Park Slope
February 9, 2010
Development Watch: 659 Baltic Street
This four-story job on Baltic near 5th Avenue is looking pretty much complete from the outside. DOB records don't appear to specify whether it's meant to be a single-family or have separate apartments—anyone know? GMAP DOB
House of the Day: 449 6th Street
If you want a great house in a prime location but need a little extra rental income to pull it off, this new listing at 449 6th Street just might be the ticket. The four-story brownstone is divided up into two duplexes. The listing doesn't say what one of them would rent for, but we're guessing around $4,500. With rates where they are, that should help cover almost a million bucks of your mortgage. Given the asking price of $2,300,000, that should get you almost halfway there to covering your monthly mortgage nut.
449 6th Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
Vermeil Inching Towards The Finish Line
Slowly but surely the Vermeil condo on 7th Avenue and Sterling Place is getting closer to selling out. There have been 17 closings in the 22-unit building, and StreetEasy is only showing two units on the market: A 1,602-sf 3-bedroom ($1.1 mil) and a 1,564-sf 2-bed ($1.075 mil). The building, which was pricey from the get-go, hit the market in early '07 and started closing in February of last year. There have been fairly substantial discounts on some of the more recent sales, like a unit initially listed for $1,700,000 that sold for $1.15 million with two parking spots thrown in.
Checking In On The Vermeil [Brownstoner]
More Price Cuts at The Vermeil [Brownstoner] GMAP
Checking in on The Vermeil [Brownstoner]
Changing of the Guard at The Vermeil [Brownstoner]
First Closing at The Vermeil [Brownstoner]
Condo of the Day: Price Cut at The Vermeil [Brownstoner]
Update on the Vermeil [Brownstoner]
February 8, 2010
Co-op of the Day: 75 Prospect Park West, #2B
This co-op that just hit the market at 75 Prospect Park West shouldn't have any problem attracting interested buyers: It's got lots of classic charm and three bedrooms to boot. It's also located right across the street from the 3rd Street entrance to the park. (We're also digging the oh-so-subtle 321 reference: "Stroll down 3rd Street to an ever popular elementary school on 7th Ave.") The price tag is $1,095,000. Think it'll fly?
75 Prospect Park West, #2B [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
February 3, 2010
Co-op of the Day: 47 Plaza Street West, #11C
How sweet it is! This four-bedroom apartment at 47 Plaza Street West in Park Slope has to be one of the finer pads within walking distance of the Park Slope Co-op. After spending the summer on the market, the 11th floor co-op sat out the fall selling season before getting back in the game again this week with a price tag of $1,995,000. In addition to the size (2,270 square feet) and all the prewar detail, we are mighty impressed with all the windows and views this place brings to the table. Maintenance is a tough-to-swallow $3,008 per month though.
47 Plaza Street West, #11C [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
February 2, 2010
580 Carroll-BSA Saga Drags On!
We thought we'd heard the end of the developers of the Enrique Norten-designed 580 Carroll Street putting on the poor mouth for the Board of Standards and Appeals, but we thought wrong! Turns out the builders are still looking for a variance to build two or three more townhouses on the property (where exactly they want to do this is a mystery given that most of the area in front of what's already built looks like it's being prepped for the project's signature gardens, but whatever) and a reader has helpfully sent in the latest appeal to the BSA in advance of a hearing next week. The whole thing, reprinted on the jump, is a fun read, but this is the gist of what the developers are angling for: "1. Reclaiming 1,075 sq feet of interior storage space within the building as usable FAR and three 3 storey town homes. 2. Reclaiming 1,075 sq feet of interior storage space within the building as usable FAR and three 2 storey town homes. 3. Reclaiming 1,075 sq feet of interior storage space within the building as usable FAR and two 3 storey town homes. All these options assume that the Development Group does a conforming development with surface parking as requested by the BSA and face a hardship of 20% or less in reduction in value. We ask that the BSA look at the options and any combination thereof and grant such relief as they deem fair and warranted." We await the BSA's decision with bated breath. In the meantime, as the pic above shows, furniture is already being put into model units at the development.
BSA Smacks Down 580 Carroll Hardship Claim...For Now [Brownstoner]
580 Carroll Developers Cite Chambers of Horror [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 580 Carroll Gets Its Glass On [Brownstoner]
BSA Postpones Decision on Carroll St Norten Again [Brownstoner]
580 Carroll Decision Postponed [Brownstoner]
Slope Rallies Against 580 Carroll, Rags on the BSA [Brownstoner]
Battle Over Carroll St. Norten Build Heats Up This Week [Brownstoner]
CB6 Doesn't Buy Carroll Street Hardship Claim [Brownstoner]
580 Carroll Developer Trying to Supersize Norten Project [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 580 Carroll Street [Brownstoner] GMAP
Enrique Norten-Designed Project in Park Slope Revealed [Brownstoner]
Four Developments Coming to One Stretch of Carroll [Brownstoner]
February 1, 2010
StreetLevel: New Eatery Coming to Old Bagel Delight Spot
A reader sent in a note to say that a large sign has gone up on the old La Bagel Delight space on the corner of 7th Avenue and 5th Street advertising a place that will sell fancy chicken and bread, opining that it "sounds like something Park Slope actually needs. Very nice to see that large storefront not taken over by a bank or real estate agency." Agree? GMAP
These the Slope's Best Chow Options?
The Voice's Fork in the Road blog came up with a ranking of the 10 best Park Slope restaurants, bestowing top honors on Al Di La. Probably not a controversial choice, though some of the others may strike some as questionable: 2. Stone Park Cafe; 3. Convivium Osteria; 4. Taro Sushi; 5. Tacos Nuevo Mexico; 6. Chiles and Chocolate; 7. Cafe Steinhof; 8. ZuZu Ramen; 9. Applewood; and 10. Beer Table. There were also a lot of restaurants mentioned as runners up, including relatively new places like Bark Hot Dogs and Get Fresh. There were a couple omissions we noticed that we'd have bet on at least making the runners up list, including Moim and Alchemy. What say you about the ranking?
Our Ten Best Park Slope Restaurants [Fork in the Road]
January 28, 2010
Closing Bell: Have You Seen This Chicken?
According to a reader, this chicken went missing yesterday from a backyard on 6th Avenue between 1st and 2nd Streets in Park Slope. Supposedly there is a $20 reward for the person who finds her.
House of the Day: 7 St. Marks Avenue
How sweet is this! The old rectory building at 7 St. Marks Avenue in Park Slope is now on the market with an asking price of $2,375,000. The 23-foot-wide house is dripping with detail and the portions shown in the listing photographs look very well preserved. It's currently divided into four units, though, which usually means some kind of toll has been taken on the original structure. Still, pretty sweet. What do you think this is worth?
7 St. Marks Avenue [Core] GMAP P*Shark
January 27, 2010
Streetlevel: Bergen 'In Bloom'
A few weeks ago, Bergen Street's Organic Heights transformed into a different restaurant called Sun in Bloom. There's no overlap in ownership between the two, though the new place is also focused on organic/healthy grub. Sun in Bloom's chef told the Brooklyn Paper that the menu is focused on "living foods," such as "hummus with sprouted almonds, sprouted sunflower seeds, and zucchini." Wraps, sandwiches and salads cost $8.50.
Sun in Bloom [Official Site] GMAP
Looks Like Condos at 134 St. Marks are Finally Selling
134 St. Marks Place, the Scarano-designed North Slope condo near 5th Avenue, appears to have finally found its legs. The development hit the market back in 2007 but, after a couple years and a chilly reception from buyers, listings were yanked. The development made another go of it starting last September, with prices running from $430,000 for a 683-square-foot one-bedroom to $849,000 for a 1,352-square-foot two-bedroom. StreetEasy is now showing six units in contract, and three others left to sell. It took awhile, but this one may yet sell out.
134 St. Marks Place Takes a Mulligan [Brownstoner]
134 St. Marks Place [StreetEasy] GMAP P*Shark
Condos of the Day: 134 St. Marks Place [Brownstoner]
On Sale Soon: 134-136 St. Marks Place [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 136 St. Marks Place [Brownstoner]
January 26, 2010
Development Watch: 571 Carroll Street Now on Show
The scaffolding has come down at the 18-unit project on Carroll between 4th and 5th avenues, and this is what it looks like. Anyone know if it's going to be a condo or a rental?
Development Watch: 571 Carroll Street [Brownstoner] GMAP
Development Watch: 571 Carroll Street [Brownstoner] DOB
January 25, 2010
Co-op of the Day: 495 1st Street, #2
We're hot-to-trot for this one-bedroom co-op at 495 1st Street in Park Slope. Sure, we wish it were a tad bigger but for one person this would be a great pad. Admittedly, we're seduced by the gorgeous woodwork—but the private deck doesn't hurt either. The monthly maintenance is a low $375. And what about that asking price of $575,000? Too much?
495 1st Street, #2 [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
January 20, 2010
That 5th Ave Banh Mi Rumor Turned Out to be True
The buzz last month about a banh mi joint opening on 5th Avenue between 5th and 6th streets was on the money. On Friday, a place called Home S opened in the storefront next to Willie's Dawgs. All banh mi (classic, pork chop, chicken, etc.) cost $6, and bubble teas start at $3.75. There's no pho on the menu, but a guy working there said there's a possibility it might eventually show up.
StreetLevel: Pizza and Maybe Banh Mi for 5th Ave [Brownstoner] GMAP
January 19, 2010
Co-op of the Day: 22 8th Avenue, #1 Revisited
It's been almost a year since we took a look at this eye-popping lower duplex at 22 8th Avenue in Park Slope. As far as we can tell, it's literally flawless, so price must be the only thing standing in the way of a sale. When it hit the market last February it was asking $2,200,000. Now, after a brief stop at $1,950,000, it's listed for $1,800,000. The monthly maintenance of $2,263 probably isn't helping when potential buyers weigh this place against an entire house a little south of here. All we know is that whoever ends up living here will be one happy camper.
22 8th Avenue [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
Co-op of the Day: 22 8th Avenue Duplex [Brownstoner]
Novo Egg Man Strikes Again!
On Saturday a reader sent in the following note about the latest egging incident at the dog run underneath the Novo condo: "I was at the Park Slope Dog Run in Washington Park this evening at 7.45pm, and an egg was once again thrown from the condo, and almost hit my husband...My dog barked at the other dog, as dogs do, and suddenly an egg came from the sky landing on the ground next to my husband. He's sure that if it had hit him, he would have been hurt. I live opposite the school neighbouring the dog park. I have kids screaming outside my apartment most of the time. I moved there, I cannot complain about noise in the neighbourhood..." As it turns out, the reader was well within her rights to be using the dog run at 7:45: We incorrectly reported in the past that the run closes at sundown (because that's what the Parks Dept. posters inside of it say) but, according to Kim Maier, the executive director of the park's Old Stone House, the run was actually built to be accessible 24 hours a day even though the official closing time of the park as a whole is 10 p.m. (Yes, it's confusing.) Maier also says that the Novo's board and the precinct have been notified about the latest egging. Perhaps Park Slope's crazed egg chucker will soon be brought to justice...
Huevogate '09 Still Roiling Slope Dog Run [Brownstoner] GMAP
Slope Dog Run Egging On At Least One Novo Resident [Brownstoner]
January 15, 2010
Scaffolding Down at Connelly's Old Digs
The exterior restoration work on one of Park Slope's most famous addresses, 17 Prospect Park West, appears to be complete. The scaffolding that obscured the property since summer has been removed, and the gorgeous limestone mansion is once again on full display. Contractors are still doing interior work on the house, which the rumor mill said Sarah Jessica Parker bought from Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany but which was actually purchased for $8.45 million by Google employees.
SJP Slope Rumor Dead and Buried [Brownstoner]
SJP Bringing Park Slope to the TV Masses [Brownstoner] GMAP
Sarah Jessica Parker to Slope? [Brownstoner]
January 14, 2010
Plans Finalized, Approved for 79 7th Avenue
We'd been wondering how the plans for 79 7th Avenue--the rundown, one-story strip of stores between Berkeley and Union—so we were pleased to receive an update from one a reader with an update. It turns out that after the developer abandoned plans for an extra-tall second-story in late 2008, he submitted plans to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a simple one-story redo. As this agenda shows, the plans were approved back in November. Off to the races!
Big Plans for 79-81 7th Avenue Quashed [Brownstoner] GMAP
Big Plans for 79 7th Avenue [Brownstoner]
January 13, 2010
Co-op of the Day: 449 9th Street, #2F
This one-bedroom co-op at 449 9th Street is very cute. Great brownstone-y moldings and parquet floors plus good natural light. The major negative is the size of the bedroom, which appears to be just a standard single-windowed side room. Still, for one person, this could end up working quite nicely. Do you think they'll end up getting close to the asking price of $389,000?
449 9th Street, #2F [Warren Lewis] GMAP P*Shark
585 6th Avenue Gets Glassy
The new development at 585 6th Avenue in the South Slope was framed out when we took a look back in October. Now the 25-unit project has all its windows. Anyone know whether this will be condos or rentals?
Development Watch: 585 6th Avenue Coming Along [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 585 6th Avenue [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 585 6th Avenue [Brownstoner] GMAP DOB
Katan Sells Off South Slope Development Parcel [Brownstoner]
January 11, 2010
Armory Athletic Center in the Slope Finally Opening
Hopefully this will have been worth the wait! The Eagle reports that a grand opening ceremony is scheduled today for the long-delayed athletic center at the armory on 8th Avenue between 14th and 15th streets. The Y, which is running the center, has info on their website about charter memberships, which are priced at $40 for adults and $72 for families. According to the site, that buys you access to the new track, fitness machines, and group classes. The center, which was made possible by a $16 million renovation to the armory, was originally scheduled to open more than two years ago.
New Athletic Center at Slope Armory [Brooklyn Eagle]
Slope Armory Set-Back [Brownstoner]
New Muni-Meters for the Slope
The Dept. of Transportation installed dozens of new muni-meters in Park Slope this weekend. An email blast last week from Community Board 6 had this to say about them: "Over 40 new muni-meters will replace more than 240 single space meters currently in use. They will be installed primarily along 5th Avenue between Sackett and 3rd Streets, and on 7th Avenue between Lincoln Place and 6th Streets. These new muni-meters will retain the parking rates currently in effect in this PARK Smart pilot area. Since May 2009, DOT and our community have been experimenting with variable parking rates as one way of addressing vehicular congestion that is endemic to the area. When the meters are in effect Monday through Saturday, the rate will continue to be $1.50/hour during the peak demand hours of 12pm to 4pm and $0.75/hour all other times. The removal of the single space parking meters will also free up valuable sidewalk space for pedestrians, create new opportunities for the installa-tion of more racks for bicycle parking, and additional curbside vehicular parking capacity through variable spacing."
January 8, 2010
StreetLevel: Yona Lee Vintage on 5th Ave is Open
Yona Lee, the latest vintage shop on 5th Avenue, is open for business. The owner of the store used to have an outpost in the East Village that she sold off a few years ago. According to a salesperson, the store primarily specializes in threads from the '70s, '80s and '90s '60s, '70s, and '80s, with prices starting at around $25 for shirts. It's between Sackett and Degraw.
5th Ave Transforming Into Vintage Row [Brownstoner] GMAP
Bigger But Not Better in The Slope
Looking at this kind of before-and-after is a good way to get depressed. The transformation of 561 11th Street was noticed and mused upon by the blog Save The Slope:
We have no idea if the new building is great architecture or not. Personally we prefer the old building. One wonders, though, what has really been gained in this process? The new building is not dramatically larger than the old one. The old building could have been a 1- or 2-family; the new building appears to be a 3-family. Perhaps we have managed to squeeze another couple of people into Park Slope, which is great. Probably someone has made a lot of money in this transaction, or hopes to. But the one certainty is that we have lost a bit more of Park Slope's historic fabric and unique "sense of place".
Bummer.
11th Street: Another One Bites the Dust [Save The Slope] GMAP
Latest Restaurant Additions
-
Bridgeview Diner
added February 9, 2010 12:00 PM in Bay Ridge -
222 Franklin Street
added February 8, 2010 12:00 PM in Greenpoint -
La Petite Provence
added February 5, 2010 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens -
Purple Yam
added February 4, 2010 12:00 PM in Ditmas Park -
Kasia's Restaurant
added February 3, 2010 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
myThai
added February 2, 2010 12:00 PM in Bay Ridge -
Vinnie's Pizzeria
added February 1, 2010 12:00 PM in Greenpoint, Williamsburg -
Vesuvio
added January 29, 2010 12:00 PM in Bay Ridge -
Sue Perette
added January 28, 2010 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens -
Radegast Hall & Biergarten
added January 27, 2010 12:00 PM in Williamsburg