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January 14, 2009

Development Watch: Avalon Myrtle in High Gear

Construction has really kicked into high gear over at the Avalon Bay project at 159 Myrtle Avenue. When we checked in on the 650-unit building at the end of November, four stories were up; now they're up to 16 stories. That more than one story per week!
Development Watch: Avalon Rising on Myrtle [Brownstoner]
Avalon from Above: Seven Weeks Later [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: Avalon Fort Greene from Above [Brownstoner]
Avalon Myrtle Hit With Stop Work Order [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 159 Myrtle Avenue [Brownstoner]
Foundation Push at Avalon Myrtle [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 159 Myrtle Avenue [Brownstoner]
Myrtle Building Boom from Above [Brownstoner]
So That's What Avalon Myrtle Will Look Like! [Brownstoner]

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Comments

I live in the area and the building has grown at an alarmingly rapid rate since it broke ground. It almost seems like a floor every 4 days, as well as construction happening on weekends. It's quite a huge bldg and will surely block views for Toren and Oro residents. Anyone have details about how many stories - somewhere in the 20-30 range, I believe?

Posted by: katiebk at January 14, 2009 2:45 PM

Watch it with that crane!!
Take it easy.

Posted by: sam at January 14, 2009 2:48 PM

katiebk, I think it's going to reach 42 stories...

Posted by: SouthParker at January 14, 2009 2:51 PM

katiebk,

42 stories, 650 rental units.

If people who bought in Oro or Toren did so for the views, then they didn't do their homework very well. This has been in the works for some time.

Speaking of Toren, I think it looks fantastic.

If they can rent these out, it will be a HUGE influx of new residents to this area, which will be really great in my opinion. That might be 1000 new people just from one building alone.

Posted by: 11217 at January 14, 2009 2:52 PM

As it appears that rentals are the new condos, there could be a HUGE influx of new people just in the three blocks along Flatbush from Tillary to Willougby. Along with Avalon "Ft. Greene" there the Lazarian Building on Tillary and Gold (400 Apartments = 600 + new residents?), City Point (900 Apartments = 1200 + new residents?) and 111 Lawrence (600 Apartments = 900 + new residents). To the extent these buildings fill up over time (along with Oro and Toren) there could be 5000 + new residents in that small radius in the next few years.

Posted by: FtGreeneCorey at January 14, 2009 3:13 PM

"If they can rent these out, it will be a HUGE influx of new residents to this area, which will be really great in my opinion. That might be 1000 new people just from one building alone."

Yeah, a huge influx of suckers. Anyone with half a brain knows Avalon are crooks and their buildings are college dorms for the entitled.

Sincerely,

Former Avalon Resident

Posted by: dirty_hipster at January 14, 2009 3:16 PM

agreenance on the avalon buildings being nothing but college dorms for the trust funded entitled. have you seen the avalons on the LES and bowery??!

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at January 14, 2009 3:39 PM

I have seen the Avalon on the Bowery and while it's not for me, new residents to Downtown Brooklyn is great news.

Not only will their demand improve services, retail, etc, but also schools and everything else that goes along with having a thriving downtown core.

5,000 new residents is a good thing. Entitled or not.

The only thing I hope, is that there are some affordable housing components in some of these projects.

Posted by: 11217 at January 14, 2009 3:45 PM

fundamentals persevere

Posted by: BrooklynLove at January 14, 2009 4:07 PM

Wow, it's rare that a Development Watch post makes it into double-digit territory!

Posted by: brownstoner at January 14, 2009 4:09 PM

Yes Rob, I lived 8 months in Avalon Chrystie Place. Don't get me started.

"5,000 new residents is a good thing. Entitled or not"

I disagree, and I don't exactly know how to articulate my arguement, but we can agree to disagree. It's just something I've experienced having lived in ACP and having friends who live in the tower up in LIC, and seeing the types of people they attract. Think of young people you would encounter along 1st avenue in Murray Hill or up in Yorkville on the UES (Tin Lizzie crowd)

Although I do have a special place in my heart for Avalon as they were the ones who finally crushed my Manhattan spirit and made me ( thankfully) cross the river to Brooklyn.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at January 14, 2009 4:14 PM

11217 - Think if 5,000 natty light guzzling fratboys moved to your block, you might not be too happy!! :)

Posted by: dirty_hipster at January 14, 2009 4:17 PM

That's the thing "dirty hipster"....I believe NY is for everyone...even the people I may not have a ton in common with.

And since Downtown is virtually a dead zone and for years has struggled to attract residents, I find the addition of warm bodies in this area to be a good one, regardless.

We can agree to disagree, but this is Downtown Brooklyn we are talking about. For years it was a down on its luck area with high crime and almost zero open past 6pm.

I think the addition of new residents will continue the positive changes that have been taking place there.

And like I said...NYC was founded on the principal that ALL are welcome...even frat boys.

Posted by: 11217 at January 14, 2009 4:23 PM

One more note dirty hipster...

If what you say is true about your own experience, one would have to infer that many of the types you suggest you don't want living here wouldn't be so interested in Brooklyn anyway.

I'm not sure there are 5000 frat boys interested in living in Downtown Brooklyn.

I hope it's a more varied crowd, despite the name Avalon.

Posted by: 11217 at January 14, 2009 4:25 PM

You just contradicted your entire position on Williamsburg - but point taken!

Posted by: dirty_hipster at January 14, 2009 4:27 PM

"I'm not sure there are 5000 frat boys interested in living in Downtown Brooklyn."

"I hope it's a more varied crowd, despite the name Avalon."

I sure hope you're right - but the shiny glass tower sure attracted them to LIC. Only time will tell I suppose!!

Posted by: dirty_hipster at January 14, 2009 4:38 PM

Avalon is taking over the world!

Posted by: onevalianteffort at January 14, 2009 5:05 PM

One other thing guys (11217 and Dirty Hipster) as far as the specific area we are talking about (Flatbush between Tillary and Willoughby) right now practically NOBODY lives there. Just a little history lesson, four years ago that entire area was little more than car washes, autobody shops and check cashing joints...WHATEVER (or whoever) ends up there is a welcome improvement

Posted by: FtGreeneCorey at January 14, 2009 5:09 PM

it's close to the city, LES, etc.. they will have to price it right, but many will leave a crap hole walk up for a nice place.

Posted by: wine lover at January 14, 2009 8:03 PM

i'm with corey & winelover on this one -- life on the streets is always a good thing.

Posted by: bklynite at January 14, 2009 8:38 PM

Well, some people live there. The University Towers Co-ops are not far away on Willoughby St; as someone who recently moved in there, I'm hopeful the influx of residents helps with the retail/commercial activity in the area outside of 9-5 hours.....

Posted by: bdeis01 at January 14, 2009 9:19 PM

"it's close to the city, LES, etc.. they will have to price it right, but many will leave a crap hole walk up for a nice place."

I, not a frat boy by any means, but a 41 year old professional/writer, will be leaving a crap hole walk up in the East Village for a nice place in downtown Brooklyn. It was time to move on from the EV and once that decision was made, downtown BK became the best option. Trains up the wazoo and four or five great neighborhoods all around. I look forward to being one of the new 5,000.

Posted by: Creature at January 14, 2009 10:39 PM

Welcome to Brooklyn, Creature.

I hope you love it. Hold out till spring...it's a TOTALLY different place. You are surrounded by interesting and thriving neighborhoods. And you're living in one which is in the midst of a pretty spectacular renaissance.

Posted by: 11217 at January 14, 2009 11:51 PM

Creature,

I've been in the neighborhood for ages. I'll give you the lowdown on the best restaurants. My wife and I don't cook so I have had ample opportunity to visit them all.

My local hangout in Brooklyn Heights, for the best italian food around, is Noodle Pudding on Henry between Cranberry and Middaugh.

Posted by: Junkman at January 15, 2009 8:08 AM

Thanks for the welcome, 11217. After I move to BK I'll have lived in every borough except SI (maybe I'll retire there) and I look forward to the downtown BK renaissance as well as the surrounding neighborhoods.

Junkman, I'll see you at Noodle Pudding!

Posted by: Creature at January 15, 2009 9:00 AM

When's wholefoods and the apple store going to open up?!

Posted by: onevalianteffort at January 15, 2009 10:28 AM

....uhh...Onevalianteffort, don't hold your breath on that one

Posted by: FtGreeneCorey at January 15, 2009 10:39 AM

fine, fine... how about a bodega and a 99 cent store?

Posted by: onevalianteffort at January 15, 2009 2:59 PM