June 17, 2009

Condo of the Day: 44 Cheever Place

This one-bedroom apartment at 44 Cheever Place has high ceilings and large windows, both of which get it high points in our book. We suspect the owner put a lot of care into the paint job but suspect that the listing might fare better with something more neutral. The832-square-foot floorplan is reasonably laid out and there are approved plans for a mezzanine over the kitchen (paging Scarano). And if you're a driver, you can pick up a space in the building for $35,000. Monthly common charges are $570 and the asking price is $560,000. Waddya think?
44 Cheever Place [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
Condo of the Day: 44 Cheever Place [Brownstoner]

June 11, 2009

Cobble Hill Towers Condo Plan Drops

We're hearing that some tenants at the historic Cobble Hill Towers have begun receiving their Red Herring Condo Offering Plans in the mail. The wheels for the conversion were set in motion a little more than a year ago when long-time owner Frank Farella entered into a joint venture with the Hudson Companies to reposition the 186-unit complex. From what we gather, current tenants (or any new tenant that rents an apartment before the condo plan is approved by the Attorney General towards the end of this year) will have the option to purchase their units at an insider price of $500 per square foot; they'll have 90 days from when the plan is approved to exercise this option.
Cobble Hill Towers May Go Co-op [Brownstoner] GMAP
Exclusive: Hudson To Partner on Cobble Hill Towers [Brownstoner]

June 10, 2009

Development Watch: 238 Atlantic Avenue Gets Glassy

The large development that runs from Atlantic Avenue to Pacific Avenue along Boerum Place continues to proceed. Furthest along is the four-story building on Pacific Street, which already has some windows installed. Further east on Pacific, a one-story structure is partially complete. Anyone know what this is going to be? Parking? The entire complex will have a total of 55 residential units and none of the buildings will be more than six stories tall.
Development Watch: 238 Atlantic Avenue [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 240 Atlantic Avenue Revisited [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Development Watch: 240 Atlantic Avenue [Brownstoner]

June 9, 2009

Sam's Pizza Maestro Hangs Up Apron

A Cobble Hill legend has hung up his spurs: According to Lost City, Mario Migliaccio, who has made the pizzas at Sam's Restaurant at 238 Court Street since he came to the U.S. from Italy almost 60 years ago, has passed the torch to his son Louis following the death of his wife recently. "No need to worry," says Lost City. "The place isn't going anywhere, and Louis doesn't plan to change a thing." GMAP

June 4, 2009

House of the Day: 143 Amity Street

We won't dispute the listing's claim that 143 Amity Street is a "timeless brownstone beauty," because that's certainly what the Cobble Hill house is, no doubt about it. But the asking price of $3,900,000 comes in at over $1,000 per foot which seems quite pricey for a 17-footer whose kitchen is "ready for a new touch," no? We're not even sure this house would fetch the ask if it were located on the Brooklyn Heights side of the tracks either. Thoughts?
143 Amity Street [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark

June 3, 2009

Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Cafe Tapeo Becomes Cyprus Avenue
52 5th Avenue, Park Slope
Tipster dwarbi reports that tapas joint Cafe Tapeo has reopened as an Irish pub: "Tapeo was struggling for a while — almost always empty. Every time we walked by it we wondered when it would close." The new pub, Cyprus Avenue, is presumably named after the Van Morrison song about the street in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Has anyone stopped in yet?

Upcoming Brooklyn Food Events
This Saturday, June 6 from 6-9pm, stop by the BKLYN Yard for music from Finger on the Pulse and $7 BBQ plates from Hapa Kitchen... Plus, tickets are available now for Brooklyn Based's screening of Food, Inc, a new documentary about the American industrial food system, at the Bell House on Wednesday, June 10. Doors are at 7pm and snacks will be provided by Roebling Tea Room, Sweet Deliverance, Nunu Chocolates, and McClure's Pickles, and there's a pre-show open bar courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery. Following the film, catch a Q&A with director Robert Kenner ~~and author Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), who also appears in the film~~.

Closings and Bankruptcy
A few Chowhounds are mourning the approaching closing of Park Slope favorite Tempo (Saturday will be their last night in business), while Zagat reports that "Garden Cafe, the No.1 rated Brooklyn restaurant in Zagat’s NYC Survey, closed last week after nearly 25 years in operation in Prospect Heights." And Crain's says that Elementi in Park Slope "filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection" but remains open for business.

After the jump: Openings in Bed-Stuy, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Williamsburg, and Bushwick; reviews of Cafe Pedlar and Farmer in the Deli...

Continue reading "Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up"

Fire at 216 Pacific Street

This just in from a reader...Fire broke out a little while ago at 216 Pacific Street (between Court and Boerum), the former garage currently being converted into a mixed-use building with three apartments. According to the tipster, the Fire Department has it under control.
Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB

May 26, 2009

House of the Day: 243 Kane Street

While we're on vacation this week, we're spotlighting some properties that have been on the market for a long time...After being purchased for $1,802,000 in June 2007, 243 Kane Street hit the market asking $2,950,000 in July; the price was increased in September to $3,400,000 and again in May 2008 to $4,075,000 before being reduced slightly to $3,995,000 in June. The price stayed there until the end of December when it was trimmed to its current asking price of $3,850,000. It's an extra-wide house in a great Cobble Hill location but the renovation, while not corner-cutting by any means, strikes us as being as much of the problem as the price. It's one of those neither-fish-nor-fowl jobs: The house has lost its historic charm but the look that replaced it is not successful enough in its modernism to make up for it. Do you agree?
243 Kane Street [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark

May 21, 2009

Lamm Lots Coming Down in Price

The Lamm Institute at 110 Amity Street, which hit the market in March for $4,500,000, is holding firm on its price but the surrounding lots have just been reduced. The four lots at 357, 359 and 361 Henry Street and 120 Amity Street are now offered at under $1 million each, down from their original level $1,400,000; they all already have approved plans for four-story houses. GMAP

May 8, 2009

217 Court Coming Down?

According to Lost City (and the reader who sent in the photo at left), Court Street was blocked off this morning to make way for the a large crane that will be, reportedly, involved in the demolition of the building. "The word from the surveyors is: It's coming down!" writes LC. "Has to come down. No choice. Too damaged. The constant rain was the likely culprit." These photos are a couple of hours old. Any update? GMAP

May 7, 2009

Building Collapse at 217 Court Street

Around 3:30 a.m. today, the building at 217 Court Street in Cobble Hill (which had a Stop Work Order in place) suffered a partial collapse. "It appears that they were doing some sort of construction in the building," said FDNY Deputy Chief Peter Leicht. "The rear of the building collapsed. The roof collapsed and some of the floors collapsed. They collapsed onto about the second floor." Leicht blamed the collapse on the unusually large amount of rain the area has received in recent days. The building was unoccupied but residents of the two neighboring buildings were evacuated as a precaution. According to WCBS TV, most, if not all, of the building will need to be demolished. Check out this Curbed post for a photo of the aftermath this morning.
Partial Roof Collapse Causes Evacuations In B'klyn [WCBS TV] GMAP
Partial Roof Collapse In Brooklyn, Nearby Buildings Evacuated [NY1]

May 4, 2009

Set-Back at 229 Court Street

The renovation of the former Miriam space at 229 Court Street in Cobble Hill hit another snag last week when the storefront project was slapped with a Stop Work Order. The Court Street location of Miriam closed in December, though the Park Slope outlet remains open. Does anyone know what the plans are for this space? Are the Miriam owners involved? Restaurant or bar seems likely. GMAP

April 29, 2009

Development Watch: 346-348 Sackett Street

Holy Crap! This double-wide development at 346-348 Sackett Street in Cobble Hill has really flown up in the last two months. Back in early March there wasn't much more than a foundation and the start of a cinderblock wall and now look at it! We'll reserve judgment until we see the windows, but so far this looks fine though we wish they'd used a lighter-colored mortar and included some windowsills and lintels.
Development Watch: 348 Sackett Street [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB

Real Housewives: Simon and Alex's Renovation Revealed!

An hour before Simon & Alex's house renovation was unveiled on last night's new episode of The Real Housewives on New York, we stopped by their Cobble Hill house for a guided tour. The reality show couple livea in the lower duplex (plus renovated cellar) with their two kids and have two rentals upstairs. Enjoy the pics! Update: As a commenter points out, how funny was that to see Marty in the background of their housewarming party on the show last night!

April 27, 2009

Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street

We can't believe we haven't written this one up yet...The former garage at 216 Pacific Street in Cobble Hill is being converted to a mixed-used building with commercial use on the lower two floors and residential use on the upper two floors. The residential portion will be divided up into just three units. Sounds pretty swanky! GMAP P*Shark DOB

Streetlevel: Atlantic Avenue Shell Station Open Again

The removal of four subterranean gasoline tanks now complete, the Shell Station opened a week ago right on schedule much to the relief of area drivers. In late February, the Cobble Hill Blog reported that the work permits required that the job be finished within two months and so it looks like they just made it!
Atlantic Avenue Shell Station to Re-Open by May? [Brownstoner] GMAP
Atlantic Avenue Shell Station: Re-Open or Re-Develop? [Brownstoner]

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 22, 2009

Major Repairs Starting at 129 Congress Street

The five-story brownstone at 364 Henry Street at Congress in Cobble Hill may finally be getting the fix it needs, reports Lost City. The arrival of a bulldozer and some workmen heralded the impending structural work on the five-family house. According to one of the workers, the building won't be torn down, but the long southern wall will have to be entirely replaced. According to the building permit we looked up, DOB green-lighted some initial activity a couple of weeks ago: "Temporary shoring for south wall demo, installation of grade beam to support new exterior block wall to be detailed and erected later by others."
Wall Coming Down in Cobble Hill [Lost City] GMAP

April 17, 2009

New Art Center Brewing on Bergen

A frenchman and a financial-analyst-turned-gallerist are in the process of transforming a former Invisible Dog factory at 51 Bergen Street in Cobble Hill into an arts center with design studios, a community garden and, more importantly, low rents. The project is a collaboration between Muriel Guepin, who opened the Shop Art Gallery on the ground floor of the building last December, and Lucian Zayan, who recently moved to Brooklyn from his hometown of Paris. The space officially opens on May 9; in the meantime, reports The New York Times, they've got a makeshift thrift store up and running on Saturdays and Sundays. GMAP

April 16, 2009

Co-op of the Day: 314 Clinton Street, #3

We're not quite sure how a floor-through apartment in a townhouse like this comes out to 1,712 square feet, but that's what the listing for Apartment #3 at 314 Clinton Street says. The interior of the apartment is very attractive, as is the private roof deck that looks out over the neighboring church. Still, $1,350,000 for a single floor of a townhouse seems a little aggressive in this environment, no?
314 Clinton Street, #3 [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark

April 15, 2009

Development Watch: 414 Hicks Proceeds Apace

L & M Development Partners' 148-unit residential project at 414 Hicks Street has made great strides since we checked it out back in February. The developer's website says that the development will be ready for occupancy in 2010.
Development Watch: 414 Hicks Street [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
Columbia-Hicks Development Still Being Tweaked [Brownstoner]

April 14, 2009

Streetlevel: Watty & Meg Coming to Court Street

A new restaurant called Watty & Meg is scheduled to open at 248 Court Street at Kane later this month. Gothamist, which reports that the space (formerly occupied by Caffe Carciofo) will have 60 seats and feature an open kitchen, speculates that the food will be Scottish. Anyone heard anything more about it? GMAP

March 30, 2009

Co-op of the Day: 200 Congress Street

~~We were surprised to see that over more than four years of writing about Brooklyn real estate, we've never mentioned the co-op building 200 Congress Street.~~ Maybe that's because it's about as unsexy as they come, neither historic nor modern, low ceilinged and lacking charm. On the other hand, it's in a great location and isn't offensive in any way. It's just kinda of low-key and middle of the road. Which is the kind of building where you can sometimes find a deal. At $415,000, we're not so sure this 745-square-foot one-bedroom qualifies, but certainly is a good-sized place that appears to be in good shape; and with a monthly maintenance of $618, could be owned for about $2,000 a month given where mortgage rates are. Waddya think?
200 Congress Street [Halstead] GMAP P*Shark

March 23, 2009

Streetlevel: New Boutique Opens on Court Street

A new boutique called Fork & Pencil opened this weekend in the former Brooklyn Artisans Gallery space at 221a Court Street in Cobble Hill (though it appears the signage hasn't been replaced yet!). "Fork & Pencil carries a boutique mix of antiques and housewares, curiosities and children’s toys," says its website. In an unusual business model, the store owners plan to give away the profits to various non-profits that it thinks are making Brooklyn and the New York-region in general better places to live. There was a wine party on Saturday. Did anyone stop by? GMAP

March 18, 2009

House of the Day: 52 Strong Place

We never cease to be amazed by home owners who, in this day and age, will hire a broker whose marketing scope is limited to a small sign in the window with a cell phone number. Such is the case at 52 Strong Place, a four-unit house in Cobble Hill that appears to have been the victim of an unfortunate facade renovation a few decades ago. (Lost City calls the house "the street's ugly duckling.") Given the number of units and the condition of the exterior, it seems unlikely that the interior will have much to recommend it. Which makes the asking price, which a tipster found out by calling the broker, all the more surprising: $2,499,000. Bonkers, right? The broker is Welcome Home Realty, 917-495-9569. Update: Thanks to the reader who tracked down the listing and some photos here. GMAP P*Shark

Cobble Hill