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December 16, 2008

BK Developers on 12th Street

BK Developers' buildings are easily spot-able throughout the South Slope, but on one block — 12th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues — they're particularly prevalent. Behold 362, 372 and 394, respectively. They all look pretty occupied, so clearly not everyone is bothered by the, well, the way they look.




Posted by lisa at 9:58 AM | Comments (23)
Categories: Architecture, Development, South Slope

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Comments

That one in the middle is particularly spectacular. I've seen thinks like that in Shibuya.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at December 16, 2008 10:01 AM

Looks like the fine work of Bricolage... but honestly, I live in a Bricolage and they're not that bad. Would I rather be in pre-war? Totally, but none of the older apartments we looked at would rent to anyone with kids... lead liability issues. Is that legal? No. Do I want to argue the point? Not really.

As an added plus, my kid doesn't have lead poisoning! And we have laundry!

In any event, my guess it'd be reasons like that as to why these are occupied.

But yeah, that middle one is -- I'd say Miami. If they'd used Scarano gray brick though, it'd just like all the other faux-modern condo buildings.

Posted by: Heather at December 16, 2008 10:10 AM

They're sort of touching, especially the one in the middle: You can tell they're trying to be architecture. Sort of like when your kid draws a human being.

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at December 16, 2008 10:12 AM

Yeah, that block is homely. I guess these are better than the vacant lot/1 story warehouse-type buildings they replace, but they aren't exactly easy on the eye....

Posted by: slopenick at December 16, 2008 10:16 AM

Lisa this is really not terrible architecture. We even like them except well for that out of place one in the middle....yep reminds us of Miami too. That all brick one is a massive improvement on some of the absolute crap fedders Bricolage is putting up all over Brooklyn.

Posted by: pierre de taille at December 16, 2008 10:20 AM

Yeah, the one in the middle takes the prize. I've never been to Miami, if this is typical, another reason not to go.

I think Brenda said it best.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at December 16, 2008 10:25 AM

I have to agree that these, of all the POSs BK and its "enfant terriblé," Mark Zeldin, has put up are the least offensive.

Now, the crap BK has built/building on 16th St, Jackson Pl. and 19th St. in South Slope/Greenwood Heights is entirely another matter.

Garbage in, garbage out is what I always say.

Posted by: Action Jackson at December 16, 2008 10:26 AM

i love "trying to be architecture." that captures it perfectly.

Posted by: longtimelistener at December 16, 2008 10:30 AM

You know what, I take what I said back, with the exception of the first "Bricolage-esque" building you show (I cannot believe I am using that as a positive adjective), the rest is just plain sh*t! No other way to put it.

I cannot believe the "double-down Minerva" that is the two headed sister to the one on 16th Street, as well as the roof finishes of the brown standing seam metal roofing by-way-of a steel mill that also encrusts BK's three additional beauties on 16th St.

Way to continue to pollute the architectural pool of Brooklyn!

(these boys are giving Bobby S. a run for his money for our of context designs)

Posted by: Action Jackson at December 16, 2008 10:31 AM

The center one is the only one that makes me recoil (Hello Miami!). While the others wouldn't be my first choice, I've certainly seen worse.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at December 16, 2008 10:31 AM

Exactly THL, merci.

Posted by: pierre de taille at December 16, 2008 10:39 AM

I think it's a shame. With a little tweaking, they could be effectively straddle that line between contextual and dynamic--clearly new, but in conversation with the old. Instead, they refuse to mix in with stoop- and window-lines, have strange setbacks, hideous doorways. Come on, how much harder is it to make something inviting, that doesn't look like a medical office?

Posted by: longtimelistener at December 16, 2008 10:39 AM

C+; F; B.

Posted by: deen at December 16, 2008 10:42 AM

With the center one (372), I just want to take the two ends, fold them into each other and close it, never to be looked at again.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 16, 2008 11:01 AM

Two Words for the middle one: Vagina Dentata.

Posted by: billyboomer at December 16, 2008 12:37 PM

Billyboomer is DEAD ON!

I'd vote it for QOTD but I'm thinking there's no way it'll pass the vulgarity police.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at December 16, 2008 12:48 PM

The last one is actually completely unoffensive....

Posted by: Make My Heights the P Heights at December 16, 2008 12:49 PM

Hey, Billyboomer...how come you get to say that?!?!?
Your 12:37 - funny!!

I was trying to elude to it in my 11:01 post with out being vulgar, but I guess I failed miserably :(

I won't hold back next time!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at December 16, 2008 12:55 PM

ok on a totally different topic. I live right around the corner and I call 12th street(between 7th and 6th ave)- The Bad News Bears" block. Does anyone live around that part of Southslope and know what I am talking about?
There is a little gang (and I use that term gently becuase they are really just having fun but they come in numbers) of kids that are all different colors(black,white,spanish)ranging in ages from 14 to 7 who basically turn on the fire hydrant every day in the summer, play stickball in the street, hang at the bodega, talk "ish" to people who interuppt their games of streetball and are out on the block until 10pm.
sorry to take it off topic,but something about this block makes me feel nostalgic for old new york.
The buildings are indeed a little rough looking...

Posted by: gemini10 at December 16, 2008 1:10 PM

Ok, I live directly across the street from the middle one, It is multiple times more heinous in person. Especially first thing in the morning before you've had coffee. It doesn't appear all that occupied to me. I never see anyone go in or out. These building have effectively ruined my block which was already pretty aesthetically challenged to begin with. oh and those "bad news bears" kids are really cute until you find that they have dented in the side of your car with their football or decided it would be fun to pour a gallon of house paint up and down the block.

Posted by: brooklynschool at December 16, 2008 3:34 PM

brooklynschool is right. 372 must be seen in person to be fully "appreciated." Picture does not do justice to how hideous and bizarre this is.

billyboomer -- I'm going to have to walk down another block now, when I walk home from the 7th Ave F. (Maybe I will just use the 4th Ave station, just to be safe.) Not an image I will be able to erase from my mind anytime soon.

Posted by: slopefarm at December 16, 2008 4:04 PM

Perhaps the people who live in these buildings do so on the theory that if you live in it, you don't have to look at it. I feel most for the poor folks who live across the street from these monstrosities.

Posted by: ProfRobert at December 16, 2008 7:57 PM

Hey everybody - relax. I have friends that live in the first building, and it's not that bad. The interior is nice - they are great for first time home buyers who would not have been able to get into the market otherwise.

I know the Bad News Bears - they're more like the Little Rascals. They are nice kids whose parents were raised on 12th Street, too.

Posted by: slopedoglover at December 16, 2008 9:08 PM

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