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June 30, 2008
The Shock of the Nu, Hammocks Included
The ground-floor windows in part of Shaya Boymelgreen's development on Atlantic and Smith have started advertising the coming of the Nu, the boutique hotel that'll occupy a section of the building. The 93-room Nu will be operated by Hersha Hospitality, which said it was going to put $6 million into finishing the property after it bought it off Boymelgreen earlier this year. The hotel experience will be "like wearing your favorite t-shirt with a beloved pair of jeans," according to its (incomplete) website, and if the rendering included is accurate, some or all the rooms will sport hammocks. The site says the Nu will be open sometime this summer but doesn't give any indication of the going rates. What we know, for now, is this: "The perfect fit for Brooklyn, Nu Hotel is smart, clean, elegant, simple, cool and confident – and most of all casual. Nu is all about you."
Nu, Nu Thing at the Smith: Boymelgreen Passes Baton GMAP
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Comments
If the economy really tanks, this might just become a "hot hammock hotel."
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 9:54 AM
Curious what is the scoop on the Smith - really. Is it completly sold? Any rentals? Any flips so far? Any issue with the construction (it did take 3yrs+ to build)
Anyone know?
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 10:34 AM
I like hammocks but then I read the quote at the end and threw up a little in my mouth.
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 10:35 AM
My friends who just moved into this building were told that NU is having a "soft opening" during the July 4th weekend. The lobby didn't look too close to being finished yesterday, but who knows they still have a few days....
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 10:36 AM
Its such a good area the hotel is a great idea...I assume its a different entrance than the owners of the condos correct?
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 10:44 AM
i was walking by this building this weekend and this impression i get is what a piece of crap. for a lux building the lobby is totally lame. can't believe the interiors are anything other than cookie cutter boooring. the hotel will be convenient for guests though.
Posted by: martis at June 30, 2008 11:23 AM
more like the pu amirite
Posted by: z at June 30, 2008 11:32 AM
I think the "Casual chic, it's all about me" trend has finally jumped the shark. Anyone else tired of seeing boxers and pj's as weekend outer-wear?
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 11:33 AM
The "shock of the Nu" is still the name. Is it a wry joke by Mr. Boymelgreen, or did he really leave the old county that far behind that he doesn't know and none of his friends have had the heart to tell him. I think it's hilarious, but makes it hard to take the development seriously.
I live in the Nu.
Nu?
Yes, the Nu.
So nu? What's it like?
Well, it's new.
New, great. Nu, what else?
Well' it's very casual. It's got hammocks.
Hammocks? Nu, what do you need hammocks for?
etc.
How about calling some of the Fourth Avenue corridor developments Who's on First, What's on Second, etc?
I am sure some maven will take issue with my usage. So what else is nu?
Posted by: slopefarm at June 30, 2008 1:43 PM
Why would anyone want a hammock in a hotel room? Seems like a weird place for such an outdoor type item. Especially as it's displayed in that photo. What do you do? Swing and gaze at the four walls?
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 1:58 PM
Slopefarm, why on earth do you think Boymelgreen named the hotel? He doesn't own it. Hersha named it that.
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 2:28 PM
Loved it, slopefarm! I was thinking the same thing.
Posted by: bxgrl at June 30, 2008 2:33 PM
the hammock looks like something you might find at toys in babeland - or another product from the company that makes the "liberator."
definitely a little kinky.
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 2:54 PM
2:28 -- I guess you're right. But if you are dealing in RE at Hersha's level in Brooklyn, it wouldn't take much marketing due diligence to figure out that there are a few hundred thousand of us in this borough alone-- from hasids to the secular -- who are going to snicker at the name. Anyway, it's just in fun. It will rise or fall on its service and value, not the name. Of course, if it fails, we'll all be asking "Nu, what happened?"
bxgrl -- thanks.
Posted by: slopefarm at June 30, 2008 2:56 PM
Forgive me if this topic is already threaded somewhere else. I live half a block away from this monstrosity- the hotel and the condos. In my opinion the jail actually looks better than this thing. Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights are beautiful neighborhoods. The courthouses and metrotech are what they are. I understand community groups have had some success on the other side of Smith Street in Caroll Gardens upending ugly development. Is anyone aware of community meetings that happened that were aware of what this thing would look like before it went up? I don't expect to stand in the way of development, but I believe that homeowners and renters alike should have the ability to stand against developers who have no concern about whether their properties are reflective of the existing architecture and character of the neighborhoods they are building in.
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 5:09 PM
5:09, get a life. What 12/13 story building here would you have been happy with? The smith turned out fine, it is your basic new construction, and will be a nice place to live for the people who chose to buy there. To say the jail looks better just ruins your credibility. The smith looks very similar to the boerum place condos and court house developments a block or two away. Not everything is prewar or a brownstone.
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 6:13 PM
I live in the Smith, it was a long wait for it to be done, but well worth it. Everything was completed exactly as promised, and staff is unbelievable. There are 3 penthouses still available, one unit is currently being flipped at a 20% premium from purchase price. All but 5 units have closed and moved in. The hotel is suppose to open July 4th weekend, they are going to have 24 hour fitness center, cafe, bar, and restaurant serving tapas at night.
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 8:00 PM
What's shocking about the Nu is its stupid name.
Posted by: guest at June 30, 2008 9:02 PM
I live in the Smith too and am very happy with the final result. The finishes are nice, apartments are laid out well, and my view is great. It's only 50 condos, so it is a little more homey feeling yet we still have a doorman.
Posted by: guest at July 1, 2008 10:34 AM
Another happy Smith resident here. My apartment has good finishes, tons of closet and kitchen cabinet space and large bedrooms compared to a lot of new construction. The only units left (apart from the one bedroom that is being flipped) are 3 penthouses which are, in my opinion, grossly overpriced since they are the same size as the lower floors but with smaller bathrooms and closets. Can’t see anyone paying 300k more than I did just to get an average size terrace. They are going to have to drop the prices a lot to get those things sold
Posted by: guest at July 1, 2008 10:59 AM
to the smith residents:
do you know what's the story on the bike storage and the gym? when will they be available? is there an online community group for the owners? i haven't moved in yet and i'm kinda out of the loop.
also, i'm happy with the purchase.
Posted by: guest at July 1, 2008 11:10 AM
Last I heard, the bike storage, 24 fitness center, and community room will be available for residents sometime in July. There is a website for building residents, 87smith.com. Check it out...
Posted by: guest at July 1, 2008 5:27 PM
some info:
the opening will be on saturday july 5th and there are only three hammocks in the three corner rooms - big talk about those three out of 93 rooms!
Posted by: guest at July 3, 2008 11:45 PM
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