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February 19, 2009

Toren All Glassed Over

Toren-021909.jpg
'Nuff said. GMAP




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:59 AM | Comments (29)

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Comments

That's the finished product???

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at February 19, 2009 11:02 AM

I absolutely love it.

In person, it is quite unique.

Posted by: 11217 at February 19, 2009 11:04 AM

I do not hate it but it looks like it belongs in Houston. And more like an office tower than residential. Oh well, you will be able to rent there within the year ...

Posted by: BH76 at February 19, 2009 11:09 AM

In my head, I imagine that if you were at the headquarters of SOM, and you shouted the word "contextualism!", all the architects would start giggling, as if you just said the silliest thing possible.

Posted by: tscola at February 19, 2009 11:09 AM

"Oh well, you will be able to rent there within the year"

Perhaps a few people will, but judging from their website, they look more than 70% sold out.

Posted by: 11217 at February 19, 2009 11:13 AM

looks pretty good.

let 'er rip haters.

Posted by: friend_or_foe at February 19, 2009 11:15 AM

I applaud them for pushing the boundaries of tall glass box buildings. NYC builders just blow so many opportunities to excel in design.

Posted by: Schultz at February 19, 2009 11:15 AM

Love the look, not so crazy about the location. When is the expected move-in date? Give the downward condo price trajectory, how any of those 70% are gonna seal the deal?

Posted by: SnarkSlope at February 19, 2009 11:19 AM

i am trying to find a subliminal image in the glass pattern. so far, it looks like one of those zebra rugs.

Posted by: bowl of dicks at February 19, 2009 11:21 AM

yes the Location is not good at all

Posted by: gemini10 at February 19, 2009 11:25 AM

tscola-
In your opinion, what should the designers at SOM have been referencing in order to be contextual? The gas station on the corner? maybe Oro Gold? oh maybe they could have referenced the empty lots all around and designed a contextual empty lot?

I can't say that I'm crazy about the location, but in all of Brooklyn, this is one area that new buildings do not need to fit into their context. There's nothing around!

Posted by: TD at February 19, 2009 11:28 AM

"i am trying to find a subliminal image in the glass pattern. so far, it looks like one of those zebra rugs."

Take DOW Jones/ NASDAQ ticker.
Now turn vertically and downwards.

Posted by: Prodigal_Son at February 19, 2009 11:30 AM

@TD, are you saying that it doesn't clash with the building next to it in the picture above? Or for that matter, all the other masonry buildings in the vicinity?

Posted by: tscola at February 19, 2009 11:41 AM

Tscola,

It absolutely does not clash with anything around it. This is downtown Brooklyn.

Since when are downtowns supposed to be all matchy, matchy?

I don't understand your point. This is probably one of the better looking buildings in the area. It's a downtown with many different styles of high-rises. Just like downtowns in every single city.

Posted by: 11217 at February 19, 2009 11:47 AM

> "Since when are downtowns supposed to be all matchy, matchy?"

Exactly. It's an urban skyline, not a bedroom set from Thomasville.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at February 19, 2009 11:49 AM

Who cares if it clashes with the steaming pile of poo next door? It should be torn down.

And "all the other masonry buildings in the vicinity" are projects. I believe you would be the first person on this board to say new buildings should be emulating the projects.

Posted by: TD at February 19, 2009 11:55 AM

Yes! MetroTech is a project! (really)

Posted by: BH76 at February 19, 2009 11:58 AM

If you're going to build a glass tower, might as well make it interesting - I think the designers did a good job, esp. compared to the superbland that is Oro, Forte, etc. And it's a welcome antidote to the Ratner mediocrity of Metrotech (see the Chase building in the picture).

I also think that based on location, location, location, the Myrtle-Flatbush corner will do well in the long run. It takes some vision, given things like the Mobil station, but the city seems to be committed to changing the image of downtown to make it more Toren-friendly. I think these types of places will ultimately have more value than the type of condos that went up in Williamsburg.

Posted by: NorthHeights at February 19, 2009 11:58 AM

Speaking of the Chase building, I have to Rattner credit for building an entire highrise out of brick. It's a throwback building. What balls to build all brick. Chase is a nice looking building

Posted by: PropJoe at February 19, 2009 12:12 PM

I was so ready to hate this building, but every time I go by I am absolutely amazed. All these downtown buildings need now are some ammenities and less neighborhood stank.

Posted by: SlopeBuppie at February 19, 2009 12:27 PM

Tetris anyone?

Posted by: GroverNYC at February 19, 2009 12:53 PM

if you squint while looking at 2 sides the dark glass spells out "OBEY". word has it Shepard Fairey is suing.

Posted by: werner at February 19, 2009 1:25 PM

Houston? Ha. It's the Oro that belongs in Houston. The Toren is a really cool, unique design. Go, Skidmore!

Also of interest in that area--there's a building rising on the former site of the fast-food joint that looks about the size of a grocery store. Please?

Posted by: Rehab at February 19, 2009 1:35 PM

I like it. It's so much better than the PoMo-styling that NYC has predominantly created for the past 30 years.

Posted by: gwbrubaker at February 19, 2009 1:40 PM

"I do not hate it but it looks like it belongs in Houston. And more like an office tower than residential. Oh well, you will be able to rent there within the year ..."
You are probably right. Oro rentals "by owner" are popping up on craigslist already...

Posted by: jdoo at February 19, 2009 2:59 PM

It would be fantastic if Lego opens up in Toren's retail space!!!

Posted by: onevalianteffort at February 19, 2009 3:18 PM

I feel like debbie downer but it would be fantastic if anything opens in the Toren retail space. And I still think that all those sales are so suspicious and wonder how many will actually close (at least without last minute deals). 83 contracts of 240 units-- does that include all 42 of the low-income ones?

Posted by: BH76 at February 19, 2009 5:03 PM

Torental

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at February 19, 2009 8:12 PM

I'm so happy with Toren. Finally there's something affordable in downtown brooklyn for the community. I finally can move out of low income housing into a luxury building.

Posted by: DumboBoy at February 21, 2009 1:45 PM

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