It also appears to be 1/3 taller than the neighbor.

Posted by: wpg at May 6, 2009 2:57 PM in response to Development Watch: 93 Nevins More Fully Revealed

Young archi, is correct. I believe s/he makes quite clear the difference between zoning and aesthetics. There is really not much to dispute in his/her first post.

Also, if you step back a little bit, (photo 1) the new building is maybe a 1/2 story taller than the one three doors down. It is not "twice as large" (Maly) as the neighbors -you are being hysterical.

Posted by: wpg at May 6, 2009 9:23 AM in response to Development Watch: 53 Java Street

"The interior photo in The Times story is pretty darn slick for this type of thing, seeming to confirm our suspicions that lack of creativity and resourcefulness is usually more to blame than small budgets when ugly new buildings are put up."

This is definitely a decent step forward (architecturally) for affordable housing) but without knowing the cost per square foot I don't know how it can it "confirm your suspicions". It could be that this was built for $300/sqft. rather than $200/sqft (more typical). While not always the case, budget does influence the look of the building.

Posted by: wpg at April 27, 2009 10:06 AM in response to Lots of Love for the Schermerhorn House

Great posts young archi. Clear and concise. I agree with you that brownstoner poisons the well with the "breaking the rules" title and listing the architect's Scarano experience. For example, if I once worked at AIG/Goldman etc, am I a crook?

However, having read over Action Jackson's posts over the years I can definitely sympathize. That little stretch of South Slope has taken a contextual and aesthetic beating! While s/he may not be an architect, it is commendable to even crack the zoning resolution let alone quote from it (even though incorrectly in this case).

Posted by: wpg at April 10, 2009 6:02 PM in response to Breaking the Rules in Greenwood Heights?

The Morgan addition works precisely because it is contemporary- it clearly delineates between the new and the old.

Posted by: wpg at March 27, 2009 1:38 PM in response to Checking In On The Vermeil

When you put new 'historic-looking' developments in historic neighborhoods, invariably the new will look like a cheap imitation of the original. New should be new, old should be old.

Posted by: wpg at March 27, 2009 1:34 PM in response to Checking In On The Vermeil

How is it there there is room for Federal, Greek Revival, Flemish, Queen Anne, Romanesque Revival, and other styles spanning close to 100 years but come 1900, nothing new can be added to the neighborhood (landmarked or not). Scale, proportion, massing, rhythm are not exclusive to historic periods. I agree that many (many!) new developments are quite awful for a multitude of reasons (often scale), I don't however think as a progressive society we should limit our pallets to 19th century pastiche.

Posted by: wpg at March 27, 2009 1:12 PM in response to Checking In On The Vermeil

Is this really what people want NEW developments to look like? I never really understood how with our cars, phones, PDAs, bicycles, stereos, appliances, books (graphics), etc we want something that reflects the spirit of our times. However with architecture, people's aesthetic tastes seem stuck somewhere between 1840 and 1910.

Posted by: wpg at March 27, 2009 12:52 PM in response to Checking In On The Vermeil

This is a nice addition to the zoning resolution.

I do agree with the above poster in that there needs to be a more concerted effort to reduce the amount of cars on the road. The bike lanes are a joke. If a six year old can not safely use it, it is not a safe bike lane. Bikes need to be separate from vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Posted by: wpg at March 24, 2009 11:44 AM in response to City Planning Pushing New Bike-Friendly Rules

Vox Pop
Corporation
CEO
Board of Directors
Shareholders
Profit

Sorry Denton, this structure describes most for profit corporations. Perhaps including the words "community" or "collective" in their mission statement negates the above realities? Hardly the stalin model.

Posted by: wpg at March 18, 2009 11:20 AM in response to Vox Pop Responds, Plans Town Hall Meeting

bxgrl
"I think most of the commentary was about the 10 people who seem to want to have the co-op take a position that would overall have a very negative impact"

What is the "very negative impact"?

Posted by: wpg at February 20, 2009 3:33 PM in response to Proposed Ban Roiling Park Slope Co-op

Sam, are you saying that even plaster and partitions from 1890 are worthy of salvation?

Even the fireplaces, originally used (obviously) to heat the house, are no longer required with a modernized heating system. To replace the flues and rebuild the fireboxes just to reuse the original mantles is a vanity project if ever there was.

Posted by: wpg at December 22, 2008 11:19 AM in response to Brownstone Interior Destroyed Modernized by Artist Couple

Sam....First "bad karma" and then a "pox"!

Posted by: wpg at December 22, 2008 11:03 AM in response to Brownstone Interior Destroyed Modernized by Artist Couple

Brownstones are more (much more) than just crown molding and baseboards. People can appreciate them for different reasons: compact design, generous Parlor volumes, energy efficiency, grand stairwells, neighborhood scale, etc..... I suggest people think more thoughtfully on this count before condemning other motives for wanting to live in this type of dwelling.
Removing the chair rails does not negate the quality of this renovation.

Posted by: wpg at December 22, 2008 10:26 AM in response to Brownstone Interior Destroyed Modernized by Artist Couple

The real estate run up (i.e Mutant Real Estate Bubble) that many historically affordable neighborhoods (BS, CH etc) experienced in the last few years, helped create the situation that is playing out today. True, some people overextended themselves however, they are not responsible for exponential price increases that has destroyed the affordability of their working class neighborhood. People are losing their homes in your neighborhood. Why?

I am not implying that there is any willful malevolence buying in an 'up and coming ' neighborhood, but it is disingenuous to think there are no ill effects.

Posted by: wpg at December 9, 2008 11:56 AM in response to House of the Day: 1232 Dean Street

The fact that The What at least recognizes some of the real consequences of whites moving to predominantly black neighborhoods is welcome commentary on this blog. You may hate the style, but the content is worthy of discussion.

Posted by: wpg at December 9, 2008 9:41 AM in response to House of the Day: 1232 Dean Street

True 'z', but not as a dedicated section as boroughbred suggests.

Posted by: wpg at November 17, 2008 3:11 PM in response to Wanna Unload Your Property? Sell It Yourself

There are no FSBO on Brownstoner because that would undercut the brokers whose advertising funds this site. But I agree, it would be nice.

Posted by: wpg at November 17, 2008 11:42 AM in response to Wanna Unload Your Property? Sell It Yourself

This looks to be about 500sf. $100 per sf is more than reasonable for a full renovation.

Posted by: wpg at October 15, 2008 4:13 PM in response to Interiors: Small Spaces in Prospect Heights