesday Links
Bed-Stuy Doorway. Photo by sideshow_nyc.
One Hanson Clock to Start Working Again Today [NY Observer]
Construction Contractors Accused of Bribery [NY Sun]
East River Waterfall Plan Makes a Splash [NY Post]
Wall St. Plunge Fuels Recession Fear [NY Post]
Judge Out of Atlantic Yards Case [NY Post]
Bklyn G Train Service May Improve [NY Daily News]
Heights Movie Theater May Expand [Brooklyn Eagle]
January 15, 2008
Tuesday Blogwrap
Kosher Cafe. Photo by passer-by.
Important Info for Park Slope Credit Card Fraud Victims [GL]
Burg Craned Again as Hard Steel Rises on Union Avenue [Curbed]
Dept. of Health Wins, Pies 'n' Thighs Closing Tomorrow [Eater]
High-End Grocers are Everywhere (EVEN ON FULTON!) [CH Blog]
A New Option for Fresh Produce in Bushwick [Bushwick Blog]
Gertel's Lives On in Brooklyn [Racked]
Today on the Renovation Blogs and Forum
We'd like to extend a warm welcome to the latest addition to the Renovation Blogs, a team that's going to document efforts to design and build a green roof in Park Slope:
Going Green [Green Roof Reno]
And these are some of the topics posted on the Forum today:
Is the Price Right for this Prospect Heights Brownstone?
Help for Cracking Plaster Walls?
Need Recommendations for Reno Contractors
Security Deposit Increase of Not?
Advice about Geothermal Heating/Cooling Systems?
Condo Lawyer for Commercial Dispute?
Streetlevel: Greenmarket for Ungentrified Stretch of Fulton
A stretch of Fulton Street whose mix of offerings has failed to evolve with the neighborhood around it is getting its first taste of gentrification in the form of, what else, an organic market. The storefront at 969 Fulton Street between Washington Avenue and St. James Place in Clinton Hill, until recently a generic looking real estate office, is in the process of transforming into something called the Green Planet. From the awning, this place has the feel of one of those early-90's health food stores as opposed to something with particularly great food, but, regardless, it's nice to see something other than bodegas and nail salons along here. How do you think it'll do? GMAP
House of the Day: 40 2nd Place
Optimism knows no bounds in Carroll Gardens. Already in this young year we've chronicled two listings that have come out of the box at over $3 million. (One of them, 78 3rd Place appears to have been yanked reduced to $2,950,000 in the wake of 250+ comments mocking the ridiculousness of asking $3,495,000 for the 3,100-square-foot pad.) Today's house of the day at 40 2nd Place is slightly less ambitious at $2,800,000. Still, at less than 16 feet wide and sporting a renovation that feels too "new" looking in that suburban kind of way, we're not holding our breath about this one getting anywhere close to ask either. For what it's worth, the 2,300-square-foot house last sold in 2004 for $1,700,000.
40 2nd Place [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
Condos of the Day: Whiplash at 364 Myrtle Avenue
The building at 364 Myrtle has had a rough ride. A Scarano design, the three-unit building got bogged down in Mezzanine-gate a year ago after all the units were already in contract. With no C of O in sight, the developer honorably let the buyers out of their contracts. Last fall, he tried to rent out a couple of unit for around $5,000 a pop. Either there were no takers or the owner thinks the condo market has improved since October because all three units just came back on the market as condos—at about the same asking prices as back in early 2006. The two lower units are now on the market for $899,000 and the upper one is asking $875,000; all three are over 1,500 square feet. These are pretty spacious and the location is increasingly nice (go MARP!) so we wouldn't be surprised, at about $500 a foot, to see these find buyers without too much struggle.
Kara Kasper's Listings [Corcoran] GMAP
364 Myrtle Avenue [StreetEasy] P*Shark
Rental of the Day: 364 Myrtle Post-Scarano Switcheroo [Brownstoner]
364 Myrtle Avenue: Scarano Strikes Again [Brownstoner]
What's Up With The New Building on Myrtle? [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 717 Prospect Place
There aren't a ton of new buildings going up in Crown Heights, a function, we assume, of the relative lack of empty lots as compared to, say, neighboring Bed Stuy. One new effort is an eight-unit residential building at 717 Prospect Place just east of Rogers Avenue. When all's said and done, the new development will be about 9,000 square feet across five floors. It's too early to opine about the aesthetics but let's just say we don't have particularly high hopes. Maybe we'll be surprised. GMAP DOB
Before 4th Ave. Was ‘The Next Park Avenue’
We visited the Brooklyn Museum last weekend and were struck by a number of photographs on display by George Bradford Brainerd (1847-1887). The image above, which is part of the museum’s permanent collection, shows what a section of 4th Avenue looked like in the mid-to-late 19th century (exact date unknown). Several generations before anyone dreamed of calling the thoroughfare "the next Park Avenue", it apparently had roadside shanties and a lot of trees. It’s also worth noting that Brainerd photos (like the one on the jump) appear in an exhibit called "Goodbye Coney Island" that documents Coney’s changes over the last 125 years. The exhibit, which is in the incredibly cool visible storage section of the museum, runs through April 6th.
All images courtesy of the Brooklyn Museum.
Continue reading "Before 4th Ave. Was ‘The Next Park Avenue’"
Sunset Park's Federal #2 a Potential Lifeboat for Creatives
Work on one of Brooklyn’s biggest redevelopment projects probably won’t begin for about another year. Back in May, the the city's EDC announced that a joint venture between Time Equities and the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation had been selected to redevelop a 1.1-million-square-foot Sunset Park warehouse called Federal Building #2 into a mixed-use light manufacturing and retail complex. The 8-story building, next to the Gowanus Expressway on 3rd Avenue between 30th and 32nd streets, will be gut renovated. Two major hurdles need to be cleared before the rehab begins, however: The property still needs to be transferred from the federal government to the city (which will in turn transfer it to the developers), and the proposal has to go through ULURP. According to Margaret Nelson, director of real estate programs for the BEDC, the federal government will likely transfer the property to the city within the next few months. The proposal is also expected to enter ULURP very soon, said Nelson, and the review process is expected to take between six months and a year. The project will cost more than $200 million and eventually create more than 1,285 full-time jobs, according to the EDC. From what we hear, at least one of the end-uses for the space will be to provide artists and creative professionals with affordable, loft-like space for under $20 a foot. Given the rate at which these folks are being priced out of Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Dumbo, this sounds like welcome news to us.
Press Release on Federal Building #2 [NYCEDC] GMAP P*Shark
Hotel Le Bleu Rates: A Brief History
In honor of a post on the Doree Chronicles noting that room prices for Gowanus’s high-end Hotel Le Bleu now start at $136 per night, we’ve put together a timeline showing the property’s rates (wished-for and real) over the past few months.
September ’07: Le Bleu not yet open; website shows rooms starting at $365
October ’07: Le Bleu GM says he’s confident people will pay $300-$500/night when hotel opens
November ’07: Hotel opens; rooms start at $306/night
December ’07: Le Bleu website shows rooms available from $270/night
January ’08: Rooms start at $136/night
Hotel Le Blah [The Doree Chronicles] GMAP
At Long Last, Hotel Le Bleu Opens [Brownstoner]
Hotel Le Bleu Reviews Trickle In [Brownstoner]
20-story Condo Coming to the Southside
It appears that developer Michael Zazza is moving forward with his long-held plans to build a 20-story condo on Bedford Avenue and South 8th Street. The DOB approved Zazza’s building a few months ago, and we found a rendering for the project on GreenbergFarrow’s website. In '06, neighborhood activists protested Zazza’s proposed development because it required the demolition of two of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood (see pic of 118 and 120 South 8th Street, pre demo, on jump). Now that the shovels are in the ground, though, it’s probably worth considering how this building is going to fit in with the rest of the structures in the neighborhood. It’ll certainly be taller and glassier than just about everything around it (with the exception of the nearby waterfront condos). Nevertheless, think it’ll play well?
Strange Bedfellows In Southside Landmark Fight [Brownstoner] GMAP DOB
Photo by Scott Bitner for Property Shark.
BSA Considers 163 Washington Plans For a 3rd Time
Today the Board of Standards and Appeals will once again consider GLC Developers’ plans to build a 16-story tower in Clinton Hill. The development has provoked a lot of ire from nearby residents who say GLC didn’t have enough of the building foundation complete before the area’s zoning changed in June; according to the project’s critics, the lack of sufficient foundation work means the plans can’t be vested under old zoning regulations and has to conform to the new zoning, which would limit the building’s height to seven stories. A neighborhood group called Building Too Tall has been leading the charge against the proposed tower, and they sent us a press release (see copy on jump) noting that “It is unusual for the BSA to go 3 rounds with the same opponent, but the developer has repeatedly failed to make his case.” Let's see what happens this time 'round, this morning at 10 o'clock at 40 Rector Street in Manhattan.
Fight Over Tall Washington St. Building Enters Third Round [Gowanus Lounge]
BSA Postpones 163 Washington Decision Until January [Brownstoner] GMAP
A Day at the BSA: GLC vs. Building Too Tall [Brownstoner] P*Shark
Day of Reckoning for 163 Washington Avenue? [Brownstoner] DOB
CB2 Votes on Two BSA Recommendations [Brownstoner]
CB2: Thumbs Down on Washington, Thumbs Up on Grand [Brownstoner]
Clinton Hill Rezoning Rejects Pitch BSA Bail-Out To CB2 [Brownstoner]
Race Against Clock at 163 Washington [Brownstoner]
Continue reading "BSA Considers 163 Washington Plans For a 3rd Time"
Council Members Look to Take on Eminent Domain
A number of City Council members say they’re going to try to get the state to change its eminent domain laws, according to an article in City Hall. Leading the charge is Council member Letitia James, who has been a vocal critic of Atlantic Yards. James says a Council drive to influence Albany is “a priority” and that “we are opening up the door wider and wider to the abuse of eminent domain by private businesses” after the Council voted to OK Columbia’s expansion plan, which involves the use of eminent domain, in December. James argues that the use of eminent domain means the city is diverted from following the 197-a process (which allows community boards to develop land-use plans for their districts) and that property owners should have more time to challenge seizures. Council Speaker Christine Quinn hasn’t made a commitment to pressing the issue in Albany, however, and a rep for Mayor Bloomberg said that “Changing state eminent domain laws is not currently on our Albany agenda.”
Council Members to Push for Imminent Change of State Eminent Domain Laws [City Hall]
Photo by Steve Soblick.
Tuesday Events
BookCourt Reading
Today, BookCourt hosts a reading of essays from Brooklyn Was Mine, a new nonfiction tribute to the borough from some of its most celebrated authors. Emily Barton, Darey Steinke, and Alexandra Styron read. Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. 163 Court Street. (917) 553-6244.
5 for Funny Tuesdays
Clinton Hill's Five Spot Soulfood presents an evening of sketch and improv from Neighborhood Watch. Dave Lester hosts. Tuesday, 9:00 p.m. $5. 459 Myrtle Avenue. (718) 852-0202.
Have an event you think we should list? Send it along to events@brownstoner.com.
Tuesday Links
Hiding Bowler Strikes. Photo by Paul.
Praise and Questions for Gov's $400 Million Housing Plan [NY Times]
Mayoral Candidates Vie for ’09 Fund-Raising Lead [NY Times]
B. Hill School Stayed Open Despite Violations [NY Daily News]
Tickets and Car Thefts on the Decline [NY Daily News]
A Dozen City Charter Schools Set for OK [NY Post]
Gravesend Bay Dredging Sparks Fears [NY Post]
Land Near Ikea On Market [Brooklyn Eagle]
January 14, 2008
Monday Blogwrap
Park Slope Roof. Photo by meredith has pictures.
The Times Plaza Post Office Chronicles, Part I [GL]
Hooray for Bushwick Free Clinic! (Really!) [Bushwick BK]
Recycle-A-Bicycle Re-Opening Ceremony [Dumbo NYC]
Real Estate Marketing is the New Black [Curbed]
Identity Theft: Beware! [Clinton Hill Blog]
Closing Bell: 5th Ave. Botanica Torching Still a Mystery
The perps behind the "fire bombing" of the Botanica on 5th Avenue and Douglass Street in November haven't been caught, according to a representative for the FDNY, and the case it still open. The owner of the former religious artifacts store is apparently MIA, according to a sign pasted to the front that reads "Botanica La Fey is closed due to a fire that occurred on 11/15. The owner has NOT provided any further contact information to any of the neighboring businesses." According to an employee of one those neighboring businesses, some of the building's tenants have moved back to their apartments despite the fact that all its windows are boarded up (see photo on jump).
Botanica Torched on Park Slope's Fifth Avenue [Gowanus Lounge] GMAP
Continue reading "Closing Bell: 5th Ave. Botanica Torching Still a Mystery"
Today on the Renovation Blogs and Forum
There's a new post on the Renovation Blogs:
Welcome to the Boudoir [Windsor Terrace Reno]
Here are some of the topics posted on the Forum today:
What are the Rules for Asbestos Pipe Insulation Removal?
Recs For Cleaning Sewage Out of a Basement?
Garden Access - Architect Suggestions?
How Much to Install a Rental Kitchen?
Streetlevel: Busy Chef Cooking on Court
Although the name of the “food production” company that’s taking space at State and Court has yet to be revealed, the identity of a new business a few storefronts down on Court Street is a little less mysterious. Busy Chef, which offers prepared food to go and has a location on Henry Street, is opening in the old Café 111 space across the street from the movie theater. Good news for the Downtown lunch crowd?
A North Heights Favorite Opening on Court St [BK 11201] GMAP
Busy Chef Sets Up Shop on Court [Brooklyn Heights Blog]
House of the Day: 118 Willow Street
While not exactly realistic for most of us, 118 Willow Street is worth a look purely for the real estate porn value: 7,200 square feet over five floors on one of Brooklyn Heights' best blocks. Mmmm, good. The two-family brownstone appears (from the very limited number of photos) to have very high ceilings (on the parlor floor, at least) and tons of well-preserved original detail. So how 'bout that asking price of $8,000,000? Sounds like a lot, but then again $1,100 a square foot for a prize like this ain't impossible. For that kind of dough, you'd think the broker could get some more photos up.
118 Willow Street [Douglas Elliman] GMAP P*Shark
Condos of the Day: 70 Washington Street
In addition to the five units at 70 Washington in Dumbo currently available on the Two Trees website, there are another six resales on the market, ranging from an 915-square-foot mini-loft for $845,000 to a corner two-bedroom for $1,675,000. The seller of a third one, Apartment 9K, just had to scale back the visions of windfall profits dancing in his head. Originally bought for $1,220,00 in early 2005, the 1,560-square-foot pad went on the market in September for $1,595,000. It was reduced last week to $1,495,000.
70 Washington Street [Street Easy] GMAP
Available Condos in Dumbo [Two Trees]
Fischer-palooza Continues: Warehouse Eleven Condos
Are you on the list? The coming out party for the Karl Fischer-designed Warehouse Eleven condos is January 31 and it's invitation only. With 120 units to move in a not-so-hot environment for new condos, you think they'd ditch the velvet rope on this one. While we like the proportions of those corner units, we're not convinced there's an endless supply of folks lookingto drop $845,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in Williamsburg these days. To be fair, though, there are some other one-bedrooms for under $500,000 and they have just as much use of the perks like full-time doorman, fitness center and, yes, yoga garden. This is another one that'll be interesting to watch.
Warehouse Eleven Listings [Apartments & Lofts] GMAP
Development Watch: 122 Vanderbilt, Slowly but Surely
Construction at the Bricolage-designed project at 122 Vanderbilt Avenue in Fort Greene hasn't exactly flown along since we checked in back in August. The 15-unit building doesn't look too bad from this angle (prefer the Darth Vader vibe to the usual Radusky fare) but it's a little more painful from the side view from Myrtle Avenue (on the jump) both in terms of aesthetics and context. Don't suppose anyone knows anything about whether this will be rentals or condos?
Development Watch: 122 Vanderbilt Avenue Revisited [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 118-122 Vanderbilt [Brownstoner] GMAP
Another Bricolage in the Wall [Brownstoner] P*Shark DOB
Continue reading "Development Watch: 122 Vanderbilt, Slowly but Surely"
More Details on Albee Square aka Citypoint
Details about the future of the old Albee Square Mall, whose parking garage has now been leveled in the first step to creating a massive mixed-use complex, continue to surface. A reader just steered us in the direction of the new website for the development, which is being called City Point. In addition to lots of pretty pictures, the site puts to rest some of the questions about how the project would be divided up in terms of usage. The plan is for 900,000 square feet of rental apartments, 500,000 square feet of retail and 125,000 square feet of Class A office space. It also turns out that Acadia Realty is not the only cook in the kitchen: MacFarlane Partners, Rose Associates, P/A Associates and Washington Square Partners are all involved in the development of various portions of the project. Lastly, the site has the best rendering we've seen of what the Willoughby Square Park is expected to look like. Not too shabby. (Update: We've been informed that the park rendering has actually been available on the DBP website for a few months.)
Albee Square Deal Closes, Fewer Apartments Planned [Brownstoner] GMAP
Expansion, Skyscraper Planned for Albee Square Mall [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: RIP, Albee Square Mall (Garage) [Brownstoner]
15 Quincy Complete and Taking Applications
The affordable housing component of BFC's project 150 Myrtle Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn is actually located a couple of miles away at 15 Quincy Street in Clinton Hill. The six-story building appears to be finished and PACC, BFC's partner on the project, is currently accepting applications for 38 affordable units. (The DOB permits say that there are a total of 48 units in the building, so we can only guess that there are 10 market-rate units as well.) Four of the units are studios for those earning between $22,400 and $27,815; 34 one-bedrooms are for singles and couples making between $23,960 and $29,588. The deadline for applications is February 19; submission details available on the HPD link.
Quincy Street Applications [HPD] GMAP P*Shark DOB
Off-Site Affordable Housing Moving Along on Quincy [Brownstoner]
PACC Keeps Busy, Breaks Ground on Quincy [Brownstoner]
Theater Operator Said to be Eyeing Loew’s Kings
There’s potentially exciting news brewing about the Loew’s Kings theater in Flatbush. An unspecified “major theater operator” is considering answering the EDC’s longstanding call to redevelop the property, according to Brooklyn Junction. A city official told the blog that the company is holding focus groups to try to determine what sort of programming would work at the theater, which would probably cost between $20 and $40 million to renovate. The EDC issued an RFP for the former wonder theater in September ’06. Any guesses about who the operator is or what its plans may include?
Theater Operator Expresses Interest in Loew's Kings Theater [Brooklyn Junction]
Real Estate Round-Up [Brooklyn Eagle] GMAP
Wondering About the Loew’s Wonder Theater [Brownstoner]
A Chance to Bring Back an Old Brooklyn Gem [Brownstoner]
Poll: Many Residents Don't Heart NYC
Although crime is way down and more tourists than ever are flocking here, a poll from Crain's (subscription req’d) shows that about a third of New Yorkers think conditions in the city are deteriorating. The results of the poll, which are highlighted in a Daily News article, underscore a growing divide between the way the city is viewed by minorities and whites and the rich and poor. While 61 percent of white respondents said public transportation is good or excellent, only 41 percent of blacks rated it similarly; 20 percent of black respondents, meanwhile, called public schools poor, compared to 6 percent of white respondents who said they were in bad shape. The growing cost of housing is also weighing heavily on New Yorkers: Five years ago, 8 percent of poll respondents said it was difficult to cover their rent or mortgage, but now 18 percent say it's hard to cover the cost of keeping a roof over their head. The poll results show that the city is losing its middle class, according to former Housing Commissioner Jerilyn Perine. "We used to have a bell curve, with most people in the middle," she says. "Now you're seeing a flattening of that curve and a growing high end and a growing poverty rate."
One-Third Say New York Getting Worse [NY Daily News]
Photo by nuholeinmyshoe.
Anti-AY Lawsuits: And Then There Was One
The legal challenges against Atlantic Yards are dwindling. On Friday afternoon a state judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn and 25 other community groups challenging the project's environmental impact review statement. In her 71-page decision, Justice Joan A. Madden shot down most of the lawsuit's claims, which argued that the state’s review of the project didn't fully account for its possible effects on traffic, security and open space. Forest City Ratner, Marty Markowitz and the ESDC hailed the decision. "We are very pleased with Judge Madden's decision, as it further clears the way for Atlantic Yards and the thousands of jobs, affordable housing units and world-class arena—the Barclays Center—that will accompany the project," said Forest City chief executive Bruce Ratner. The dismissal means the only major lawsuit still pending against Atlantic Yards is the one challenging the use of eminent domain for the project. DDDB says it plans to appeal Madden's decision, and that the anti-AY fight still has plenty of life left in it. "We are disappointed by the court's ruling. But let's be clear: Atlantic Yards cannot move forward while the thirteen plaintiffs—homeowners, business owners and tenants—are in federal court in a separate case challenging New York State's unconstitutional use of eminent domain. We expect to prevail in that lawsuit, as well as on the appeal of today's decision," said DDDB spokesman Daniel Goldstein.
NY State Supreme Court Rules for ESDC in Atlantic Yards Lawsuit [DDDB]
Atlantic Yards Environmental Impact Review Suit Dismissed [Gowanus Lounge]
Judge Dismisses Challenge to AY Environmental Review [Atlantic Yards Report]
Big Loss for Atlantic Yards Foes as Environmental Lawsuit Dismissed [NY Observer]
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Seeking to Block Atlantic Yards [NY Times]
Atlantic Yards model from AtlanticYards.com
Monday Events
Climate Talk
Today, the Park Slope Greens host a talk entitled "A Report on the Global Climate Change Conference in Bali." Sean Sweeney, Director of the Global Labor Institute of Cornell University, and Amy Greer of nolandgrab.org will speak on current climate issues and legislation. Monday, 7:00 p.m. Park Slope Methodist Church, 410 Sixth Avenue. (718) 788-2260.
Community Board 14 Meeting
Community Board 14 holds a meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Edward R. Murrow High School, 1600 Avenue L.
Have an event you think we should list? Send it along to events@brownstoner.com.
Monday Links
Broadway, Williamsburg. Photo by Joel Lowy.
Law Makes Debt Relief Harder for Homeowners [NY Times]
From a Shelter to a Home, but for How Long? [NY Times]
No Quick Fix in Sight for Economic Downturn [NY Times]
Inquiry Looks at Withholding of Loan Data [NY Times]
E. Williamsburg Party Space Endangered [NY Times]
Comedy Central, by Way of the Torah [NY Times]
4th Ave. Bar Drafts Boozer Reward Plan [NY Daily News]
What’s to Blame for Homicide Increases? [NY Daily News]
Spitzer Visits Bushwick, Talks Housing [NY Post]
Weiner Leads in Fundraising for Mayor [NY Post]
...And Yassky a Leader in Comptroller Funds [NY Sun]
City Pulled in $28B From Tourists in '07 [NY Sun]
Credit Card Fraud Outbreak in the Slope? [GL]
More Info on Atlantic Ave. Auction [McBrooklyn]
Bushwick Venue Struggles [AM New York]
Latest Restaurant Additions
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Manna
added November 24, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Piattini Ristorante
added November 23, 2009 12:00 PM in Bay Ridge -
Le Barricou
added November 20, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Der Schwarze Kölner
added November 19, 2009 12:00 PM in Fort Greene -
Oak Wine Bar & Café
added November 18, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Mr. Wonton
added November 17, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Casa Rosa
added November 16, 2009 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens -
Cousin John's Café & Bakery
added November 13, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Elote
added November 12, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Miracle Grill
added November 11, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope