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March 11, 2009

Development Watch: 111 Kent Avenue

Now that much of the facade and some of the windows are complete, you can get a pretty good sense of how 111 Kent Avenue is going to end up looking and the result ain't that pretty. The 62-unit development is a pretty classic example of how simpler is usually better. These non-right-angled windows look forced and silly; the design is not helped by the choice of brick, which looks like it belongs somewhere on the border of Bed Stuy and Bushwick. Too bad, too, given the building's striking views over East River State Park and Manhattan. As for how sales are going, it's anybody's guess: No sales are recorded on StreetEasy and the Elliman site shows nine units available.
Development Watch: 111 Kent Avenue (June '08) [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: 111 Kent Avenue (March '08) [Brownstoner] P*Shark
Development Watch: 111 Kent Avenue (July '07) [Brownstoner] DOB

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It looks like a housing project for retards.

Posted by: Xander Crews at March 11, 2009 2:31 PM

They're really banking on the views as a major selling point here. The units seem nice enough and the location is great, but the pricing here is about as high as I've ever seen in Williamsburg, and all of Brooklyn for that matter. These will take a long time to go.

Posted by: bjw2103 at March 11, 2009 2:33 PM

Absolutely hideous.

Williamsburg is really in for it with all this inventory piling up.

Posted by: 11217 at March 11, 2009 2:35 PM

i dont think it's as ugly as most new condos. those are definitely awesome christmas tree windows though!!! i wouldnt mind living there.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 11, 2009 2:37 PM

Contractor:
The windows you specified arrived on the construction site today and they're too large for the openings.

Architect:
Well, make them fit. It doesn't matter how. Nobody will know the difference.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at March 11, 2009 2:37 PM

"which looks like it belongs somewhere on the border of Bed Stuy and Bushwick"

Posted by: dittoburg at March 11, 2009 2:43 PM

Really ugly - looks like the hasidic buildings going up south of the bridge.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 2:45 PM

Someone calls the cops, there's a wild building on a rampage.
It looks like it's going to bite its neighbor.

Posted by: Maly at March 11, 2009 2:49 PM

I'm with you ditto...I was going to say something about that comment, but didn't want to be accused of starting a 'racism' dialogue.

But Mr. B...what gives?? You should rethink that sentence.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at March 11, 2009 2:49 PM

""which looks like it belongs somewhere on the border of Bed Stuy and Bushwick"

Yeah...what exactly is that supposed to mean? There are brick buildings all over Brooklyn. I don't get where you're going here, Mr. Brownstoner.

Posted by: East New York at March 11, 2009 2:51 PM

It would look okay with darker brick.

As usual, I just don't get why luxury condos are all so damn small. It's kind of depressing.

Posted by: Heather at March 11, 2009 2:51 PM

i found the comment slightly off the cuff too, but i figured it was just cuz of the brick color. which isnt too bad either.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 11, 2009 2:52 PM

it looks like vanna white started turning some of the letters, and then just left part-way through. you're now left to figure out this puzzle on your own.

Posted by: goldie at March 11, 2009 2:56 PM

Come on Mr. B.... Unlike some BRG and I aren't ones to drop the R word around like confetti - can you explain what you mean?

Posted by: dittoburg at March 11, 2009 2:59 PM

I don't get why people are willing to pay such high prices to live so far from trains.

Look at the map people. The walk to Bedford is not close.

And those blocks out to Kent at night along mostly industrial and 100 half constructed condo projects either stalled or sitting there empty doesn't exactly make a nice walk home after dinner and drinks out.

Posted by: 11217 at March 11, 2009 3:00 PM

Crinkle cut condos, mmm-mmm.

Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 11, 2009 3:06 PM

At least no Fedders. Same colored brick that those Fedders buildings use though.

Posted by: Adam Dahill at March 11, 2009 3:11 PM

Come on 11217 - we agree this building is ugly but lets keep it honest.

The walk from Kent to Bedford is a leisurely 5 minute stroll. Less if you walk at a city pace.

N6th and N7th actually have a bunch of rowhouses btw Wythe and Kent, and alot of bars and restaurants btw Wythe and Berry.

We know how you feel about the nabe, but please don't come off half cocked.

That being said, this building still sucks.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 3:11 PM

11217 - apparently no-one is paying high prices. Not that I know what the prices are.

But the views are good, and if they look out across the park there then the views are for perpetuity.

Posted by: dittoburg at March 11, 2009 3:14 PM

The bedford stop is three blocks away. Granted, three long blocks but still... And the blocks of N 7th out to Kent Ave are perfectly nice residential blocks. I don't see what the problem is 11217

Posted by: SouthParker at March 11, 2009 3:14 PM

Bedford to Berry to Wythe to Kent are 3 LONG blocks. Like Manhattan Avenue blocks. Except uglier.

There's a reason why apartments on York Avenue on the Upper East Side are less expensive than those 3 blocks farther west, near 1st Avenue.

It's not about the neighborhood, dh. These would be great for 200K.

Posted by: 11217 at March 11, 2009 3:15 PM

"I don't see what the problem is 11217"

he hates the neighborhood, i think he associates it with an ex lover.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 3:16 PM

Ok, fine the views.

I'm not a views person, but I can see how some are.

Nevermind then. They are worth 3 million each in that case.

;-)

Posted by: 11217 at March 11, 2009 3:17 PM

The long blocks in Williamsburg are shorter then those in manhattan - i used to live on the UES, so to compare the walk from kent to bedford to the walk from york to lexington is inaccurate.

If you don't believe me, type in the walking directions on google maps. 5 minutes exactly.

I'd love to see these for 200k - but once again it's 2006 pricing thinking Kent avenue is going to turn into some bustling street - which it wont.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 3:20 PM

"he hates the neighborhood, i think he associates it with an ex lover."

I only wish it were that simple. It's not about disliking the neighborhood as much as it is disliking almost every person I've ever met who lives there. I've given it 100's of chances, and every time the hood lets me down. Just not my kinda people. I like people who are curious about the world, not those who are so narrowly focused that they would say...and I quote from someone I met in Huckleberry Bar there 2 weeks ago "isn't Carroll Gardens in Queens?"

She was also totally unaware of what's going on in the world right now with regard to the economic situation.

Girls (and guys) like this I've met there are the norm. Not the exception, sadly.

Guess I'm going to the WRONG places.

Posted by: 11217 at March 11, 2009 3:23 PM

lol i think dipster might be right.

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 11, 2009 3:24 PM

To summarize:

I always leave Williamsburg feeling like I just spent an entire day watching an America's Next Top Model marathon.

And not in a good way.

Posted by: 11217 at March 11, 2009 3:25 PM

haha we've had this convo tons of times. i'm starting to think your asshole radar is broken ;), although huckleberry is exceptionally crappy lately.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 3:26 PM

11217... they were probably just making fun of you and giving fake wrong answers. it is an annoying neighborhood in one sense. ive never been to a bar or any kind of venue really in williamsburg where everyone wasnt totally coked out of their minds. and im talking people in their teens to the 50s

*r*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 11, 2009 3:26 PM

Yeah, Rob. I've noticed that also. I hate it.

I'm not a coke fan AT ALL.

I've watched too many of my friends (ironically only the ones who live in Williamsburg) succumb to major problems with Coke. All they talk about is going to Royal Oak or some other equally lame bar and get coked out of their minds and do it all over again.

It's not Williamsburg's fault, but the nature of the neighborhood seems to suck the productive life out of people.

Posted by: 11217 at March 11, 2009 3:30 PM

11217 - Huckleberry Bar? Yeah you are going to the wrong places. (In my opinion as a former resident and frequent bar-patron of Williamsburg.)

Many many interesting people there. As for the person who thought Carroll Gardens was in Queens, I bet if you asked the average Manhattan resident, they might think it's in New Jersey. In fact, one time I mentioned I was going to a show in Williamsburg, and my co-worker asked "Virginia?" Yes, a long-term Manhattan resident never heard of Williamsburg.

Anyway, this building is stupid ugly. And, yes, it's a long-ish walk from Kent to Bedford.

Posted by: Paul C at March 11, 2009 3:30 PM

Just have to say this- that bricks comment was really sh*tty, brownstoner. Really. Considering how many posters here live in Bed-stuy and Bushwick, a little less contempt is in order.

Posted by: bxgrl at March 11, 2009 3:31 PM

I guess I've found my low key niche. But yeah, if your idea of places in Williamsburg are huckleberry, union pool, royal oak and dumont (and you aren't baked out of your mind while going there) i can see how obnoxious it may seem obnoxious.

that said, alot of people i meet when i'm out in the nabe aren't even from the neighborhood. i've met more then my fair share of obnoxious hipsters who commute from Gowanus, south slope, and sunset park for their PBRs

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 3:32 PM

I agree - coke is a huge problem in the neighborhood. really scary to see so many people throwing their lives away.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 3:33 PM

11217, you must have had really bad luck! I know the type of people you're referring to but I haven't honestly ever met them in Williamsburg. That reminds me of some girl I met that lived in Murray Hill and worked a couple of blocks away. In the two years she had lived there, only once had she visited another neighborhood (west village); and yes, she had no clue about anything.

Posted by: SouthParker at March 11, 2009 3:34 PM

"a little less contempt is in order."

Indeed, along with a bit less "covert race/class warfare," to coin a phrase.

Posted by: East New York at March 11, 2009 3:34 PM

"forced and silly"

I like that characterization.

***Bid half off peak comps***

Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at March 11, 2009 3:40 PM

Listen, I'm not oblivious to all the things people say about those of us in Park Slope either. That's why this is just one man's impression of the neighborhood.

I'm not writing a book on it. It's just my opinion.

There are MORE than enough people who think Williamsburg is the best thing since sliced bread. I simply don't.

Posted by: 11217 at March 11, 2009 3:45 PM

and that concludes the monthly arguement with 11217 about Williamsburg.

Thanks for playing everyone!!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go buy a 20 dollar cheeseburger at dumont, do some blow @ royal oak and figure out where in the hell carroll gardens is!!

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 3:48 PM

LOL.

I do luvs me some Beacons Closet though, DH.

For that, I'll slip in and out of the neighborhood anytime...

Posted by: 11217 at March 11, 2009 3:53 PM

isn't there a BC in Park Slope now 11217?

I guess the clothes selection has to do more with the people who live in the neighborhood.

So the BC in PS would just have 3 year old J Crew sweaters :)

Posted by: dirty_hipster at March 11, 2009 3:57 PM

They do have a BC in Park Slope, DH. There was one on the corner of President and 5th for years, and it just moved into a space twice as large on 5th and Warren. They are doing great business, from what I understand.

And they don't accept J Crew, Gap or other related brands, thank you very much.

I've found a ton of stuff at the one in PS, but every once in a while I have the urge to go to the larger one in Billyburg.

Posted by: 11217 at March 11, 2009 4:03 PM

Sorry, we were at the funeral for Bob Guskind and just got back...All we meant was that that hideous color of brick can be found in that area. Like here: http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2007/11/development_wat_149.php.

Posted by: brownstoner at March 11, 2009 4:05 PM

"All we meant was that that hideous color of brick can be found in that area."

The link didn't work for me, but I get your drift. Still, there are plenty of other areas using this color brick, including some 4th Avenue developments. Why single out Bed Stuy and Bushwick? I'll just say it's unfortunate you chose to phrase your objection to the design in this manner.

Posted by: East New York at March 11, 2009 4:15 PM

The brick makes this building look like the cheap, crappy housing going up in poor neighborhoods. Comment doesn't seem like a slur against the neighborhoods, just a statement of fact. And I'd say the comment would be equally applicable to the crap on 4th Ave, except that no one in their right mind would ever move to 4th Avenue anyways, so who cares?

Uh, my opinion.

Posted by: Heather at March 11, 2009 6:37 PM

I know neighborhood boundaries in BK are not absolute, and are somewhat subjective.

But isn't anything north of Grand and west of the BQE really Greenpoint. Or I should say "traditionally" Greenpoint.

Otherwise, W'burg is the size of three neighborhoods and Greenpoint's half of one.

Posted by: Come Clean at March 11, 2009 6:49 PM

Traditionally, no -- yes, Williamsburg is bigger.

Posted by: Heather at March 11, 2009 7:25 PM

Is it too late to say I think the design is kinda cool? Reminds me a bit of the builiding next to the Quad Cinema in Manhattan. The bf, kid and I were over in Williamsburg a couple weekends ago, and we noted that the condo developments there seemed far more daring architecturally than those over in our neck of the woods. Williamsburg does seem to be a different world from our Brooklyn. On a previous visit my son (6) had refused to believe we were in Brooklyn. When asked why he said - "Because there aren't any brown people." He then reassured my boyfriend, who is of a brownish hue, that "it'll be okay. "

Posted by: Putnamdenizen at March 11, 2009 8:34 PM

i am actually curious to go inside these. i had heard from a local broker that it was going to be one of the better properties to come down the line prior to it being this finished. i am guessing that the windows are for the views which are probably spectacular given that it's across the street from the park/water with therefore clear manhattan skyline views. it's very close to amenities if not next to the subway, so for your day to day life, it's really convenient.

side note: even if you think you don't like williamsburg, it's worth checking out DOC wine bar on N.7th which is around the corner from this condo. it's a rustic italian wine bar with a local couple running it- he's italian. they also own a wine shop on Broadway also called DOC. these folks are a good example of the the 30 somethings with kids who live and flourish in the burg.

Posted by: wine lover at March 11, 2009 9:42 PM

i was on Lewis around hart the other night and there were alot of fedders buildings.

Posted by: Santa at March 12, 2009 8:08 AM

'These non-right-angled windows look forced and silly; the design is not helped by the choice of brick, which looks like it belongs somewhere on the border of Bed Stuy and Bushwick.'

Umm...okay...whatever you say. I rode by this on my bike and it was pretty clear that the 'silly' non right angled windows are so angled to address a particuarly striking view...all you had to do was turn around after taking this picture...

You may think this is ugly.....I'm not sure what I think about it's aesthetics....but I really wouldn't call it silly...

Posted by: young archi at March 12, 2009 8:33 AM

I think it looks fantastic!

Now where did I leave my chequebook....

Posted by: the chicken at March 12, 2009 9:12 AM

Come clean, I think most people consider Greenpoint as starting at Bushwick inlet and running across to the edge of McCarren, but not McCarren itslef, which people seem to reagrd as Williamsburg.

Posted by: dittoburg at March 12, 2009 11:46 AM

11217: By your logic, who would ever want to live on Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side? Sure, you'll have anm amazing view of Central Park but how could anyone possibly walk all the way over to Lexington to get the train?

You might think 5 - 7 minutes is a long trek, but people who want to live on the Williamsburg waterfront and enjoy water views don't care.

Posted by: cheeseburger at March 13, 2009 3:12 PM

« Streetlevel: Park Terrace Shuts South Slope Office Today on the Brownstoner Backpages »

March 11, 2009

Development Watch: 111 Kent Avenue

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