Wallabout
August 10, 2009
Streetlevel: Fresh Fanatic Opens Tomorrow
Fresh Fanatic, Wallabout's first gourmet grocery, is set to open tomorrow morning. Since we first broke the story, we've learned that the product mix will include pastries, sushi, deli and butchered meats, fresh pasta, fish and salad bar; in addition, there will be a broad selection of groceries. Hey, there will even be an iPhone app for ordering breakfast!
275 Park Avenue Market Revealed [Brownstoner] GMAP
275 Park Avenue: Market? Yes. Asian? No. [Brownstoner]
Streetlevel: Asian Market for Wallabout [Brownstoner]
June 10, 2009
Streetlevel: Fresh Fanatic Coming to Wallabout
Via a tipster, news of a new storefront opening slated for 80 Washington Avenue in Wallabout. About all we know about it is based on the name on the sign—Fresh Fanatic—so we're guessing cafe or organic grocery. Oddly, this is just two doors down from the space on the corner that's rumored to be a market as well. Anyone know details? GMAP
May 15, 2009
Open Studios This Weekend in Fort Greene & Clinton Hill
This Saturday and Sunday the SONYA (South of the Navy Yard Artists) Stroll celebrates its 10th Anniversary with its biggest open studio weekend ever. The free, self-guided walking tour takes place from 12-6 p.m. both days across parts of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Wallabout. For a complete list of artists and locations, check out this map.
Horror Show Friday: Mutant Facade Repair
We were biking through Wallabout earlier this week and were struck by the rather odd design choice at 33 Vanderbilt Avenue. For some reason, someone decided to put a layer of screamingly new brick on the lower half of the facade. What possible reason—other than pure bad taste—could account for this decision? Is it cheaper than repairing the existing facade? GMAP
March 5, 2009
Navy Green: Shovel Ready By The End of the Year?
Like many people, we've been wondering when the heck there was going to be some news about the much-anticipated Navy Green, the 460-unit mixed-use development on almost the entire block between Vanderbilt and Clermont on Flushing Avenue across from the Brooklyn Navy Yard. After hitting a dead end with HPD, we were able to find out from Council Member Letitia James that the project is expected to start the ULURP process in May or June and be done by the end of the year; there may be some minor alterations to plans that were released back in 2007 but no significant changes are expected. We'd also be surprised if there were much, if any, opposition to the project. We like the idea of some more residential activity in that part of Wallabout. Here's the description from the developer's website, which is also where the rendering above came from:
Navy Green is located in the Fort Greene/ Wallabout area of Brooklyn. The 103,000 square foot former prison site will be converted to a unique new construction, mixed use development consisting of approximately 460 residential units, commercial space, open space and a community facility. Residences are a combination of supportive housing, affordable rental, mixed income coops, and market-rate town homes. Construction is slated to begin in late 2009.
Come on, let's get this party started!
Brig Site: A Peek at What's on the Drawing Board [Brownstoner]
434 Units Announced for Former Brig Site [Brownstoner]
August 13, 2008
Streetlevel: Il Porto Opening Tomorrow
We may have been jumping the gun a little when we proclaimed back in April that Il Porto, the pioneering Italian spot in Wallabout, was "nearing launch." Now, however, after stopping by during a friends-and-family soft launch yesterday, we can report with confidence that the restaurant will be open to the public tomorrow. As the photos show, the eatery sports a brick oven, full bar and lots o' tables. Il Porto joins the cuban restaurant Mojito on this block of Washington Avenue, which also counts RePop and PEP Gallery as tenants. Let's hope Il Porto can make this location work—we think this block has great potential.
Streetlevel: Il Porto Nearing Launch [Brownstoner]
Streetlevel: Brick Oven Pizza for Wallabout [Brownstoner]
June 3, 2008
Closing Bell: Upgrade for Flushing Tree Plantings
Over the last couple of weeks, the tree beds along Flushing Avenue, which were originally planted a couple of years ago, have been getting an upgrade in the form of these belgian block layouts. You likey?
Hall Street Storage Goes From Cold to Warm
A year ago we sounded the alarms about efforts by the new owners of the giant Hall Street Cold Storage complex in Wallabout to get a residential variance, a move that would likely have involved tearing down the six-story structure. A couple of weeks ago, however, it became clear—in a billboard-sized way (see photo on the jump)—what HK Management plans to do with the space, at least in the short- to medium-term. Like several other properties in the area, 30 Hall Street is being converted into self-storage space. Not exactly community-building stuff but at least they're not tearing it down.
Piece of Historic Wallabout Threatened by Developers [Myrtle Avenue] GMAP P*Shark DOB
Continue reading "Hall Street Storage Goes From Cold to Warm"
May 1, 2008
Development Watch: Grand Plans on Grand Avenue
Despite the economic downturn and news of stalled or abandoned projects, there's still tons of residential construction happening all over Brooklyn. Assuming people actually move into all these new apartments (unlike dozens of other cities filled with near-vacant or unfinished projects), within a few years new residential enclaves will sprout up in places where people used to only work. For example, on one industrial block of Grand Avenue, snuggled between the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Myrtle Avenue, we counted five new projects totaling 119 apartments. On one side, two Scarano projects would add 8 units each; a conversion called The Retro Loft is almost done with 28 units; and a 35-unit project is planned, although only a fence stands at the site. On the other side is 74 Grand Avenue, which is 40 units. Despite its proximity to the much-maligned expressway, the block is actually quite pleasant, with the steady hum of industry to one direction (some find that sound soothing) and the residential neighborhood at the other end. All the basic food groups are conveniently within walking distance—Pizza, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Sushi, Mediterranean, Diner and Bodega—but the only nearby train is the... G. Fortunately the expressway is close! How do you think this block will fare?
Development Watch: 74 Grand Avenue [Brownstoner]
April 17, 2008
Streetlevel: Il Porto Nearing Launch
Il Porto, which promises to be an oasis in the culinary desert that is Wallabout, is moving steadily toward it May launch. When we passed by this week, contractors were hard at work installing the two storefront window areas at 37 Washington Avenue. Contrary to what we wrote first time around, the brick oven pizza restaurant will not be run by the same folks who ran the Brooklyn's Best Pizza in this location in recent years. It's a new crew. Given that our new office we're about to move into is just a couple of blocks from here, we're thrilled.
Streetlevel: Brick Oven Pizza for Wallabout [Brownstoner]
March 10, 2008
Closing Bell: Repaving That Will Have to Be Repaved
Biking past the construction work on Flushing Avenue last week, it occurred to us that the sidewalk that was being rebuilt was not being widened to accommodate the Brooklyn Greenway that is planned to run around the outside of the Navy Yard. Seems kinda silly. GMAP
March 7, 2008
Brig Site: A Peek at What's on the Drawing Board
It's been crickets since the city announced the ambitious redevelopment of the Brig site in Wallabout last April, and the project is still being designed, according to representatives from HPD and Dunn Development. Nevertheless, we didn't want to miss the opportunity to showcase these fascinating renderings for the site—dubbed Navy Green—that are on Architecture in Formation's website (other architects on the job are FXFowle and Curtis + Ginsberg). Dunn is partnering with L&M Equity on the 434-unit, mostly affordable build, which will also have commercial and open space. "The development team will meet with Brig community task force in the next few months," says HPD spokesperson Neill Coleman, and construction's likely to start in '09. Bring it.
BREAKING: 434 Units Announced for Former Brig Site [Brownstoner]
Latest Restaurant Additions
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Le Barricou
added November 20, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Der Schwarze Kölner
added November 19, 2009 12:00 PM in Fort Greene -
Oak Wine Bar & Café
added November 18, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Mr. Wonton
added November 17, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Casa Rosa
added November 16, 2009 12:00 PM in Carroll Gardens -
Cousin John's Café & Bakery
added November 13, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Elote
added November 12, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Miracle Grill
added November 11, 2009 12:00 PM in Park Slope -
Phoebe's Cafe
added November 10, 2009 12:00 PM in Williamsburg -
Ruthie's
added November 9, 2009 12:00 PM in Clinton Hill, Downtown Brooklyn