Here is my email: leiteashleigh@hotmail.com

Posted by: leiteas at July 20, 2008 10:55 AM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

Hi Dan, My husband and I are in.
We are currently in contract for a 2 bed/2 bath lottery apartment at the Toren. We won too.
Also, to clarify a few things for you. The affordable units are IDENTICAL to the market value units: identical in quality and construction-including all fixtures (sinks, tub, faucets, etc). The only difference is that your appliances will be in the elite stainless steel category instead of the pro line. After reviewing the offering plan, I actually went online and compared all of the appliances (fyi, each unit includes the washer/dryer) which was fun and informative. The only restriction with the Toren is that you can only sell to someone who falls within the income restricion. I've crunched my numbers to death, and my husband and I decided that we could definately make a good chunk of money if we play our cards right (again, we won a 2 bed so our deal is probably better). I also spent a great deal of time speaking with my lawyer (happy to recommend her if you need someone) evaluating the situation and she was super helpful and advised us to move forward. Of course, this is only a decision you guys can make. We also have a 1.5 year old daughter (would love to have lots of parents in the Toren! Pool dates, babysitting exchange!) so I understand the equation is more complicated.
My advice is to proceed. Get approved and then get your Offering Plan and have a lawyer check it out. Until you enter into contract and send in a check, you can pull out. Keep in mind too that you can always sell (never with a penalty)-you are not trapped which was a big plus for us.

Anyway, feel free to contact me personally if you want

Posted by: leiteas at July 20, 2008 10:53 AM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

Here is my email: leiteashleigh@hotmail.com

Posted by: leiteas at July 20, 2008 10:55 AM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

Dan you can also get in touch with me at biggiefish@hotmail.com

Posted by: fishie at July 21, 2008 12:02 AM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

The Toren "affordable" apartments are a scam. You get what you pay for. As you said, they're barely cheaper than the market ones, have worse fixtures, and are only a couple floors above Flatbush Extension -- serious noise! I'd pass.

Posted by: zinka at July 21, 2008 12:52 AM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

i'm also a lottery winner and i'm surprised they still have the affordable units available. i had heard that all 42 affordable units have been spoken for. at the moment, according to streeteasy.com, there are 62 units in contract for the market rate units. with the affordable units the building is 43% sold/in-contract.

for those who are in contract at the toren, there is a google group set up. go to http://groups.google.com/group/toren to get approved. this may be a good source to get more info from another people who are in contract.

Posted by: 11205waverly at July 21, 2008 11:58 AM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

nother "winner" here. I recently received (by accident), a letter from Halstead saying I needed to respond, etc. It's by accident b/c I'm already in contract. The Halstead guys are nice but slightly sloppy. Anyway, the letter showed what units were available - only studios and ones. None seemed appropriate for a family. I think the studios are going to be a tough sell since they aren't outrageously cheap.

My only (major) gripes with the design of these units, particularly for the smaller ones is lack of closets. Some of the studios have one closet! If the building had storage space it would be acceptable but since it doesn't the layouts take a hit in my opinion.

On a different note, don't know about you guys but I'm not too concerned about noise (for some reason). A) this NY and you get used to it, and B) I have faith this is being constructed with noise in mind.

thanks for the tip about the google group.

Posted by: LilBitOfLuck at July 21, 2008 12:26 PM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

Affordable housing in NYC is anything but. The formulas used to qualify as affordable housing is biased assisting the developer with tax advantages and giving the rest of us, for the most part, a very small break from market rate.

Posted by: SenatorStreet at July 21, 2008 1:31 PM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

For those interested in this discussion, curbed has a new post about the recent cladding activity on the building. And since we're on the subject, I don't have a link handy but on skyscraperpage.com, if you go to the forums section, there's a forum for Toren which has info, pictures and links to other discussions about developments in downtown BK.

Posted by: LilBitOfLuck at July 21, 2008 2:15 PM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

I got a letter from Halstead on 7/6 statying that I won and they have 6 units (1 bed) left. I got the pre approval yesterday and will meeting the agent on Monday....not sure though. This is being offered at about $700 per sqft.....
On streeteasy....# 2407, 609 ft² $821per ft²....so it looks like a bit of a deal.

Don't know the area well and plan to check it out this weekedend.

Posted by: asad at August 8, 2008 9:38 AM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

After several research and analysis the Toren lottery pick is not worth the price for one bedroom or studio. I look at the availabilities on the Toren website and the one bedrooms and studios are offered at a lower price and they are located on a higher/or the similar floor. The appliances on the lottery pick are of lower qualities than the market value units and there is no restriction in selling the unit. The price per square feet for my unit is $699 and the price on the 15th floor is $665. Please give me an explanation of why the unit on the 15th floor is offered at the lower than the lottery unit.

Posted by: torenhpdscam at September 17, 2008 7:31 PM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren

After several research and analysis the Toren lottery pick is not worth the price for one bedroom or studio. I look at the availabilities on the Toren website and the one bedrooms and studios are offered at a lower price and they are located on a higher/or the similar floor. The appliances on the lottery pick are of lower qualities than the market value units and there is no restriction in selling the unit. The price per square feet for my unit is $699 and the price on the 15th floor is $665. Please give me an explanation of why the unit on the 15th floor is offered at the lower than the lottery unit.

Posted by: torenhpdscam at September 17, 2008 7:31 PM in response to "Winning" HPD Lottery for the Toren