gracias's Profile
- G. Racias
- Ages ago
- Too long
- Brooklyn
- Cobble Hill
- Rental
- Professional malcontent
- 29
Author's Comments
Yes, I'm sure you're right, basementalist, but I won't hold my breath. :P
Posted by: gracias at May 11, 2009 2:41 PM in response to House of the Day: 174 Clinton Avenue
Wow, brownstoner, no need to get ugly. I can comment because I happen to pay attention to brownstone prices in the various Brooklyn neighborhoods and this one seems overpriced for what it is. I'm simply stating that I don't know Clinton Hill very well. I wouldn't expect a Clinton Hill resident to be totally informed about my block in Cobble Hill, so I'm not sure why you're offended...
Posted by: gracias at May 11, 2009 2:36 PM in response to House of the Day: 174 Clinton Avenue
The bars on the parlor floor bay window are extremely unappealing and the track lighting and curb cut are beyond ugly. However, it looks like there's room to tandem park two cars, which is valuable in itself, and the yard might not be the most traditional setup but it's nicely green and I could see it appealing to people with dogs or children.
I voted $1.1 million but I wouldn't be surprised if it goes for lower. Unless that's the best block in CH (I wouldn't know), of course.
Posted by: gracias at May 11, 2009 1:24 PM in response to House of the Day: 174 Clinton Avenue
Leaded gasoline is hugely responsible for lead in the soil. Here's a pretty good write up about it: http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=932
Posted by: gracias at May 4, 2009 3:44 PM in response to reality of city gardening
Hi, Flavor Paper, I'm sure I'll be (anonymously) checking out your shop after your grand opening. Welcome to Cobble Hill.
But those windows are still fug. Sorry.
Posted by: gracias at April 27, 2009 9:20 PM in response to Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street
Tell me those windows aren't going to look like that when they're done.
Posted by: gracias at April 27, 2009 2:28 PM in response to Development Watch: 216 Pacific Street
The layout seems like a nightmare and the house itself is rather unremarkable. I bid 900K but I would have gone as low as $850K. The current owners must be delusional if they think they'll get that price.
Posted by: gracias at April 27, 2009 2:27 PM in response to House of the Day: 436 Classon Avenue Revisited
The exterior of the building is gorgeous. The unit itself is blah and definitely not worth than 850K. I can't believe they're asking over a million for no views, one bedroom, and those crappy plastic shelves. And in DUMBO of all places, the most overpriced neighborhood in the entire city.
No way they're getting even close to that price unless the buyer is a complete idiot.
Posted by: gracias at April 23, 2009 7:46 PM in response to Condo of the Day: 70 Washington Street, #4S
Horrid pictures and the location probably couldn't be worse. Boerum Hill has some awesome streets and areas, but this is not one of them. The house looks like a shabby little dump and would require a serious renovation to make it even livable. And once again, there's no floor plan.
I estimated 650k because I know the widget won't let me bid much lower than that, but this thing shouldn't sell for more than half a million, tops. The only way I could see this being a good investment would be if you planned to go into the slumlording business.
Posted by: gracias at April 15, 2009 2:33 PM in response to House of the Day: 445 Warren Street
Great news--they're opening just in time for backyard parties and summer barbecues. Surf and turf, anyone?
Posted by: gracias at April 15, 2009 2:27 PM in response to Streetlevel: Lobster Pound Coming to Red Hook
gracias wrote a review about Ted & Honey on April 10, 2009 12:43 AM
Cobble Hill West? This is the heart of Cobble Hill, right across Verandah Lane from Cobble Hill Park (or Verandah Park, as we usually call it).
I've been here a few times and usually leave feeling a little ripped off and more than a bit annoyed by the slow service and unfriendly staff. The decor is cute but they have no public bathroom to my knowledge, which is fine for me because I live around the corner, but probably sucks for people who don't.
Their sandwiches are like $8 and every time I've gotten one they've just pulled it out of the case and heated it up downstairs. I can go to Marquet and get a similar sandwich made fresh for less, and the staff there aren't particularly friendly but at least the food is pretty excellent.
Ted & Honey need to bring their prices down and lose some of the attitude. They could also do themselves a huge favor by installing a public bathroom. Maybe they're not fond of the "stroller crowd", but if that's the case they probably shouldn't have rented a space that is almost adjacent to a beautiful playground that is popular with parents and nannies alike...
That second "bedroom" is a joke. I wonder if it would be possible knock out the pointless wall up there. Unless it's load-bearing of course, in which case you've got a narrow little office with a weirdly huge closet in it. Maybe you could leave some pillars in or something.
Almost a million dollars? I wouldn't think so but this apartment is in Brooklyn Heights. Then again that monthly maintenance fee is ridiculous. I wagered $800k but if it goes for slightly less I won't be surprised.
Posted by: gracias at April 8, 2009 1:17 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 40 Remsen Street
You're welcome to your dirt and grit and noise, Rob. The rest of us will continue to dream of better air quality, better views, less noise pollution, and a general public attention to the pleasantness of our hometown.
One needn't wish for suburbia to envision a better New York.
Posted by: gracias at April 8, 2009 11:08 AM in response to Futuristic Enclosure Thingy Proposed for the BQE
It seems like a civilized solution to an age-old urban problem. No one wants to eat tapas under the roar of a busy freeway. If this were some pleasant European city, or perhaps Japan, such barricades would probably already exist, improving the quality of life for everyone. Since this is New York, I sincerely doubt the project will come to fruition.
Posted by: gracias at April 8, 2009 9:53 AM in response to Futuristic Enclosure Thingy Proposed for the BQE
Every issue of TONY is exactly the same.
"How to eat for free in Manhattan!"
"How to get a girl to eat for free with you in Manhattan!"
"How to get free therapy so you can attract a girl to eat for free with in Manhattan!"
Followed by divisive, silly "Best of" articles like this one. Ugh.
Their listings are okay, I guess, but the magazine itself blows.
Posted by: gracias at April 3, 2009 5:31 PM in response to Two of TONY's New Yorkiest Blocks in Brooklyn
When much of the internet is free, it seems outrageous to fork over $25 for a little neighborhood-specific listserv. They sound greedy.
Posted by: gracias at April 3, 2009 5:29 PM in response to Majority of Park Slope Parents Won't Pay to Play
gracias wrote a review about Waterfalls Cafe on March 31, 2009 11:56 PM
Love this place. Their pocket sandwiches are a great bargain and their vegetarian stuffed cabbage rolls are excellent. I've never had a bad meal at Waterfalls and it's become a staple of our delivery/take-out diet. You can eat junk food or rather healthily, but it's always fresh and delicious.
Friends of ours own a one-bedroom unit in this complex. While the units aren't the sexiest I've ever seen, the location couldn't be better and the building and grounds are extremely well maintained. I would never pay almost half a million dollars for 745 square feet no matter how great the location, but I can definitely see the appeal of buying in this building. if prices on two-bedrooms were to drop substantially, we would consider it for sure.
Of course, when I first moved to Cobble Hill I used to walk by these buildings and assume it was some kind of rehab or retirement facility, so take that as you will...
Posted by: gracias at March 30, 2009 6:39 PM in response to Co-op of the Day: 200 Congress Street
It looks like a La Quinta Inn stacked on top of a loading dock. Totally out of context, but I've seen worse.
Posted by: gracias at March 27, 2009 8:57 PM in response to Horror Show Friday: 8 Dikeman Street
$12,000 for 2000 square feet? They must be high.
Posted by: gracias at March 27, 2009 8:54 PM in response to 20 Bayard's Been Rental Since February
Ghastly. It looks like some kind of reform school, or Orwellian government bureaucracy building. I don't think it could be more uninviting.
Posted by: gracias at March 27, 2009 6:24 PM in response to Development Watch: 385 Union Avenue
Why wasn't my earlier comment approved? It was innocuous and on topic...
Posted by: gracias at March 26, 2009 12:15 PM in response to Bushwick Projects and Environs Safe?
I know two people who just moved from very near that section of Bushwick. They moved because one friend was mugged and beaten unconscious and then, a few months later, his girlfriend was the victim of an attempted rape that was thwarted only by the highly serendipitous passage of a police car.
These are not babes in the woods, either--she grew up in the city and he's lived here for more than a decade. I don't think it's unreasonable to assert that some areas of this city are more dangerous than others.
I hope the girl stays safe.
Posted by: gracias at March 26, 2009 11:42 AM in response to Bushwick Projects and Environs Safe?
A friend of mine lives in this neighborhood and told me that this building is known for having had a lot of problems since it was built. Siding falling off, heating and cooling systems not working properly, plumbing issues, etc. Since it's supposed to be a green building I was disappointed to hear it.
Posted by: gracias at March 23, 2009 11:40 AM in response to Checking In With 515 5th Avenue
Excellent news! Jacques Torres makes the best chocolate in New York. Also, you can go to their website and watch little video tours he gives of his factory and stores. It's quite endearing.
Posted by: gracias at March 18, 2009 10:56 AM in response to Jacques Torres May Open Ice Cream Store, Truck in Dumbo
Great location, drab interior, hideous exterior. The garage is a plus but not a multimillion dollar plus. There's not a chance they'll get this price.
Posted by: gracias at March 16, 2009 1:47 PM in response to House of the Day: 345 Hoyt Street
How embarrassing...
Posted by: gracias at March 16, 2009 12:21 PM in response to Where Is The New Brooklyn?
Er, that's "apartment"...
Posted by: gracias at March 13, 2009 3:16 PM in response to Streetlevel: Coffee Pedlar Opens on Court Street
This is a block away from my apaerment. We already have Marquet, Ted and Honey, and Tea Lounge nearby. I wonder if they'll serve decent food?
Posted by: gracias at March 13, 2009 3:15 PM in response to Streetlevel: Coffee Pedlar Opens on Court Street
Lobo has some of the worst food on Court Street. Everything is flavorless and bland. I will not be sad at all if they close forever.
Posted by: gracias at March 11, 2009 8:10 PM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up
It might seem ridiculous to you, but last I checked these polls are still dependent on opinion, and none of us are seers. If the prices seems too low for you to even consider perhaps you should adjust your widget margins.
Are you completely familiar with every block in Brooklyn, Mr. B? Because if not, you seem a wee bit hypocritical at the moment, considering this blog covers real estate all over the borough. It seems I touched a nerve.
Posted by: gracias at May 11, 2009 2:57 PM in response to House of the Day: 174 Clinton Avenue