Downtown Brooklyn
July 1, 2009
New Look Proposed for Brooklyn Bridge Gateway
The intersection of Tillary and Adams Street has a pretty bad rep, but that could change if DOT moves ahead with its plan [pdf] to beautify the "gateway to the Brooklyn Bridge" by spiffing up the pedestrian and bicycle path that originates at Tillary. DOT presented its ideas for the upgrade at a public workshop with the Pedestrian Projects Group in Downtown Brooklyn last week; more refinements will be made before the designs come before Community Board 2 in the fall. “The approach from the bridge should be a grand one for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. It should let them feel they’ve really arrived somewhere,” said Terra Ishee of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Pedestrian Projects Group. Check out the StreetsBlog post for lots of details on the proposal.
A Walkable, Bikeable Gateway to the Brooklyn Bridge [StreetsBlog]
Creating a Welcoming Boulevard [Brooklyn Eagle]
DOT Picks Residents' Brains on Tillary Traffic [Brownstoner]
June 25, 2009
Condo of the Day: 110 Livingston Street, #6W
This one-bedroom condo at 110 Livingston Street hit the market last week for $729,000 and was trimmed to $714,000 this week; according to StreetEasy, the 893-square-foot unit was initially purchased from the sponsor two years ago for $545,000. This place has a great layout and personally we really like the kitchen finishes as well. Hard to see how it fetches $800 a foot now when it barely cleared $600 a foot back in the heyday.
110 Livingston Street, #6W [Douglas Elliman] GMAP P*Shark
June 24, 2009
Catsimatidis' 218 Myrtle To Open in September
In a short item on its website yesterday, The Real Deal revealed this tidbit of information about a project we've covered ad nauseam, 218 Myrtle Avenue (though we've been calling in 202 Myrtle all long because of the address its DOB permits are filed under). Turns out the 100-unit rental building is slated to open in September.
At the Desk of: John Catsimatidis [The Real Deal]
June 23, 2009
Development Watch: 277 Gold Street
The Lalezarian family's ambitious rental project takes up almost the entire block of Gold Street between Tillary and Concord Streets in Downtown Brooklyn. We say almost because there was a self-storage owner who refused to part with a building in the middle of the block. We checked in on the Concord side of the project a month ago when it had yet to top out; the Tillary segment, however, is much further along. In fact, when we biked past this weekend, it was completely glassed up save for a few windows on the top couple of floors. Wonder when these are going to hit the market.
Development Watch: 235 Gold Street [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 277 Gold Street [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 235 and 277 Gold Street [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 277 Gold All Topped Out [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 277 Gold Street [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Development Watch: 235/277 Gold Street [Brownstoner] DOB
June 18, 2009
Development Watch: 177 Concord All Glassed Up
Back in February, some of the new windows were in at 177 Concord Street in Downtown Brooklyn. Now they're all in, and a penthouse apartment has been added on the roof. According to a DOB filing, there will be a total of 23 apartments squeezed into this building.
Dev Watch: Windows for 177 Concord Street [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Dev Watch: Karl Conversion at 177 Concord St. [Brownstoner] DOB
Over the Fence at City Point née Albee Square
It's pretty hard to find a good hole in the fence around the site of the former Albee Square Mall and future mixed-use development known as City Point, so we're glad that photo-blogger Bluejake found a way to get a look over the fence.
Ruins of Albee Square [Bluejake]
New Building Plan Filed for City Point [Brownstoner]
Slowly But Surely at Albee Square [Brownstoner] GMAP DOB
Development Watch: Whole Hog at Albee Square [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Albee Square Mall Gets Gutted [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: RIP, Albee Square Mall (Garage) [Brownstoner]
More Details on Albee Square aka City Point [Brownstoner]
June 17, 2009
New Street Furniture Outside Borough Hall
Al fresco lunching just got a whole lot easier for the Downtown business crowd. Yesterday the Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn BID set up 25 tables and 80 chairs in Columbus Park, the public plaza in front of the steps to Borough Hall. The street furniture, which is on loan from the Montague Street BID, will be set up through mid-October. Bravo!!
June 16, 2009
Bumblebees Take Downtown Brooklyn
We missed this when the Eagle first reported on it in May, but McBrooklyn ran a photo yesterday of the traffic barrier on the north side of Tillary Street that gives cyclists an extra buffer against cars and trucks. According to the Eagle, the project was a collaboration between the Groundswell Community Mural Project and the city Department of Transportation that brings together high-school artists to create public art. Very nice.
Brooklyn Traffic Barrier a Thing of Beauty [McBrooklyn]
Teens Beautify Downtown Traffic Barrier [Brooklyn Eagle]
June 12, 2009
CB2 Recap: Navy Green, 470 Vanderbilt Green-lighted
Our Community Board 2 correspondent reports back on Wednesday night's general meeting; the Local also has extensive coverage of the meeting.
A Public hearing about Navy Green (previously reported) preceded the general meeting with a presentation by the developer. No one spoke in opposition but one person questioned the decision to include no on site parking. A second public hearing was held concerning 470 Vanderbilt Avenue’s rezoning (also previously reported) — the developer made a presentation (in which he mentioned that he was indeed still in discussions with Whole Foods) and there were no other speakers. The Public hearings were closed and the meeting began. Navy Green (at left) was approved as requested unanimously with one abstention. A second vote passed 23-12 requesting that some onsite parking be incorporated. 470 Vanderbilt (at right) was approved unanimously with no abstentions.
Eight new Board members were introduced. They are Kay Casanova, Thomas Conoscenti, Michael Epstein, Terrance Know, Kenn Lowy, Jesse Strauss Alejandro, Varela and Siobhan Watson. Two of eight have college degrees in City Planning. Rob Perris gave a shout out to Brownstoner.com in his presentation on the Community Board's new web site — to be activated shortly. Rob was mentioned in a comment on the post about the Community Board rally at City Hall.
June 11, 2009
LPC Gives Arby's Go-Ahead for Historic Fulton Mall Space
After sending the Arby's franchisee with his sights set on the landmarked interior space at 372 Fulton Street back to the drawing board last month, the Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday voted by a 7-1 margin to approve the modified plans. The commissioners appreciated all of the steps the owner took to address their prior concerns, including returning wood floor panels to a darker color and preserving the mirrored wall. (For more detail, see the Brooklyn Paper's coverage.) The last sticking point was the mounting of a large menu board over one of the mirrored arches; the commission instructed the owner to continue to refine the design to minimize its detraction from the historic space. The owner is shooting for a late summer opening.
City Is Satisfied with Arby’s Plan [Brooklyn Paper]
Fulton Mall Arby's Revealed [Brownstoner]
LPC Sends Arby's Back to the Prep Station [Brownstoner]
Arby's Planning to Take Gage & Tollner Space [Brownstoner]
Rumor: Fast Food for Gage & Tollner Space [Brownstoner]
June 9, 2009
Development Watch: 46 Nevins Street
All is quiet at 46 Nevins Street, site of McSam's planned Hyatt Place Hotel. One might assume the economy's getting in the way, but it appears that the Gene Kaufmann design has yet to meet with approval from the Department of Buildings.
Development Watch: 46 Nevins Street [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Development Watch: 46 Nevins Street [Brownstoner] DOB
Checking In On Albee Square
The creation of a 17,000-square-foot public plaza in the Fulton Mall that will be known as Albee Square is well underway. The portion of Dekalb Avenue that is being included in the paved public space has been decommissioned already and the park is is expected to be operational, at least in part, by the holiday season. According to the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership website, Albee Square "will contain new seating, distinctive lighting, and landscaping."
Prepping for the Public Plaza on Fulton Mall [Brownstoner]
Big Plans for Fulton Mall Makeover [Brownstoner]
111 Lawrence Tops Out, Gets Name
111 Lawrence Street topped out this week at 51 stories, making it the tallest building in Brooklyn. At the same time, the rental building also got a new name—The Brooklyner. The building's developer, The Clarett Group, also released the first renderings of the 491-unit project, one of which is posted above. Occupancy is slated for late 2009/early 2010. In addition to killer views, the building will also boast 24-hour concierge service and a full fitness center.
Development Watch: 111 Lawrence Street [Brownstoner]
111 Lawrence Gets Its Glass On [Brownstoner]
1111 Lawrence Revealed [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
111 Lawrence Rising [Brownstoner] DOB
Development Watch: 111 Lawrence Street [Brownstoner]
Digger, Not Much Else at 107 Lawrence [Brownstoner]
Clarett's Big Plans on Lawrence Street [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 107 Lawrence Ready for Next Stage [Brownstoner]
June 4, 2009
Development Watch: Aloft/Sheraton in High Gear
With the Sheraton hotel all glassed up, the Aloft's been playing catch up but is almost topped out. Based on this rendering, the side-by-side sister hotels are supposed to end up at the same height of 22 stories. Overall, this duo's looking pretty classy as far as most Brooklyn hotels go! Could be worse, right?
Development Watch: Aloft on Duffield [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Downtown Sheraton/Aloft [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Aloft Hotel Starts to Take Shape [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 222 Duffield Keeps on Chugging [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Sheraton Hotel Fully Aloft [Brownstoner] GMAP
Duffield Doubleshot Halfway There [Brownstoner] P*Shark DOB
Development Watch: Duffield St. Hotels [Brownstoner]
On Duffield Street, Two Stories Down, 23 to Go [Brownstoner]
May 26, 2009
Downtown Tower Has Been Hit With 12 SWO's
The Daily News looked over DOB records for the under-construction, 51-story tower at 111 Lawrence Street and found that the city has issued a dozen stop work orders on the site since January of last year. Last week, a construction worker fell three stories at the building and sustained minor injuries. There are currently 11 open violations on the job and contractors owe $78,200 in fines, according to the story. At this point, the tower must be getting pretty close to being topped out.
May 22, 2009
CB2 Land Use Committee Hearing Recap
Another report from one of our citizen bloggers...
As part of Community Board 2's Land Use Committee meeting on Wednesday night, there was a public hearing on the special permit extension for the gasoline station at 838-846 Fulton Street also known as 489-93 Vanderbilt Avenue. This is a renewal of an extent special permit until 2017. The station, which been there since at least 1950, has service bays and new gas pumps. The representative of the owner made a presentation. No one spoke against it and the community board has not had any complaints about it in at least 5 years. After the public hearing was closed, a motion was passed, unanimously, to recommend approval of the extension.
Two presentations followed. The first was on Navy Green- Wallabout Bay (pictured at right). This is a 455 unit development- 223 rentals, 102 co-ops or Condo, 23 4-story 2-family townhomes and 95 supportive housing units. It’s a development on City-owned property north of the BQE. The developers include Dunn Development Co, L and M Developers LLC, Pratt Area Community Council (for the supportive housing) and BCHS Inc. It will be built in three stages with the co-ops/condos and town homes dependent on the housing market at the time. 22% of the rentals will be at 40% of AMI, 40% at 60% of AMI, 6% at 80% of Ami, 16% at 100% of AMI and the balance (16%) market rate. There will be no on-site parking as the EAS (environmental assessment statement) found it unnecessary. This exception requires a zoning override. The development will provide onsite bicycle parking.
Navy Green will have two eight-story buildings on one end at two of its corners adjoining a lot across the lot that is privately owned. There will be two 12 story on the other ends corners on the end of the block. Between the eight- and twelve-story buildings there will be on each of the side streets the 23 4-story townhomes. A central green space will open to all residents but not publicly accessible. The supportive housing will contain 95 supportive housing studio apartments. 57 for the formerly homeless and the balance for people making no more than 40% of AMI. There will be social services on site 24 hours a day seven days a week.
The second new development up for discussion was 470 Vanderbilt Avenue (pictured at top). This is a request for a rezoning of a block on Vanderbilt Avenue at Atlantic Avenue and Vanderbilt. This is a 365-unit rental development. To be eligible for the inclusionary zoning bonus at least 20% of the units must be affordable. The developer is using 80% of AMI as the affordability measure; 24% of the units are scheduled to be affordable. The developer had originally proposed a higher number of affordable housing but in consultation with Council member James who asked that more two-bedroom apartments be made available (as opposed to one-bedroom or studios), the affordable housing component contains 29 two bed room apartments in the 85 set aside. The space set aside for the affordable housing remains the same. The developer also needs a variance as to the street wall (to accommodate his design and not force him to build up to the street wall) and a courtyard variance to accommodate the design (with a larger courtyard than required). There will be a two-level underground garage as of right accommodating 320 cars. The developer is looking for a supermarket for the site and announced that Whole Foods is under consideration for the site.
Note: these two presentations were both made prior to City Planning certifying the development for the City’s ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure). It is anticipated that these two will both be certified shortly and since the Board must decide these within a certain number of days-and the committee will not be meeting again for the summer, the Chair requested that there be motions made concerning both developments in concept.
The Committee voted to approve in Concept Navy Green unanimously with one abstention and 470 Vanderbilt unanimously with no abstentions.
Below, CB2 considers two Landmarks applications...
May 21, 2009
80 Dekalb Tops Out
Our invitation must've gotten lost in the mail, but word on the street is that Forest City Ratner is throwing a party today to celebrate the topping out of its 365-unit rental tower at 80 Dekalb Avenue. The building should now be a total of 36 stories. Assuming they're priced reasonably, we suspect there will be good demand for these places, given the rather convenient location.
Development Watch: 80 Dekalb Facade Spreading [Brownstoner]
A Touch of Glass for 80 Dekalb [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
Development Watch: 80 Dekalb Reaches 25 Stories [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 80 Dekalb Avenue Halfway There [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 80 Dekalb Avenue [Brownstoner]
Taxpayers Paying Up for Downtown Rental [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 80 Dekalb Avenue [Brownstoner]
80 Dekalb Avenue: Get Ready for Take-Off [Brownstoner]
Fulton Mall Arby's Revealed
After the Landmark Preservation Commission's rejection of the proposal for an Arby's restaurant in the landmarked interior space at 374 Fulton Street on Tuesday, we managed to infiltrate the inner sanctums of the LPC to obtain a photo of the rendering and plans that the commissioners were looking at when they made their decision. The rendering above shows where the franchisee proposed removing two of the mirrored arcades to make way for the ordering counter and neon signs. Check out a floorplan here.
LPC Sends Arby's Back to the Prep Station [Brownstoner]
Arby's Planning to Take Gage & Tollner Space [Brownstoner]
Rumor: Fast Food for Gage & Tollner Space [Brownstoner]
May 20, 2009
Development Watch: 235 Gold Street
277 Gold Street has now caught up to where its sister building at 277 Gold Street was about six weeks ago when we looked at it. Think they'll be renting by the Fall?
Development Watch: 277 Gold Street [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 235 and 277 Gold Street [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 277 Gold All Topped Out [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 277 Gold Street [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Development Watch: 235/277 Gold Street [Brownstoner] DOB
Talk of Downtown Historic District Revived
The former Brooklyn Union Gas building at 180 Remsen Street was calendared by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in February but the move might just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to landmarking commercial buildings in Downtown Brooklyn. According to a Courier Life article, the Brooklyn Heights Association has revived an effort to create the Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District. The BHA did work with the Municipal Art Society to put together a similar proposal back in 2004, but the LPC decided to cherry-pick five of the 28 buildings suggested for the district. Among buildings the BHA hopes to protect are 177, 181, 185 Montague Street, 186 Remsen Street and 16, 32 and 44 Court Street.
Sky−High Hopes for New District [Courier Life]
180 Remsen Street on Track for Landmarking [Brownstoner]
LPC Sends Arby's Back to the Prep Station
"It might be a square peg in a round hole, but there must be a solution that evokes it better," said Landmarks Preservation Chairman Robert Tierney at yesterday's hearing on Arby's proposed design for the interior landmarked space at 374 Fulton Street that used to house the historic Gage & Tollner restaurant. A majority (six) of the LPC commissioners voted to send the Arby's team back to the drawing board, taking particular exception to their plans for a light-colored floor and the size and structure of the booths and ordering counter; in addition, the commissioners didn't care for the proposed removal of a portion of the mirrored arcade and the addition of certain illuminated signs. Clearly the franchisee who wants to make this work is going to have to break further away from the standard Arby's aesthetic and "look at something more customized," in the words of Commissioner Roberta Washington.
Arby's Planning to Take Gage & Tollner Space [Brownstoner]
Rumor: Fast Food for Gage & Tollner Space [Brownstoner]
May 19, 2009
Streetlevel: Bell Tower Opens on Livingston
In case you were distressed at the news last February of Timeless Treasures's closing, you're in luck: its replacement at 163 Livingston Street in Downtown Brooklyn is another Christian-themed store called Bell Tower. From what we gather, it's being operated by the Tabernacle which owns the building. GMAP
May 15, 2009
Avalon Fort Greene Tops Out
Biking down Myrtle Avenue this morning, we were pretty sure we could count 42 stories at the Avalon Bay development at the corner of Flatbush Extension. Since this is the number of stories listed in DOB permits, we decided to check in with a trusted source and, sure enough, it turns out there was a topping-out party this week. Looks like they forgot to invite a certain someone. To show there are no hard feelings, we will celebrate the occasion by agreeing to henceforth refer to this project as Avalon Fort Greene (the official name) rather than the more specific moniker of Avalon Myrtle that we began using way back when when this was just a glint in the architect's eyes.
Avalon Myrtle Showing Some Brick [Brownstoner]
Avalon Myrtle Passes the 3/4 Mark [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: Avalon Myrtle in High Gear [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Avalon Rising on Myrtle [Brownstoner]
Avalon from Above: Seven Weeks Later [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Avalon Fort Greene from Above [Brownstoner]
Avalon Myrtle Hit With Stop Work Order [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 159 Myrtle Avenue [Brownstoner]
Foundation Push at Avalon Myrtle [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 159 Myrtle Avenue [Brownstoner]
Myrtle Building Boom from Above [Brownstoner]
So That's What Avalon Myrtle Will Look Like! [Brownstoner]
May 14, 2009
Development Watch: 236 Livingston Street
236 Livingston Street is in the fun stage of development from an observer's standpoint—every time you go by it has made satisfyingly big strides. The change since February is pretty dramatic. It's a little hard to tell from this angle, but it looks like it's made it to about 20 stories or so—it's scheduled to top out at 26.
Development Watch: 236 Livingston Street Rising [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: Action at 236 Livingston [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: 236 Livingston Street [Brownstoner] P*Shark DOB
May 13, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
4 New Restaurants
Pardon Me For Asking contributor Manny Simone hit the new vegetarian-friendly Carroll Gardens spot, Olga's on Smith, on opening night and shares the highlights: "The Asian cucumber salad with mint was refreshing (and I don’t even like cucumbers), and the cous cous with garbanzo beans and tomatoes were delicious (my personal favorite)." ...Reader Ashok B tips us off about Grandma Rose's, an Italian-American spot that's opening at 457 Graham Avenue, near the BQE... Shop Downtown Brooklyn notes: "Sea Asian, has moved to 125 Livingston Street (between Boerum Place and Smith Street) in Downtown Brooklyn from its former location at 78 Clark Street in Brooklyn Heights," and they're offering a 20%-off grand opening deal... "Former Momofuku partner Joaquin Baca hopes to make it on his own starting this month with the opening of Brooklyn Star in Williamsburg," says Grub Street's Alexandra Vallis, who is particularly excited about trying Baca's Dr. Pepper Ribs.
Get Sloshed with the PS 58 PTA
It ain't as crazy as the upcoming Gene Ween show at PS 29 in Cobble Hill, but the PS 58 PTA in Carroll Gardens is hosting A Taste of May, a wine bar crawl, this coming Tuesday, May 19. Advance tickets cost $50 and will buy you a glass of wine and a small plate at 3 of our favorite neighborhood spots — Jake Walk, Chestnut, and Black Mountain Wine House. If this link doesn't work, you can pick up your ticket at one of the venues.
Food Trucks Park at The Yard
388–400 Carroll St., nr. Bond St., Gowanus
Grub Street reports that BKLYN Yard (the Gowanus venue formerly known as, simply, The Yard) is getting ready to reopen on May 23: "This year, it launches with an event called Parked, which will bring food trucks such as Pizza Moto, the Community Juice Truck, Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, and more. As for the rest of the season, Red Hook vendor Margarita will be back with her huaraches (get there early, before they’re devoured)."
After the jump: Brooklyn's take on California cuisine, why you should avoid Lucali's this week, and a gas station where you can fill up on gefilte fish...
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