Closing Bell: Russo Realty Buildings Biting the Dust

As Gowanus Lounge has reported, the end seems near for the dilapidated Russo Realty buildings on Smith near 9th Street. Workers have been seen emptying the buildings out, and demolition plans have been filed with the DOB. Is this the end of an era or just buh-bye to a few eyesores?
End of the Notary District: Russo Realty Falling [Gowanus Lounge] GMAP DOB

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Comments

Goodbye and take that monstrosity on the corner with you.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 4:11 PM

I've always been fond of the Russo empire, and if it's just going to be replaced by places like that on the corner, I'm not sure I'll be celebrating.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 4:12 PM

Ditto to 4:12's comment

Posted by: johnife at January 4, 2008 4:20 PM

Ditto to 4:20's comment.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 4:27 PM

Yeah, some sh!tty old houses that have been run into the ground are better than a new brick building any day!

Dumb@sses

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 4:37 PM

These houses look 1930's depression-era. And the roof on the one on the left is sagging.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 4:40 PM

"Goodbye and take that monstrosity on the corner with you."

Agreed. Take it all down and start over.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 4:40 PM

It's both...the end of an era that turned into an eyesore. The buildings weren't always that bad way back when they were properly maintained (you all wouldn't remember), but it's good they're coming down before they do so of their own accord and hurt someone. Anything will be an improvement.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 4:43 PM

hahaha
was thinking when i was only looking at the picture that some idiots with zero imagination will fight any new buildings that go up here even tho this looks like a gypsy camp right now.

the south brooklyn attitude is getting super lame.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 4:45 PM

Hmm. Depression era? The buildings actually have a classic Federal roofline, especially with those little windows on the top floor. I wonder if they are not much older and just the victim of serial remuddling over the years? I guess we will never know now....

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 5:12 PM

Yeah, these are dumpy buildings. And yes, I bet what gets built in their place won't please me all that much. But Russo-land is part of my psychogeography and I will miss that squalid acre of the Brooklyn ... my Brooklyn .... of the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 5:38 PM

those brick buildings won't last half as long as the russo shitboxes. you heard it here first.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 5:42 PM

shit! where the hell will i find a notary now?

good riddance!

Posted by: CGmodern at January 4, 2008 5:45 PM

In this condition -- and location -- they are really not worth saving. But with the rooflines and eye-brow windows on the top floor, these houses could easily date to the 1830s/40s. Had they been better maintained they would be great examples of 19th century vernacular architecture. And shitty though they are, I'll miss 'em. The new building on the corner is a great example of everything that's soul-destroying about 21st century non-architecture.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 5:59 PM

Put these in the South Street Seaport, whose buildings I'm guessing are contemporaries, and the whole town would be wailing for their preservation.

U. Designer

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 6:26 PM

i am sure most of the effeminate responses here are from gay guys that have never even been past these places. not that they have any real structural or historic significance but having spent time washing my car opposite at the open air do-it-yourself car wash time to time over the past 15 years - i can attest i at least remember 'Russo' from years back - and find the shabby exterior of their business something to wonder.

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 8:40 PM

What the hell do you mean?

Posted by: guest at January 4, 2008 8:44 PM

Guest 8:40 = bottom.

Posted by: Rehab at January 5, 2008 1:48 AM

yo, where did tha moda fokkin clown go?

Posted by: guest at January 5, 2008 2:24 AM

Like some old storefronts on Smith, it was a great old time bigger than life cover for Sicilian operation. Fokkin Giuliani. Now, off to Jersey and Staten island and no more bogus notaries. Fuggeduhboutit.

Posted by: guest at January 5, 2008 7:13 AM

A few years ago I ventured into Russo's to get a document notarized. A bunch of big dudes were playing poker and smoking cigars (not kidding). One begrudgingly got up and did his notary duties, rubber stamp and all.

Posted by: guest at January 7, 2008 10:11 AM

Goodbye and good riddens I always hated those buildings. Carro Gardens getting better every day.

Posted by: guest at January 7, 2008 11:02 AM

I am going to miss seeing those sagging roofs when the F passes by Smith 9th.

Posted by: guest at January 7, 2008 2:42 PM