Boerum Hill
June 29, 2009
House of the Day: 357 Pacific Street
It will come as no surprise to long-time readers that we don't tend to like renovations that try to maintain a traditional style but that end of looking too shiny and new; we like to see a little authentic imperfection in a brownstone—a creaky floorboard, an plaster wall that's not perfectly straight, a crown molding that shows its age. So, while the owners of this new listing at 357 Pacific Street clearly put a lot of work into their renovation, the place just isn't for us. Which is probably a good thing, since we couldn't swing the $2,499,000 price tag anyway. We'll see whether the 17-foot width hurts the single-family home's chances.
357 Pacific Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
June 26, 2009
Court Hears Both Sides of House of Detention Debate
Last we heard on the House of Detention issue, Comptroller Thompson had rejected the architectural contract for renovating the jail because it had swelled from $16 million to $31 million; two weeks earlier, the State Supreme Court had ruled that the city could reopen the facility but could not renovate or expand it without performing both a land use review and an environmental review. Yesterday, reports the Brooklyn Eagle, lawyers for the city and the group opposing the reopening and expansion, Stop BHOD, were back in court for a discovery session, where they ended up arguing specifically about the issue of architectural fees. The city claimed that it couldn't do the reviews the court asked it to do without spending millions on preliminary architectural plans first. "It defies common sense to prematurely toss money into a project that has been halted by the courts, is completely unnecessary, and may never be built,” commented Council Member Bill De Blasio. "We can’t get to a place to do those reviews without a preliminary design,” pleased city attorney Christopher King. The case was adjourned until July 9.
Architecture, Discovery Bring HOD Lawsuit Back to Court [Brooklyn Eagle]
Thompson Tosses HOD Architects for Second Time [Brownstoner]
Split Decision on House of Detention [Brownstoner] GMAP
Comptroller Blocks House of Detention Expansion [Brownstoner]
Supreme Court Weighs House of Detention Re-Opening [Brownstoner]
Closing Bell: HOD Rally Coming Next Week [Brownstoner]
Inside the Brooklyn House of Detention [Brownstoner]
Not Enough Cash for the HOD [Brownstoner]
HOD Re-Opens for Business [Brownstoner]
Saying No to House of D [Brownstoner]
June 22, 2009
Jonathan Adler Coming to Atlantic Avenue!
Potter-about-town Jonathan Adler (or, as his new signage puts it, "your 24-hour pot dealer") is bringing his trendy mix of lamps, plates and home furnishings to 378 Atlantic Avenue between Hoyt and Bond Streets. The sign in the window confirms the teaser that's been on his website. Excited? GMAP
June 16, 2009
Price Cuts at 357 Dean Street
The six-story, six-unit new development at 357 Dean Street (dubbed Green on Dean) hit the market last winter and has managed to get two units in contract so far, not bad given the market. In an effort to nudge the sales process closer to the finish line, prices at the remaining four units have just been trimmed by between 3 and 7 percent. Enough to get buyers off the fence? That remains to be seen.
357 Dean Street Hits the Market [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: 357 Dean Street [Brownstoner]
House of the Day: 357 Dean Street [Brownstoner]
June 10, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Since 1963 Opens in Trout Space
102 Smith Street (at Pacific Street)
Trout's outdoor bar remains, but now the interior space has reopened as a barbecue joint. Chowhound SteakNut says, "It's market style, like Hill Country. I had a really good pulled pork sandwich there, which consisted of two 'mini' sandwiches. The buns were a tad stale, but the mass of meat and the pairing with pineapple salsa made up for it... And where else are you going to find Lone Star for $3?!" Has anybody else visited Since 1963 yet?
More Brooklyn Bar and Restaurant Openings
Time Out New York says that Fort Greene is getting its first German beer garden: Der Schwarze Kölner (710 Fulton St at South Oxford St) will have 18 brews on tap, 20 by the bottle, and both indoor and outdoor seating... Time Out also reports that Café Grumpy, which already has locations in Greenpoint and Chelsea, is opening their third branch in Park Slope (383 Seventh Ave between 11th and 12th Sts), and it'll be equipped with two Clover machines... Brooklyn Based says that "Stephen Tanner, one of the original owners of Pies ‘n’ Thighs and a cook at Egg, will be the chef at the new restaurant taking over Black Betty" in Williamsburg... Eat to Blog says that Istanbul Turkish Cuisine is opening in the old NoNo Kitchen space in Park Slope (293 7th Ave at 7th St)... Eating in Translation reports that a new kebab and beer joint called Kebeer is set to open in Brighton Beach (1003 Brighton Beach Ave at Coney Island Ave)... And, finally, despite reports from on-site workers that Calexico is supposed to open this week, local Chowhound oohlah remains skeptical: "There's definitely been some progress, but, as before, I think their estimates are way off. Maybe they'll open by July."
After the jump: Reviews of Glass Shop in Crown Heights, Watty & Meg in Cobble Hill, and Enoteca on Court in Carroll Gardens...
June 3, 2009
House of the Day: 240 Dean Street
Unlike many under-the-radar brokers, Precious Properties has done a very nice job with the photos in this listing for 240 Dean Street in Boerum Hill. Nonetheless, we continue to be amazed that sellers opt for the inferior marketing reach of outfits like this. After all, it's our job to keep an eye out for listings like this and it us over a month to come across this one. The two-family Victorian hit the market in mid-April with a price tag of $1,595,000 and was reduced last week to $1,499,000. While a little on the narrow side, we were positively impressed with the condition and aesthetics of the interiors. We'd think this would be attracting interest at this level. Is it a matter of low visibility or are we being overly optimistic about the price?
240 Dean Street [Precious Properties] GMAP P*Shark
May 19, 2009
Development Watch: 307 Atlantic Really Cruising Now
When we posted about 307 Atlantic Avenue a couple of months back, we remarked upon how slowly the 25-unit rental project had been moving. Well, that's changed. Since then, another five stories have flown up.
Development Watch: 307 Atlantic Avenue [Brownstoner] GMAP DOB
Development Watch: 307 Atlantic Avenue, Post Demo [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 307 Atlantic Avenue [Brownstoner]
May 6, 2009
Development Watch: 93 Nevins More Fully Revealed
When we trumpeted the removal of the scaffolding from 93 Nevins Street back in February, we also noted that the developer was predicting that sales would start as soon as March and as late as Earth Day. Well, both deadlines have passed. At least, though, we can now see what material was chosen for the two-story addition. Personally, we're not loving the choice; nor would we have gone with the white windows but chacun a son gout.
Scaffolding Down, Listings Imminent at 93 Nevins [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Progress at the Health House [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 93 Nevins Making Progress [Brownstoner]
93 Nevins: Like Molasses [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
Development Watch: 93 Nevins Street [Brownstoner]
OHNY Report: Double Your Eco-Friendly Pleasure [Brownstoner]
House of the Day: 433 Pacific Street
This four-story house at 433 Pacific Street in Boerum Hill has one of those envy-inducing parlor floors that can be found in this part of town; the backyard is quite charming as well. The upper duplex (the rental) has three bedrooms and two baths. (What's the market rent for this space, do you think?) Anyway, very nice house but the asking price of $2,495,000 seems pretty high for this market. What do you think?
433 Pacific Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
April 29, 2009
House of the Day: 179 Bergen Street
This classic Boerum Hill townhouse at 179 Bergen Street hit the market two weeks ago with an asking price of $2,375,000. That price sounds suspiciously similar to what it might have been listed for a year ago, but it's a beauty of house (color palette notwithstanding) and there's no shortage of people who want something like this in this area so we shall see.
179 Bergen Street [Douglas Elliman] GMAP P*Shark
April 24, 2009
Streetlevel: Trout Re-opening Today
Trout, the casual Smith Street staple, closed last November. Only, in retrospect, it didn't close so much as take the winter off. Time Out New York reports that the "poor man's Gowanus Yacht Club" is re-emerging from hibernation today (something this photo we snapped last night supports) with a similar menu and a different backer. Instead of Jim Mamary writing the checks, his partner in PLG's Whiskey Sunday, Richard Krause, is where the buck stops (and starts) now at Trout. Nice weather for opening day! GMAP
April 23, 2009
Foreclosures of the Week
For the first time in recent memory, there are a couple of nice-looking houses in high-rent parts of town up for foreclosure this week. Is it a sign of things to come? First up is 224 Bergen Street, a four-story brick house in Boerum Hill that's been in the same hands since at least 1999; the lien amount is unavailable. The second pick is 17 Old Fulton Street, a three-family brick building right next to Grimaldi's; the bounty on its head is a modest (for the area) $471,584. The auctions are being held at 3 p.m. tomorrow at 360 Adams Street, Rooms 274 and 261 respectively.
Foreclosure: 224 Bergen Street [Property Shark] GMAP
Foreclosure: 17 Old Fulton Street [Property Shark] GMAP
April 15, 2009
House of the Day: 445 Warren Street
This row of three-story townhouses on Warren Street between Bond and Nevins in Boerum Hill has a lot of charm despite its proximity to the Gowanus Houses. Unfortunately for this particular listing at 445 Warren Street, though, the interior appears to have no charm at all. (It also doesn't appear to have a broker who's making much of an effort. Horrendous photos!) That combo is going to make it hard to fetch the asking price of (cue Doctor Evil) $1,000,000.
445 Warren Street [Century21] GMAP P*Shark
April 6, 2009
Lost City's Guide to Boerum Hill
Lost City just published a neighborhood guide to Boerum Hill, the eighth one its done in New York and the third in Brooklyn. (The first two were for Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill.) Must-see spots include the Ex-Lax Building, Hank's Saloon and this tiled-and-sequined piece of outsider art above the doorway at 108 Wyckoff Street. And if you're a Jonathan Lethem fan, check out at Ziad's Deli on Smith—it was the inspiration for Zeod's in Motherless Brooklyn.
March 31, 2009
Thompson Tosses HOD Architects for Second Time
In early February, Comptroller (and candidate for Mayor) William Thompson rejected the architectural contract for the renovation and expansion of the Brooklyn House of Detention because it had ballooned from an initial $16 million to $31 million; now Thompson has rejected it again on the grounds that the bidding process for the job was "corrupt and fatally flawed." Thompson's most recent move comes two weeks after a Supreme Court judge ruled that the HOD could reopen in its current capacity but that no expansion could take place without a land use and environmental review.
Thompson Throws Wrench in Bid to Reopen Brooklyn Jail [NY Daily News]
Thompson Throws Out Contract To Expand Jail [Brooklyn Eagle]
Split Decision on House of Detention [Brownstoner]
Comptroller Blocks House of Detention Expansion [Brownstoner]
Photo by webchango
March 25, 2009
House of the Day: 442 State Street
Run down but not lacking in charm and potential, 442 State Street was on the market last fall with Halstead for $1,200,000 before getting yanked in early February. It has now resurfaced with Brooklyn Heights Real Estate with a significantly lower price tag of $999,000. The place is pretty beat up and isn't on the ritziest street in Boerum Hill, but we could see it coming to life in the right hands. You gotta figure it'll take several hundred grand to get things back in order. What's the magic price that gets this place to sell?
442 State Street [Brooklyn Heights RE] GMAP P*Shark
March 23, 2009
Development Watch: 307 Atlantic Avenue
The pace of construction at the site of the former Academy Rubber Stamp building at 307 Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill hasn't exactly been rapid, but the second of its planned eight floor is now poking its head above the scaffolding. When we asked him last summer, developer John Evans said the building would have 25 rentals and be "moderately high-end." Sounds about right for the area.
Development Watch: 307 Atlantic Avenue, Post Demo [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: 307 Atlantic Avenue [Brownstoner] DOB
March 19, 2009
Split Decision on House of Detention
Yesterday's decision in State Supreme Court regarding the future of the Brooklyn House of Detention had something in it for both sides: The city expressed pleasure with the ruling that allows it to resume operating the 759-bed jail as it did prior to closing it in 2003. (It's been operating it on at a reduced capacity since last November.) Neighborhood activists and politicians who have been speaking out against the city's plan to double the jail's capacity in a half-billion-dollar build-out were happy with the part of the decision that required any future expansion to be prefaced by environmental and land use reviews. The lawyer for the opponents, Randy Mastro, called the ruling “a huge victory for the community and a vindication of its right to meaningful public input before the city commits itself to such massive projects.” Opposition group Stop BHOD and other community groups and public officials will be holding a protest on the steps of City Hall tomorrow at 11:30 a.m.
Court Allows Brooklyn Jail to Reopen [NY Times]
Judge Clears Reopening of Brooklyn Jail [NYT/City Room]
Brooklyn House of Detention Can Reopen, Judge Rules [NY Daily News]
Judge: City can reopen House of D [Brooklyn Paper]
Judge Reopens Jail Doors [Brooklyn Eagle]
March 18, 2009
Streetlevel: Clover's on Atlantic
We're a few weeks behind on this one, but the recently-opened Clover Cafe and Art Gallery certainly deserves mention. A couple of Brooklynian commenters have checked it out and liked what they saw. You can also check out some photos of the interior in this Flickr set. Apparently they take their coffee brewing rather seriously. GMAP
March 17, 2009
Heights Books Re-Opens on Smith
As reported yesterday on the Cobble Hill Blog, Heights Books, which recently closed its Montague Street shop, re-opened over the weekend in its new location at 120 Smith Street between Pacific and Dean. Has anyone stopped in yet? GMAP
March 16, 2009
A Successful Buy-and-Hold Strategy on Hoyt Street
What is it about stories about people who scored beautiful houses in Brownstone Brooklyn three decades ago that are at once so irresistible and envy-inducing? Whatever it is, The Times served up another dose this weekend in its Habitats column. In this case, the lucky owners are a charming couple that met at Pratt in the late 1960s before nabbing their 22-foot-wide brownstone on Hoyt Street in Boerum Hill in 1973 for a cool $49,500. Of course, there's the requisite context of urban grittiness to smudge our rose-colored glasses. “Wyckoff Street was an open drug bazaar, with guns and hookers everywhere,” said Frank Cusack, one half of the pioneering real estate couple. Decades of block association work and one celebrity couple neighbor later, of course, Hoyt Street is a whole different animal, though Ms. Cusack still conducts her exercise classes for neighborhood ladies in the parlor floor living room. The couple just finished a renovation (a conversion of the garden floor to a rental), the last of many in the 36-year span they've occupied the house.
Shrink or Expand to Fit [NY Times]
March 9, 2009
Co-op of the Day: 422 State Street, #9
Apartment #9 at 422 State Street in Boerum Hill is either a slightly scrunched two-bedroom or quite a generous one-bedroom, depending on where you stand. It looked bigger to us on paper than the 800 square feet or so we calculated from the floorplan. Other pluses: Two exposures, prewar details, and an elevator building. At $734 a month, the maintenance is about right. The recently renovated kitchen is somewhat unusual but appears to work well for the space. Asking price: $499,000. Reactions?
422 State Street, #9 [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
Checking In On The Warren Lofts
The Scarano-designed development at 335 Warren Street known as the Warren Lofts hit the market in late 2007. Six of the eight units sold relatively quickly but two still remain. Brooklyn Heights Real Estate still has #201 listed for $599,000 and #301 listed for $625,000. The finishes look pretty standard and the units have the whole Scarano mezzanine thing going on. Who's looked at these?
The Warren Lofts [Brooklyn Heights Real Estate] GMAP
March 4, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Photo by Brewing the Perfect Beer
Sixpoint and Frankies to Partner Up?
Eater shares an "unsubstantiated and somewhat far fetched rumor" that "the Franks (of the Frankies Spuntinos and Prime Meats) are working in conjunction with Shane Welch of Sixpoint Craft Ales to open a cafe on Court Street and (yes and) a Frankies beer garden in the vicinity of—or perhaps even in—the current space of the Sixpoint Brewery." Eater also notes that neither Welch nor anyone at Frankies will confirm this rumor, "but it's something to watch out for. "
A Closer Look at Glass Shop
Last week, we reported on the new Crown Heights coffee house, Glass Shop. According to Grub Street, they're open and serving "Australian-style espressos ($2.50) and lattes ($3 for 8 oz.). No drip for now, but there’s also a selection of PG Tips teas and simple sandwiches (ham and egg, sardine) as well as egg specials in the morning... and in warmer weather there’ll be a 600-square-foot garden in the back." Has anybody been in yet?
Where to Wet Your Whistle
The bar at Prime Meats is officially open, and Time Out New York posted their "wallet-friendly" cocktail menu — but TONY also reviews the well-crafted cocktails at the less-hyped Jack the Horse Tavern in Brooklyn Heights: "the Robbie Robbie, a cockle-warming spin on the Scotch-based Rob Roy, which enlists Luxardo’s cinnamon-flavored bitter, Amaro Abano, to spicy effect. The Dos Amentes (tequila, mescal, Cherry Heering, dry vermouth, lime juice and cognac-almond syrup) is a rich tequila drink that allows the spirit’s aromatic, vegetal character to shine through."
After the jump: Eating out in Clinton Hill, CSA news, beloved butcher closes up shop in Coney Island, Dom DeMarco hits up the Pizza Hall of Fame, and the Brooklyn Inn adds more seating...
February 26, 2009
House of the Day: 190 Dean Street
Here's an interesting property: The three-story brick house at 190 Dean Street at Bond Street in Boerum Hill is currently configured as three floor-thru residential units along with a three-car garage at the rear. The building, which is asking $1,600,000, will be delivered vacant, though, so a buyer could convert the ground-floor space back to retail and create a duplex apartment above it. The interior still has some nice detail and looks to be in decent shape, though a new kitchen would likely be in order in the scenario we describe above. What do you think the store could rent for in this location?
190 Dean Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
Latest Restaurant Additions
-
Carroll Gardens Classic Diner
added July 2, 2009 12:00 PM in Boerum Hill -
Tripoli
added July 1, 2009 12:00 PM in Cobble Hill -
Williamsburger
added June 30, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Brooklyn Bread Cafe
added June 29, 2009 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens, Park Slope -
Naidre's
added June 26, 2009 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens, Park Slope -
Amorina
added June 25, 2009 12:00 PM in Prospect Heights -
Caracas Arepa Bar: Brooklyn
added June 24, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Dawg Shack
added June 23, 2009 12:00 PM in Gowanus -
Mitchell's
added June 22, 2009 12:00 PM in Prospect Heights -
City Sub
added June 19, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope