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January 5, 2009

Who Needs Brownstones When You've Got The Smith!

The-Smith-Brooklyn-0109.jpg
Young lovers, beware of the brownstone! This, apparently, is the fable of this week's Habitats column in The Times. “I will never live in another Victorian brownstone,” Serine Hastings told the paper of record. “I have had two failed relationships while living in them.” So what's a modernist-leaning empty-nester to do? This devoted Brooklynite decided to trade in her Fort Greene brownstone for a sixth-floor two-bedroom at The Smith, in part because she found that it had the best finishes of the other new construction projects she was looking at back in 2006. She also has some perspective on how her decision must look from the outside: “I know people must drive by and think, I could never live in that cookie-cutter building,” she said. “I used to be one of those people.”
After All Those Brownstones, a Blank Canvas [NY Times] GMAP




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:01 AM | Comments (22)
Categories: Boerum Hill, Condos

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Comments

Let's see, what other personal problems can I blame on my brownstone?

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 5, 2009 10:10 AM

LOL for reaL? yeah the brownstone caused her "failed relationships.." seriously there are some days i am SO glad to be gay in nyc. no offense nyc straight women, but some of you have more issues than Vogue!

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at January 5, 2009 10:15 AM

DIBS...you OK?
you're very snippy today.

The blame should be on 19th C. Brownstones. They are the crux of every glitch in this city.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 5, 2009 10:19 AM

Quite happy today BRG. Thanks for asking. Is the Canadian back from his extended secretive vacation???

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 5, 2009 10:22 AM

"Is the Canadian back from his extended secretive vacation???"

Geez...and thanks for asking about ME!!!

BTW - I'm not his keeper. I have no idea if he's back.
Is someone in Bed. Sty. pining for him?

You can blame your question on your brownstone!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 5, 2009 10:29 AM

"DIBS...you OK?
you're very snippy today."


And your rant at 10:29 can be blamed on your brownstone?????? Put hubby on...

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 5, 2009 10:33 AM

there's an open thread up there you know

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at January 5, 2009 10:37 AM

"And your rant at 10:29 can be blamed on your brownstone?????? Put hubby on..."

OK, RELAX...my goodness!
If that's the case, I hope the Canadian Geese is back soon to appease you.

I don't have a brownstone. I have a modernist-leaning apartment in a cookie cutter building.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 5, 2009 10:40 AM

"I hope the Canadian Geese"

Should be 'Goose'
God help us all, if there was more than one polluting this site.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 5, 2009 10:43 AM

Sorry...I'll move any further off topic comments to the Open Thread.

Please, everyone else go on with your discussion about this poor multiple divorcee....

Anyone?????

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 5, 2009 10:52 AM

This is great news!!!!

I thought all of my failed relationships were a result of my less-than-sparkling personality. But it turns out that it's my brownstone.

Posted by: Johnny at January 5, 2009 11:10 AM

I guess apologies are in order. I'd always blammed my husband. Surprise, surprise, it's the house!

(I knew it couldn't have been *me*)

Posted by: TownhouseLady at January 5, 2009 11:29 AM

oh serine, at least your ex lovers are now serene since they've left you. you're annoying, no shock at the relationship problems. where will you move when you discover your cookie-cutter is causing continued relationship failures?

in the last b.stone i lived in, 2 previous tenants moved out b/c they got engaged and married, the previous tenant where i live now moved out b/c they got engaged/married, i'm now married and will move soon. so we overrule you, wench.

Posted by: goldie at January 5, 2009 11:37 AM

I read the article in the Times this weekend. I thought the woman was funny. And I thought her place was really lovely. I'm certainly one of those people who look at places like The Smith and think, who'd buy that? But her place looked great.

Posted by: Ringo at January 5, 2009 11:47 AM

I'm with ringo. I love old buildings, and I really wouldn't give up architectural detail and "ambiance"- but as an artist, seeing all that sunlight flooding her rooms...well I dunno. She did sound very tongue-in-chic about the relationships. Personally, I know this for a fact, people who live in brownstones or old townhouses become suckers for kitties. serious suckers.

Posted by: bxgrl at January 5, 2009 12:13 PM

Best of all, with the reopening of the neighboring House of Detention, all she has to do is step outside the front door & meet all sorts of new friends!
As they say, 'location, location, location.'

Posted by: parkedslope at January 5, 2009 12:48 PM

I completely totally understand when somebody chooses an easier-to-maintain condo over a brownstone. (I can also believe the stress of a brownstone renovation can break up a marriage!) But the real reason the NY Times published this article is because they make their ad dollars from brokers and developers who are desperately trying to sell condos right now. The NYT real estate section has published pieces about how awful it is to own a brownstone, at least 3 times over the last couple years. Brownstoner posted one that featured a couple who ranted about how hard it is to climb stairs, remember that one? It's so transparent where these articles are coming from it's hilarious. The NYT real estate section is fun but it's not reporting, it's their job to help their advertisers sell real estate. And condos need the most help right now.

Posted by: traditionalmod at January 5, 2009 12:53 PM

traditionalmod may be right, but truthfully, I did find vertical living a little wearing. I remember that stairs-complaining couple was 50-60ish with knees to match. maybe it's me (and my family history of early knee and hip replacements), but I didn't find that soooo outlandish.

Posted by: Ringo at January 5, 2009 1:42 PM

T'almod, I hear you on the Times RE section. Up until about a few years ago, they would sometimes publish some real reporting on thorny legal disputes (L&T, co op condo), some horror stories, etc. I remember a story on an entire suburban development in which the buyers were misled about the school district. Then, a few years ago, it seemed the philosophy changed. Prices got the blue type 48-point treatment, the horror stories stopped appearing, and now the Times reader can find residential bliss anywhere -- in shoddy new construction, in (gasp) the Bronx, you name it. Everyone's a winner in the Hunt. You would never know from the Times that there might be some routine pitfalls, bad deals or unscrupulous players out there.

Posted by: slopefarm at January 5, 2009 1:46 PM

I think it's all about re-inventing yourself. It keeps you young. Not everyone can do it. You have to have a certain attitude, not to mention money. I have known several people who have always lived in old houses filled with beautiful antiques that they collected over the years, suddenly decide to sell the house, auction the antiques, and move to a brand new building with brand new things. I think it's great. Also, when the knees begin to go, single-level living in a full-serve elevator building is maximo bueno.


Posted by: sam at January 5, 2009 2:45 PM

I fully get the appeal of a condo over a Brownstone (no snow shoveling for one - someone else has to fix the leaks for two) and I (in the minority) don't the "The Smith" is such a bad looking building.

BUT

the thing was clearly horribly constructed using numerous and totally uncoordinated contractors (i.e. as one failed or quit a few months later another was hired to continue) and as a result, critical parts were improperly exposed to the elements for the better part of 2 years. This building is going to be a maintaince NIGHTMARE for years (expect the scaffolding to go up any day now to deal with the leaks and the eventual 11/98 remediation). I think Ms Hastings is going to have trouble with another relationship soon - thats ok though - she is pretty hot for an older (lesbian?) women and she'll find someone new fairly quickly

Posted by: fsrg at January 5, 2009 4:16 PM

wow the ny times has now fallen to the level of infomercials for developers..remember the "new brooklyn" article a couple of months ago hyping the monstrosities on forth avenue.. it gets worse and worse..

Posted by: eman1234 at January 5, 2009 7:18 PM

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