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Closing Bell: Heights Montessori Renovated, Expanded
This is old news at this point, but the Brooklyn Heights Montessori School in Cobble Hill has completed a renovation and expansion that was years in the making. The Montessori purchased the adjacent fire patrol station at 12 Dean Street in July 2009. The result? The school added 11,000 square feet to the existing campus and also renovated the entire facility. It’s pretty cool looking. Click through for more photos.
Brooklyn Heights Montessori School [Official Site] GMAP
Photos by Keith Telfeyan (more…)
05/24/2012 4:00 PM
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The Big Reveal: 110 Amity + 314 Hicks
Two townhouse projects in Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill recently lost scaffolding. The first is 110 Amity Street, the single family, Cobble Hiill townhouse already under ownership. (It is next door to the larger townhouse project under construction at the old Lamm Institute.) It pretty much turned out like the rendering. The second is Brooklyn Heights’ 314 Hicks Street, on the corner of State Street. It’s a “modern reinterpretation” of a single-family townhouse, but this one’s still on the market. According to the developer’s website, it’s still asking $6.4 million. Like the way they turned out?
The New Build Next to 110 Amity Street [Brownstoner] GMAP
Townhouse Going Up at 314 Hicks Street [Brownstoner] GMAP
05/21/2012 11:30 AM
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Last Week’s Biggest Sales
1. PARK SLOPE $2,600,000
587 5th Street GMAP P*Shark
We liked this limestone home when it was HOTD back in September 2011. We said: “The parlor floor is gorgeous and the two-story extension results in a very generous layout. Only negative is the kitchen which feels a little tired. But if you can swing the $3,150,000 asking price, you can probably pony up another $100,000 to tune that up.” This house had been in the same family since the 40s! Entered into contract on 2/10/12; closed on 4/18/12; deed recorded on 5/9/2012.
2. COBBLE HILL $2,020,000
171 Warren Street GMAP P*Shark
Another HOTD pick. The house has charm, but the listing wasn’t showing many pictures. We felt it was “hard to weigh in with much confidence on the asking price of $2,500,000 but our gut’s telling us that, despite the great Cobble Hill location, the renovation price tag will be enough to make it tough sell at that number.” Guess someone fell in love with this house. Entered into contract on 2/2/12; closed on 4/26/12; deed recorded on 5/9/2012.
3. WILLIAMSBURG $1,985,587.50
22 North 6th Street, #27KL GMAP P*Shark
The listing was pulled on this Edge condo sale. Entered into contract on 2/24/12; closed on 4/11/12; deed recorded on 5/11/2012.
4. BOROUGH PARK $1,850,000
1644 52nd Street GMAP P*Shark
A 4,420-square-foot, three-family house. Entered into contract on 11/23/12; closed on 4/27/12; deed recorded on 5/10/2012.
5. CARROLL GARDENS $1,800,000
564 Henry Street GMAP P*Shark
This home was asking a hefty $2,300,000. We noted, “If the sellers, who’ve owned the four-story house for 35 years, had just left it alone it would probably be having more luck than it is now, but let’s just say that some of the interior design decisions they made are probably working against it.” Entered into contract on 1/30/12; closed on 4/24/12; deed recorded on 5/10/2012.
05/15/2012 11:30 AM
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Building of the Day: 385 Henry Street
Brooklyn, one building at a time.
Name: mixed-use commercial/residential building
Address: 385 Henry Street
Cross Streets: Corner Warren Street
Neighborhood: Cobble Hill
Year Built: 1871
Architectural Style: Italianate
Architect: Unknown
Landmarked: Yes, part of Cobble Hill HD (1969)
The story: This building is such a neighborhood anomaly. For far too many people today, a building’s worth is measured in terms of potential FAR, so the mere sight of this fabulously wide and low, two-story building must fill them with aggravation every time they pass it. “If only it wasn’t landmarked! Think of the condo we could build here!” Well, too bad. This little 19th century gem is going to stay just as it is. (more…)
05/11/2012 3:00 PM
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Middle Eastern Restaurant Opens at 316 Court Street
Here’s a shot from the opening night this Sunday at Levant Brooklyn, the new Middle Eastern restaurant open at 316 Court Street in Cobble Hill. According to the Facebook page, the spot “specializes in Middle Eastern Mazzeh, Grills and Manakeesh (a cross between pita and pizza.)” Check out some pictures of the dishes at Pardon Me for Asking. It’s open for brunch and dinner, from 11am to 11pm every day of the week. GMAP
05/07/2012 2:00 PM
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House of the Day: 28 Verandah Place
28 Verandah Place was an Open House Pick back in 2009 when it was on the market for $2,795,000 (having been reduced from $3,100,000). At just over 2,000 square feet, it’s relatively small for a house; at $2,795,000, it’s also pretty pricey on a per-square-foot basis. It’s location overlooking on one of the quaintest streets around and overlooking the small park deserves some kind of premium, as do the exposed joists that provide some lovely character to the carriage house. Time will tell whether the price is realistic. The market sure is stronger than the last time the sellers tried.
28 Verandah Place [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
05/07/2012 1:28 PM
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Last Week’s Biggest Sales
1. COBBLE HILL $2,950,000
30 Strong Place GMAP P*Shark
This home was asking $2,800,000 when it was HOTD this January. At 17-feet, it’s narrow, but overall we called it “a lovely house in a great location.” Apparently a few others agreed with us! Entered into contract on 1/12/12; closed on 4/4/12; deed recorded on 4/23/2012.
2. BROOKLYN HEIGHTS $2,700,000
9 College Place, #4E GMAP P*Shark
Not much info on this condo sale at the Love Lane Mews. Entered into contract on 5/3/12; closed on 3/23/12; deed recorded on 4/25/2012.
3. WILLIAMSBURG $2,025,000
135 Bedford Avenue GMAP P*Shark
This sale made big news last week, as NY1 anchorman Pat Kiernan made this Burg purchase. As a broker said: “The sale price is unprecedented in that $2,025,000 is the highest price ever paid for a single family home in Williamsburg.” Here’s a video of the home interior. Entered into contract on 12/13/12; closed on 4/9/12; deed recorded on 4/25/2012.
4. BOROUGH PARK $1,900,000
1615 52nd Street GMAP P*Shark
No details on this three-family home. Entered into contract on 2/24/12; closed on 3/23/12; deed recorded on 4/27/2012.
5. MIDWOOD $1,900,000
942 East 9th Street GMAP P*Shark
No details on the sale of this one-family home. Entered into contract on 4/3/12; closed on 4/3/12; deed recorded on 4/27/2012.
Honorable Mention: 221 Clinton Avenue, HOTD in August 2011, asking $2,200,000, sold for $1,870,000.
05/01/2012 11:30 AM
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Cobble Hill Parents Still Fighting School Construction
The parent’s fight against construction work at PS 29 in Cobble Hill came to a head last Friday, when a group of about 70 parents protested the work scheduled to begin that night. The concern revolves mainly around the asbestos abatement and the dust levels caused by construction, scheduled to happen while kids are still in school. There was a previous protest last Monday. Parents met with the the School Construction Authority three days after the first protest (involving a three-hour meeting covered in detail by the Times), at which one parent told us “a pathetic display” of responsiveness to the matter at hand was evident. Despite the meeting, the SCA planned to begin work on Friday, so parents announced another protest, and even threatened to form a human chain around the site to stop construction. Work on the asbestos abatement did not begin Friday because more prep work is needed. But some parents are filing for an injunction, while others have threatened to remove their children from school if the abatement proceeds. “It’s not only wrong, it’s criminal,” parent Michael Nigro told us, regarding the failure of the SEC and and Department of Environmental Protection to put notifications up of the aesbestos abatement seven days before work begins. He stated that the SCA had “rendered the parents powerless.” The SCA still says the work will stay on schedule. There are about 30 days left of school, with interior and exterior construction continuing into the summer. See more pictures from the protest and last Thursday’s hearing after the jump.
Rally Tonight to Halt Work at PS 29 [Brownstoner] (more…)
04/30/2012 11:30 AM
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Co-op of the Day: 363 Henry Street
It’s hard to find a three-bedroom apartment these days in Brownstone Brooklyn. This one at 363 Henry is a little unusual. It’s the upper duplex of a Cobble Hill brownstone with a double height ceiling in the living room. We’re not particularly moved by the finishes though (pretty middle of the road, no historic detail) and you don’t get access to the yard. The asking price is $1,349,000 with a monthly maintenance of $1,020.
363 Henry Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
04/26/2012 12:58 PM
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Closing Bell: Cobble Summer Camp Banner Stolen Again!
As of Monday morning, a banner that small business owner Michelle Thaler had put up on Court and Bergen advertising her summer camp Food Art for Kids had been stolen—marking the second time it had been thieved in a month. Michelle had this to say to us in an email: “So I waited a month, and on Saturday I hung a new banner, much smaller than the previous one at the same spot (corner of Court and Bergen). To my surprise, within less than 2 days, that banner went missing as well! Now, being a lawyer, I know that this form of advertisement does not require a permit or a license, as long as I get the permission of the owners of the lot (which, of course, I did). The banner, as you can see in the pic, is not an eye sore, and did not ‘uglyfy’ the street scenery in any way! There are many banners similar to mine in the neighborhood… religious institutions put them up on their fences all the time and so are other businesses … it just makes me wonder why mine is causing so much opposition!” Michelle is flummoxed by the the thefts and doesn’t suspect that it was teenagers since they usually get bored after pulling a stunt once and don’t do it again. Again, in her words: “I thought about going to the police but that actual damage is just the banner’s value ($200). I can’t even begin to describe the damage to the business side being that summer is close and I want as many families to know about my camp. I was a lawyer in my previous career, and I know that my banner was legal.” We’re filing this under news of the weird. Why would anyone steal a banner like this twice?
Summer Camp Banner Stolen on Court Street Last Night [Brownstoner]
04/25/2012 4:00 PM
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Last Week’s Biggest Sales
1. PARK SLOPE $3,350,000
494 3rd Street GMAP P*Shark
A HOTD in November 2011. “The five-story, 22-foot-wide brownstone has lots of impressive original detail and grand proportions. The location, just in from 7th Avenue, is great too.” It’s configured as a four family and was asking $3,699,000. Entered into contract on 2/4/12; closed on 4/3/12; deed recorded on 4/17/2012.
2. COBBLE HILL $3,300,000
357 Henry Street, #1 GMAP P*Shark
This is the first townhouse that sold at the 110 Amity Street mansion. It was asking $3.85 million. Entered into contract on 2/22/12; closed on 4/2/12; deed recorded on 4/18/2012.
3. CARROLL GARDENS $2,275,000
240 Carroll Street, #4 GMAP P*Shark
A four bed/three-and-a-half bath condo in Carroll Gardens. Here’s the listing. It was asking $2,250,000 and sold just a hair above asking price. Entered into contract on 1/27/12; closed on 3/27/12; deed recorded on 4/17/2012.
4. PARK SLOPE $1,955,000
596 3rd Street GMAP P*Shark
A “Single Family Townhouse in Original Condition,” says the listing. It entered contract only 16 days after hitting the market. Was asking $1,860,000. Entered into contract on 1/24/12; closed on 3/28/12; deed recorded on 4/18/2012.
5. WILLIAMSBURG $1,936,967.06
22 North 6th Street, #26KL GMAP P*Shark
This South Tower unit also came with a storage space. Entered into contract on 2/3/12; closed on 3/30/12; deed recorded on 4/16/2012.
04/24/2012 11:30 AM
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Closing Bell: Rally Tonight to Halt Work at PS 29
This evening parents will rally at PS 29 in Cobble Hill in concern of the asbestos removal at PS 29 while school is still in session, which they say is in violation of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection Regulations. A parent tells us: “On Friday afternoon the parents at PS 29 were informed that on Monday asbestos removal would begin around the windows of the school. Everyone one was completely taken by surprised by this including the administration. We are outraged that the SCA thinks it is safe for our kids to attend a school while they are removing asbestos.” Parents circulated a flier which reads: “Do you trust that containment, cleanup, and monitoring and repeat cleanup will be done meticulously and without error and negligence?! Oppose this work taking place while school is in session! Please join all concerned parents as we protest in front of the school building tonight at 5:30PM.” The asbestos removal was supposed to begin at the school tonight, but it is being postponed until Friday due to the weather. Parents are asking that all construction work cease at the school until summer break. You can also sign a petition to stop the construction work here. The school principle is also encouraging parents to come to the PTA meeting this coming Thursday to address ongoing concerns.
04/23/2012 4:00 PM
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First Townhouse Unit Sells at the Amity Street Mansion
The first “townhouse” unit sold at the 110 Amity Street conversion, previously the Lamm Institute building in Cobble Hill. The final price: $3.3 million, according to public records. The 14,243-square-foot building was converted into three townhouses, the first of which went on the market in January for $3.85 million. The townhouse itself is described as a “Grand loft parlor floor with floor to ceiling windows, woodburning fireplace in the living room, open dining and amazing state of the art cook’s eat-in kitchen… Library and master bedroom with bath en suite, plus 3 bedrooms, English basement for media and spa.” Pretty fancy sounding. Any readers get to tour this place when it was on the market?
A Peek at Interior Plans for Amity Street Mansion [Brownstoner]
Details Revealed on 110 Amity Conversion [Brownstoner] GMAP
04/20/2012 11:30 AM
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210 Pacific Street Lot Picked Up By Developer
The sizable lot at 210 Pacific Street, between Court Street and Boerum Place, sold to a unidentified developer for $2.8 million. The DOB approved plans to build a seven story, ten unit building here a few years back. This lot is near the newish conversion at 216 Pacific (the Flavor Paper building), across the street from long-under-construction 215 Pacific Street, not to mention another another empty lot, and down the block from the new condo building 233 Pacific. In short, a block that has seen (and will continue to see) quite a lot of construction. GMAP
04/19/2012 12:00 PM
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House of the Day: 282 Clinton Street
This new brownstone listing at 282 Clinton Street looks traditional on the outside but the interior is another matter. There aren’t a ton of photos to judge from, but to us it looks like a reasonably nice attempt at modern but not one for the design magazines. The most eye-popping feature is the glassed-in, double-height breakfast room built on the ground floor of the two-floor extension at the back of the house. The asking price is $3,750,000, which is no small amount of money, but the listing claims 5,000 square feet of living space which doesn’t come out to a crazy price per square foot for prime Cobble Hill.
282 Clinton Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
04/16/2012 1:26 PM
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Open House Picks
Park Slope
290 6th Avenue
Corcoran
Sunday, 12:00-2:00
$2,995,000
GMAP P*Shark
Cobble Hill
48 Tiffany Place
Halstead
Sunday, 1:30-3:00
$1,600,000
GMAP P*Shark
Bed Stuy
37 Brevoort Place
Brown Harris Stevens
Sunday, 2:00-4:00
$945,000
GMAP P*Shark
Bay Ridge
264 78th Street
Betancourt
Sunday, 1:00-3:00
$939,000
GMAP P*Shark
04/13/2012 1:07 PM
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House of the Day: 271 Degraw Street
This brick house at 271 Degraw Street is likely to attract a lot of attention from buyers. The single-family house, which is priced at $2,895,000, has lots of original detail (love that parlor floor crown molding!), an attractive, recently-renovated kitchen on the ground floor, and plenty of room for bedrooms on the top two floors. There’ll be no lack of folks dying to live in this place, so we’ll see if the asking price will hold.
271 Degraw Street [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
04/11/2012 1:24 PM
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How the Smith Street Bunker Will be Transformed
A reader forwarded along this listing for commercial space at 166 Smith Street, the former MTA property where renovations began last week. It’s possible Lululemon claimed a chunk of the commercial space on the corner of Wyckoff, although the company did not return requests for info, and perhaps their branding is only being used for marketing purposes. And it looks like there will be residential units on the top floor. To date, we haven’t heard back from either the architects of this project or the broker representing the commercial space.
Work Begins at Former MTA Property 166 Smith Street [Brownstoner]
166 Smith Street Under Construction [Realty Collective]
MTA Sells Smith Street Eyesore [Brownstoner]
Three Brooklyn Winners on AMNY’s Most-Fugly List [Brownstoner] GMAP
04/09/2012 10:00 AM
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Work Begins at Former MTA Property 166 Smith Street
According to the Realty Collective blog, construction workers began the transformation of what was once considered one of the fugliest buildings in Brooklyn, on the corner of Smith and Wyckoff. DOB approved permits for a four-story, eight-unit building at the site of the windowless, concrete bunker at 166 Smith Street. It does not look like the original structure will be demolished, though. Grasso-Menziuso Architects is on the job, but hasn’t yet returned calls for more details. The building sold last November for $3.5 million.
166 Smith Street Under Construction [Realty Collective]
MTA Sells Smith Street Eyesore [Brownstoner]
Three Brooklyn Winners on AMNY’s Most-Fugly List [Brownstoner] GMAP
04/05/2012 10:00 AM
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Ethiopian Joint Expanding from the City to Cobble Hill
Last week Community Board 6 approved a liquor license for an Ethiopian restaurant at 242 Court Street, the Quercy space between Kane and Baltic streets. Turns out Awash, an well-reviewed Ethiopian restaurant in the East Village and the Upper East Side, will open its first location in Brooklyn. Here’s a menu for the two other restaurants. The owner did not say at the community board meeting when she plans to open. GMAP
04/02/2012 2:00 PM
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adam_dahill
May 21, 2012 | 02:16 PM