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The Dangers of the Renovation Next Door
Somehow we missed this story over the weekend in the Times about renovations that threaten neighboring property. We have been surprised to see how often this issue comes up on Brownstoner. We frequently write about residents evicted because of structural damage to their homes caused by nearby construction, and the topic has also come up recently in the Forum. We are beginning to wonder if structural damage is almost inevitable when renovations involve digging around 19th-century brick row houses. (Makes sense: In San Francisco, where we are from, even an insignificant tremor can damage old, unreinforced masonry.) The story in the Times profiles a property owner in Brooklyn Heights, Elisabeth Cunnick, who is girding for construction of a 9,000-square-foot building next door. (more…)
04/16/2013 9:00 AM
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CONFIRMED: 187 7th Avenue Has Sold
Last month a tipster passed along news that the infamous, dilapidated townhouse on the corner of 7th Avenue and 2nd Street sold “in a closing that lasted all night.” Well, the sale just hit public records for the grand sum of $4.2 million. It’s listed as an eight-unit building. The former owners had this building in their possession for years and recently struggled with a long foreclosure battle. The buyers are under an LLC but the deed lists a Manhattan address that either leads to Sugar Hill Capital or New Holland Residencies. Both are real estate firms that work in Brooklyn, although Sugar Hill specifically acquires and repurposes multi-family building in New York. We can hardly imagine what kind of shape the interior is in. That’s a high price to pay, likely accounting for the amazing location.
Did 7th Avenue Wreck Finally Sell? [Brownstoner] GMAP
02/06/2013 11:45 AM
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Bit of Facade Falls in Cobble Hill
A little bit of the brick facade at 360 Henry Street fell the day after Christmas, producing a huge crashing sound — but luckily, no one was hurt, a reader reported to us. The part of the facade that fell was above a second-floor window. (more…)
01/02/2013 10:30 AM
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Park Slope Eyesore Fixed and For Sale
A crumbling building that bedeviled neighbors and the city for years has been transformed by one of the cleanest renovations we have ever seen. Long-time owner Peter Santini sold the boarded-up residence for $975,000 in 2010 to an LLC, presumably a developer, who renovated inside and out, leaving in the historic details such as the white marble fireplaces, and adding lots of new white marble in the kitchens and baths. We’re amazed to see it looking so fine. It’s been on the market since early October — in fact, it was an Open House pick. It’s now asking $3,990,000. Curious what you think about the renovation. Click through for the surprising after shots, including interior pics. (more…)
11/15/2012 9:00 AM
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Slave Theater Auction Postponed Again
The fate of the Slave Theater at 1215 Fulton Street in Bed Stuy is still up in the air. An auction of the building that once housed the famed Afrocentric cultural institution was expected to take place today but has not been scheduled. It is not clear if an auction will be set for next month or at all. No word on whether building owner Rev. Samuel Boykin is in contract or sold the building, though in August several potential buyers were reported to be interested. The New Brooklyn Theater did not reach its goal of raising $200,000 through Kickstarter, but may still be able to raise some funds directly to try to buy the building, if it is still available. “Due to the hurricane, I have been told that the entire process may get pushed back because of availability from the Department of Buildings who is going to be helping with Sandy related issues,” said New Brooklyn Theater Executive Producer Sarah Wolff.
Photo by Andreas Burgess
New Brooklyn Theater to Hold Meeting About Slave Theater [Brownstoner]
11/05/2012 10:45 AM
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Oldest House in Prospect Heights Now Just a Front
Just the front facade is all that is left of the wood-frame house at 580 Carlton Avenue between Prospect Place and St Marks. It looks like a movie set now. In 2011, the severely damaged property, one of the oldest in Prospect Heights and dating from before 1855, sold for $480,000, and in December permits were approved for alteration, specifically: ”rear yard addition of two stories, rehabilitation of existing three story structure, no change in use, egress or occupancy.” Going by the photo here, it looks like they’re doing more than that. But now there is a “notice to revoke” on that same permit, dated July 9. After the house sold, by the way, it was briefly listed for sale for $2 million, with the owner promising to renovate to the buyer’s specifications. (The website for the property is still up.) The house is in the Prospect Heights landmark district. Click here to see the eerie interior photos taken by Cara Greenberg of Casacara when she checked out the 2011 open house. It was in such precarious condition that attendees had to sign a release form before they were allowed inside. We hope the renovators plan to reuse some of the interior details such as the beautiful fireplaces and moldings, but it seems unlikely. Thanks to Cara for sending us the photo above.
House of the Day: 580 Carlton Avenue [Brownstoner]
Renovations Planned for 580 Carlton Avenue [Brownstoner]
Customize 580 Carlton Avenue for $2 Million [Brownstoner]
Work Begins on Prospect Heights’ Hard-Knock 580 Carlton [Brownstoner]
10/29/2012 10:00 AM
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Demo Continues on Halsey Street
Check out this Flickr feed of the ongoing demolition at 834-836 Halsey Street. The badly damaged yellow home on the left, 836 Halsey Street, is totally gone at this point. But as for 834 Halsey Street, our tipster wonders: “It looks [like] they are trying to save 834. There appears what looks like some sort of stabilizing feature being introduced into the building from top to bottom. I am not an architect or structural engineer, but it is obvious that this — as well as weatherproofing on the north side of the house — is taking place (where 836 had connected to it).” You can see a detailed image of the new siding on 834 Hasley here. The DOB has not issued a demolition permit on the property but there is a full vacate order. So it looks like No. 834 may be renovated and saved, meaning there will be no five-plot empty lot here, as we previously speculated.
Demolition for Two Bed Stuy Homes [Brownstoner]
10/24/2012 9:00 AM
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Hope for 364 Henry Street?
The owner of long-dilapidated 364 Henry Street has a date with the Landmarks Preservation Commission for a major building upgrade. According to public records, the building still belongs to John Quadrozzi, who promised to repair the structure back in 2010. Here are the proposed changes on the LPC agenda for both 364 Henry and 129 Congress Street, the adjoining building around the corner: “An Italianate style rowhouse built in 1852-53 and a two-story brick stable building built c.1860. Application is to alter the facades, construct rooftop and rear yard additions, install a stoop, bay windows, light fixtures, roof deck, a metal fence, alter window openings on the stable and modify and add curb cuts.” A pretty big project for a pretty big eyesore! Looks like the item was laid over from tomorrow’s meeting, so it may be some time before work actually happens. The LPC issued a lawsuit for failure to maintain the historic structures two years ago. On the DOB end, the buildings have a long history of stop work orders; the DOB issued the last stop work order this July.
364 Henry Still Rotting? [Brownstoner]
364 Henry to Get Fixed [Brownstoner] GMAP
LPC Targets Henry Street Homeowner [Brownstoner]
10/22/2012 10:30 AM
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Repairs Start at Sunset Park Rent Strike Building
The three buildings in Sunset Park where tenants are striking are finally getting repairs, reported the New York Daily News. Electrical wiring, broken windows, tiles, hand rails, holes, and leaks at 545, 553 and 557 46th Street are being fixed, while piles of trash are being removed from the basement, in response to pressure from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. “Faulty fuse boxes at one building required the constant use of portable fans to keep from overheating,” said the Daily News, and occupants were terrified the building would go up in flames. Some of the workers are from HPD, which took the building owner, Orazio Petito, to court last month over violations at the building. Tenants have been withholding rent over the poor conditions since July, and in that same month an elderly tenant was allegedly assaulted by the building super while attempting to film repairs to the wiring.
Sunset Park Buildings Branded Firetraps Finally Getting Repairs [NY Daily News]
Judge Removes Super From Sunset Park Building [Brownstoner]
Tenant Punched, Arrests in Sunset Park Rent Strike [Brownstoner]
Sunset Park Rent Strike This Thursday [Brownstoner]
Photo by Kate Leonova for PropertyShark
10/11/2012 10:00 AM
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Landmarks Moves to Save Sunset Park Ex-Police Station
The exotic Venetian-Norman Romanesque Revival red brick former police station and stables on 4th Avenue and 43rd Street in Sunset Park is the subject of a feud between city landmark officials and the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association, which owns it, reported the New York Daily News. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is threatening to sue the nonprofit for “demolition by neglect,” which could fine the group as much as $5,000 per day, unless emergency repairs are made immediately. Meanwhile, the Chinese-American Association is asking for grants and breaks on fines to restore the falling-apart building, which is open to teens, vagrants and stray cats. (more…)
08/27/2012 10:00 AM
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Judge Removes Super From Sunset Park Building
Court cases stemming from violence in the Sunset Park rent strike are moving forward. A Brooklyn judge ordered building superintendent Israel Espinoza to vacate the embattled Sunset Park building where he lives and works by 4 pm yesterday, issued two orders of protection, and upgraded assault charges against him, according to a press release from the Sunset Park rent strike. The super allegedly assaulted 65-year-old rent striker Francisca Ixtilico last month, sending her to the hospital for several days with cerebral bleeding. Meanwhile, the court has postponed hearings in the case against Occupy Sunset Park activist Dennis Flores to Sept. 12 because of lost paperwork. Last month, police arrested and charged both Flores and Espinoza with third-degree assault and a misdemeanor for fighting each other, according to the document. Yesterday, the rent strikers and two reverends from nearby Trinity Lutheran Church called for the court to charge Espinoza with felony second-degree assault. Building tenants at 553, 545, and 557 46th Street began a rent strike on July 5 to protest ongoing problems with hazardous wiring, vermin and garbage, and say they fear unsafe wiring will cause an electrical fire. The building has many violations and is in foreclosure. Tenants have asked Felix Ortiz, a New York State assemblyman representing Sunset Park, to take action. If repairs are not made immediately, tenants said, they plan to make emergency repairs themselves.
Occupy Sunset Park Press Release [Facebook]
Judge Bounces Super out of Building After Brawl With Tenant [NY Daily News]
Tenant Punched, Arrests in Sunset Park Rent Strike [Brownstoner]
Sunset Park Rent Strike This Thursday [Brownstoner]
Photo by bogieharmond
08/21/2012 9:30 AM
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Nonprofit Turns to Kickstarter to Buy Slave Theater
A nonprofit called New Brooklyn Theater is trying to raise $200,000 on Kickstarter by Oct. 4. The group intends to use the money as a down payment to purchase the Slave Theater, the historic Afrocentric cultural institution whose building at 1215 Fulton Street in Bed Stuy is scheduled to be auctioned off today at 2:30 pm. New Brooklyn Theater was created by two theater professionals with no apparent existing ties to the Slave Theater. They pledge to restore the building and maintain it as a performing arts center featuring Brooklyn artists, foster original work from students in public and charter schools in the neighborhood, and offer tickets at affordable prices. The group’s multi-million-dollar four-phase plan includes fundraising from corporate and development partners. Artistic Director Jonathan Solari is a theater, opera and film director. Executive producer Sarah Wolff previously produced public programming at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. So far, 46 backers have pledged nearly $14,000.
Foreclosure Auction Set for Slave Theater [Brownstoner]
Slave Theater Vacated, but Questions of Ownership Linger [Brownstoner]
Bed Stuy’s Slave Theater Still Looking for Buyer [Brownstoner] GMAP
Photo by Andreas Burgess
08/09/2012 11:00 AM
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Historic, Fire-Ravaged Bed-Stuy Mansion Probably a Goner
As noted on Monday, a fire broke out over the weekend at the historic Bedford-Stuyvesant house 804 Jefferson Avenue and the house next to it. Yesterday, in the early evening, reader David Keegan stopped by the scene to see how the properties were faring, and took the photo above, as well as the one on the jump. David had this to say: “When I stopped by, at about 5 p.m., there was a crew pulling beams out of both 804 Jefferson and the adjacent house. They were also walling off the front yards from the sidewalk with plywood sheets. There was a cop out front from the 81st Precinct who was none to happy to see me on the sidewalk with a camera. …I asked her if anyone was hurt in the fire; she said no.” David also adds: “The devastation is such a shame; those were once someones’ beautiful homes, and jewels in the neighborhood.” So sad. It does not look like the property is long for this world. For more history on 804 Jefferson, read Montrose Morris’s article about it from a year-and-a-half ago.
Fire at Historic Bed-Stuy House [Brownstoner] GMAP
Walkabout: The House at 804 Jefferson Ave. [Brownstoner] (more…)
04/19/2012 9:30 AM
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Demolition of South Slope House in the Works
Denton Taylor drops a line to let us know that the crumbling building on 6th Avenue between 15th and 16th streets in the South Slope isn’t long for this world. A sidewalk shed has gone up around the house and demolition permits are on display. According to city records, the owner intends to build a four-family residence in its place. The vinyl siding covering the wood frame at 548 6th Avenue was removed from the house a couple months ago, and a few weeks ago a reader who lives nearby got in touch to say that he was worried the crumbling building might collapse.
Dilapidated South Slope Building a Hazard? [Brownstoner] GMAP
Underneath the Siding in the South Slope [Brownstoner]
12/27/2011 1:00 PM
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Park Slope Eyesore Getting Fixed Up
The squat red building next to the American Legion outpost on 5th Avenue between 6th and 7th streets has been left to rot for a very long time, but Here’s Park Slope reports that the property is finally getting some TLC. According to the blog, the building is being gutted and its ground-floor space is being prepped for a retail tenant. The building was notable for being a throwback to a seedier era on 5th Avenue and for the messages written in chalk that adorned its doorway, such as “This is Not a Toilet.”
After Years of Neglect, 391 Fifth Avenue Finally Getting Fixed Up [Here's Park Slope] GMAP
Slope Relic: Mysterious Dump on Fifth Avenue [Brownstoner]
Photo via PropertyShark
12/20/2011 11:00 AM
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Dilapidated South Slope Building a Hazard?
A reader got in touch to let us know that the building at 548 6th Avenue, between 15th and 16th streets, is “fully gutted, open to the elements, baited…no permits.” There have been three complaints to the DOB about demolition work occurring without permits between late October and last week, but city inspectors haven’t found evidence of it. When we stopped by yesterday afternoon, the building did show evidence of rat poison and was easy to enter but whatever demolition has occurred is very much incomplete (see interior photos on the jump). It’s clear, though, that the house is severely decayed. The person who emailed us about it mentioned that it’s right next door to the community garden on 15th Street and that “if the building collapses into the garden and hits an adult, or worse a kid, there’s gonna be a shit storm in the South Slope.” GMAP (more…)
12/06/2011 10:00 AM
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None of Admiral’s Row Buildings Salvageable?
Here’s the latest in depressing Admiral’s Row news: According to Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Patch, last week the National Guard sent a letter to local politicians telling them Building B has been deemed beyond repair, which means the Guard has washed its hands of one of only two buildings on the row that were supposed to be preserved. In February, the National Guard said the other building that was supposed to be salvaged, the Timber Shed, was also too far gone to be preserved. According to last week’s letter, one of Building B’s walls has partially collapsed and is unstable. Thus, the Navy Guard is not going to make any moves to preserve either building while it has custodianship of the row; as noted last week, it’s unclear when the Navy Yard Development Corporation will be able to take control of the row and, in the meantime, the Development Corp. is not allowed to access the buildings in order to try and preserve them.
National Guard Backs Out of Preserving Any of Admiral’s Row [FG Patch]
Admiral’s Row Preservation: Still Stymied [Brownstoner]
CB2 Also Calls for Timber Shed Preservation [Brownstoner]
Preservation Groups Sound Admirals Row Alarm [Brownstoner]
Is Admiral’s Row Timber Shed Beyond Repair? [Brownstoner]
BREAKING: Admiral’s Row Renderings Released [Brownstoner]
Timber Shed Gets Reinforced [Brownstoner]
Timber Shed Might Not Be Saved After All [Brownstoner]
It’s Curtains for Most of Admiral’s Row [Brownstoner]
04/25/2011 9:30 AM
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364 Henry Still Rotting?
Last May, when Cobble Hill’s 364 Henry was most recently in the news, owner John Quadrozzi pledged to make structural repairs to his long-dilapidated townhouse, but DOB violations show that the score hasn’t exactly been settled. A hearing scheduled is scheduled for late next month over “FAILURE TO MAINTAIN-EMERGENCY MAKE SAFE STABILIZATION WORK.” Do readers who live nearby ever see contractors fixing this place up?
364 Henry To Get Fixed [Brownstoner] GMAP
LPC Targets Henry Street Homeowner [Brownstoner]
03/31/2011 10:00 AM
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Is Admiral’s Row Timber Shed Beyond Repair?
NPR has an update on Admiral’s Row that looks into whether the Timber Shed at Admirals Row is reaching its expiration date. The story notes that despite pledges that the Timber Shed was one of two historic Admiral’s Row buildings that would be preserved as part of the site’s redevelopment, “at the end of last month, the National Guard Bureau sent out a letter saying its engineers had declared the Timber Shed beyond repair and recommended it be demolished. Kristin Leahy, the Cultural Resources Program Manager for the National Guard, said the Guard wants to turn the building over to the city as is.” Preservationists and even the CEO of the Navy Yard are not cool with this news: “Still, Lisa Kersavage, from the Municipal Art Society, said was shocked to get the news. ‘It seems to be the decision was based on finances instead of what they should have been focusing on how can they mitigate the demolition of some clearly very important historic buildings,’ Leahy said. Andrew Kimball, CEO for the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, said changing the requirements could endanger the deal completely. He said the developer still wants to include the Timber Shed in the redevelopment plan. But he said they could only do that if the federal government acts expeditiously. ‘They need to stabilize the Timber Shed and B or allow us and our development partners on the site to stabilize the Timber Shed and moves forward with the site transfer,’ Kimball said.” Yes: Sucky all around. Once again, the National Guard Bureau seems to have sat on its hands too long, thus endangering a precious Brooklyn relic and potentially messing with the Navy Yard’s redevelopment plans. Not that this comes as a total shock.
On Historic Admirals Row, Fear That the End Is Near [NPR]
Preservation Groups Sound Admirals Row Alarm [Brownstoner]
BREAKING: Admiral’s Row Renderings Released [Brownstoner]
Timber Shed Gets Reinforced [Brownstoner]
Timber Shed Might Not Be Saved After All [Brownstoner]
It’s Curtains for Most of Admiral’s Row [Brownstoner]
Rendition of the Timber Shed by Lucy Sikes c/o NPR.
02/04/2011 9:30 AM
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Closing Bell: Inside a Crumbling S. Park Landmark
The latest blog post from urban-explorer extraordinaire/photographer Nathan Kensinger digs into the landmark—and long abandoned—68th Police Precinct building on 43rd Street and 4th Avenue in Sunset Park. In addition to the excellent photos in the post such as the ones above, here’s what Kensinger has to say about the structure’s current state: “Today the station house is in poor condition. Its exterior still retains many evocative architectural elements, however the interior has been almost completely destroyed by fire and decay. Snow sifts through large holes in the roof. The upper floors have collapsed, while lower floors are missing, warped or dangerously unstable. Feral cats and pigeons roam the hollow space. A squatter’s mattress rots in a dark corner. In several pitch-black back rooms, sealed off from the sunlight, hundreds of handprints climb the walls.”
Sunset Park: 68th Police Precinct [Nathan Kensinger] GMAP
01/26/2011 4:00 PM
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chinch
May 21, 2013 | 09:56 AM