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October 13, 2008

A Modern Upgrade in Williamsburg

580-Driggs-Avenue-1008.jpg
We were biking down (up?) Driggs Avenue a few days ago when this new addition at 580 Driggs Avenue caught our eye. As we were photographing it, the owner and her daughter walked up. It turns out they're just finishing up the renovation now. We like how the three floors read as three separate blocks. What do you think? GMAP P*Shark




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:30 AM | Comments (21)
Categories: Architecture, Williamsburg

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Comments

I like the "three separate blocks" look as well but am a little disappointed that they didn't do anything to update the first floor. It looks even more dated next two the other two.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at October 13, 2008 10:45 AM

THL...I was going to say the same thing.
It's the 'brick' that's throwing the whole thing off.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at October 13, 2008 10:52 AM

I think it looks great. TownhouseLady: It's a process. Not everyone has a million bucks and unlimited time to do a complete a total reno.

If the owner paints the window frames black (on the ground floor) to match the others, plants some greenery in the front (knock out the concrete), and figures out a graceful way to blend the AC in with the rest of the bldg, it'll look even better. I'd also do a little guerrilla trimming on that tree in front of the place; looks like it needs it.

Posted by: Fjorder at October 13, 2008 10:58 AM

i love it. great work!

Posted by: meepa at October 13, 2008 11:15 AM

Fjorder: No kidding. When I said I was disappointed they didn't do ANYTHING I meant just that. Don't do that little condescending thing with me.

I think even if they couldn't replace the window they could have painted the brick and front door. That would have gone a long way. Normally I never recommend painting brick but one, I don't think this brick is in character with the rest of the house. Two, it looks to be brick facing. Three, with this mod block look I think painting it would work well. It could look clean and unified.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at October 13, 2008 11:19 AM

Roger that, Townhouse Lady. I was merely making a point. I was speculating that maybe the homeowner is 'not quite' done, but real close. The work I described can be done in one day.

Posted by: Fjorder at October 13, 2008 11:33 AM

You are the bee's knees Fjorder. If only more of us responded to perceived slights in the way you seem to respond.

Posted by: Nokilissa at October 13, 2008 12:16 PM

Funny, I was walking around this area yesterday and was just amazed by the incredible number of ugly, aluminum/vinyl sided houses. I kept thinking how much I like all these great new stores and restaurants but unfortunately the neighborhood still looks like crap. I am impressed that someone with more vision than me, took a totally depressing building and made something decent out of it. Now, if this could just be replicated a few thousand times, this neighborhood would start to have some aesthetic appeal.

Posted by: JoeBushwick at October 13, 2008 12:40 PM

Great improvement from the before picture nonetheless...

Posted by: jwald at October 13, 2008 12:42 PM

The brick is not so bad (assuming it's not facing), and I wouldn't paint it or the window frames. That facade is all about textural differences. The only thing they REALLY need to do is remove that air conditioner. Great solution overall.

Posted by: Susan Elkins at October 13, 2008 12:55 PM

Yeah it looks off with the brick i think

Posted by: scarter at October 13, 2008 1:45 PM

It is an improvement. No better than any new condo development of other run down properties that are as always are often called fugly here though. I guess as long as its' within scale we must not be overly critical and restrain ourselves about the three different looking floors (Brick, Wood, Glass). Ah yes, "We like how the three floors read as three separate blocks". Maybe it can be called "ART" and the architect praised for having vision I guess. I always wanted to live in a house that belongs in the Netherlands or some other new Eurotrash developments because I just Idolize them and want to be exactly like them. Don't you?

Posted by: ou812 at October 13, 2008 1:54 PM

can someone explain what you mean by the three separate blocks comment?

rob

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 13, 2008 2:22 PM

"We like how the three floors read as three separate blocks."

Each floor/story of this home is from a deisgn standpoint visually different. As such it appears as though you stacked three blocks one on top of each other.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at October 13, 2008 2:43 PM

design

Posted by: TownhouseLady at October 13, 2008 2:44 PM

In surrealism, this is what is known as an "exquisite corpse."

Posted by: SnarkSlope at October 13, 2008 2:51 PM

oh okay that's what i thought it meant. the top two floors seem fused together fine to me though. it's a little bit too vermont cabin in the woods though.

rob

Posted by: PitbullNYC at October 13, 2008 3:43 PM

Massive improvement. Just get rid of the Fedders thing above the front door, and you're set.

Posted by: mopar at October 13, 2008 4:02 PM

Yeah mopar this is an improvement but it seems really incomplete to us. We would have covered the brick with the same wood siding for a more modern and minimalist look.

Posted by: pierre de taille at October 13, 2008 4:55 PM

nise 1

like how the floor to ceiling windows are only on the top floor, many building around here that are new have floor to ceiling windows on the ground floor & first floor, and when people move in they put up layers of blinds and curtains that never open.

Posted by: 11211 at October 13, 2008 9:57 PM

I'd love to find out who the architect is and what it cost. The architect did a very nice job.

Posted by: Stuart at April 23, 2009 11:44 PM

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