« House of the Day: 179 Bergen Street Development Watch: 346-348 Sackett Street »

April 29, 2009

StreetLevel: Gowanus Warehouse Rocks On

bklyn%20boulders.jpg
More than a year ago, a real estate investor bought the old Daily News garage on 3rd Avenue and Degraw Street and said he was looking to lease the space to a supermarket or drugstore. As it turns out, the 18,000-square-foot building will become a rock-climbing gym called Brooklyn Boulders. One of the partners in the venture says it's slated to partially open the first week in July and be fully operational by the end of August. The space—which has 30-foot ceilings—is being completely overhauled and will have a lot of different climbing options, including a top-rope climbing area and a replica of a Brooklyn Bridge tower to hoist onto. In addition to running classes, the folks behind the business plan to manufacture climbing walls in the facility. Click through for another pic.
Brooklyn Boulders [Official Site] GMAP
Brooklyn Boulders [Facebook]
Drugstore or Supermarket for 3rd Avenue [Brownstoner]

boulder1.JPG




Posted by Gabby at 2:00 PM | Comments (21)
Categories: Gowanus, Streetlevel

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.brownstoner.com/mte/mt-tb.cgi/9502

Comments

Takes guts to launch a "rock-climbing gym"/climbing-wall manufacturer in this economy.

Posted by: East New York at April 29, 2009 2:25 PM

it would be good if they also gave lessons on how to get rid of your fear of heights. i think id be absolutely panic stricken on a rock climbing wall!

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 29, 2009 2:30 PM

Although very cool, I agree with ENY. How are they going to make a profit with this? I think they could have come up with something better for this space.

How many people out there are fired up to climb a fake wall while indoors on a regular basis?

Posted by: newsouthsloper at April 29, 2009 2:56 PM

i had always thought that spot would make a great equinox if they added a child care area and a parking lot.

Posted by: wine lover at April 29, 2009 2:58 PM

isnt most of brooklyn a parking lot already?

Posted by: bkn4life at April 29, 2009 3:06 PM

i was reading on this other message board a few months ago about someone wanting to open up a rock climbing area in brooklyn and i was shocked how many responses they got saying that others were totally into the idea and that the few rock climbing walls that exist arent that great or something. it's pretty niche, but im sure it's do-able and could be profitable.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at April 29, 2009 3:08 PM

Wow, rock climbing. So much more useful than a grocery store.

Posted by: GWH at April 29, 2009 3:10 PM

Isn't there already a rock climbing place on 3rd Ave? Or am imagining that?

Posted by: SnarkSlope at April 29, 2009 3:10 PM

The rendering on their website is hysterical. Do people mostly wear suits when rock climbing? Everyone in the picture appears to be doing something else other than climbing except for 1 girl.

Posted by: newsouthsloper at April 29, 2009 3:39 PM

Obviously there were no supermarket tenants queuing up for the place so implies a "beggars can't be choosers" mentality to renting the place out.

I've been to a few climbing walls in London and they are pretty fun and a good alternative way to get a bit of exercise.

There's different courses for different abilities so absolute beginners should not be afraid of them.

The usual downside to climbing walls is that they are usually attached to some snazzy gym that you have to pay brewsters for, even if you don't use the rest of the facilities, and the courses don't get swapped around much.

Dare I say that they also make a fun potential date venue? (sixyears are you listening?!) With the added bonus that you get to assess your date's level of fitness!

Posted by: the chicken at April 29, 2009 5:33 PM

looks like this is the place you've seen Snarky

http://www.tripcart.com/usa-regions/New-York-City/rock-climbing-gym/Powerplay-Recreational-Center.html

Posted by: the chicken at April 29, 2009 5:38 PM


"ASSESS your date's level of fitness!"

Indeed.

Posted by: East New York at April 29, 2009 5:40 PM

We're residents of this neighborhood, and will be making much use of this place. My kids love to climb, and it's also right next to the free pool at the double d.

It's not quite a Korean Grocery, but it's what the neighborhood needed even though it didn't know it needed it.

Posted by: carfreenation at April 29, 2009 10:02 PM

This place will not survive with just rock climbing they should make it a GOOD Health Club also, we need one in the area.

Posted by: harrythehat at April 30, 2009 9:08 AM

If this place offers birthday parties for kids, it could have no problem making ends meet.

Posted by: westpott at April 30, 2009 10:15 AM

> "looks like this is the place you've seen Snarky"

Yep, that's the one, Chicken.

Yeah, I can;t definitely see the need for a second rock climbing place in Gowanus.

What idiot came up with this business plan?

Posted by: SnarkSlope at April 30, 2009 10:35 AM

"What idiot came up with this business plan?"

An idiot that knows there are hundreds of folks in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan who've been dreaming of a place like this. New Paltz is home to the Gunks, one of the finest, oldest climbing areas in North America. As such, it has fostered a rather large and healthy climbing community in the region, including NYC. Most climbers I know in Brooklyn drive to New Rochelle at least once a week in order to train on their indoor wall; Brooklyn Boulders will have plenty of business to keep it afloat, especially if they offer parties/events (as most climbing gyms do).

Wake up dummies; smoke and fire usually coincide.

Posted by: cbmd at April 30, 2009 3:05 PM

Powerplay is a KIDS facility, with walls peaking around 14 ft tall. Also, the hours of operation are tricky, you have to sign up for 13 week classes, etc.

http://www.powerplaykids.com/rock-climbing/

So, Powerplay is not really a climbing gym, more of a kids sports facility with a climbing wall.

30 ft ceilings, and an indoor replica of the Brooklyn Bridge is more like a climbing gym.

Posted by: thinkyouspeak at April 30, 2009 3:39 PM

Hmm... maybe I'll have my 32nd birthday there! I'm psyched!

Posted by: elizaclimb at June 10, 2009 1:01 AM

yea the powerplay sports isnt a gym. its for kids. they will also have bday parties. kids teams etc. (for concerned and sexy pslope moms)anyways climbing is definitely a niche thing however more than enough people from bk love to do it. and this will be the only credible gym in bk. and frankly its going to be at least 2nd best gym after chelsea piers - sports center - ($2000 yearly membership) its going to be better than all of the other ones. anyways im joining. its great.

Posted by: messierishome at June 30, 2009 9:11 PM

To those that think this project may fail..

I come from Sheffield, England, where on hand is some of the best outdoor climbing in the entire country (the Peak District) not an exceptionally affluent part of the country. We have several climbing gyms, some that cater just for bouldering but mostly high walls. They survive with great ease, the climbing community is incredibly supportive and understands the hard work that goes into these projects and will support it. I believe the climbing attitude here, and everywhere to be the same.

This place sounds like a dream come true for climbers in the NY area. I for one will be making regular visits and having a jolly good time.

This is going to be sick.

Posted by: DC4416 at July 8, 2009 2:02 PM

Post a comment

Please be patient while your comment is published. It may take a moment.

Latest Restaurant Additions