Time to Start Getting Real, Downtown!

What an odd choice. I guess that Smith Street or Superfine in DUMBO will now be national names.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 10:03 AM

I was hoping they'd be living together in the Red Hook Houses.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 10:31 AM

This is an odd choice for a location. There's nothing poppin' in the immediate vacinity at night. Sure they can travel to Fort Green, Dumbo,etc. But can you imagine some of these straight cornballs walking throught the Fulton Mall at night???

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 10:43 AM

Thank GOD it's not going to be in Williamsburg!

This is great news for the entire borough of Brooklyn. Some great PR.

Will also be a boon to Smith Street and I'm guessing 5th Avenues. You KNOW they are going to hang out at Union Hall. Shall we send this link to Jon Crow...?

Just for sh*ts and giggles?

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 10:47 AM

But can you imagine some of these straight cornballs walking throught the Fulton Mall at night???

Uh...they are going to be walking with a bunch of friends and an entire MTV camera crew. I think they'll survive. They'll be hanging out on Smith, 5th and Dumbo just like the rest of us do. Maybe even take a cab home!! Imagine that!

You people have ZERO vision. This is incredibly wodnerful news for Downtown and Belltel.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 10:49 AM

Excellent. A has-been show in a never-was neighborhood.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 10:56 AM

I can see Deity on Atlantic being frequented, it's like the only place to dance in that area.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 11:03 AM

Subway access beats anywhere else in Brooklyn, even Atlantic Mall, so they don't even need to take a cab.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 11:14 AM

Are there any actual residents of this building who care to comment about this? How do you feel having camera crews around the building, even if they aren't filming you? I'd be nervous about crowds of teens coming to gawk.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 11:17 AM

They should all get bicycles instead of cars. Since the Barclay stadium won't be anywhere as far as development this summer,they should get jobs at ikea, or maybe some sort of development for the landscaping of the flatbush corridor, fulton mall or Bam Plaza.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 11:22 AM

I'm an owner. Knowing that they will be barred from the common areas removes most of the potetial headaches in my mind. The only chance for interaction would be briefly in the lobby. I talked to some friends in real estate when the story first broke, and they feel this will definitely benefit our apt. values long-term.
One other note to posters - Downtown is safe with a large police presence, and Belltel has the added benefit of the Metrotech security apparatus - surveillance cams and 24-hour security guards at many a nearby building. Just because Fulton doesn't suit your shopping needs/demographic, doesn't mean it's rife with crime. I'm ten-year resident of Brooklyn and Queens, and my wife is a Queens native, and we love Downtown and its potential.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 11:34 AM

where do I sign up?

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 11:40 AM

11:03
Deity is awesome. I could totally see them hanging in that space. By the way, I'm a resident in Belltel and most of the building is very happy about Real World coming here. The exposure is worth a few months of filming. They really aren't going to be bothering anyone since they will be on the 26th and 27th floor. There isn't anyone living above 17 at this time.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 11:42 AM

Please please tell Floyd NY owners ban all Real World d-bags from ever entering my current favorite bar. If they are allowed in, not even free booze on league bacce night would get me back in the door.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 11:45 AM

11:45
I'm sure that Floyd NY will give up on all that free exposure because they don't want to lose the $10 that you spend there every week. Yeah, that will happen.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 11:56 AM

will the area bars ACTUALLY sign an agreement to let them film in them? maybe I have too much trust in my drinking establishments, but I doubt it. The Brazen Head maybe? Please not Deity....please!!

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:00 PM

Dave
You just wish that anyone knew where Bedstuy was. If Real World came to your hood, you just might be on the map. Aren't you the same guy who said that they would never come to Downtown?

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:03 PM

Everyone on here said they would NEVER come to Downtown.

SUCKERS!

Proves how no one on this board has any freakin clue what they're talking about!!!

Per usual.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:09 PM

I'm sure that there will be some inconveniences but overall you have to weigh the positives against the negatives. On the positive side, it certainly gives good exposure to both the building and to Downtown Brooklyn. It'll definitely be kind of cool to see an episode and say that's my building. Creates a good amount of revenue for the developer in a tough market, a portion of which, hopefully will find its way back into the building. All in all I think it will create an exciting buzz . . . time will tell

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:11 PM

This is my favorite quote...

"But Bistricer said producers made the right choice. "Williamsburg is a story that is three years old," said Bistricer. "Downtown is a story in the making."

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:19 PM

By looking at the previous thread, looks as though "BrooklyLove" doesn't have too much credibilty on here anymore...

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:22 PM

11:34 - i agree that this may help move a couple of units. of course, i would hate to have someone who buys b/c of this show as my neighbor. that being said, i think you meant that this will benefit the building in the short-run, not the long-run. in 10 years or more, no one will give a rat$ a$$ if this lame show was shot there or not.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:28 PM

In 10 years, this will be a much different area and the benefits of living in Downtown Brooklyn will be much more self evident than they are today.

People talk about wanting to find "fringe" areas which have tremendous potential.

If Downtown Brooklyn ain't it, I don't know what does....

This is one of those cool, "edgy" places everyone talks about, and now some of you are denouncing it for being just that. It makes ZERO sense to me. This is near 100 subways, within a 10 minute walk to all kinds of shops, restaurants on Smith, Ft. Greene, Park Slope, etc. New development abounds, BAM is right there, they are making all kinds of efforts to beautify the Downtown. They just said last week that the rents in Downtown's Commercial spaces are MORE expensive now than parts of Manhattan. This is a terrific area that benefits ALL of Brooklyn. A thriving Downtown Brooklyn has an immense impact on the Brownstone neighborhoods which surround it. In 10 years, I might have even LESS of a reason to go to Manhattan.

I see nothing but good news and upside potential to Downtown Real Estate.

(full disclosure, I live in Park Slope...)

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:35 PM

I think Real World in Brooklyn is awful. I moved to Brooklyn to be able to enjoy New York City without having to live in the insanity of Manhattan. Undoubtedly, this 21st season of the show, will depict Brooklyn as this paradise for the vapid-minded suburbanite. Thereby bringing with it, the generic "dream-seekers" who have come to embody Manhattan as of late. When will someone decide to blow up the MTV headquarters? To me, this crap is a form of terrorism.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:47 PM

I'm giggling at the picture on the Daily News page...all of a sudden BelTel is surrounded by quiet green spaces?

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:56 PM

12:47 By throwing around the term terrorism all whilly nilly only serves to cheapen it and make lite of it's past horrors.

You are a douchebag. Go back to the City.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 12:59 PM

12:47....Is that what MTV's the Real World has done for your impressions of London, Paris, Seattle, Austin, etc?

How does the filming of one television show (which you will probably not even realize is in town) change your view of an ENTIRE borough of 2.4 million people into a "paradise for vapid minded suburbanite?"

Honestly the fact that you seem to have this notion of what Brooklyn is, and is not (I always thought Brooklyn was still pretty insane, as you say...there are more people here than in Manhattan afterall) but by the sheer fact that you've decided to put Brooklyn into this tiny little box shows you are just as vapid as the folks who may or may not be filmed on this show.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 1:00 PM

"makes no sense when they could've just moved 10 blocks in multiple directions and found places that would've made more sense."

For those of us who are not obese, 10 blocks is close.

Since when did it become such that if everything your heart could desire is not within 1 block, the area is sh*t.

This is a new phenomenon on this blog.

Do people who are revitalizing Downtown Los Angeles or Downtown San Diego or Downtown Austin BALK at the idea of having to walk a few blocks?

I don't think so.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 1:06 PM

I would have thought DUMBO would have been a much better location and better space as opposed to the Belltel Lofts building. I saw the units and finishes at Belltel last year and it is very cheap and even though the building is an Art Deco prewar building, the conversion to condos has rendered the interior a maze of paper mache walls.

It is very good fortune that the penthouse units has no neighbors since the hallways are only a thin layer of sheetrock and all the doors are cheap and hollow. The floors are cheap plastic like bamboo and the ceilings are bare concrete. David Bistricer, who owns the building via Clipper Equity is a jack-ass for allowing such cheapness in this building and RC Dolner, the contractor is a revolving door of shoddy workmanship and inferior quality. He should be forced to spend a few months in this crap of a building with neighbors above, below, next to on either side and try to "live" in this crap hole called a home, a condo. I'm sure he will lose a lot of hair from the stress and noise.

Buyers beware, this building is cheap.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 1:40 PM

I have a strange suspicion this show will be the last The Real World - ever. That can only be a good thing. This last season will with a cast member from the very 1st season will make the show come full-circle.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 2:00 PM

I think 12:47 PM is right. Maybe he/she didn't express the point in the best way. But I think I know what the idea is...

Basically, Brooklyn is very diverse, and because if it's diversity is has an intrinsic balance. The Real World view is not a balanced viewpoint. The MTV view is not a balanced viewpoint. I think he/she is afraid that the dynamacy could get spoiled by MTV's vision of Brooklyn; thereby attracting people to move here with an obscured vision of the place (much like people who move to Manhattan thinking it's just like Sex and the City). Although it may not be 'terrorism' I do think it kind of sucks. I wish they would film a show about real issue and real people who actually have lived in Brooklyn for several years, or their whole lives. That would be a show worth watching.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 2:11 PM

"The floors are cheap plastic like bamboo and the ceilings are bare concrete."

So bamboo is plastic now and all those Dumbo lofts with Concrete ceilings are crap??

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 2:13 PM

1:40 is clearly either a competing broker or someone with a grudge. So obvious.

Your idea of what this building does or does not entail has little bearing on interest from buyers, owners and MTV.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 2:14 PM

This is off topic from The Real World issue but since it has been brought up by other posters, is it really noisy at Belltel Lofts?

Specifically, the noise from above neighbors, the footsteps and "impact noise" that some are talking about. The noise from the walls? Is it bothering others?

How about it, any Belltel owners want to comment and please only answer this if you have upstairs neighbors. Nothing like saying how quiet your building is when your neighbors haven't moved in yet. :)

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 2:27 PM

"But can you imagine some of these straight cornballs walking throught the Fulton Mall at night???"

What makes them any different from the millions of cornballs who come from all over the U.S. to live in Brooklyn and walk through (reasonably safe, by the way) places like Fulton Mall? The only difference is they will have a bunch of camera people and MTV security types following them.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 2:31 PM

1:40...your assessment of the Belltel units is way off. Been living there since October, and have had no problem with noise. Don't know where you even got the whole concrete ceiling thing - they are fully-finished with nice crossbeam details. Bamboo floors are beautiful and sustainable, but might not be to your particular taste. I have friends who work for top developers in Brooklyn, and they've always been impressed with the conversion.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 2:34 PM

I have a friend who lives in BellTel and I LOVE her unit. The finishes are above par...MUCH better than Forte or Oro and approaching as nice as 110 Livingstona and One Hanson. Given the price she paid, I think she got a bargain. I'm always jealous of her place when I go over and visit.

I've never heard a PEEP upstairs or next door and she says that a family with 2 kids lives above her.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 2:50 PM

@ 2:27
I've lived at Belltel for over 1/2 a year and it has been more than disappointing regarding the noise issue. Others in the building don't seem to be bothered by it or they don't have neighbors yet or their neighbors are quiet.

Most of the owners are more concerned about their bathroom grout issue. That's all they talk about on their "blog". Busy-body moms complaining about grout this and grout that and yet are totally oblivious to their little rug rats dropping everything on the floors and pounding on the floor, even the moms & dads join in on this. It is more than annoying, it has the potential to make people snap!

I was a little hesitant to fess up to these major errors but whatever, I'm not going to lie about how "great" this building is when in fact it isn't. I'm stuck here for over 10 years anyway and by then nobody will remember my ranting when I decide to move out.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 2:52 PM

2:52....um...i regrouted my entire bathroom in about 3 hours. by myself.

not a big deal at all.

nor expensive.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 3:05 PM

2:52 = fake post

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 3:23 PM

MTV + stroller nazi moms + cheap & greedy David Bistricer = A summer of misery.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 3:30 PM

MTV + stroller nazi moms + cheap & greedy David Bistricer = A summer of misery.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 3:31 PM

MTV + stroller nazi moms + cheap & greedy David Bistricer = A summer of misery.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 3:31 PM

3:05pm

I don't have a problem with the grout. That is a minor point and like you said easy and cheap to fix.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 3:35 PM

This SHOULD be the last full season of the Real World. Season 21...all grown up. The perfect way for the show to come full circle would be to have the roommates work as volunteers for Kevin Powell's congressional campaign. (For those who don't know) Kevin was an original cast member (Season 1), who is currently running for congress representing Brooklyn. That would be a perfect way to put this series to bed. Furthermore, their participation would not unfairly impact the election (in the form of free advertising) since it won't air until next summer.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 3:44 PM

12:47 -

"Undoubtedly, this 21st season of the show, will depict Brooklyn as this paradise for the vapid-minded suburbanite."

I'd say 1 in 2 people who have moved to Brooklyn in the last 10 years is a "vapid-minded suburbanite".

Its too late. Damage done.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 3:49 PM

Real World Back to NY filmed in the West Village when I lived in the West Village and I never ever saw them filming - and at the time I was in the right demographic. They'll probably just take the subway into Manhattan and go out in the Sex & the City type places anyway.

Although the poster who said they should live with / work for Alex and Simon cracked me up! Genius!

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 3:55 PM

3:23PM = Spent ALL his/her money in a cheap and noisy converion building and now is living month to month. Wish s/he didn't lie on the mortgage form about his/her income. Has to defend ALL cheap & shoddy attacks as that is a direct attack on their cheap condo.

You act in a similiar fashion to an abused girlfriend defending her abusive boyfriend! Face the facts:

1. The walls are cheap party walls. Noisy!
2. Front doors are cheap hollow metal doors. Wide gaps around edges. Noisy!
3. Cheap bamboo floors with ONLY a THIN 1/8" cork underlayment glued down. NOISY!
4. Vents carry noise from neighbors, their musical instruments, their stereo, their tv's, their barking dogs, their crying babies and their foul cooking smell, their cigarette smoke. NOISY!
5. Can hear water splashing from people pissing in the bathrooms next door and through the vents! NOISY!

Realizing you spent too much money and a shoddy and cheap condo converion? PRICELESS!!

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 4:17 PM

I LOVE MY CONDO IN BELLTEL!!!

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 4:23 PM

4:17, you just described 95% of new construction in the United States.

This one is at least off to a better start with at least pre-war construction.

Your rants are ridiculous. Just because sales are so bad at Forte, you don't need to take it out on BellTel.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 4:25 PM

4:17 - I have the same issues and same faults at belltel! Anyway to make the sponsor fix these, especially the noisy ceilings! I have a family that lives above me and the "wife" walks HARD on the floors and I can hear EVERY SINGLE FOOTSTEP she makes ALL THE TIME. It's not right that I have to always wear my ipod when I'm in my unit!

I've talked to her about it and all she says he walks queitly! Queit my ass!

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 4:31 PM

4:25 I don't work at Forte, I'm just a pissed off buyer that was deceived about how quiet and sturdy this building is? Very PISSED!!

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 4:34 PM

Too bad there isn't a family that will be living below the crew from The Real World! I would love to see how the noisy family responds to other noisy "families". Would make for some very interesting confrontations!

It seems there are a few disgruntled buyers at belltel. No wonder sales are not that great. Perhaps the developer should address these before they find themselves still trying to sell units three years later.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 4:43 PM

The complaints about the quiet/sturdy stuff are ALL by the same poster.

The style of writing is perfectly similar.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 4:44 PM

No wonder 4:31 agrees with 4:17 - they appear to be the same angry poster. Notice the misspellings on basic words and the overuse of caps. If you really are a resident, there are a number of ways to address problems one might have at Belltel - from the active owner's blog to the responsive board members to the meetings with the developer. We're a great community at Belltel and I encourage anyone interested to visit and talk to actual residents, not anonymous posters.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 4:49 PM

4:31 I share your frustrations as well. I bought a condo in Cobble Hill in a converted 4 story townhouse. I love the neighborhood and I even love my neighbors but it is so noisy just like you have stated. We have hardwood floors and it carries the sound all throughout our unit.

We've talked to contractors about soundproofing our ceiling but it's going to cost AT LEAST $45k - $55k and lower our ceiling height by 12" and it might not even fix the noise issue.

Long story short, we're moving out and buying dirt. No more condos, co-ops for us. Lesson learned.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 4:59 PM

Get over it people. There is such a thing as a buyer not liking what they purchased. Why would this seem impossible to belltel owners. Nobody could possibly hate belltel if they actually owned here? Yeah right!

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 5:04 PM

BellTel rules!!!

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 5:13 PM

There is a busy bee at belltel furiously typing on their keyboard defending it's reputation and image against hostile attacks on blogs, i.e. brownstoner & curbed!

It's sad really. Unable to introspect and admit ones faults or admit ones fault within their homes, no matter how much it costs.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 5:16 PM

Which building do you live in BrooklynLove? University Towers, Concord Village, Oro, 110 Livingston, Toy Factory?

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 5:20 PM

5:13 = DAVID BISTRICER!

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 5:21 PM

I would have said there's one disgruntled busy bee owner furiously typing to the negative . . . but whatever.

Fact is, every development has its issues and BellTel is not the exception. Sure, there are a few issues that the owners and board work to remedy. No one at BellTel would say it is flawless. But by and large, owners are quite happy. And that is why they defend the building when the disgruntelds or other blogosphere negatives hate on it. It's a great building, great community, great location and an exciting time for Downtown Brooklyn.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 5:41 PM

I'm not sure which is more pathetic....the same schmuck who keeps coming on talking about how loud the footsteps are ay BellTel or Biff, a middle aged family man who is going to be sitting around all summer watching the Real World.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 5:53 PM

I would have said there's one disgruntled busy bee owner furiously typing to the negative . . . but whatever.

Fact is, every development has its issues and BellTel is not the exception. Sure, there are a few issues that the owners and board work to remedy. No one at BellTel would say it is flawless. But by and large, owners are quite happy. And that is why they defend the building when the disgruntelds or other blogosphere negatives hate on it. It's a great building, great community, great location and an exciting time for Downtown Brooklyn.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 5:53 PM

Belltel Loft hate reminds me of the hate towards Arris Lofts back in the day.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 6:55 PM

They'll be filming at Trout/Pacifico on the hot summer nights. And I will be there :-)

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 8:52 PM

@5:53, post #1, I think the most pathetic thing is your obsession with trying to troll Biff. I see you doing it all the time. Why do you care so much what he does? It's weird. I guess you have nothing better to do with your life. Also - if you have anything better to say than complaining about the Belltel noise guy, then say it.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 8:53 PM

8:53 - biff signed in as "guest"

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 9:39 PM

According to streeteasy.com 163 units have already been closed on in Belltel. Another 18 are in contract. They have not even been marketing some of the higher floor more expensive units since they are not done yet. I live in the building and have not had any problems with noise. My GROUT is fine.
The best part is my unit is already worth $100k more then my purchase price.

Posted by: guest at June 2, 2008 10:53 PM

I welcome MTV to our building. Now, if we can only get rid of these losers that have nothing better to do than blog all day long from our building. That would be a plus.

Posted by: guest at June 3, 2008 8:40 AM

8:40 am
correct me if I'm wrong but you are blogging right now. ... ahhh...Douche

Posted by: guest at June 3, 2008 12:50 PM

Umm, is it all day long? One douchebag calling another a douchebag at belltel. God, I hope you and your spawn fall off your common roof deck. It would be your just dessert.

Posted by: guest at June 3, 2008 4:41 PM

441 pm
You enjoy your rental. PissClam

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 8:27 AM

12:50pm Christ... I'm correcting you. No, I'm not blogging ALL DAY LONG & I am not blogging on that cess-fool - unofficial building blog on Google Groups... ahh ... Douche!

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 8:37 AM

8;27 am - I own my home and I work for a living, unlike your worthless tw*t doing nothing but staying home and complaining about construction and the real world crew actually WORKING!

Move your immature self to the burbs! You, your neighbors, and the City would be better off.

Posted by: guest at June 4, 2008 12:34 PM

While it's been entertaining reading all of the angry, hateful, small-minded comments here about the building, the people moving into the building, and the neighborhood itself. Let's just all take a step back and look at the facts.

The people that are trying to breed fear of Downtown Brooklyn are simply wrong. It makes you question what their agenda is.

I will provide comparison numbers between Downtown Brooklyn and the West Village which will be in () below. We all know the West Village is considered one of Manhattan's best neighborhoods.

Year to date:
Murders: 1 (0)
Rapes: 0 (4)
Robberies: 80 (62)
Fel Assault: 47 (31)
Burglary: 44 (86)
Gr. Larceny: 236 (453)
GLA: 24 (16)
Total: 432 (652)
(src: NYPD CompStat) w/e June 1.

Crime is down by 74% in Downtown Brooklyn between 2007 and 2008 and down by almost 81% from 1991.

So stop with all the silly pandering of fear about what bad neighborhood this is.

As far as the others that seem to have issues with the building and the people who live there, short-sellers play this same game with stocks. It appears you're just trying to scare people away so you can move in and buy a great loft at a huge discount....keep waiting. ;)

Posted by: guest at June 5, 2008 5:49 PM