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September 4, 2009
Bay Ridge McMansion
Returning from our refinancing closing a couple of weeks ago, we drove down Ridge Boulevard in Bay Ridge for a few blocks. There were some very charming houses we saw. This one at the corner of 86th Street was not one of them.
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Comments
The manicured greenery is impressive.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at September 4, 2009 10:31 AM
I like it.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 4, 2009 10:31 AM
The bricks seem to be the correct color.
Posted by: DeLepp at September 4, 2009 10:34 AM
No double stairs. NO deal.
Posted by: Kensingtonian at September 4, 2009 10:35 AM
Where's Bay Ridge?
Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2009 10:35 AM
Maybe this isn't typical for Brooklyn, but I think it's a nice looking home. Not something I'd want, but it's nice. Obviously the owners enjoy it and take great care of it. In a world where so many are content to let their sh!t fall apart and make everything else around it look run-down, these home owners should be applauded.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at September 4, 2009 10:37 AM
"Jealousy is a disease" - Megan
seriously tho, what's wrong with it? it's Bay Ridge!
*rob*
Posted by: Butterfly at September 4, 2009 10:39 AM
Criticize this house too much and you might end up "sleeping with the fish" (haha).
Posted by: wasder at September 4, 2009 10:40 AM
for new construction it looks great from the picture.
Now in person maybe another story.
Posted by: Petebklyn at September 4, 2009 10:40 AM
The New Jersey office of Toll Brothers is on the other line. They want their house back.
Posted by: lechacal at September 4, 2009 10:40 AM
Seriously Snappy - this person is probably a decent neighbor. Sure, the house is a little 'out-there' but at least they keep it well maintained. Can't say the same for all owners of brownstones.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 4, 2009 10:40 AM
That is obviously not the front of the house so give them a break!
Posted by: BH76 at September 4, 2009 10:42 AM
I also think it's good example of modern construction. Obviously on the large size, but I like the design.
Posted by: Brooklynnative at September 4, 2009 10:43 AM
Its a crazy house no doubt - when it was constructed it looked like it had like 3 layers of basement...that being said - is it really nice B-stoner to drive by someones house and then publicly call it ugly.....
Posted by: fsrg at September 4, 2009 10:43 AM
Seriously, what is all the windowless space on the ground level for?
The vibe this place gives me is more 'lair' than 'home'. Like a fortress or a bunker.
I love Bay Ridge in general, though.
Posted by: etson at September 4, 2009 10:45 AM
the house that the diner built
Posted by: bitter_bubble_buyer at September 4, 2009 10:46 AM
Precisely DH. How is it that a busted, run-down, lumpy-like-krasdale-brand-oatmeal brownstone can become HOTD with oohs and ahhs about it's potential and alleged hidden beauty and a well kept, well manicured property like this is poked at? WTF?
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at September 4, 2009 10:46 AM
quote:
is it really nice B-stoner to drive by someones house and then publicly call it ugly.....
right? cheeze-itz!
*rob*
Posted by: Butterfly at September 4, 2009 10:47 AM
With so many McMansions the proportions are all wrong, and they tend to be a hodgepodge of "fancy" architectural elements. This house isn't for me, but architecturally it's not out of whack.
Posted by: tinarina at September 4, 2009 10:47 AM
Not a "charming" brownstone, but certainly not a McMansion either.
Posted by: Brokedeveloper at September 4, 2009 10:47 AM
The stoplight in the picture provides a nice commentary on the design of the house. It's no double-stair atrocity, but it's gaudy. The double high "great entrance" (if that's what it is) does it for me. This looks like a mid-2000s new construction Toll Brothers McMansion that was plucked from somewhere in New Jersey and airlifted to Brooklyn.
Posted by: lechacal at September 4, 2009 10:48 AM
better looking and maintained than 90% of the new construction in our precious b.stone neighborhoods. i'd live in this in a snap compared to current b.stone (more light, space, garage, greenery, etc).
Posted by: goldie at September 4, 2009 10:48 AM
This house is pretty sweet. They probably have an indoor pool as well. I pass by this one and a few others along the same size all the time. Unless I am mistaken, this house is in Dyker Heights, not Bay Ridge. Most of these monstrosities are in Dyker Heights.
Posted by: Kensingtonian at September 4, 2009 10:49 AM
i'll take it.
Posted by: big swinging nick at September 4, 2009 10:50 AM
I'd certainly rather have this house in the neighborhood than another terrible condo that's going fall apart around the tenants. These people clearly know how to pay a gardener.
Posted by: Rookie at September 4, 2009 10:50 AM
I guess it's fun documenting the adventures of someone who grew up in the cocoon known as the Upper East Side, as he discovers other parts of the city.
Posted by: benson at September 4, 2009 10:51 AM
kensingtonian - this is bay ridge. the house is on 86th and ridge blvd, right on the corner. dyker heights is at least 10 avenues east.
Posted by: guikazoid at September 4, 2009 10:51 AM
quote:
that was plucked from somewhere in New Jersey and airlifted to Brooklyn.
Oh stfu already about jersey houses. 1.) there are houses in most of new jersey that are 10x hotter than ANYTHING in brooklyn and 2.) well just re-read number one and get back to me.
jersey hating is so last millenium.
*rob*
Posted by: Butterfly at September 4, 2009 10:52 AM
Clearly I'm in the minority here... well there is plenty of room for different views when it comes to aesthetics. I personally don't like this house, others do. I'm sure we would all be shocked - SHOCKED - if we learned we had different taste in music.
Posted by: lechacal at September 4, 2009 10:53 AM
I agree with most people here. There's so much hideous new construction around, but I just don't find this one so bad. Not really my taste, and too big, but attractive in its own way, and nicely cared for. I could easily see it in Pacific Heights in San Francisco. For that matter, if you took away the poles and power lines and pavement, I could almost see it in the Tuscan countryside... Maybe in person it looks worse (i.e., cheaper/chintzier).
Anyway, on a kind of related note, was thinking of taking a first-time field trip to Bay Ridge this weekend, just to have a walk around a different neighborhood. Any suggestions for routes? What about places to eat with dog-friendly outdoor seating? And best parks to take the dog to? Thanks!
Posted by: Brownstonerlogin at September 4, 2009 10:53 AM
Lechacal, there's enough space above the garage for you to park your F-16!
I've seen this place in person and liked it. I could live there. Call me crazy.
Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2009 10:53 AM
quote:
I guess it's fun documenting the adventures of someone who grew up in the cocoon known as the Upper East Side, as he discovers other parts of the city.
omfg benson are you SERIOUS? im sorry but old money is sooooo much better than new money. i can't stand new money NYC-ers. barf!
*rob*
Posted by: Butterfly at September 4, 2009 10:55 AM
Just awful. It looks like there is no way to enter the house except through the garage. Even mansions in LA have real front doors. Here, the "front door" is the garage that takes center stage on the most prominent street facade.
It couldn't be tackier IMHO. Pretentious and tacky.
Newsflash to architect: Even medieval fortresses had front doors.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at September 4, 2009 10:56 AM
I go back to the challenge that FSRG made a few weeks ago. For every work new construction that Mr. B. considers to be hideous, I would like him to show one that meets his approval.
Posted by: benson at September 4, 2009 10:57 AM
This is one big-ass house but seriously- we've seen far more homes that are truly ugly. This one looks well kept, and design wise it may not be my taste but it is not ugly. in fact, the design is nice.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 10:57 AM
Brownstoner, you're starting to sound like New York Magazine.
Posted by: italiana71 at September 4, 2009 10:57 AM
Lechacal...I don't absolutely love it...I just find that this, coming from Mr. B. is dripping with hypocrisy in terms of how dilapidated brownstones are lauded and this well kept property (like the house or not, you can't deny that it's well kept and nicely manicured) is put up for target practice. Not to mention that the new construction condos which many folks allege to be built as well as a popsicle stick house in a pre-school art class are advertised here and surely won't hold up as long as or as well as this place.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at September 4, 2009 10:57 AM
Thanks quikazoid, I am thinking of a similar one on the corner of 86th and around 10th. The blocks of 82nd and 83rd between like 10th and 11th avenues have a bunch of these.
Posted by: Kensingtonian at September 4, 2009 10:57 AM
Not bad.. too each is own.. I am sure the family that lives there loves it... Bstone was born on the upper east side and never visited Marlboro NJ...
Posted by: HOBOKENROCKS at September 4, 2009 10:58 AM
it does have a front, this shot is of the side i believe.
Can Brownstoner for once post pics of the inside of his place, all rooms, so we can spend a day commenting? I think its only fair.
Posted by: goldie at September 4, 2009 11:00 AM
rob- is there anything in life you do like (besides magic erasers, Miley Cyrus and your dog?) :-)
minard- there is a front door- look to the right. the garage is on the side. Seeing as its a corner house.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 11:00 AM
Minard - this is the side of the house. I'm willing to wager that there might be a point of entry on the front of the house.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 4, 2009 11:01 AM
rob- trends are cyclical, so there's always a time for jersey hating. ha.
Posted by: big swinging nick at September 4, 2009 11:01 AM
Minard, maybe I'm taking you too literally, but the front door is up the stairs to the right of the photo, not on the garage side of the house.
Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2009 11:01 AM
To summarize:
1. Mr. B has a preference for aged properties that he inappropriately expresses in aesthetic terms. He just likes them old, like sort of a real estate cougee. He shouldn't pretend he doesn't like the design when his problem is just with the fact that it is new construction.
2. We all have different views on this house. I find it gaudy and classless. Others disagree. Obviously there is no right answer.
- J
Posted by: lechacal at September 4, 2009 11:01 AM
I like it, well landscaped and designed, must be 8,000 sq ft.
Posted by: bmfesq at September 4, 2009 11:01 AM
Brownstonerlogin, I enjoy walking round Bay Ridge (as a non-resident) as well. My favorite route is to walk down by the water from Owl Head park at 67th(?) to the Verazzano bridge and then back up the main commercial strip on 5th Avenue. On the water you actually get a sea air smell sometimes & I love admiring the huge tankers / container ships etc. If you want to walk down more residential streets, the high 80's and low 90's are nicest in my opinion.
Posted by: etson at September 4, 2009 11:02 AM
"He just likes them old, like sort of a real estate cougee."
That's funny!
Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2009 11:07 AM
It's like a replica Italian villa. The shrubbery is immaculately manicured. I like it.
Posted by: East New York at September 4, 2009 11:07 AM
That's not a house. It's a fortress!
Posted by: GHB at September 4, 2009 11:09 AM
Too many trees too close together - going to have problems down the line. Not an aesthetic judgment.
Posted by: Arkady at September 4, 2009 11:10 AM
Lechacal;
Basically your summary is correct. I (and I suspect others) find it annoying that Mr. B makes a virtue out of his "preference", as you state it.
I don't like to use the word "diversity" too much because it has become so trite. However, the word really does apply to NYC neighborhoods from so many angles, and I wish he would celebrate it more.
About once or twice a year, I like to take the following drive: Starting from West Street, I travese Canal Street in Manhattan, go over the Manhattan Bridge and then take Flatbush Ave all the way, over the Gill Hodges Bridge, and then into the Rockaways. In a short span,you encounter so many different types of physical environments, and I don't think any city in the world can rival it. The ride in Brooklyn is the best part. You start out in the towers of downtown Brooklyn, and end up in Marine Park, which could almost pass for Florida in some respects. There's a place for everyone in this city. To each his own.
Posted by: benson at September 4, 2009 11:11 AM
"I guess it's fun documenting the adventures of someone who grew up in the cocoon known as the Upper East Side, as he discovers other parts of the city."
HA HA! Gentry come to Brooklyn.
Posted by: East New York at September 4, 2009 11:12 AM
Thanks etson! Glad somebody responded to my aside. :) Exactly the kind of suggestions I was looking for.
Posted by: Brownstonerlogin at September 4, 2009 11:13 AM
Not to my taste but I think it's just fine. There is a nice rhythm to the massing. It works because it's a corner property.
Whaddaya think? My guess is a 7-series BMW and an Escalade in the garage.
Posted by: altervoce at September 4, 2009 11:13 AM
1. This is Mr. B's blog.
2. We all post on Mr. B's blog.
3. Considering how opinionated all of us are, i find it funny some of us seem so taken aback by the fact that Mr. B. has an opinion too. (And who among us has not made a "virtue" of his opinion?)
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 11:14 AM
"Whaddaya think? My guess is a 7-series BMW and an Escalade in the garage."
Maserati for sure
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 4, 2009 11:16 AM
My recs for brownstoner:
For you dog: Narrows Botanical Garden. -The only botanical garden that allows dogs. 72nd and shore rd.
Check out Ovington st between 3rd and Ridge -they are considering historic status for this block.
Some nice homes are tucked away in the 80s between ridge and shore rd like the pp said.
For a great cupcake visit Robicelli's on 3rd and 86th. they finished 2nd at the Williamsburg cupcake contest over the summer.
Also check out two homes that are visible from colonial rd and I think the block is 76th. They sit at the top of two hills and are absolutely glorious. They may be hard to see through the trees at this time of year but in the winter they are completely visibile and amazing.
Also check out 76th between 3rd and ridge. Some interesting stuff there.
I could go on since there's lots of interesting stuff in BR but must go.
Have fun
PS - don't forget to eat at Tanoreen!
Posted by: italiana71 at September 4, 2009 11:16 AM
"Considering how opinionated all of us are, i find it funny some of us seem so taken aback by the fact that Mr. B. has an opinion too. (And who among us has not made a "virtue" of his opinion?)"
If Mr. B says dumb sh*t - we call him out, just like you called out jscheff for saying dumb sh*t about crown heights.
i'm sure the owner of this house would find mr b's post just as offensive as you founded the crown heights one.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 4, 2009 11:18 AM
Never mind the cars, I want to see the guy's daughters!!
Posted by: benson at September 4, 2009 11:18 AM
looks good to me. take this baby over a brownstone anyday and I like brownstones too. the light, garage, size,... what's there to not like about it
Posted by: more4less at September 4, 2009 11:18 AM
Seems like a lot to furnish doesn't it? I'm against that much space for one reason and one reason only. My in-laws will come to town and NOT get an overpriced hotel room rammed down their throats. Because of the cost of a hotel room, they only visit once a year. If I had that much space, they would be here every weekend. I can't live like that. I therefore shudder when I look at that picture. Because someone inside is miserable and hiding from the mother in law.
Posted by: HoneysuckleWeeks at September 4, 2009 11:20 AM
ROFL Honeysuckle!!!
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at September 4, 2009 11:22 AM
A true mansion-dweller does not have the family car underneath the family room.
Posted by: infinitejester at September 4, 2009 11:22 AM
DH, fist bump on your 11:18 :)
We get our opinions attacked and Mr. B is not immune, his blog or not.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at September 4, 2009 11:24 AM
"i'm sure the owner of this house would find mr b's post just as offensive as you founded the crown heights one."
Yeah. In fact, since this IS Bay Ridge, you'd better be careful, Mr. B. Someone just might drop by your office soon for a little "talk."
Posted by: East New York at September 4, 2009 11:25 AM
DH- as I said- it's still Mr/ B's blog. And yes he has a design opinion. But some people love going much further and bashing him. jscheff disparaged an entire neighborhood. Too bad you don't see the difference.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 11:25 AM
Oh, one other recommendation. For great Italian try Piattini located on 94th an 4th. It just opened this summer and New Magazine has already given them a nod. The gelato is to die for.
Posted by: italiana71 at September 4, 2009 11:25 AM
well thanks snappy. I guess only us posters are allowed to post opinions and be obnoxious. Except we don't pay for the site.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 11:27 AM
Bxgirl, everyone is entitled to their opinion, Mr. B included. Everyone is entitled to have their opinion questioned and dragged across the coals, Mr. B. included. And we do pay for the site. No people to read and click the threads, no Brownstoner.com
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at September 4, 2009 11:31 AM
If you look hard you can see Tony Soprano coming out in his bathrobe. Truly horrifying.
Posted by: lincolnlimestone at September 4, 2009 11:31 AM
Disparaging 1 family = okay
Disparaging whole neighborhoods (especially crown heights) = bad
**takes copious notes**
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 4, 2009 11:31 AM
dh - It's not a consistent rule. PS gets trashed constantly (by indigenes & others) & nobody's banned.
Posted by: Arkady at September 4, 2009 11:34 AM
DH;
Between this thread and your comments yesterday in the Sarah Palin debate, you're cracking me up!! If I were Biff, I'd be worried - he's got competition.
Posted by: benson at September 4, 2009 11:35 AM
i'm sure the owner of this house would find mr b's post just as offensive as you founded the crown heights one.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 4, 2009 11:18 AM
THEN
Never mind the cars, I want to see the guy's daughters!!
Posted by: benson at September 4, 2009 11:18 AM
Did we have a secret santa personality switch day on Brownstoner and I didn't get the memo?
Posted by: Kensingtonian at September 4, 2009 11:35 AM
when it actually comes out of your pocket, you pay for it. sorry but we're here to have fun. We do it for free. I don't object to opinions, I just find that Mr. B gets bashed sometimes over very little. I've spoken out against him too.
DH- like hyperbole much? He hardly disparaged a family. He had an opinion on the house. Don't take this to heights of ridiculousness and get off my back.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 11:35 AM
I love the backyard.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at September 4, 2009 11:36 AM
"Never mind the cars, I want to see the guy's daughters!!"
you will once their Aquanet and Versace perfume cloud clears up
Posted by: goldie at September 4, 2009 11:43 AM
Do they still make Aquanet?
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 11:50 AM
So calling a decent looking, new construction house ugly in a part of brooklyn that contains far less attractive new construction homes is somehow not putting a whole neighborhood on blast?
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 4, 2009 11:52 AM
I don't believe so Bxgrl. They also stopped making Dippidy Doo (sp?). Those were my 80's essentials!
Posted by: TownhouseLady at September 4, 2009 11:55 AM
Complaining about this house is un-American! Don't you see the stars and stripes flying proudly in the front/side yard?
Posted by: TownhouseLady at September 4, 2009 11:57 AM
DH- Only to a hysteric. All he said was he didn't find it so charming. That's hardly the nuclear blast you're making it out to be.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 11:58 AM
"Don't you see the stars and stripes flying proudly in the front/side yard?"
YEAH! It's almost like watching a SPACE SHUTTLE launch! GOD BLESS AMERICA!! [cue Kate Smith]
Posted by: East New York at September 4, 2009 12:00 PM
You're right THL.By all means, send Mr. B to Guantanamo. :-)
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 12:00 PM
"Did we have a secret santa personality switch day on Brownstoner and I didn't get the memo?
Posted by: Kensingtonian at September 4, 2009 11:35 AM"
"Only to a hysteric.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 11:58 AM"
Confirming secret Santa personality switch day!
:-)
Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2009 12:01 PM
Bxgrl;
Mr. B. rarely covers Bay Ridge. Given this, why does he choose to document a house that he considers ugly when he passes through it? If, as he states, he found many charming homes,why not document that aspect of the neighborhood?
I've seen you upset when Mr. B. chooses to highlight a negative aspect of CH, rather than its positive attributes. What is different about this case?
Posted by: benson at September 4, 2009 12:03 PM
"Only to a hysteric. All he said was he didn't find it so charming. That's hardly the nuclear blast you're making it out to be."
Lines
Inbetween
Read
I really hope the ROTD is decent so I can pop over there
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 4, 2009 12:04 PM
By the way, imagine if this house were built on the site of the former Green Church!!!
That would be Brownstoner Armageddon!!!
Posted by: benson at September 4, 2009 12:10 PM
If there is a front door on the short facade it is not very apparent or street friendly. What I see is a brick wall along the sidewalk and then another, taller brick wall above blocking the view of what is perhaps the ceremonial entrance that seems unreachable. And then there is the tacky topiary. Sorry. Major tack-city. But fine, to each their own. But to me, this house seems very fortified and paranoid. Probably for good reason. The windows probably have bulletproof panes.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at September 4, 2009 12:15 PM
"The windows probably have bulletproof panes."
And a vault where Al Capone is buried.
Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2009 12:16 PM
i'm seriously late to this thread and maybe someone already commented, but the photo of this house in Bay Ridge is indeed taken from the side. The front of the house indeed does have a staircase. There are some OTT urns with topiaries and some waterfall features too. It's pretty awesome in a gaudy way. At night, there are some great lighting effects too. They spared nothing!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at September 4, 2009 12:17 PM
The owner of this home is Greek not Italian. So no need to worry about "sleeping with the fishes."
My friends mother in law actually told the owner of this home that it was tacky. I don't think its all that bad. Its not my taste but i've seen much worse.
I do think that if the home was sitting some where along the mediterranean it wouldn't look so out of place.
Posted by: italiana71 at September 4, 2009 12:20 PM
Use google maps to look at front 8566 Ridge Blvd, it is the double staircase full block monster.
Posted by: BH76 at September 4, 2009 12:21 PM
benson- you have a grudge against Mr. B. your problem, not his. His comment was relatively innocuous. Gosh golly gee- how shocking he should have an opinion on ONE house in the neighborhood and the hyperventilating wingnuts freak.
As for condemning the neighborhood, did you not read the part where he said " we drove down Ridge Boulevard in Bay Ridge for a few blocks. THERE WERE SOME VERY CHARMING HOUSES we saw."
It is a far cry from what jscheff did in the Crown Heights thread, which did disparage an entire neighborhood.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 12:22 PM
Well - looking a the house on Bing maps and Google streetview, I will say the front-entrance is a little overdone. But they have an indoor AND outdoor pool. Sign me up!
Posted by: Rookie at September 4, 2009 12:29 PM
I have nothing agaisnt grand houses, but this one is badly proportioned and badly massed. It's a mess.
Someone should pick up a book on architectural proportional systems and desing. My namesake, Minard Lafever, published several. So did Andrea Palladio. The knowledge in these books is not outdated.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at September 4, 2009 12:29 PM
quote:
Do they still make Aquanet?
seriously? that is racially offensive. perhaps you should stop being a hypocrite. it's okay for you to make fun of stereotypical white people things but then blast people and accuse them of being racially insensitive to others? you can't have it both ways bxgirl!
*rob*
Posted by: Butterfly at September 4, 2009 12:32 PM
Minard, I have lots of respect for your knowledge of architecture - and of course for your love of Brooklyn Heights :-) - but not everyone wants to find out what they should and shouldn't like from a book. Some people prefer to go with their own feelings and tastes.
Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2009 12:37 PM
rob- that is one of the dumbest posts you have ever made- and you've made a helluva lot of them. I was asking a question about a hair spray I remembered from childhood but have not seen. Perhaps you should be speaking to goldies who did the original reference? Or just grow up.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 12:38 PM
Now that the owner has been established as Greek, can we cut all the Italian stereotypes?? Let's move forward with the Diner comments.
Posted by: big swinging nick at September 4, 2009 12:40 PM
"THERE WERE SOME VERY CHARMING HOUSES we saw."
Maybe there should be some pictures of the charming houses too.
Posted by: dirty_hipster at September 4, 2009 12:41 PM
I actually thought the house was nicely proportioned and laid out- and I'm an artist, minard. We all see the same thing in different ways. I think Italiana is right- it would look fine in a more Mediterranean area. But as it is, there is much much worse out there.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 12:44 PM
DH- I am sure he was driving by too quickly but this house was so big he had time to take the shot. Or the picture of this enormous house probably took up the entire memory card in his camera.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 12:45 PM
big swinging nick, you must have missed this above:
"the house that the diner built
Posted by: bitter_bubble_buyer at September 4, 2009 10:46 AM"
Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2009 12:51 PM
bxgirl: you think that the skinny arched windows coordinate with the massive, wide picture window beneath it? That the spindly balusters match the heavy rusticated corner pilasters? And where do those urns come from? Individually, many of the features are attractive but they were not placed together in a harmonious way. Architecture is like cuisine, all the ingredients have to work together to produce a finished product.
In cooking, like design, books can help a lot. Even if one is very talented.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at September 4, 2009 12:54 PM
sheesh, i cant read ALL the posts. i do have to work a lil..ha
Posted by: big swinging nick at September 4, 2009 12:55 PM
Minard, I actually thought of you last night as I was taking a stroll in the neighbourhood. I went down Grace Court Alley and remembered you had commented on the new lanterns at that one rather wide carriage house that had been under renovation for a couple of years. They're beautiful.
Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2009 12:59 PM
"sheesh, i cant read ALL the posts. i do have to work a lil..ha"
BSN, you need to get a job at The Death Star. You only need to pretend you're working here. :-)
Posted by: Biff Champion at September 4, 2009 1:00 PM
I think things balance out- I like the different massings of form, and the changes in rhythm of the various elements. The urns are seen in many old estate mansions- they reference that. And they break up the horizontal elements and soften them. Like I said, this house is not my own taste, but visually I think it works. At least for me.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 1:01 PM
I've been to Italy and Sicily several times, and this home would not be out of place at all in many of the towns I visited.
Posted by: East New York at September 4, 2009 1:03 PM
Calling Norma Desomond!
Posted by: NOP at September 4, 2009 1:31 PM
That should be Norma Desmond.
Posted by: NOP at September 4, 2009 1:32 PM
bx: one of my favorite old house in Italy is the 16th century Villa de Nonni, near Verona. The garden wall is topped by dozens of statues of nonni -dwarfs. The old Italian aristocracy could get away with anything.
Urns can be done well, or they can look funerial, depends.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at September 4, 2009 1:36 PM
minard- it sounds delightful and whimsical. Is there some significance to the dwarves? (I need to know before I start collecting garden gnomes and putting them out front :-)
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 1:39 PM
bxgrl, dont even involve me in his silly comment! not worth it since it had nothing to do w/race to begin with. gracias and ciao.
Posted by: goldie at September 4, 2009 1:43 PM
sorry goldie. I know it didn't. :-)
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 1:50 PM
I'm not a big fan of obnoxious over the top new Mc Housing.. However, this one doesn't look horrible. Its biggest crime is that it doesn't fit the fake modesty of petty bourgeois North Brooklyn "brownstoners."
Posted by: Crownlfc at September 4, 2009 1:50 PM
Meant to add- I was just referencing "Aquanet" He's in a snit because he was called out on the sold thread. He was referencing that.
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 1:52 PM
bx, many aristocratic renaissance families had dwarfs in the households to amuse and delight them. Odd, but the past is a foreign country. The Duke so-and-so who built the Villa de Nonni had a particular attachment to his dwarfs.
As you say, it would not translate well to Bay Ridge. So I don't want to give anyone any ideas.....
Posted by: Minard Lafever at September 4, 2009 2:08 PM
minard- I'm in Crown Heights. I just want to do something that will horrify the Great EVLL :-)
Posted by: bxgrl at September 4, 2009 2:11 PM
This unfortunate structure sits on an old "Villa Lot" that on for nearly a century sat a sizable rectangular red brick center hall colonial. " Villa Lots" were properties developed after 1900 on the newly graded blocks in the section of Bay Ridge from Shore Road up to Ridge Blvd. between roughly 79th Street and 86th Street. Notice this properties proximity on the google map to Fort Hamilton HS Athletic field. This school was the former site of the Crescent Athletic Club. The homes surrounding the athletic club were for the most part built on villa lots. Some still stand today. Others are long gone. The prior home sat grandly, high on it's corner hill for many decades. It had steep sloping manicured lawns on all sides with accompanying appropriate hedges and old line landscaping , ie. some mature hydrangea bushes that had morphed into trees over the years. I recall, the original wood frame windows were all dressed with old style wide slat white venetian blinds with the old type fabric taping on each side. I was sorry to see it demolished but somehow sensed, as it sat on the market a few years back, that it's days were numbered and it would be gone. I could never have imagined the European inspired monstrosity that would rise on it's grounds. I turn away when I pass this Grecian pile of bricks and remember how dignified this corner used to be.
Posted by: Crescent Hill at September 4, 2009 2:23 PM
If you look at the house on Google Maps, the front with that massive wall is truly hideous. I kinda like the house itself, but that wall just looks ridiculous without a moat...
Posted by: GHB at September 4, 2009 4:59 PM
I pass this house everyday and I have always felt that it was overbuilt. And if every house had to be built to my personal taste, the plans for this house never would have passed inspection. But just like the other well maintained houses in BR, this helps to keep my property values up. I don't see police cars outside, or piles of trash spilling over the streets. I would rather have a over the top house with good neighbors than a boring looking house with noisy inhabitants any day.
Posted by: carfreeinla at September 4, 2009 9:26 PM
The house looks awesome. I would take this over a brownstone anyday.
Posted by: zuffy at September 4, 2009 11:10 PM
The house is not so bad. But the high fortress wall is creepy. It also ascends too steeply for the space. Too much house and garden are crammed into the lot. If they stuck to one type of topiary, it would look less busy.
Posted by: mopar at September 5, 2009 12:15 PM
"heights of ridiculousness" (bxgirl) -- the most exclusive neighborhood in Brooklyn
Posted by: Nomi at September 6, 2009 3:38 PM
To be fair (much as I dislike this house), if I'm not mistaken this whole block is on a hill, so most of the fortress-look is probably functioning as a retaining wall. Most houses here are set back further and have a steep grass front lawns instead, but that probably wouldn't work structurally once they tore down the original home, considering the gargantuan size of the new house.
Posted by: setancre at September 6, 2009 9:29 PM
This is what low interest rates and other people's money gets you. I hope Bernanke starts raising interest rates so if homeowners what to build something like this they finance it with their own money and not "our" bailout money!
Posted by: hannible at September 6, 2009 10:16 PM
I live a couple of blocks away and I cannot tell you how the residents of BR hate this house. Development has been a big issue in the last few years as developers are bulldozing old Victorians and building monstrous Fedders condos.
This house was built about 5 years ago after the owner bought the old house, a large red brick Victorian representative of Bay Ridge's stately mini-mansions. The guy who bought it was Arab, and there was talk of a Mosque being built on the site.
It ended up being this disgusting display of suburban McMansionism.
Posted by: treasbear at September 7, 2009 10:46 PM
I have passed this house many, many times, and I truly wish I could park in the garage and go in......oops, its not my house....
I absolutely love everything about it !!!!
Posted by: STARGAZER at November 3, 2009 12:21 PM
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