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April 24, 2008

Slope Ruin Gets Served

An tipster sent word about "that crazy building in Park Slope on the corner of 7th ave & 2nd street." Apparently the DOB affixed a notice to the building about a hearing that was supposed to take place on Monday regarding the structure's latest violation, which involves having an out-of-date permit for scaffolding. The DOB also recorded a violation on the property last year due to its owner's "failure to maintain bldg." City records do not show that the owner, Dorothy Nash, did anything to remedy the infraction, which carried a $2,500 fine (amount paid: $250). The building is legendary in Park Slope because it's been in decline for almost two decades. The Times published a piece about the property a couple months ago saying that it "radiates a mysterious, haunted quality." At the time, Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn noted that "187 Seventh Avenue is an ugly mess. Nash has been offered gobs of money to sell the place but has continuously refused. She also owns a building on Second Street between Seventh and Sixth Avenue, an eyesore in similar disrepair." According to an article in the Brooklyn Paper about the property, Nash used to run a bar called Landmark out of its ground floor with odd hours and kids' toys strown about that one person said “was as if the Addams family or Queequeg from ‘Moby Dick’ opened a bar." The DOB complaints on 187 7th Avenue (there have been 21 between the beginning of '07 and now) are a fun read: The most recent involves someone calling the agency to report the building's broken windows, but the majority are records of people telling the city that the scaffolding looks ready to fall at any time, a particularly dangerous situation since the dilapidated pile is across the street form P.S. 321 and, as a few complaints noted, children often play near or under it. GMAP P*Shark DOB

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It's insane that the city can't seize this building from this lunatic.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 10:06 AM

It sure would be a blessing if it happened to go up in flames.

Posted by: Polemicist at April 24, 2008 10:21 AM

Aa couple of years ago would have been a good time to sell/re-develop.

BTW, anyone know if anything planned for the former 2nd street cafe space across the street?

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 10:24 AM

The Toy Bar was awesome! Back when Park Slope was fun.

Posted by: rh at April 24, 2008 10:36 AM

I hate people like Nash. They are the worst. Continues to do nothing, lets the place look like trash, then one day walk away with millions of dollars. The fines on this building should be in the tens of thousands of dollars, a 2500 dollar fine? This city is stupid. And the DOB sucks like Nash.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 10:37 AM

The bldg needs love. The facade looks like it's gonna drop any day now as well.

Posted by: Fjorder at April 24, 2008 10:55 AM

What's the scaffolding for? It doesn't look like any work's been done on this building since Nixon was in office. I realize there's a violation for an out-of-date permit for scaffolding; has it been up for decades? And is anyone living in there?

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 24, 2008 10:57 AM

I love how everyone accepts the idea that this Nash women is some crazy old lady... as opposed to just a cheap, greedy, slimy ---- who could care less about the safety of the public.

She sure doesnt look crazy sipping champagne with her daughters at this 2008 Fashion Week BCBG/MAX AZRIA after party at Buddakan:

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/2640

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:03 AM

I think the scaffolding got put up after a piece of the building fell off into some lady's car (while she was in it!) a couple years ago.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:04 AM

THe Toy Bar was a bit of outsider art in Park Slope. The owner kept this strange place open for many years with the same fierce stubbornness that appears to be at work here.

She's probably mourning for the old Park Slope, which at that time still had a little bit of character and could still provide the foundation for Paul Auster's work.

The Toy Bar had occasional live music of unreliable quality.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:05 AM

The scaffolding was erected last year I believe when a piece of the building fell off onto someone's car.

Not good.

I'm really pissed about this. I wish something could be done. It could really be a great rehab.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:05 AM

Finally, a thread on this dying blog that might get some ACTION.

That place is a disgrace and that Nash woman is a straight up loon who unfortunately knows how to ignore the system like a pro. It's sad that it is going to take someone being injured or worse to force action on that eyesore... but that's what it is looking like.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:06 AM

That is so INSANE 11:03! Someone should print that picture, blow it up and plaster it all over both of those hideous buildings.

Also, Brownstoner, what is with the SERVER???

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:11 AM

I have lived in park slope for 10 years and saw this place open once. the bar was open--but it was more of a rummage sale (i don't think they were selling liquor) and the daughters (seen in the BCBG picture) were running a vintage shop out of the storefronts on second street. It was so weird. I never, ever saw either place open again. When was the last time the building was occupied? It's sad that they let this building fall to ruin.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:25 AM

Where are those eminent domain laws when you need them?
Weriously the city should site some kinda eyesore/dilapidated ramshackle statute and take it and convert it into something.
It's not like nasty Nash has a plan she will ever follow through on.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:40 AM

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:41 AM

Its really hard for the City to do anything but tear it down if it is unsafe. They can make repairs and add a lien but then the issue becomes were the repairs necessary? Most houses like this either were sold for taxes years ago(she obviously pays the taxes or takes it out when it gets to be close to in rem) or they just wait for them to fall down as happened on Wyckoff street recently-after the city was warned for years that it might happen.
The argument has always been if the city can take away your house because they don't like how it looks, what house is free from Government taking. I do wish the city could do something more and fix up houses like this before they crumble. But even if they fixed it up and it remained under her ownership that doesn't mean she has to do anything with it.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:49 AM

a) nice find on that photo
b) server transition should happen this afternoon. seriously!

Posted by: brownstoner at April 24, 2008 11:55 AM

I know your just trolling MR Handcock - but either way, may any falling bricks hit you in the head 1st.

Brownstoner - add the "society" photo to this post - maybe you can shame them into doing something

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:57 AM

HanCock, why don't you chug some, apologist toad? Her property is a toxic threat and should be fixed by her rich fat ass or seized and turned into a jail that she be incarcerated in after someone meets their reward because of her maniacal negligence.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:59 AM

Ditto both sentiments of 11:57 (the first one!)

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 11:59 AM

That picture is of a different Dorothy Nash. I remember seeing her all the time, she lived in that house on 2nd street between 5th and 6th, that is also boarded up. I'm not sure if she died or has been insitutionalized, but she's no longer living in that house. I'd imagine that if she died, what's holding things up is an estate battle amongst the decedents.

I do give her credit for buying property back in the 60s or early 70s when Park Slope was a much more marginal place.

Posted by: Brooklynnative at April 24, 2008 12:01 PM

Brooklynnative, was that a Freudian slip reference to "an estate battle amongst the decedents." (or rather "decadents"?)

Anyway, interesting comment on the picture. It would be unfortunate to use it to shame her if that's not even the Dorothy Nash in question.

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 24, 2008 12:07 PM

"She sure doesnt look crazy sipping champagne with her daughters at this 2008 Fashion Week BCBG/MAX AZRIA after party at Buddakan:
http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/2640"

Exactly. They aren't crazy. They are entitled, spoiled, selfish misanthropes who don't give a shit about Park Slope as a community or about anybody but themselves. They get away with all this because of there's a lawyer daughter to do endless hours of work to ensure they get to keep this building in this condition without the city doing anything about it.

WAR.

Seriously. Start a website only about them, track every society or fashion photo of them drinking champagne and post it next to their dilapidated buildings. Post info on all the violations and problems with the buildings. Make sure the website gets media coverage. It's good timing with all the media attention now on our crappy neglectful DOB in NYC. Just humiliate the hell out of these women until they finally sell the building. The city will never do anything about it. So the people of Brooklyn have to take up the task.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:07 PM

Brooklynnative - sorry but it IS the Dorthy Nash - her 2 daughters (that Biff and a few others apparently want to soil), grew up in Park Slope (Esther and Shelly) - and the photo is of all 3.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:13 PM

More –

http://www.esthernash.com/

Speaks for itself.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:16 PM

Here is Dorthy Nash and daughter at a 2004 Taryn Rose party at the Essex House - courtesy of wire image

http://web.wireimage.com/images/Thumbnail/4000843.jpg

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:16 PM

This is hilarious considering that all of her stores were right next to each other in the building pictured:

"At the age of 18, Esther owned and operated her first retail store. At the age of 19, opened a second store, and at the age of 20, opened a third store."

My wife and I bought Halloween costumes there.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:21 PM

12:13, thanks for confirming that it is them. However, upon learning from 12:07 that one of the daughters is a lawyer, I've quickly lost the desire to "soil" them.

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 24, 2008 12:22 PM

Why are you morons saying it isnt Dorthy Nash - All you lazy idiots have to do is read the NY Times piece that Brownstoner conveniently put in the post and you can clearly see that Dorthy Nash is the mother of one 'fashion designer' daughter named Esther - who is in all the above cited photos.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:22 PM

Wow. Wow. Anyone who puts the TV show Blind Date as an accomplishment on their resume really must be crazy. So, I'm now in the camp that the whole family is a collective nutjob.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:23 PM

Hmmmmmm!

What is the true identity of MrHancock who posted above??

Why would he be on here lying saying those are not the Nashes in those photos when they are, AND defending their private property rights? Is he one of the Nashes or a friend of theirs?

I own private property. I think I'll smear feces on it and blast music from speakers day and night. Because you know I can do that; it's my right as a private property owner according to MrHancock.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:28 PM

From MrHancock:
"Fast forward 25 years to park slope being "cool" and you think the city should seize her private property?
I hope she and her family keep it for another 30 years as is."
"what a bunch of ass hats you people are. that isnt even her in those pictures. Go start the website. I hope the Nash in the picture sues the shit out of you"

Yeah that really sounds like someone without special interest in this situation.

Oh and nice contradiction! Uphold private property rights but not free speech.

Dude, you can't sue somebody for creating a website and posting PUBLIC photos and PUBLIC records such as violations. Get a clue.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:35 PM

this is the most fun thread EVER!!

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:38 PM

Why do the trackback URL's on brownstoner NEVER ever work? Is there an extra step I'm supposed to do other than copy and paste the link? I'm trying to send this link to somebody. I've tried on many threads before too and no luck.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:40 PM

That is certainly Dorothy Nash, no question about it. She and her daughters are joined at the hip and present as a three-headed monster. I agree that the younger one is pretty hot. I remember the older daugher having an abrasive personality.

The Landmark was a fun place, though a serious fire hazard. Dorothy Nash could be nice, though I saw her scream at some of the musicians (who played only for tips). It's sad to see such a nice building go to waste.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:40 PM

Here is some more tidbits:

http://www.esthernash.com/images/articles/hype/Jewish%20Star%20Times.pdf

- Esther a 22yr old virgin -

and here is the whole Nash family partying up at Esther's Spring 2008 debut on Feb 1 2008

http://www.esthernash.com/images/articles/hype/Advice%20Sisters%20Eli%20Klein.pdf

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:41 PM

Can somebody please print out this thread and slip it under their door (if you're willing to get close enough to it)?

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 24, 2008 12:45 PM

12:13

I took a second look and realized I was looking at the wrong picture - I thought it was that picture of the people sitting around the table. The picture of Dorothy Nash and the two daughters, I certainly never saw her looking so dressed up but that could be her. I wonder why she moved out of the building on 2nd street, I figured she was dead.

Posted by: Brooklynnative at April 24, 2008 12:48 PM

I will absolutely print this out and post it all over the Slope.

And you think I'm kidding...

Please others...feel free to do the same.

I will be including the photo.

Posted by: jerri blank at April 24, 2008 12:52 PM

Oh but it gets better - apparently "Shelly" - is actually Rachel:

http://www.esthernash.com/images/articles/hype/The%20Quest2.pdf

who is AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE (the youngest in NY)hearing among other things DOB violations:

From her Brandeis Alumni notes:

Rachel Nash
New York City
Nash is an administrative law judge for New York City’s Environmental Control Board. The youngest judge to be selected for the position, she hears cases involving violations of New York’s administrative code and rules involving the departments of buildings, sanitation, health, parks, and fire. She writes, “I am single and dating, living in Manhattan. I have a few boyfriends, but no one I am serious about yet. I will be traveling to Guatemala, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic this year. I look forward to seeing everyone at the next Reunion. My sister, Esther Nash, will be appearing on upcoming episodes of 'The Tyra Banks Show' as a fashion correspondent, so be sure to watch.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 12:52 PM

FYI: Esther has a facebook page.

Posted by: Hal at April 24, 2008 12:53 PM

I sense a reality TV show opportunity.
We already have Keeping Up With the Kardashians. How about Noshing With the Nashes? We watch them wine and dine at various fashion events as their buildings crumble and fall onto unsuspecting plebes.

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 24, 2008 1:15 PM

Jerr, speaking of goin down and fun art projects, did you check your email lately?

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 24, 2008 1:16 PM

i had always said the daughter are hot.

Posted by: armchairwarrior at April 24, 2008 1:48 PM

Does anyone know where the one daughter is a sitting judge? Wonder if she is going to get to hear her Mother's case

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 1:51 PM

The daughter should take the proceeds from the house and get some cosmetic surgery.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 2:31 PM

1:51
The daughter cannot preside over her mother's case - that would be a violation of code of judicial conduct.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 2:34 PM

I saw this building about ten years ago... There is some serious structural damage to the roof and interior from water over the years. My guess is that there will be some king of failure involving floor joists and end up looking like some east villiage shell in the 80's. You know it would make a pretty nice squat... But I would have to ditch the wife and kids first. If only i was 18 again! Just climb that scaffold and enter through a second story window. I bet the place still has running water at least in the basement. Jump the Con ed meter and a 250' roll of 12/3 BX and call it home! When the cops try and evict you, start launching those five gallon compond buckets of the roof loaded with piss and shit.....

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 2:37 PM

wow - always assumed she was crazy. she may be well-dressed in the pics, but she still *ooks* crazy. But moreso mean, greedy, and uncaring about public safety. And those daughters are a piece of work.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 4:04 PM

To all of you guys: here is the real story behind this place:

Part 1: She signed an agreement to lease this place to a friend of mine 6-7 years ago for 50K a month took the down payment and didn't give the keys.
Part 2: My friend sued her won the case and she was in default and still is.
Part 3: My friend accumulated already 1M dollars fines and have a lis pendenant on the house. She can't sell, anyone who will buy it need to pay my friend 1M before anything is transfered. She is screwed big time. Sooner or later my friend will own the house free of charge. The guy is an Israeli real estate shark and one that you don't fuck with.
Apparently she used to "lease" the house to suckers taking the down payment and leave them
hang to dry, nobody bothered to litigate and she thought she had a system going on of screwing poeple around free of charge! until she met this guy, she didn't know who she was messing with.

His name is Nachum and he owns the big garage
on Foster and Macdonald Eden car repair.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 4:29 PM

This Nashes make me want to puke.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 5:05 PM

yeah, she tried to rent the building last year - it was noted on this website.

Posted by: guest at April 24, 2008 5:06 PM

I believe she inherited all this property from her mother so there was no savvy investments on her part. She is psychotic.

Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 12:09 AM

NACHUM vs. NASH... IN THE OCTAGON!!!!!!

Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 1:49 PM

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/2640

fap fap fap fap fap fap

Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 4:48 PM

someone should make a movie of them. Its Grey gardens in park slope!!!

Posted by: guest at April 25, 2008 9:07 PM

One of the pieces you have referenced here is orignally from my Advice Sisters Blog http://www.advicesisters.net/advicesistersblog

I know Esther and her sister well. They are decent, hard working women. Esther is a talented designer and actress and her sister Shelly works hard as a judge. It would make sense that Esther and her mother and sister who love and support her, would go to fashion parties. So they're smiling and drinking champagne..so what? Why smear them for it?

This is a mean-spirited thread about people you know nothing about. Remember, what you put on the internet stays there, forever

Posted by: guest at April 28, 2008 7:02 PM

The Nash family cares about Park Slope.

They are not greedy or any of the cruel adjectives that many of you posted.

The Nash family has always been kind to everyone and is one of the oldest families in Park Slope.

The law suit with the tenant who prevented them from renovating the building is over.

The city erected the scaffolding after a Noreaster storm hit Park Slope. The City's contractor is responsible for the maintenance of it. No one has been hurt.

Soon everything will be okay. The goal is to turn the building into an Arts center for all mediums. If you want to help send an email to rachelhnash@yahoo.com

Thank you for your concern

Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 7:33 PM

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April 24, 2008

Slope Ruin Gets Served

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