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March 6, 2008
Spike Pulls Plug on Dekalb HQ
It's official: Spike Lee has moved his 40 Acres and a Mule production company out of its long-time headquarters at 124 Dekalb Avenue. A reader noticed movers coming and going last week and the drive-by this morning confirmed that the company's big red flag had been taken down. A call to 40 Acres a few minutes ago revealed that the company has consolidated its activities into one location. And, luckily, it's not on the Upper East Side, where Lee decamped several years ago with his family. It's just a block away at 76 South Elliott Place.
Spike's Gone But 40 Acres and a Mule Lingers On [Brownstoner] GMAP
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Spike helped put Bklyn on the map, especially parts of Bklyn no one wanted to see. His early student films about a barbershop in Bed Stuy, as well as She Gotta Have It, Mo' Better Blues and Crooklyn are slices of life in mostly black middle class Bed Stuy and Fort Greene/Clinton Hill. Do the Right Thing was a seminal work.
In addition, Spike brought commerce (his store) media attention, and employment to Fort Greene. A lot of the actors in his early films, like Larry Fishburne, Gary Dourdan, Giancarlo Esposito, and others used to live in the area as well.
I'm glad he is keeping his company in the neighborhood.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at March 6, 2008 10:58 AM
SO....this for sale?
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 11:13 AM
Spike is a great film maker. Too bad he doesn't know much about investing.
He could have really poured more money back into the neighborhood he got so rich off. But hey, i guess it's mo better in the upper east side.
BTW, when he sold his house on Washington Park he was in such a rush to flee Brooklyn that he left the house fully furnished.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 11:22 AM
Spike Lee hasn't made a decent film in years. At this point, his primary function is advertising. In the past, he claimed that he would remain in Brooklyn and send his children to local public schools, but, alas, he wound up in the wealthiest, whitest area in all of NYC. It's no sin to live well, but so typical of celebrities to talk one way and live another (e.g. Michael Moore).
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 11:23 AM
um, The Insider was not a good movie? 24 hours? you kidding me? he's a great filmmaker and even if he hadn't made those two, he would still be among the all time greats. he can live wherever. I wish he still lived here, but it's none of business, or yours. what have you done lately?
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 11:29 AM
The HBO documentary Spike Lee made about New Orleans and Katrina was just amazing. It made me like the guy again.
Posted by: tinarina at March 6, 2008 11:45 AM
TO: 11:29,
as a public figure who makes his rep and his living from his statements and actions, he has some responsibility, to his cause at least, to do as he says or explain to his audience why he decided to alter his actions. As his audience, our role is to be critical of his arguments and to respond when they do not correspond to his actions. He has been very vocal and very critical (rightfully so) of American society, so he invites the dialogue.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 11:53 AM
I'm pretty sure he's had the South Elliot office for a few years now. I've seen the 40 acres banner at that location for quite a while. Maybe he had two offices and is downsizing.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 11:53 AM
11:22--which house on Washington Park did he own?
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 11:54 AM
Can't understand why the hell he chose the UES. If he had moved to the UWS, it would make more sense, but the UES??
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 11:55 AM
His move was an homage to the Jeffersons.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:00 PM
Lee has said he moved to Manhattan because his spouse insisted. A "society" figure, she doesn't get Brooklyn, nor would the Upper West Side do for somebody like her. She's part of the charity circuit/private school crowd. You can accept Lee's decision -- or not. (Personally, I don't. Then again, I live on the East Side!)
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:10 PM
Oh, 12:10. I get it. So he's whipped.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:14 PM
Is his wife white?
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:14 PM
"If he had moved to the UWS, it would make more sense, but the UES??"
Really, what's the difference?
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:16 PM
"Really, what's the difference?"
Guess you don't spend too much time in either hood to notice the huge differences (above 72nd on the UWS, though).
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:19 PM
12:14: No. But neither is Bill Cosby, and he lives nearby.
12:16: Huge. For those in the know, almost as big as the difference between Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:20 PM
i always thought his move was an homage to Woody Allen.
Posted by: Jimmy Legs at March 6, 2008 12:23 PM
Nosey ass peopl! so what he moved uptown... who cares what his wife thinks.
I'm thinking TMZ is posting comments and you busy bodies are feeding them gossip.
Get off his schlong!
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:24 PM
11:54, he owned 180 Washington Park. He sold it in 1999 for $800,000.
The house next door 181 Washington Park went for $3million last summer.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:27 PM
12:24:
I only know what I read in the Times and New York Magazine, for which the spouse happily posed for photographs, showing off the family town house.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:27 PM
To: 12:24
No one's forcing you to read these comments. And I'm pretty sure the rest of us could live if you did ignore this post.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:28 PM
I thought Spike Lee DID move to the Upper West Side. A brownstone. I don't think it's the Upper East Side.
To the guy who said:
"as a public figure who makes his rep and his living from his statements and actions, he has some responsibility, to his cause at least, to do as he says or explain to his audience why he decided to alter his actions."
Spike Lee is an artist. A political one, sure, but as an artist he answers to nobody nor should he. Get over yourself. White artists are not required to pander politically to anybody, why should he? Why limit his creativity that way?
If it weren't for the ridiculous pressures put on black artists by the black community, more of the successful black artists in film and music would probably choose to stay in Brooklyn instead of leave. But as we see from some of these comments if Spike had stayed he would have been confronted on the sidewalk on a daily basis by people making sure he's "keepin' it real".
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:33 PM
Um, 11:29, Michael Mann made The Insider. And the movie I believe you're referring to is "The 25th Hour." Clearly a huge fan. Anywayz....
Spike, I think, should make more documentaries. The Katrina doc he made for HBO was stunning. His narrative films (with a couple exceptions) have been sub par since DTRT.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:35 PM
There are black people in "society", you know - Asian and Hispanic people, too. We aren't all poor, and some of that money is quite old. They may not be out there like Paris Hilton, but they certainly exist.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at March 6, 2008 12:40 PM
12:33: No, it's the East Side.
12:40: You're right. And Lee's marriage is that not unusual New York combination of "art" and money.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:46 PM
"Guess you don't spend too much time in either hood to notice the huge differences (above 72nd on the UWS, though)."
Exactly. That's why I asked. I'll ask again: What is the difference?
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:51 PM
12:51: Money and, yes, religion and ethnicity (although softening somewhat). ES is also better maintained and, between Park and Fifth, with better architecture. More galleries, more museums, more private clubs, private schools. On and on and on. Not that the WS isn't nice, but with the exception of the Museum of Natural History for the kids, why go?
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 1:01 PM
100% he lives on the Upper East Side. 63rd Street just east of Lexington. It's the place with the cast iron gate in front of it. I guess he needs protection from all the old lunching ladies and their Yorkshire Terriers.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 6, 2008 1:05 PM
It's "Inside Man", 12:35. You obviously don't know Spike's films either or you'd know which film that person referred to.
By the way, "Inside Man" is BRILLIANT. Your loss if you haven't seen it.
25th Hour is so good that alone as a recent credit proves Spike Lee hasn't gone downhill. You have no clue and you obviously just have a lot of jealousy towards him.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 1:06 PM
1:05: And the 60s are the Social Register's epicenter. Yes, the Lees are movin' on up. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 1:08 PM
1:01, I used to live on the UES but wished I lived on the UWS (until I moved to Brooklyn, where I'm quite content). UWS has a much nicer vibe. More tangibly, the stores are more interesting, the streets seem wider and buildings shorter, thus it has a more open, sunny feel. Also has more parkland, although Carl Schurz Park on the East Side is definitely nice. Granted, there are fewer museums, but overall, I think it has much more character and mix of people.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 6, 2008 1:10 PM
Spike's wife is from Atlanta and if you knew anything about Atlanta you'd know there is a long and well established black society in Atlanta. There's even a black society page in the newspaper reporting on events and galas. Monied people who come from outside NYC are going to feel more comfortable in a house on the UES. It's not that weird.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 1:10 PM
1:05, true - nothing wrong with that. Although I'm not in the Social Register last I checked, and don't ever expect to be, I lived in the 60s (street, not decade) on the UES and eventually needed a change. Regarding Spike's movies, I think he's an incredible and original film maker. I love all his stuff.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 6, 2008 1:13 PM
To: 12:33,
Expression is worthless if it is not explored, critiqued and tested. You are advocating for a worthless artist. All artists engage the public in dialogue. It is their raison d'etre.
On a tangent, much of today's art is labeled worthless because they are commercially-motivated pieces marketed to a certain image of the young and wealthy New Yorker, the assumption being that the content is designed to sell and not to convey an independent message.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 1:15 PM
1:10:
There's the East Side and there's the East Side's "Gold Coast," where the Lee's live.
The blocks between Lexington and Fifth can be nice and low, many with beautiful, individually-designed town houses, as opposed to the mass-produced brownstones on the West Side (built for the middle classes, as described in Robert Stern's New York 1900).
And with Central Park, how much open space do you need?
Granted, there's more of a "mix" of people on the West Side, but that's exactly what old-line East Siders pay to avoid.
Too bad that Lee moved from Brooklyn (his promise of fealty to the borough obligates him somewhat) but I chuckle to think that his appearance probably got some of my racist neighbors in a twist.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 1:22 PM
Inside Man is decidedly mediocre. All it is a rehash of a true crime featured on of those A&E shows.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 1:27 PM
1:22, good points all. I used to spend most of my time in Central Park on the weekend, but was contemplating more that if you don't live on the "Gold Coast" and are closer to water and don't want to go to Central Park, i.e., 3rd Avenue to East End Ave or Broadway to West End Ave, Riverside Park is a better alternative to what the East Side has. I prefer a mix of people, unlike "old-line East Siders", which is why I prefer the UWS.
As a total non-sequitur, I think Michael Moore lives on the UWS. In the battle of directors, which side wins? Is Woody on the UWS or UES?
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 6, 2008 1:30 PM
I got jungle fever shes got jungle fever we've got jungle fever in Bloomies baby! Yes Tanya and Spike in Bloomies. Why deal with the hood and all the black folk. weze made it! We finally got our piece of the pie!!!
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 1:48 PM
Biff, last time I visited, Woody was in a big co-op on the Upper East but that was before the whole Soon-Yi thing. Mia might have gotten it in the break-up. Pity, he had a nice screening room and editing room on the first floor.
Posted by: nosleeptil at March 6, 2008 1:51 PM
1:30:
That's true about Riverside Park. At the time it was built, the East River was lined with factories and tenements populated by a German, Irish, and Hungarian working class. These buildings came down for the terrible high-rises that distinguish the area east of Third Avenue from the Gold Coast's town houses and pre-War co-ops to the west. Except for Carl Schurz Park, what do they have over there? Concrete running paths along the East River Drive! (Not exactly healthy, either.)
Woody, by the way, lives in a palatial house on the East Side, having moved from a co-op on Fifth. Much bigger than Spike's house -- but then he's older.
Moore? I think on Central Park West (no doubt to be among "the people").
I like many of these directors' works, by the way. If Lee made only "Do the Right Thing" he could retire. And "Crimes and Misdemeanors" by Allen is one of the best mordant looks at New York and its value systems -- ever. These guys have aspects of New York down cold!
And Moore hit it of the park with "Sicko." It's so strong I'm going to have to wait a while before seeing it again.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 1:59 PM
Too many Jews on the Westside for Lee
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 2:07 PM
1:59, that was a fantastic post! Really enjoyed it. This positivity may be too much for Brownstoner. We may have to invite The What here or start talking about Park Slope vs. the World. I second your comment on the terrible high rises on east of third.
I used to jog on that atrocious concrete running path by the East River before hanging up the sneakers after realizing I'm more likely to shorten my life by breathing the exhaust fumes from the FDR traffic than by sitting on my ass doing nothing!
Spike and Woody are geniuses, IMHO. The films you mentioned are brilliant as is much of their other work.
Moore has hit many homeruns from Roger and Me to Sicko. Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 911 also were incredible. I chuckled at your Moore comment re: living with the people, although I've argued the other side when people talk about where he lives, riding in limos, etc., which I feel is an ad hominem attack. He's revolutionized documentaries and brought much increased attention to incredibly important issues.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 6, 2008 2:14 PM
I love the blocks on the Gold Coast on the UES where one finds the rows of houses. Those houses are beautiful. There's not all huge and super fancy either, many are similar to the houses in Brooklyn. I don't find the UES snooty as an area; it's just different. I like its unique atmosphere. Takes all kinds, right? I know people in the prewar coops there, have been to parties in the houses. Oddly enough I've observed there's more snobbery in certain parts of Brooklyn than there are on the UES. Sometimes when people are wealthy at that next level beyond what we see here, they actually become very non-judgemental and open. They have nothing to prove. The bourgeois tend to be the judgemental ones. The strivers. Of course the UES has those too, in the newer residents.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 2:32 PM
I graduated from Morehouse college like Spike did.....hopefully I can parlay my house into a spot on the UES too!
Posted by: moreteasir at March 6, 2008 2:36 PM
moreteasir, I'm sure you can. Just direct 20 or more fantastic films and you'll be living the dream too.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 6, 2008 2:46 PM
Spike was making pretty good money even after making a couple films. The key is to be very picky about the first feature you make, don't shoot something just to be shooting. If your first film is truly great it will launch you because people love the mystique of the young first-timer making something brilliant.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 3:10 PM
...I was thinking more like slicing, repackaging and reselling Brooklyn subprime debt....
Posted by: moreteasir at March 6, 2008 3:18 PM
2:46: Enjoyed our short discussion. I'll look for your handle again.
2:32: Then again, East Siders go to Brooklyn rarely -- if ever.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 3:22 PM
I would like to know if anyone knows the shooting locations for:
Nola Darling's loft in She's Gotta Have It
and
The street the family lived on in Crooklyn
I already know where some of Do the Right Thing was shot
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080204073036AAC3L6f
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 3:25 PM
MESSAGE!
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 3:35 PM
3:25, I was trying to google it, but in the meantime found this link, which you might find interesting. I personally really enjoy reading this stuff.
Top 10 Movies Set and Filmed in Brooklyn
http://gocaribbean.about.com/bltop10mov.htm
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 6, 2008 3:38 PM
The Upper East Side had all those "restricted" buildings--no Jews or Blacks.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 3:42 PM
Aren't some of the coop buildings on Prospect Park West "restricted" too? I heard that.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 3:44 PM
I get it, 1:06, I'm the nimrod for not taking the time to correct both of that dunce's mistakes. My bad.
As for you, well...
"By the way, "Inside Man" is BRILLIANT. Your loss if you haven't seen it."
Dude, "brilliant" and "Genius" are the two most abused terms in the English language. You just did it to praise a servicable action thriller. Good on ya.
25th hour was, in my opinion, the exception to the rule that his narrative films aren't really that great. He made a very good one there, but for that one I've got a boatload of very uneven ones and some downright stinkers. But, like I said--love his documentaries! So no, I'm not jealous, I just don't think his body of narrative work is that great. It's an opinion, just like yours, serviceable action thrillerman.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 4:06 PM
Sorry to say Spike is not a genius. Though he is a competent working director/filmmaker, he's not in the league of any of the truly great Hollywood directors. Spike has a lot of trouble with simple narrative storytelling (not unlike another NYU alum Marty). He's very good as a documentary director and should focus on that. He can have the UES.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 4:18 PM
Can you Spike commenters find your own blog. This is about real estate thank you. Some of us really could care less about Spike and his talents or lack thereof.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 4:20 PM
4:20, you must have me confused with someone who gives a shit what an asshat like you thinks.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 4:26 PM
The fact Spike Lee continually attracts the best actors of his time shows he's considered a great director. Those actors don't work with just anybody.
Plus "simple narrative storytelling" is not a requirement in all films. Hardly.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 4:30 PM
4:20, if you don't like it, why not go find a different discussion you're more interested or add a constructive non-Spike Lee related post here? More importantly, why am I even bothering addressing your comment. Damn, you got me, troll.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 6, 2008 4:31 PM
Most of the block used in Crooklyn was a set put up on location on Macon St. in Bed Stuy. It was very well done. They closed off the intersection of Macon and Arlington Place, and constructed a row of brownstone facades where the street is. From the corner of Macon and Nostrand, they looked like they had been there forever.
The scene where the father plays the piano in a concert was shot in the auditorium of Boys High School, that magnificent terra cotta landmark on Marcy and Putnam.
Kudos to Spike's location team. They were among the first to utilize the beauty of Bed Stuy for middle class strivings, instead of only being the location for gang fights and back alley murders.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at March 6, 2008 5:12 PM
"Plus "simple narrative storytelling" is not a requirement in all films. Hardly."
True...but it helps!
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 5:34 PM
Montrose Morris:
How do you know EVERYTHING about central Brooklyn? That post at 5:12 is yet another example. I picture you walking around the streets with note pad and camera, the news reporter of yore, capturing every little detail and keeping deep files for future commentary.
Spike Lee fooled me. I would have sworn those houses in "Crooklyn" were real. Then again, Sal's Famous Pizzeria looked the real thing, too, and that was a set for "Do the Right Thing." Too bad Spike didn't leave it behind. I, for one, would have lined up for a slice. (You could get two for a quarter when I was a kid in Crown Heights -- with Coke! Are there any pizza places on Nostrand these days? It would be a real treat to hit a spot, at whatever price multiple.)
And did you see this morning's Brownstoner link to the piece about CH in AM New York (I think I have that right). A nicely balanced summary of the neighborhood. I felt your property's value go up a tick just reading it.
Nostalgic on Park Avenue
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 6:07 PM
Spike Lee lives in the Upper East Side? LOL!!
Let me guess, condo not co-op.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 6:29 PM
Like Cosby (and Bloomberg), he has a whole house and is master of his domain (when his wife lets him).
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 6:34 PM
A whole house? Well lah-dee-dah.
How does he treat the staff?
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 6:37 PM
did spike lee really live and sell 180 washington pk in 1999?
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 7:12 PM
NOP, there is pizza around the corner from where the set was, but I wouldn't make the journey for it. We don't have a good pizza joint here in the hood.
The main reason I know that is that I used to walk by the set every day on my way to the subway. It was up for at least 6 months, so I had plenty of time to check it out. I wish I had taken pictures. It really was amazing set building.
I don't know everything about central Bklyn, far from it. I just find things like that interesting, and more proof that any neighborhood has more going on that what many people assume. If they had had blogs when Spike was filming here, I'm sure everyone would have been all over it.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at March 6, 2008 7:57 PM
Montrose, there's a scene in Crooklyn where the kids are forlornly walking in a park after they learn of the death of their mother. They are walking up a long flight of stairs. Where was that filmed? Do you know?
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 9:36 PM
Having lived in Brooklyn and now on the UES I can completely understand why he moved. The UES is a great place to live. Most people who knock it are just jealous that they can't live there.
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 12:41 AM
9:36, I'll need to see the film again. I don't remember the scene. Sorry.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at March 7, 2008 2:35 AM
12:41 = Robert Chambers
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 7:23 AM
Its all about the politics.
UES = Upper Right Side
UWS = Upper Left Side
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 8:34 AM
8:34, do moderates live on Central Park benches?
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 7, 2008 8:54 AM
Samuel Fucking Jackson lives in UES, tho he and Spike got downgraded with the zip code schism. As did Bloomberg, Murdock and Wolfe.
Bill Cosby remained true blue UES.
Posted by: guest at March 7, 2008 12:53 PM
I don't care where he lives, as long as he keeps on doing what he does: making movies/documentaries.
He should be celebrated for paying homage to the borough of Brooklyn in so many of his projects.
Don't hate cause he 'moved on up'!.
Posted by: guest at March 9, 2008 12:10 AM
77 comments, and not one about the building. My back yard abuts the rear of this carriage house, and for pure NIMBY reasons (quite literally), I'm curious what's going to happen to it. Spike and crew were pretty quiet neighbors.
Posted by: guest at March 9, 2008 7:57 PM
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