Bedford Stuyvesant
May 15, 2008
Co-op of the Day: 93 Lexington Avenue
This has to be one of the nicer bachelor pads in Bed Stuy. The open plan of the co-op at 93 Lexington Avenue isn't for everyone, but the open loft makes for a pretty sweet entertaining space. While we're not always fans of exposed brick and track lighting, we think they work nicely in this case. And, as we've said before, we dig the width of Lexington Avenue and the range of attractive old industrial buildings that line it. After more than three months on the market at $1,300,000, the 2,500-square-foot pad was just reduced to $1,195,000. As nice a place as we think it is, this is still far from a lay-up. See for yourself on Sunday from 2:30 to 4:30.
93 Lexington Avenue [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
May 13, 2008
Upscale Green Townhouses Coming to Bed Stuy
Here's a rendering for a trio of green, modular townhouses planned for a plot of land in Bed Stuy across the street from Restoration Plaza. Designed by Garrison Architects, the 2,900-square-foot houses have highly efficient heating, insulation and lighting systems. They also look pretty darn good, we think. According to the listing agent, one of the three houses is already spoken for, which is impressive since a $1,300,000 price tag isn't easy to pull off in this part of town these days. Then again, nothing like this has been done in the area as far as we know. Think they'll be a market for this approach?
22 New York Avenue - In Contract [Corcoran]
24 New York Avenue [Corcoran] a style="text-decoration:none" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=22+New+York+Avenue,+Brooklyn&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=90.516324,97.558594&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr" target="_blank">GMAP
24A New York Avenue [Corcoran]
Continue reading "Upscale Green Townhouses Coming to Bed Stuy"
May 7, 2008
Crown Heights Doesn't Want UES Homeless Center
Some Crown Heights residents are organizing against the city's plan to relocate its sole intake center for single homeless men from the Upper East Side to the castle-like armory at Atlantic and Bedford Avenues. The city plans to turn its UES facility into a hotel and conference center, despite 60 percent of the city's homeless population living in Manhattan versus 16 percent in Brooklyn. We have a source who works closely with the Mayor's Office on this issue, who said the goal is to make the intake center more difficult to reach so fewer homeless men would turn to the shelter system. Each shelter bed cost $35,000 a year, or $2,916 a month. The city would rather spend that money on more permanent housing programs and hopes some men who typically sleep at shelters for a night or two would instead stay with friends or family, said the source, adding that the city's most at-risk homeless population tends to avoid shelters.
Rachel Pratt of CHARM (Crown Heights Revitalization Movement), backed by Councilwoman Letitia James, said her community board already has more than its fair share of social service beds—112 beds per 100 acres, compared to neighborhoods like Bensonhurst/ Gravesend and Bay Ridge/ Dyker Heights, which have less than 6 beds per 100 acres. The armory accounts for half of the 1,170 beds in Crown Heights North/ Prospect Height's, and has one of the worst reputations among in the city. James said she wants a portion of the armory converted into a recreation center like in Park Slope, and doesn't feel her district should have to accept the increase in homelessness in exchange. See the full comparison data on social service beds in Brooklyn community boards after the jump...
City to Close UES Homeless Shelter, Relocate to Bed-Stuy [Daily News]
Upper East Siders Want Homeless Shelter to Stay [NY Post]
The Future of the Atlantic Armory? [Brownstoner]
History of the Atlantic Armory [Bed-Stuy Banana]
Continue reading "Crown Heights Doesn't Want UES Homeless Center"
April 30, 2008
Rentals: 377 Franklin Avenue 90% Rented
We've been watching 377 Franklin Avenue rise since 2006, wondering for much of that time what would become of the boxy modern structure. Now we know. Turns out the developer opted for the rental path and, according the listing agent Rapid Realty, nine out of the ten units have rented. One bedrooms have gone for around $1,800 and two bedrooms for $2,600; there were some parking spaces on the ground floor that have rented for $200 a month as well. These prices sound about right to you?
377 Franklin Stalled No More [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: Stalled on Franklin [Brownstoner]
Franklin Avenue Rising: 377's Gone Yellow [Brownstoner]
Wednesday Food & Drink Round-Up
Photo by roboppy
Bars in Battle with Neighbors
Park Slope's Union Hall (pictured above) is up for their liquor license renewal next week, and according to Eater, community members issued a 1200-word press release railing against this stroller-free establishment. Meanwhile, Gothamist reports that Greenpoint's Studio B has received a stop work order from neighbors who are hoping that the club's proposed tropical rooftop oasis will be nipped in the bud.
New Brooklyn Openings
Looks like there's nothing but love for the recently opened Root Hill Cafe on 4th Avenue an Carroll Street. Ed Levine describes their Clover-brewed coffee as "pretty amazing" and Slice loves the cafe's outdoor canine accomodations. Eater reports that a new bar and burger joint called Brooklyn Ice House is slated to open in the old Pioneer Bar-B-Q space on Van Brunt Street in Red Hook. And according to Time Out, Appertivo (279 Fifth Avenue at 1st Street) — part of Sotto Voce's mini-empire in Park Slope— is now offering a menu of "pastas like linguine with a chicken liver, sage, white wine and cream sauce," but their liquor license is still pending.
Best Outdoor Bites
Brooklyn Based shares a list of all their favorite restaurants and bars with outdoor seating, calling Rocky Sullivan's "the only rooftop bar in the city that can actually be called serene" and describing the table for two beside the fountain in Palo Santo's tiny backyard as the most romantic outdoor table in Brooklyn.
After the jump: Fresh Direct expands delivery range, the Voice says Barrio is overpriced, Gothamist hits Shachis and the Times visits Jake Walk...
136 Clifton Place: Karl Does Bed Stuy
Although the downzoning-related
315 Greene Avenue/136 Clifton Place [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
April 28, 2008
404 Stuyvesant Avenue: Missed Opportunity, Happy Ending
18 months and almost $400,000. That's what the former owner of 404 Stuyvesant Avenue lost by not striking when the iron (or the market) was hot. As long-time readers may recall, the owner allegedly turned down at least one offer in the neighborhood of $1,500,000 in favor of a no-reserve auction. According to one commenter who attended the auction back in October 2006, the bids topped out at only $1,200,000. In retrospect, the owner should have taken that price...We got a tip last week that the house had finally been sold for $1,115,000. Since we needed a new photo of the building anyway, we drove by this weekend. As we were snapping a photo, two heads popped out of a second story window and shouted, "Hey, it must be the Brownstoner guy." Busted. Anyway, it's a happy ending for the beautiful, historic house. The nice couple who had just bought it came down to say hi and were clearly over the moon about their new purchase. Good luck to them!
Update: As a commenter points out, 408 Stuyvesant is now in contract.
HOTD: 404 and 408 Stuyvesant Avenue [Brownstoner] GMAP
Paddle Time: 404 Stuyvesant to Hit Auction Block [Brownstoner]
April 23, 2008
Closing Bell: Passover Amusements
According to the attendant at the entrance, some members of the Orthodox community organized this temporary amusement park in a lot on Franklin Avenue between Flushing and Park Avenues for a Passover-friendly, three-day run. Anyone is welcome, but don't tarry: Tomorrow's the last day.
April 17, 2008
Bed-Stuy Church Sold to Developer
The Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church recently sold off its big church on Skillman Street and Bedford Avenue, in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The property fetched $4,100,000, according to public records. A representative for the church said the only section of the property that it will retain control of is the parsonage, and that it hopes to continue to provide housing for priests there. One of the investors who purchased the property is Michael Lichtenstein, who is also currently involved with a planned development at 681 Driggs in Williamsburg, a building that may not happen as originally conceived because of the recent rezoning of Grand Street. The DOB hasn't issued any permits for work on the property. Let's hope that whatever's planned doesn't involve a wrecking ball. GMAP
April 9, 2008
Development Watch: 382 Willougby Avenue
Next door to the recently-rentalized 192 Spencer a six-story, 50-unit building is rising at 382 Willoughby Avenue. It's a little to early to tell whether it'll be more upscale like 192 Spencer or more like the crapola that been springing up around the corner on Bedford Avenue. If we had to bet, though, we'd guess the latter. GMAP P*Shark DOB