Brooklyn wants to live in Brooklyn...

Posted by: BoerumHill at November 6, 2009 1:46 PM in response to Roddick Condo Hunting in Brooklyn?

Excellent work, Nomi. We only have this conversation about industry wide practice of how square footage is calculated about 30 times per year on this site. Let's revisit loss factor...or not. Suffice to say every co-op and every condo includes some portion of hallways, mechanical spaces, etc. in the square footage.

Nobody likes rubber rulers, but you'd be hard pressed to find ANY listing that does include some portion of common areas on a pro rata basis. Caveat emptor...always good to consider what the usable sq ft is, but it will nevah evah add up just by looking at the floor plan. Again, its the same with every single listing, so not sure why this comes up constantly, but it does...and I suppose always will.

re: busy Clinton St...six windows in the unit, five of which face south...one at the far end of the bedroom faces Clinton.

re: 6A closing @ $470K - that was the recorded price, I missed it earlier.

Posted by: BoerumHill at October 28, 2009 2:13 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 200 Congress Street, #1A

'noisy Clinton'

Yeah, not to mention the loud toddlers hanging in Verandah Place Park. Just imagine how awful it would be awful having to wake up and stair at the blooming trees every morning. Or walking across the street for weekend brunch at Cafe On Clinton.

I'll try to type slowly here for you math wizards. $499K divided by 750 square feet equals $665. Precisely in line with in the neighborhood.

Nice job on the comp, Maly; do you have some inside info? 'twas last listed at $510K ($680 psf).

$499K seems like a good starting point, I think it will go for NLT $450K. Very nice block, solid building.

Posted by: BoerumHill at October 28, 2009 1:37 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 200 Congress Street, #1A

"We routinely see coops/condos listed with comparable maintenance and it never raises an eyebrow."

Actually, infinitejester, what we routinely see is 'stoner never fails to disparage the maintenance costs of Brooklyn Heights co-ops. Never mind that $1.25-1.50 is the norm for the area, its more than Crown Heights or Prospect Heights. Shouldn't all Heights be the same, property taxes notwithstanding? Isn't Clinton Hill comps the line in the sand when it comes to maintenance charges?

WTG, Jonathan - at least you are consistent.

FWIW - this one comes in @ $1.40 psf, and INCLUDES utilities.

But @#%$it, it's a studio...wah wah wah I wanna a bigger place or I'm going back to my parents basement!

Posted by: BoerumHill at October 14, 2009 2:48 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 70 Remsen Street, #7D

55 Pineapple broker babble ('nother listing) - "The building has an elevator, live in super, common courtyard, laundry and a bike room."

59 Pineapple, however, DOES have a gorgeous common roof deck.

:)

Think this one will go close to the ask; terrific location, well-run building. CC are high, but not too far out of line with the rest of the Heights (which is virtually always 1.25-1.50 psf).

Posted by: BoerumHill at October 6, 2009 1:40 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 55 Pineapple Street, #7H

The Pacific Street seller is a doctor, and I get the impression she is waiting for the market to adjust to her.

Its a nice reno, albeit lacking any original details. Solid income from the garden rental if thats your thing.

That would have sold at that price within a week 3-4 years ago - see 351 Pacific, next block over...retiring lawyer sensibly priced it pre-reno, professor bought it near *(or just over?) the ask before the month was over. But I have a feeling this one just isn't going to move until she gets realistic - and I sense that won't be happening anytime soon.

Posted by: BoerumHill at October 2, 2009 1:12 PM in response to Open House Picks: Six Months Later

When we say 'lord the DDDB are heinous blow hards', or any reference DDDB, we're basically talking about one guy living with his wife in an entire building all by themselves because, yup, he really is that obtuse.

ONE PHOCKING GUY WHO DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A JOB (unless you count the salary he pays himself from DDDB).

One obstinate azz is more important than the tens of thousands who are and have always been for this project moving forward.

Did I miss anything?

Posted by: BoerumHill at September 14, 2009 5:41 PM in response to Closing Bell: DDDB's Letter to SHoP

sxm (3:55 p.m.) - just came here to post samo; looks like a shoe-in for awkward-post-of-the-day.

Posted by: BoerumHill at July 30, 2009 5:55 PM in response to Development Watch: Windows for Sackett

Great block, nice place, should close north of $2.1M.

Posted by: BoerumHill at April 29, 2009 2:44 PM in response to House of the Day: 179 Bergen Street

Margaret Cusack would make anyone's list of most annoying people in the universe, but I do give her credit for being a force (for good or bad) behind the BHA, biannual BH House Tour, BH community garden, CB6, et al...you get the idea.

That block is no great shakes, but owning the house adjacent to the Nell Campbell/Michelle Williams home will bring the value up if/when they ever sell.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 16, 2009 11:11 AM in response to A Successful Buy-and-Hold Strategy on Hoyt Street

Margaret Cusack would make anyone's list of most annoying people in the universe, but I do give her credit for being a force (for good or bad) behind the BHA, biannual BH House Tour, BH community garden, CB6, et al...you get the idea.

That block is no great shakes, but owning the house adjacent to the Nell Campbell/Michelle Williams will bring the value up if/when they ever sell.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 16, 2009 11:10 AM in response to A Successful Buy-and-Hold Strategy on Hoyt Street

Bad info from the What (I know, probably a first).

Don Wilkerson runs Teen Challenge; his brother, David Wilkerson, founded the organization.

Somewhat famous (in some circles) story chronicled in a best selling book and movie starring Pat Boone entitled "The Cross and the Switchblade".

David Wilkerson is currently the pastor at Times Square Church, which he founded in the late 1980s.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 4, 2009 11:34 AM in response to New Signage at Teen Challenge Center a Real Bummer

Someday we'll have a Brooklyn Heights co-op of the day thread without 90% of the comments relating to the absurdly high maintenance.

Not sure when that day will ever be, but you have to figure the law of averages will win out eventually.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 2, 2009 10:50 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 111 Hicks Street, #8N

"Scarano-designed"

/endofdiscussion

Posted by: BoerumHill at February 9, 2009 11:48 AM in response to Wacky Times in Crown Heights

Corcoran had it listed last year for 6 months at 2.25M, so that's a nice 11.33% chop. Buy now or be priced out forever you bitter renters!

FYI - maintenance quoted in the OP ($3,532) was last years listing; now $3,673. So is the good news it's nearly 50% deductible?

Posted by: BoerumHill at February 3, 2009 5:19 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 75 Livingston Street Penthouse

Thanks for posting this, 'stoner.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 23, 2009 12:42 PM in response to Sexual Attack on St. Felix Prompts Press Conference

Thanks for clarifying, DIBS. That one was a hoot...especially it when it came out he had earlier hoodwinked a New Hampshire firm to hire him as CFO. Dude is a master grifter.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 22, 2009 4:01 PM in response to Streetlevel: Five Guys Burgers Taking Over Busy Chef Spot

One block back on quiet Pacific Street, same cross streets, there is a 10 unit building (500-600 sq ft each). Those were no gut reno, but they're in very good shape. IIRC they go for $1,100-1,500, depending on length of the tenants stay, turnover, etc.

I would say the market on busy noisy Atlantic is $1,000-1,200, but no doubt they will be hoping for more. June 2008 purchase and coming on line this year - wow, could the timing be any worse?

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 22, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Gut Reno for 348 Atlantic Avenue

BoD - yeah, not sure who is posting for 'stoner today, but it can't be anybody who knows the first thing about Brooklyn. So what is the status of the criminal court case v. the owner of Busy Chef? Don't think it's gone to trial yet.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 22, 2009 3:07 PM in response to Streetlevel: Five Guys Burgers Taking Over Busy Chef Spot

And the head of development marketing for Halstead should know Brooklyn - since Halstead really didn't have a Brooklyn presence until they bought William S. Ross Real Estate 5 years ago (a 25-agent firm with offices in Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights).

No more exclamation points on post-inaugural day; we've reached our quota for the week.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 22, 2009 2:49 PM in response to Development Watch: 47 Dean Street

Anybody walk by here lately? When they did an open house last summer the back roof had been removed (I think recently). I presume they at least finished putting it back on, but like 7-10 days later it was still open. Crazy, eh? Don't know that the rain would have hurt much...they gut renovated, put in new aluminum studs, then with plans approved and LPC approral, quite(apparently out of $$).

Sad case...

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 21, 2009 2:52 PM in response to House of the Day: 150 Bond Street Revisited

DoubleClick founder suggests NYT charge for content.

Hey! Maybe we could call it NYT Insider!

Hilarity ensues...

Genius, that one.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 21, 2009 2:38 PM in response to (Slightly) Off-Topic Poll: Paying for The Times Online?

Thanks bh76 and sam, appreciate the insight.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 15, 2009 5:07 PM in response to Co-ops of the Day: 135 Willow Street Triple-Shot

The metrics on the maint/cc of co-ops in the Heights never makes sense; when are used to seeing $1-1.25 psf, $1.50 and up seems outrageous.

This has been touched on before here...one explaination/theory was so many of the buildings have bad financials. That doesn't quite explain why it is pervasive. Anyone else want to take a stab at educating the Brownstoner masses?

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 15, 2009 1:49 PM in response to Co-ops of the Day: 135 Willow Street Triple-Shot

Kudos to John Antonides, the owner of the Hubbard house. That one would have been demolished in a few years if someone didn't rescue it (as happened to other Gravesend gems). John has petitioned the LPC for years, glad to see his hard work and persistence have paid off.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 14, 2009 6:45 PM in response to Hubbard House Gains LPC Designation

Lazy readers...

HOK did the work pro bono.

The project is contingent on the orchestra raising the $2.6M.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 12, 2009 1:43 PM in response to Plans Revealed for Philharmonic's Degraw Street Firehouse

Mr. Antonides did an amazing job saving the Samuel Hubbard (ASIDE TO Heather - built by the Johnson family in 1750) house, which was probably going to end up demolished like the Bennett or Lakes houses. Best wishes to him.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 12, 2009 1:32 PM in response to Fillmore Place, Hubbard House on LPC Agenda Tomorrow

Hard to find comps...one of Smith Street (#113) just rented for a whopping $90 psf...and on the opposite end, down in the dead zone between 1st and the BQE...$29.50 psf. Some high traffic areas seem to be getting $55-63, but plenty of store fronts are $30 or less.

http://www.cpexre.com/lease.html

Interesting stuff...not something I normally look at, will be curious if this one rents out or sits empty forever.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 9, 2009 1:37 PM in response to High Hopes for Hoyt Street?

$38 psf seems like a good rate? Oh, really? I guess, like 'stoner, I don't have a good grasp of retail rents. I do, however, talk to my neighbors.

When I moved to BH in 2000, $12-14 was the norm for Smith Street, which was then in the early stages of revival. Peaked around $28-30 in 2005/06. Of late it seems like it has leveled off around there or dropped back in the $25-28 range. Admittedly, my data is anecdotal from the handful of boutique/resy owners I am acquainted with.

So that's heavy foot traffic Smith Street...light traffic Hoyt (by comparison), in an area one would not think is flush with discretionary income...$38 doesn't seem like a good rate.

I've seem vacant storefronts in the $30s...and two that come to mind have been empty for more than 6 months.

But again, I am basing my perception on speaking with business owners I know...others may have other info to share.

Posted by: BoerumHill at January 9, 2009 12:15 PM in response to High Hopes for Hoyt Street?

A toast to Edward L. Glaeser (with a nod to Sebb for posting).

Good luck to all in 2009.

Posted by: BoerumHill at December 31, 2008 3:14 PM in response to 2009 Predictions and Resolutions?

Walked by at 11:30 today, one old guy in a suit reading the paper drinking coffee.

Guess popularity is a relative thang.

Posted by: BoerumHill at August 6, 2008 3:33 PM in response to Streetlevel: Building on Bond Soft-Opens

Ah yes, the maurading gangs of Fort Greene.

LMAO

Posted by: BoerumHill at June 18, 2008 2:04 PM in response to House of the Day: 179 Adelphi Street

"funny how all those defending the projects live nearby."

2:25 pm - by inference, we should discount those opinions, perhaps trust those who don't live near a NYCHA building, and therefore have no idea?

400,000 New Yorkers live in 2,600 NYCHA buildings. Do they have leprosy?

Posted by: BoerumHill at May 8, 2008 2:34 PM in response to House of the Day: 162 Bergen Street

To Architect #1 & #2 or anyone else associated with this projects:

I live one block away. The recent comps for similar converted within the BHHD are $550-650 psf. That was 2006 and 2007, and you might have hard time getting that in 2008. 3 of the 4 units are in a band of $840-908 psf.

It ain't rocket science, folks.

Posted by: BoerumHill at May 1, 2008 8:13 PM in response to Condos of the Day: Price Cuts at 402 Pacific Street

Is it really that hard to click through the link and read the one page article?

"The owners of the buildings are not named in the suit, but two of them, reached for comment on Thursday, said they had not told Brown Harris to refuse to rent to families with children. One of them, the owner of the second Brooklyn Heights apartment, said he had eventually rented the apartment to a couple with a child."

Posted by: BoerumHill at April 25, 2008 1:29 PM in response to Oh, Baby! Class Action Suit Alleges Broker Discrimination

"Buy NOW and get a FREE VESPA!"

Oh man, best listing I've seen this month. LMAO

Posted by: BoerumHill at April 17, 2008 1:47 PM in response to Condos of the Day: Price Cuts at 543 Dean Street

guest 3:19

While I agree 7th Ave is an epicurean wasteland, you notably left off Chillies and Chocolate from your list of mediocrity. Gotta love well prepared oaxacan.

You should be eating there 95 out of 96 times.

Posted by: BoerumHill at April 14, 2008 6:22 PM in response to Shucks! Oyster Bar Dredges Up Controversy on Hoyt

What's up with 150 Bond? Guy bought it last September (around $1.715 IIRC), and has gotten 3 permits since then with estimates totalling $450K (meaningless figure). The plan was to convert it from 2 unit to single family. Guts it, puts in metal studs, and voila, back on the market - ready for you to come in and hang the drywall. Bring you architect/contractor.

It's a nice prop, you won't find too many townhouses with a 3-stall garage - you also won't find a lot of 3 car famalies living in BH.

Anyone else think he'll get full price. With that quick of a price chop, I could see more coming (e.g., "motivated seller").

Posted by: BoerumHill at April 14, 2008 1:50 PM in response to Houses of the Day: A Couple of Price Cuts

Oh, I think CB6 gets it. This is the microeconomics of the power elite in action.

The Alan Harding and Jim Mamary empire includes:

Black Mountain Wine, Cafe Enduro, Fish Shack, Gowanus Yacht Club, La Rosa, Patois, Pacifico, Pioneer Bar-B-Q, Schnäck, Pomme de Terre Brooklyn, Sweetwater, Uncle Pho (defunct), and Union Smith.

None of those were in existence when I moved here - quite a decade.

We're having a similar issue on my block (Pacific and Bond), but the protest has been muted compared to CG Hoyt street affair.

I have no issue with either place getting a liquor license, but then again, I don't share a brick wall with them.

Posted by: BoerumHill at April 14, 2008 12:32 PM in response to Shucks! Oyster Bar Dredges Up Controversy on Hoyt

"It's also interesting that the listing broker is Benjamin James. Since when are they in the Brownstone Brooklyn market?"

The listing broker lives in the nabe.

Posted by: BoerumHill at April 7, 2008 5:48 PM in response to House of the Day: 160 Bond Street

"...Scarano-designed conversion..."

The end.

Posted by: BoerumHill at April 7, 2008 12:58 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 79 Bridge Street

guest 12:42 - You new here? Everyone knows anecdotal evidence on blogs trumps ComPStat.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 25, 2008 1:22 AM in response to Dumbo: A Bridge Too Far?

11:00 AM guest -

"...uptick in crime"

Who is your psychic? Because if we are going to see an uptick in crime - we haven't yet - then Grace, the story's subject, might need that info in order to make an informed decision about where to buy next.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 24, 2008 11:26 AM in response to Dumbo: A Bridge Too Far?

HOD has been a sinkhole for your tax dollars.

Examples:

$18 million kitchen created and never used

$45 million pink marble exterior cladding, installed over 8 years

Bollards installed to prevent abusive parking by HOD and court employees, then uninstalled

$16 million for replacing windows in an empty facility

Further, HOD does not currently meet federal guidelines for detention facilities and requires major reconfiguring even if capacity is not increased.

DOC wishes to double current capacity even in the face of plummeting crime rates and strong opposition from community organizations that have solid support from elected officials.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 20, 2008 4:16 PM in response to Locals Put Heat On City For Ignoring House of D Plan

Oh and Dag'...nevermind.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 7, 2008 10:45 AM in response to Gotham's Supermarket Shortage: A Public Health Crisis?

Oh and Dag'...nevermind.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 7, 2008 10:45 AM in response to Gotham's Supermarket Shortage: A Public Health Crisis?

505 Fulton has gorgeous details. It will be great to see it cleaned up. Pretty sad to see plywood in several windows.

Posted by: BoerumHill at March 7, 2008 10:34 AM in response to Glassy New Retail-Condo in the Works Downtown

I've had a fire pit for six years (along with 2 charcoal grills). None of my immediate neighbors has complained about the former to my knowledge, but smoke from the fire pit has caused phone calls to FDNY. They "visited" twice, and both times left without putting out the fire or issuing a citation.

Found this on nyc.gov site concerning BBQs:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/rcny_legal/rcny_sect_24_04.shtml

Nothing specific about fire pits, but based on my experience, I'd say no worries.

Posted by: BoerumHill at February 12, 2008 1:20 AM in response to Fire Pit in Brooklyn?