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The Outsider: Outdoor Living Room in Fort Greene
WELCOME to The Outsider, Cara Greenberg‘s Sunday garden column for Brownstoner. KNOW OF ANY BEAUTIFUL BROOKLYN GARDENS? (Sure ya do!) Contact caramia447@gmail.com
THE LONG, NARROW BACKYARD is a challenge garden designers face in Brooklyn more often than not. The owners of this one, 22′ wide and more than three times as long, approached James Stephenson of The Artist Garden with the notion of two patios plus lots of planting space. They were looking for a clean, modern look that would blend with their indoor aesthetic.
Working with oversized pieces of thermal bluestone, Stephenson laid out a plan for a central inner patio that serves as an outdoor family/living room, and another toward the rear of the property that provides overflow entertaining space for larger groups.
A central pergola made of iron and cedar is an architectural element that will also become a shade structure when the wisteria vines planted in each corner climb up and over.
Don Statham, an Upstate NY-based garden designer, collaborated on the plantings, which include what Stephenson calls “epic” columnar oak trees that will eventually create privacy walls on either side of the central patio. Everything is planted in the ground; there are no raised beds or containers.
The south-facing garden, with in-ground drip irrigation, is essentially low-maintenance.
More detail and photos after the jump.
Photos: James Stephenson
05/27/2012 8:00 AM
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Brooklyn Well-Represented in List of Indie Boutiques
Shopping blog Racked came out with its list of the 38 Top Independent Boutiques in New York City this week and Brooklyn appears to have held its own. Thirteen Brooklyn spots made the cut, with the lion’s share of those being in Greenpoint and Williamsburg. In addition to North Brooklyn staples like Bird and In God We Trust, Fort Greene stalwart Stuart & Wright were highlighted as well as a handful of places on Smith Street like Epaulet and Dear Fieldbinder.
05/25/2012 11:45 AM
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Come Discuss Safety on Park Avenue
The Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project (MARP) and Architecture for Humanity will hold one last community feedback meeting on the proposed Park Avenue streetscape improvements. Improvements include stop signs, neckdowns, increased lighting, left turn lanes at busy intersections, additional crosswalks, and some pedestrian space underneath the BQE. They will present draft recommendations to the community and use that feedback to finalize plans. Then it’s off to Community Board 2, local officials and the Department of Transportation. If you’re interested in attending, the meeting is Wednesday, May 30th from 6-8pm at the Navy Yard Houses community room, 45-55 North Elliot between Park Avenue and Flushing (across from Commodore Barry Park). RSVP or questions go to dan@myrtleavenue.org or 718-230-1689.
05/24/2012 12:00 PM
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The Insider: Attic ‘Cabin’ in Fort Greene
Welcome to The Insider, here every Thursday at 11:30AM. It’s written and produced by Cara Greenberg, as is The Outsider, Brownstoner’s new garden series, every Sunday at 8AM. ALWAYS SEEKING LEADS TO WORTHY INTERIOR DESIGN AND GARDEN PROJECTS!!! Please contact caramia447@gmail.com
THIS MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SPACE at the top of a five-story brownstone was once “a weird scenario,” says Manhattan-based architect Ole Sondresen, who renovated the entire building for a pair of artists with two college-age children — a utilitarian attic, 22′x60′, divided up into “six or seven little storage spaces.” Now it’s a destination for the family, used for movie nights, games, and music-making. “It’s meant to be almost a cabin at the top of the house,” Sondresen says. “A getaway in one’s own space.”
Enhancing the cabin feeling is the unorthodox use of wood, wrapping around the entire ceiling and down the wall to become a bench under the windows. “We saw it as an upside-down space,” the Norwegian-born Sondresen says. “While the rest of the house has wood floors and plaster ceilings, this space has white painted oak floors and the warmth of wood as the ceiling.”
The contractor was William Dorvillier.
More photos and details of the attic loft, as well as the new kitchen on the parlor level, after the jump.
Photos: Ole Sondresen
05/24/2012 11:30 AM
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Justin Bieber To Perform at the Barclays Center
Babs isn’t the only pop star who’ll be crossing the East River this fall. Evidently someone named Justin Bieber will be playing at the Barclays Center in November. Tix go on sale June 2.
05/23/2012 8:31 AM
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Last Week’s Biggest Sales
1. BROOKLYN HEIGHTS $5,450,000
26 Garden Place GMAP P*Shark
We covered this sale last week. It first asked $5,500,000 before a few price cuts. Entered into contract on 4/12/12; closed on 5/9/12; deed recorded on 5/16/2012.
2. MIDWOOD $3,400,500
1025 East 24th Street GMAP P*Shark
This one-family, two-story house is on a 5,000-square foot lot. Entered into contract on 2/29/12; closed on 4/30/12; deed recorded on 5/14/2012.
3. FORT GREENE $3,285,000
181 Washington Park GMAP P*Shark
A HOTD this September. Ask: $3,450,000. Entered into contract on 1/16/12; closed on 4/24/12; deed recorded on 5/14/2012.
4. PROSPECT HEIGHTS $2,293,000
1 Grand Army Plaza, #7B GMAP P*Shark
A three bed/three-and-a-half bath unit. First listed as $2,200,000, then $2,175,000, then $2,395,000. Entered into contract on 3/6/12; closed on 5/3/12; deed recorded on 5/18/2012.
5. PARK SLOPE $1,800,000
937 Union Street, #10 GMAP P*Shark
A three bed/three bath unit. Asking $1,850,000. Entered into contract on 3/12/12; closed on 5/1/12; deed recorded on 5/16/2012
05/22/2012 11:30 AM
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Rental of the Day: 313 Adelphi Street, #2
Swoon! Here’s a spacious, well-lit, nicely-located one bedroom at 313 Adelphi in Fort Greene. Just check out the size of that bedroom. For all this: $3,200 a month.
313 Adelphi Street, #2 [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
05/17/2012 12:30 PM
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Park Avenue Street Improvements Moving Forward
A few weeks ago the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and Architecture for Humanity presented schematic ideas to Community Board 2′s Transportation Committee for Park between Navy and Steuben Streets. After years of community workshops, MARP found that safety is by far the biggest concern on the avenue. Architects for Humanity proposed stop signs, neckdowns, increased lighting, left turn lanes at busy intersections, additional crosswalks (some of which are textured and raised), and re-striping the parking spaces. They also proposed closing the crossover near Grand Avenue (down by the mural, also pictured above) to simplify the traffic patterns and increase pedestrian accessibility. The space near the mural could then be used as a community space. Another proposal was to reorient the parking, which would then be accessed from service roads off the moving lanes. That would free up pedestrian space under the BQE. The full community board supported these proposals during the meeting last week. Meredith Phillips Almeida of MARP told us DOT has been part of this conversation and will respond to these plans before a final proposal is created. MARP also plans to hold one last community feedback meeting at the end of this month before finalizing any plans. We will let you know when a date and time for the meeting is scheduled.
05/15/2012 11:00 AM
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The Grand Opening of Fowler Square is Today
Fort Greene’s brand-spanking-new Fowler Square is up and running today, after only eight days of construction. The pedestrian space on South Elliott Place was already in use this morning. Other improvements: curb extensions, tables, chairs, planters, and Belgian block repairs. As for South Elliot Place, DOT plans to study traffic and pedestrian flow with the green street in place and report its findings to CB2 this winter. Check out close-up shots taken this morning after the jump.
Fowler Square Renovation Has Begun in Fort Greene [Brownstoner] (more…)
05/11/2012 12:00 PM
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Rental of the Day: 179 Dekalb Avenue
This full brownstone rental at 179 Dekalb Avenue in Fort Greene is asking $12,000/month. It has all the details one would expect from a well-kept brownstone, as well as a modernized kitchen and bathroom. Overall, beautiful space. What do you make of the asking rent?
179 Dekalb Avenue [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
05/07/2012 12:30 PM
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Reshuffle on Fulton for Habana Outpost Expansion
Yesterday the Local reported that Habana Outpost is expanding on Fulton Street, but not without a bit of shuffling involved. Community Board Two’s Permits Committee heard a permit for Habana-to-Go, a 24-hour takeout spot that also serves alcohol. The owner plans to open in the Not Ray’s Pizza space this summer. The menu will be a scaled-down version of the Habana Outpost menu, similar to the Manhattan Habana To-Go location. The owner told CB2 he doesn’t plan to operate a rowdy bar, rather a “Get-’em-in, get-’em-out” joint. As for the move, Not Ray’s Pizza will shuffle from South Portland Avenue to a larger space two doors away, Go Greene Hardware. And Go Greene Hardware will relocate across Fulton Street into the empty building next to Habana Outpost. CB2 unanimously approved Habana’s proposed liquor licence.
Panel Approves First Step in Habana Outpost Expansion Plan [The Local] GMAP
05/04/2012 2:00 PM
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Open House Picks
Park Slope
501 4th Street
Brown Harris Stevens
Sunday, 2:30-4:00
$2,995,000
GMAP P*Shark
Park Slope
409 8th Street
Corcoran
Sunday, 3:30-5:00
$2,995,000
GMAP P*Shark
Fort Greene
294 Cumberland Street
Brown Harris Stevens
Sunday, 12:00-1:30
$2,395,000
GMAP P*Shark
Bed Stuy
314 Jefferson Avenue
FSBO
Saturday, 1:00-4:00, Sunday, 1:00-4:00
$1,500,000
GMAP P*Shark
05/04/2012 1:04 PM
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Tomorrow: Fort Greene Association’s ’12 House Tour Select
Tomorrow, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., the Fort Greene Association will hold its 2012 “House Tour Select.” According to the chair of the association, the proceedings will be as follows: “Join me…I’ll be there at House Tour Select this weekend along with many of your neighbors as we take a personalized tour of some of Fort Greene’s finest. Fuel up…Included in your ticket and to fuel the walk, the talk, and the fun we’ll kick off the day at our Brunch Buffet at one of Fort Greene’s great restaurants. Come hungry to enjoy: Southern Fried Chicken or Smothered Chicken, Country Ham,Fried Whiting, French Toast with Fresh Strawberries, Homefries, Grits, Fresh Fruit Salad. Walk if off… As you tour 4 gems of the neighborhood. Chat directly with the owners about renovation techniques and decorating styles, browse through before and after shots, and pick up the local legends and stories that are unique to every home in Fort Greene. Cool down and relax…And then after tour our very special selection of “knock out” homes we’ll treat you to a intimate wine tasting in the cave of one of our local wine merchants. Get a taste of something different and go home with another new Fort Greene find.” Today is the last day to buy tix online, which cost $75 for members of the association, and $85 for nonmembers.
05/04/2012 12:19 PM
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What Sort of Retail Will 470 Vanderbilt Get?
As reported by several outlets over the past couple of days, retail spaces are being marketed in 470 Vanderbilt, the war horse on Vanderbilt between Atlantic and Fulton that’s in the process of getting spruced up and will house the HRA within the next year as well as other, private-sector office tenants. The location, obviously, is quite close to Barclays Center, and one of the brokers involved, Daniel Blumberg of GFI Realty Services, told us that he hopes to land retail tenants that will appeal to arena-goers; residents of Clinton Hill, Fort Greene and Prospect Heights; and tenants of the building and their visitors. “We’re definitely reaching out to food retailers,” says Blumberg, who added that he would like to see a version of “Eataly, but on a smaller scale.” The two spaces being marketed are a 7,150-square-foot corner space and a much larger, 14,000-square-foot space that’s mid-block and not connected to the corner space.
GFI Brings Atlantic Yards Retail Corner to Market [Real Estate Weekly]
HRA’s 470 Vanderbilt Move-in Date Pushed Back [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: 470 Vanderbilt Ave. [Brownstoner]
HRA Getting Lease at 470 Vanderbilt [Brownstoner] GMAP
05/04/2012 11:15 AM
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Rental of the Day: 306 Carlton Avenue
This lower duplex in Fort Greene is located at 306 Carlton Avenue. Not much to gripe about looking at the photographs of the parlor floor and private garden. But there aren’t any images of the bedrooms (promised to be large), kitchen or bathroom. The rent: $5,200/month.
306 Carlton Avenue [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
05/03/2012 12:30 PM
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Fowler Square Renovation Has Begun in Fort Greene
The transformation of Fowler Square into a pedestrian plaza has started! As you can see in the photo, a corner of the plaza is being expanded into Fulton Street. DOT will also turn the short block of South Elliott Place into a pedestrian, car-less zone. The city will also install moveable tables and chairs, granite blocks, epoxy gravel, and 18 new planters. The Belgian blocks and sidewalk will be repaired and more plantings will go in around General Fowler. Considering there was some neighborhood resistance against closing off South Elliott Place, DOT plans to conduct additional traffic and pedestrian studies and ask for more community feedback after the plaza’s is in place. They will go to CB2 with their findings this winter. For now, though, all this should be done in time for summer.
Two Plazas Coming to Fort Greene, DoBro This Summer [Brownstoner]
Concerns Aired at Fowler Square Plaza Meeting [Brownstoner]
05/03/2012 12:00 PM
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House of the Day: 268 Clermont Avenue
If you’re a devotee of Dekalb’s restaurant row, you couldn’t find a more convenient house to buy than this new listing at 268 Clermont Avenue in Fort Greene. The wood clapboard house has lots of historic charm on the exterior and has been tastefully renovated on the interior; there’s not much in the way of original detail left on the inside though. Out favorite part is the new kitchen, which leads out onto a balcony and to the garden below. The asking price is $1,995,000, which these days qualifies as inexpensive for this part of town. We suspect the lack of moldings and mantels is what explains the relative discount.
268 Clermont Avenue [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
05/02/2012 1:25 PM
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House of the Day: 252 Dekalb Avenue
When 287 Dekalb Avenue hit the market in 2010 with an asking price of $2,250,000 didn’t seem crazy for such a beautiful house but it still took more than six months to find a buyer and ended up going for $1,800,000, which looks very cheap in hindsight. But that was a different market. This new listing at 252 Dekalb, while also dripping with historic detail, isn’t quite as special on the outside and is a bit narrower. Still, we suspect that it’ll end up selling for me given how hot the brownstone market is right now. Not sure they will get the asking of $2,200,000 but it’s bound to go quickly.
252 Dekalb Avenue [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
04/30/2012 1:27 PM
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Signage Up at BAM’s Fisher Building
Check out the new signage up at BAM’s Fisher Building! The renovation and expansion of the building should be complete within the year. There will be a new 250-seat performance space, a 100-seat rehearsal space, and offices. You can see another shot of the building addition after the jump.
A Peek at the Progress on BAM’s Fisher Building [Brownstoner]
BAM’s Fisher Building Loses Some Scaffolding [Brownstoner]
BAM! Close-Up on Fisher Building Construction [Brownstoner]
Development Watch: BAM Addition [Brownstoner] GMAP
BAM Breaks Ground on Fischer Building [Brownstoner]
LPC Signs Off on New BAM Performing Arts Building [Brownstoner] (more…)
04/27/2012 2:40 PM
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Fort Greene’s Fino175 Trying Again as a Rental
The development at 175 Vanderbilt Avenue, rebranded as Fino175 last year, just can’t seem to make a go of it. This was previously a condo building, but now one- and two-bedroom rental units are on the market for $2,850 to $5,000/month. (It looks like the building first went rental in December, but with higher prices.) Condo units were asking around $625,000 to $1,100,000 when the building first launched one year ago. Anyone who’s actually been in here care to comment on whether it’s likely to fare better as a rental?
Fino 175 Listings [StreetEasy]
175 Vanderbilt Avenue Tries Again as Fino 175 [Brownstoner]
Sales Starting at 175 Vanderbilt Avenue in Clinton Hill [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark DOB
04/25/2012 11:00 AM
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adam_dahill
May 21, 2012 | 02:16 PM