Prospect Lefferts Gardens
October 29, 2009
Co-op of the Day: 125 Hawthorne Street Studio
We had to hit the reset button on this post because the widget was set wrong...Across the street from yesterday's House of the Day, there's a nice-looking prewar studio for sale at 125 Hawthorne Street. If you're a sucker for those pointed archways and built-in bookcases like we are, this place might be for you. Even if the listing verbiage didn't say it explicitly, we would have guessed it was a sponsor unit from the cheap, out-of-place closet doors. Bad move. Anyway, the maintenance is low at $338 and the asking price of $189,000 is one of the more affordable we've seen recently. Anyone game?
125 Hawthorne Street [Douglas Elliman] GMAP P*Shark
October 28, 2009
House of the Day: 136 Hawthorne Street
The folks who just put 136 Hawthorne Street on the market bought the house in rundown condition back in 2004 for $280,000 and then did a two-year painstaking renovation that maintained the historic details while modernizing the systems as well as the kitchen and bathrooms. Now they've put it on the market for $995,000. If this were in the Lefferts Manor historic district, we'd say they might have a shot, but since it's not and it's only 2,300 square feet, we'd be surprised if they get their asking price.
136 Hawthorne Street [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
Ocean on the Park Landmarking: The Details
We gave you the short version yesterday morning, but there's more to the Landmarks Preservation Commission's vote yesterday to approve the Ocean on the Park Historic District in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. In addition to the obvious architectural merits, the row is notable for a couple of historic reasons: (1) the land it's on was owned in the mid-17th century by Jan van der Bilt, the progenitor of the Vanderbilt family in America; (2) one of the buildings, 193 Ocean Avenue, was owned and occupied by Charles Ebbets, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers and developer of Ebbets Field. Those of you who've been following along know that the designation of the twelve 19th-century row houses was a rocky process, with two of the owners fighting the effort and one City Council Member initially blocking but then acquiescing to the landmarking. The final chapter played out yesterday at the LPC hearing, when the owner of 189 Ocean Avenue made a last-minute plea to be left out of the district. Most interestingly, the Commission held a separate vote to calendar the adjacent lot at 185 Ocean Avenue as a possible addition to the district; this is notable because a developer already tore down the beautiful old house there and started to build a new development only to run out of money in the process. As Brooklynista wrote in the comments of yesterday's post, "Indeed, what the LPC did today was major because it signaled to preservationists and developers alike that the swinging of the wrecker's ball may not necessarily mean the struggle to preserve a historic site has been forever lost."
BREAKING: Ocean on the Park Houses Landmarked [Brownstoner]
Ocean on the Park: Crisis Narrowly Averted [Brownstoner]
Councilman Threatens Ocean on the Park Historic District [Brownstoner]
Big Day Coming Up for Brooklyn at Landmarks [Brownstoner]
LPC Moves Ahead With Two New Historic Districts [Brownstoner]
LPC to Consider Ocean Avenue Historic District [Brownstoner]
October 27, 2009
BREAKING: Ocean on the Park Houses Landmarked
We'll have more details for you in the morning, but we just got word that the Landmarks Preservation Commission just approved the Ocean on the Park Historic District. Past coverage here. Whoopee!
October 19, 2009
Closing Bell: In Memoriam
Today marks one week since the shooting at Parkside Donut and Kennedy Fried Chicken, at 188 Parkside Avenue in Lefferts Gardens. An impromptu memorial has grown next door to the restaurant for Brian Scott, a.k.a. Cozmik, an 18-year-old rising star of urban inline skating. Two other men were shot, both in stable condition.
Rising Inline Skater Is Fatally Shot in Brooklyn [NY Times]
September 17, 2009
Closing Bell: Stalled Project Mural
Bob Marvin of PLG Arts wrote to us with pictures of a community mural installed at the site of a stalled development project—the 20-story glass tower planned by developer Henry Herbst and Gilman Architects that first hit the presses back in March 2008. The mural, along the fencing of the site, was a collaboration between local artists, students from the Maple Street School, and the community at large, in an effort to reclaim what had become a neighborhood eyesore. Mr. Marvin says that, although the proposed tower seems too high, he has no quarrel with Herbst's Park Tower Associates: they consulted the neighborhood concerning their proposed development, and they allowed PLG Arts to use their fencing for this mural project. The one thing they asked, in fact, was that no panel of the mural be offensive to any religious or ethnic group. We haven't had the chance to bike by yet, but from the photos the mural looks spectacular! GMAP
September 16, 2009
House of the Day: 165 Fenimore Street
This one-family house at 165 Fenimore Street in Prospect Lefferts Gardens hit the market in July when it was an Open House Pick. It was listed for $849,000 back then and is still listed at $849,000. No price cuts here! It's a very attractive house and manages to have five bedrooms despite its size of 2,364 square feet. By comparison, 128 Rutland Road, which is a block away and almost 1,000 square feet larger, just sold last month for $930,000. Where do you think this one will end up?
165 Fenimore Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
September 2, 2009
House of the Day: 168 Midwood Street Revisited
When 168 Midwood Street was first featured as a House of the Day over a year ago, it was a FSBO asking $1,350,000. At the time we wrote, "It's got a nice feel to it, which is good because the owner is trying to sell it for almost double what she paid in 2004." The consensus among commenters was that it was overpriced (and that she needed to invest in some decent photographs), a view that has proven to be on-the-money as the house has languished on the market. The owner finally gave the listing to Corcoran in March, where it's been sitting with its still-too-high price tag of $1,250,000 since. What's it gonna take to move this house?
168 Midwood Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
House of the Day: 168 Midwood Street [Brownstoner]
August 18, 2009
StreetLevel: New Lure in PLG
Although the Jim Mamary-backed BBQ joint in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Whiskey Sunday, opened a scant 8 months ago, the restaurant has already been re-imagined. This time: fish. A missive on the change came through from a PLG-er: "The owners of PLG's Whiskey Sunday officially refashioned the Bar-b-Que joint into 'Fly Fish' this weekend. The restaurant has been redecorated to give it a more dock-like aesthetic and has a seafood-based menu, but will keep some of its old BBQ favorites." Click through for a snap of the menu.
Streetlevel: Mamary's New Lincoln Road Spot Opens Today [Brownstoner] GMAP
August 17, 2009
House of the Day: 2101 Albemarle Terrace
According to the listing, this single-family brick house at 2101 Albemarle Terrace needs some renovation love, but, man, what great raw material to work with: "Designed by Slee & Bryson, and constructed in 1917, the graceful center stair design offers large open rooms with beautiful original oak and mahogany parquet wood floors, original plaster moldings, many built-ins and generous closet space throughout." Totally sweet. Think the asking price of $819,000 is low enough, though, given the work that will have to be done?
2101 Albemarle Terrace [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
July 29, 2009
Co-op of the Day: 416 Ocean Avenue, #12
This three-bedroom apartment at 416 Ocean Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens came to market two months ago asking $395,000 and recently was reduced to $367,500. At 1,234 square feet, it's a large prewar pad and the exterior of the building is lovely. The interior photos, usually well done in Corcoran listings, don't help the apartment put its best foot forward though, so before cutting the price again, we'd suggest investing a couple hundred bucks in some decent photography!
416 Ocean Avenue, #12 [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Brooklyn Restaurant & Bar Openings
Greenpointers snapped this photo of the roof deck at Berry Park, the new bar on the corner of North 14th and Berry... Grub Street says that the new Eton location on Sackett (behind Zaytoons) will be serving frozen dumplings, plus "sixteen to eighteen varieties of bubble tea... as well as 26 varieties of Hawaiian shave ice year-round"... Brooklyn Based reports, "Caroline Fidanza, founding chef of Marlow and Sons and Diner, is opening a new place of her own called Saltie" in the old Cheeks space at at 378 Metropolitan... Thrillist shares interior photos of Der Schwarze Kolner in Fort Greene... And Little Buddy Biscuit Company is opening its first retail shop at 635 5th Avenue, near 18th Street, says Fork in the Road.
Guss' Pickles Relocating to Brooklyn
After 85 years on the Lower East Side, Guss’ Pickles is making a move. Grub Street reports: "We called Roger Janin, who has operated the stand along with his mother, Pat Fairhurst, since 2004, and he confirmed that in about four months, he’ll reopen in the Borough Park area, at 39th Street between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Avenues. The reason has nothing to do with a greedy landlord — it’s simply that fewer old-timers are coming and business has dropped off, even during the Jewish holidays."
Recently Reviewed: King of Tandoor
600 Flatbush Avenue, PLG; (347) 533-6811
"The papadum was perfect... The chicken in the kebabs were a bit dry but the flavor of the marinade was good. The jalfrezi was a mix of pepper, potato, carrot, broccoli, cauliflower and zucchini. The vegetables still had some snap and the sauce was good with some heat," writes Hawthorne Street, after visiting King of Tandoor on opening day. Service is reportedly slow, as this new kitchen works out the kinks, but all food is 25% off through Friday, to celebrate their opening week.
After the jump: Restaurant Girl hits Prime Meats, Sam Mason doles out $5 dinners tonight, Bruni bikes through Greenpoint, a blogger calls out Edible Brooklyn, and butcher Tom Mylan moves on...
Widget Underprices for Third Straight Time
On the heels of yesterday's discussion about the price widget prediction falling short for the second time, a reader sent us a third data point. Once again, the average appraisal fell far short of the selling price. After being listed for $899,000, 29 Maple Street received an average prediction of $727,425 from readers; the house closed for $830,00 on July 6, 2009. Maybe the fact that the average prediction is, thus far, falling so far of the sales price makes perfect sense. After all, the seller only needs one good buyer, and anyone putting in a bid is probably going to like the house more than the average reader. In this case, it looks like somewhere around 20 to 25 percent of the votes cast were at or above the actual sales price. Maybe we should switch to using the median and noting the three quartile break-points. Could it be that the top quartile is really the predictive number? We'll wait for a few more data points before overhauling but it's certainly feeling like that may be the more useful way to parse the data.
House of the Day: 29 Maple Street [Brownstoner]
29 Maple Street [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
Bearish Brownstoners Miss Mark on 2nd Street Sale [Brownstoner]
July 16, 2009
House of the Day: 265 Sterling Street
This pretty limestone house at 265 Sterling Street in Prospect Lefferts Gardens came on the market back in February at $849,000 and is currently suffering death by a thousand (okay, three) price cuts. Last week's was more of a trim than a cut, bringing the asking price from $749,000 to $735,000. This kind of gradualism is tempting as an owner but in this market it seems like getting out in front of the market with an attention-getting reduction is probably the way to go. Beautiful interiors though!
265 Sterling Street [Douglas Elliman] GMAP P*Shark
June 25, 2009
Facelift for Flatbush?
It's been more than three decades since the stretch of Flatbush Avenue that divides Prospect Heights and Park Slope had anything resembling a makeover. That's all about to change, as the North Flatbush BID begins to solicit bids from contractors for implementing a planting-and-bikerack-heavy redesign from W Architecture and Landscape Architecture. (Nevermind that the rendering above appears to actually be Park Place and not Flatbush.) "We haven’t had a facelift since the 1970s," the BID's Executive Director Sharon Davidson told The Brooklyn Paper. “We should be more of a destination than a conduit to Downtown Brooklyn.” With a recent kick-in from the Borough President, the project currently has $600,000 pledged toward it.
Could This Be the New Face of Flatbush Avenue? [Brooklyn Paper]
CB7 Approves Park Circle Changes
Last week was a big one for Park Circle, the traffic roundabout at the Southeast corner of Prospect Park where the major roadways of Prospect Park Southwest, Ocean Parkway, Coney Island Avenue and Parkside Avenue all come together. Earlier this year, the Department of Transportation began examining short-term improvements it could make to balance the interests of pedestrians, bicyclists and horseback riders with the drivers navigating the hectic circle. Last Tuesday night DOT presented its recommendations [PDF] to the community and on Wednesday Community Board 7 voted to support them. Here's a summary from Streets Blog:
1) For pedestrians: new, direct and shorter crosswalks;
2) For cyclists: Class 1 bike path around the circle; connection to the Ocean Parkway Greenway; Class 1 bike path on Ft. Hamilton Parkway;
3) For equestrians: Protected bridle path within the circle;
4) For motorists: Park through-traffic will be consolidated to one access point.
Good news?
DOT Proposes Park Circle Improvements; CB 7 Approves [Streets Blog]
Brooklynites Suggest Park Circle Safety Fixes [Streets Blog]
Changes Coming to Park Circle this Fall [Stable Brooklyn]
June 24, 2009
House of the Day: 212 Midwood Street
The interior of this brownstone at 212 Midwood Street in Prospect Lefferts Gardens has been beautifully renovated. The big question, then, is whether that's enough to compensate for the fact that the house has only two above-ground floors (plus an English basement). The asking price is $979,000, which would fly if there were another floor, but we're not optimistic given its actual size. Thoughts?
212 Midwood Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
June 11, 2009
Foreclosure of the Week: 115 Fenimore Street
This free-standing wood house at 115 Fenimore Street in Prospect Lefferts Gardens is scheduled for auction this week, though given that the lien against it is only $26,051 we'll be surprised if it actually makes it to the auction block. The auction takes place on Thursday at 3 p.m. in Room 274 at 360 Adams Street.
115 Fenimore Street [Property Shark] GMAP
June 5, 2009
2233 Caton Avenue Sells Out
When we reported back in 2006 that a new condo building was being built at 2223 Caton Avenue, we wrote that "the 15-unit building will be an interesting test to see how far out the market for cookie-cutter "luxury" apartments can push." Well, two and a half years later, it seems that the project passed the test. We received an email earlier this week from a reader trumpeting the fact that the final two units had just gone into contract making the building sold out. Impressive. GMAP
June 2, 2009
PLG House Tour Recap
We've been hearing rave reviews from readers who attended the Prospect Lefferts Gardens House Tour this past weekend. Here's one:
These homes were nearly across the board respectful to original architecture and historic qualities, while being exuberant and inventive expressions of individual owners. My absolute favorite: the house on Chester Court (owned by two interior design professionals). Also a favorite: the Fenimore St. garden designed by Nigel Rollings. But wouldn't want to limit my praise there. So many distinct and wonderful renovations. Of all the homes, only one or two had the odd merit of being very nice but not extraordinary.
Other reactions?
PLG Gets Its First Organic Market
Yesterday we received word from an excited resident of Prospect Lefferts Gardens. The cause of her excitement? PLG just got its first organic market. Set-up was underway yesterday at the new store at the corner of Flatbush Ave and Lincoln Road when she snapped this cell phone pic for us. Back story: The shop's called "JH Papa & Son Organic Market" and it was opened in the space of a former bodega by the owners of the existing Papa & Son market across the street. Are other PLG'ers just as excited?
May 28, 2009
The PLG House & Garden Tour is This Weekend
Fenimore Street Garden, recipient of 2006 award from Assoc. of Professional Landscape designers (By Jennifer Rish)
The 39th Annual Prospect Lefferts Gardens House and Garden tour will happen this Sunday, May 31st, from noon until 5 p.m. According to the organizers, the tour will include 11 stops ranging from "a 1905 brick home where 'urban archaeology' has revealed original beauty beneath a century of paint and various remodeling; restoration/rejuvenation is given an exotic twist by adding ancient Moroccan, Portuguese, and Turkish accents" to "the eco-friendly renovation of a two-family 1910-11 home, with an abundance of stained and slag glass, maintains its historic detail while providing an open, airy and contemporary feel." The photos above give a taste of some of the tour's stops. Tickets cost $20 if you buy them in advance and $25 day-of; tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour at K-Dog & Dunebuggy at 43 Lincoln Road, which is also the event's starting point. Tour proceeds will benefit the Lefferts Manor Association. More info is available by calling 718.284.6210 or 718.462.0024.
May 18, 2009
House of the Day: 207 Fenimore Street
When 207 Fenimore Street in Lefferts Manor first hit the market in February (when it was an Open House Pick), the detached frame house was asking $850,000. Now the single-family pad is asking $799,000. The house as a whole has a nice historic vibe, though we're not loving some of the choices in the newly renovated kitchen. Can someone who lives nearby speak to how nice this block is? How low can this go?
207 Fenimore Street [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
April 30, 2009
House of the Day: 216 Maple Street
This three-story limestone at 216 Maple Street at Rogers Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens is, like many houses in the area, a real beauty. In addition to the impressive wood paneling, we're quite taken with the separate side entrance on the ground floor. The asking price of $985,000 isn't nuts but we suspect the market-clearing price will end up being more like $900,000. What do you think?
216 Maple Street [Brooklyn Bridge Realty] GMAP P*Shark
April 29, 2009
Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
Photo by Kristen Goode
Return of the Carroll Gardens Empanada Lady
The Empanada Lady has been setting up shop on Sackett and Smith once again, but according to About.com: Brooklyn, "[her] schedule is a tricky one. She and her cart can go missing for weeks at a time. The only way to tell if she's open for business? Look for her 'specials of the day' sign to appear on Smith Street -- No sign, no empanada lady." However, Chowhound pupburger makes her sound more high-tech than that: "According to her website, her hours vary according to her sales, check twitter for updates on her whereabouts." We can't find the URL -- is this 'Hound for real?
Catering to "Obsessions with Food and Real Estate"
Brooklyn Laundry is one of those dinner clubs (like the Whisk & Ladle or 4 Course Vegan) where patrons pay ahead to dine with strangers in a secret location. But this one has a twist for those interested in real estate: The dinner parties will be "housed in (among other places) various apartments on the market... Whether you’ll dine in a Madison penthouse or on an Orchard Street rooftop is anyone’s guess," says Daily Candy. Dinner costs $60 per person (or $80 with wine).
Brooklyn Restaurant and Bar Openings
The Flying Cow, an "eclectic Argentine-style restaurant—part Latin steakhouse, part tapas bar," is now open at 2 Hope Street (near Roebling Street) in Williamsburg, says Time Out New York... An Eater tipster says that the old Marco Polo Take Out space on Court Street (near Union Street) in Carroll Gardens will soon house a wine bar called Enoteca on Court: "From what we heard the opening date will be around the 3rd week of May... The wine will be international, the food small plates, panini, cheeses and salumi and pizza from the wood-burning oven." ...Clinton Hill Blog notices that Epoca has closed, but some commenters say that a new seafood restaurant is set to open in the space in June... And, finally, TONY reports on the new Bushwick bar, Tandem (236 Troutman St between Knickerbocker and Wilson Aves), where beers are served in ceramic cups that the owner turned on a potter's wheel.
After the jump: Jacques Torres ice cream, Whiskey Sunday, Totonno's, Beer Table, a Williamsburg sandwich tour, and Dressler on the big screen...
Latest Restaurant Additions
-
Chickadee Chick
added November 6, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Vutera
added November 5, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Park Cafe
added November 4, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Bahia
added November 3, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Aqualis Grill
added November 2, 2009 12:00 PM in Fort Greene -
Wombat
added October 30, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Organic Heights
added October 29, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Giardini Pizza
added October 28, 2009 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens -
Rye
added October 27, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Bati
added October 26, 2009 12:00 PM in Fort Greene