Brownstoner is Brooklyn's most read
website about real estate, renovation
and neighborhood news. Read More»
Past and Present: Atlantic Avenue at Cumberland Street
A Look at Brooklyn, then and now.
Today’s historic photo from 1924 shows two commercial buildings on the south side of Atlantic Avenue, near Cumberland Street. Frequent passers-by today will recognize these as the sole remaining 19th century large commercial buildings in the AY footprint. On a 1929 map, 700 Atlantic Avenue, the building on the right, belonged to the American Railway Express Company (AREC), a large shipping company founded in 1917 to consolidate shipping efforts during World War I. It was bought out by the railroads, and was an early shipping company that was like UPS with trains instead of planes. Goods were shipped via rail, taken to warehouses like this, and then shipped by trucks to their destinations. They needed warehouses near rail lines for the most efficient transfer of goods. They couldn’t get any closer than this. (more…)
02/10/2012 10:30 AM
Comment
More Delays at Atlantic Yards
The Atlantic Yards Report writes this morning of two delays relating to the Barclays Center built-out. The biggest news to those who have to try to navigate the giant construction project is that the Carlton Avenue bridge reopening has been delayed by a month, and in order to meet the new completion date of September 2012 work crews will be at it until 3 am. “The artery’s absence could plunge area traffic into chaos, especially given the inevitable shakeout period in which arena-goers and area drivers learn to regulate down their vehicle use before events,” notes AYR. As the blog notes, The $40 million bridge project is an Arena Opening Condition under an agreement Forest City signed with Empire State Development. Delay #2: For the second time in five weeks, says AYR, the “substantial completion date” for the arena itself has been pushed back a week to September 5. (The final completion date is slated for June 30, 2013.)
02/10/2012 9:00 AM
Comment
Al Di La Expansion, Bar Corvo, Opens Tonight
Bar Corvo, the new restaurant being opened by the folks behind Park Slope favorite Al Di La, will be in business tonight at at 791 Washington Avenue, near the corner of Lincoln Place. According to Prospect Heights Patch, Bar Corvo will just serve dinner to begin with, but the owners are hoping to add lunch and take-out soon. The restaurant’s website doesn’t have a menu yet, but you can expect a cheaper, more casual menu than Al Di La that’s strong on Italian staples. An exciting addition to the avenue, don’t you think?
Al Di La is Expanding to ProCro [Brownstoner] GMAP
01/26/2012 2:00 PM
Comment
Co-op of the Day: 20 Plaza Street East, #B6
Even though this apartment at 20 Plaza Street East in Prospect Heights contains a couple of our pet peeves (recessed lighting in the living room and shiny granite counters in the kitchen), we’re still liking it. Nice prewar details, large rooms and nice configuration including the extra exposures in the living room and bedroom. The asking price of $579,000 isn’t cheap for a one-bedroom but given the size, location and condition not impossible at all.
20 Plaza Street East, #B6 [Brown Harris Stevens] GMAP P*Shark
01/25/2012 12:57 PM
Comment
Building of the Day: 65 Sixth Avenue
Brooklyn, one building at a time.
Name: 78th Precinct House
Address: 65 Sixth Avenue
Cross Streets: Bergen Street
Neighborhood: Prospect Heights
Year Built: 1925
Architectural Style: Renaissance Revival
Architect: Unknown
Landmarked: No
The story: In my opinion, older police precinct houses generally look one of two ways; either like castles, such as the 88th Precinct, in Clinton Hill, a recent BOTD, or like a bank. This one looks like a bank. All side issues of class, and law and order abuses aside, architecture really gives a psychological impression in civic buildings such as police stations. Castles give the impression of defense; of the building, and by design, the police themselves being a bulwark against those who would go against the rule of law. A castle is the last defense on the frontier against the barbarian hordes. This is as deliberate as the pattern on the bricks themselves. And it’s a powerful image, and was very popular in the 1880’s and 90’s. (more…)
01/23/2012 3:30 PM
Comment
Franny’s Moving to Bigger Digs on Flatbush
This weekend Patch confirmed a rumor that the beloved pizza restaurant Franny’s is going to move into a new, larger space a few blocks away from its current location. The restaurant is going to move to the former Blockbuster storefront on Flatbush near the corner of Sterling Place (shown at right before the video store closed). Grub Street has more details on the move: The new iteration of the restaurant will take reservations for parties of six or more, offer takeout and serve lunch. The current Franny’s space will reopen as a new Italian restaurant called Marco’s. As Here’s Park Slope notes, local landlord Michael Pintchik has been renovating the string of storefronts on Flatbush that will include the new Franny’s and had promised that a restaurant “everyone’s familiar with, and that everyone will love” was going to move to the spot.
Confirmed: Franny’s Moving to Former Blockbuster on Flatbush [Patch] GMAP
Franny’s 2.0 To Open in November [Grub Street]
Photo by threecee
01/23/2012 12:00 PM
Comment
Warehouse Near Atlantic Yards Marketed for Retail
Atlantic Yards Report notes that the firm Winick Realty is marketing a warehouse on Dean Street near the corner of Carlton, across the street from the Barclays Center’s future surface parking lot, as a possible mini-mall. The asking price for the building, which offers around 65,000 square feet of space, isn’t listed. The ad includes the rendering above of the property and says it could have an an all-glass front.
An Industrial Site for Sale on Dean Street [AY Report] GMAP
594 Dean Street Listing [Winick]
01/17/2012 2:41 PM
Comment
Rental of the Day: 327 Sterling Place
This is a charming three bedroom at 327 Sterling Place in Prospect Heights. The apartment’s close to the park and a few subway stations, a nice plus. As for the space itself, it’s been renovated without being stripped of all character. The monthly rent comes in at $3,200. Thoughts?
327 Sterling Place [Mark David Real Estate] GMAP P*Shark
01/17/2012 12:31 PM
Comment
Lavazza Coffee Opening Near Arena
Thanks to the tipster who pointed out that a Lavazza Coffee outpost is moving into the Atlantic Yards vicinity, on 6th Avenue between Bergen and Dean streets. A graphic design office occupied the space previously. Our tipster wonders, “Maybe the owner has been renegotiating in anticipation of AY?” Do you think a cafe will do well in this spot? GMAP
01/13/2012 2:00 PM
Comment
Parks Department Spiffing Up the Dean Street Playground
Last night the Community Board 8 Parks Committee shared plans for renovating the Dean Street Playground, between 6th Avenue and Carlton. There is $233,000 left over from a previous renovation of the space that will go toward fixing up the playground’s plaza. The work will include upgrading the pavement, adding benches by the basketball courts and putting in more picnic tables, standard tables and greenery throughout. The project begins this fall, and during the renovations, which should only take 9 months, the plaza section will be closed off. The CB8 Parks rep also said the comfort station upgrades that are in progress should be finished by September or October. GMAP
01/13/2012 12:00 PM
Comment
Past and Present: Eastern Parkway, east to GAP
A Look at Brooklyn, then and now.
The intersection of Bedford Avenue and Eastern Parkway marks the highest point of the “heights” of Crown Heights. From this vantage point, you can see Brooklyn sloping down the ancient terminal moraine. In 1905, the people of Brooklyn erected a statue honoring General George Slocum, a Brooklyn boy who became a well-loved Civil War officer, at this intersection. The General is facing west, towards Prospect Park, perhaps saluting the war veterans immortalized at Grand Army Plaza. (more…)
01/13/2012 10:30 AM
Comment
Co-op of the Day: 135 Eastern Parkway, #1E
Ground-floor apartments are almost always a tougher sell, so it’s not really a surprise that this two-bedroom pad at 135 Eastern Parkway in Prospect Heights has had its asking price trimmed by $100,000 since it hit the market last fall. At its current price of $699,000, the 1,200-square-foot prewar apartment offers quite a good bang for the buck–as long as you don’t mind the lack of views and privacy. (For what it’s worth, this unit traded for $780,000 back in 2007.) What do you think this ends up going for?
135 Eastern Parkway, #1E [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
01/12/2012 12:55 PM
Comment
New Brokers, Some Price Cuts for OPP’s Remaining Units
We haven’t checked in on sales at the Richard Meier-designed On Prospect Park for quite some time, but a press release that was sent out this morning brings us up-to-date on what’s going on with the condo: Brown Harris Stevens is the development’s new broker, taking over from Corcoran to market the remaining 21 unsold units in the building. The release notes that 10 of the unsold condos have been put on the market and that some are “price-improved.” A quick scan of StreetEasy reveals some of the price cuts: A two-bedroom that was listed for $935,000 when Corcoran had the listing is now asking $850,000; another two bedroom has dropped in price from $945,000 to $895,000; and a three-bedroom last listed for $1,800,000 is now asking $1,700,000. The building is 80 percent sold overall.
1 Grand Army Plaza Listings [Brown Harris Stevens]
Sales March on at On Prospect Park [Brownstoner] GMAP
01/12/2012 11:00 AM
Comment
Co-op of the Day: 230 Park Place, #5E
What’s the market done in Prospect Heights over the last five years? We’re about to find out. This oversized one-bedroom at 230 Park Place traded for $425,000 in mid-2006 and has just come back on the market for $499,000. The prewar pad is in nice shape with recently renovated bathroom and kitchen; it’s also got a foyer, a dining area and dressing room in addition to the standard living room and bedroom. It’ll be interesting to see what this one goes for.
230 Park Place, #5E [Douglas Elliman] GMAP P*Shark
01/10/2012 12:54 PM
Comment
Co-op of the Day: 426 Sterling Place, #2D
The large living room (13 by 31 feet) is the biggest selling point of this one-bedroom co-op at 426 Sterling Place in Prospect Heights. The recently redone apartment doesn’t have any particular charm but it’s also perfectly attractive and in good shape. The maintenance is $701 and the asking price is $400,000. What do you make of that?
426 Sterling Place, #2D [Douglas Elliman] GMAP P*Shark
12/21/2011 12:55 PM
Comment
PeteZaaz Now Open on Classon Avenue
The pizza place slated for 766 Classon Avenue (next to the Glass Shop) opened, and it’s called PeteZaaz. Prospect Heights Patch checked out the place a few weeks ago and called the interior “warm and stylish.” The chef, from restaurant No. 7, makes creative pizzas like a cold fried chicken pie and a baked potato pie. Pizzas run from $12-15 and the joint hopes to start delivery soon. So who’s checked it out?
Fancy Pizza Joint Opening Soon on Classon [Brownstoner]
12/20/2011 2:00 PM
Comment
Washington/Atlantic Crossing Even Hairier Than Usual
Crossing Atlantic Avenue at Washington is already a bad scene, which is why there are longstanding plans to improve the intersection, but the entire triangle on the southeast side of the intersection was recently blocked off, making it even more difficult to traverse. Although there are plans for a park and green street expansion at the triangle, the current situation is due to the water main installation project on Atlantic Ave. It will be closed off through December. The triangle renovation should happen right after the water main project is complete, according to a city rep. The city expanded the nearby Lowery Triangle a few months ago.
Momentum on Atlantic/Washington Calming [Brownstoner]
12/16/2011 11:00 AM
Comment
More Details Revealed at 606 R&D on Vanderbilt Avenue
This summer, the savory chef at City Bakery announced plans to open a restaurant at 606 Vanderbilt Avenue, which has moved along smoothly since then. We checked into the space today; it should be open by January. The breakfast, lunch and dinner menu will feature American, seasonal classics like mac and cheese. There will be fresh bread, meats and cheeses for sale, a donut machine, full bar and garden space. The interior is cozy but, so far, beautifully done. Excited?
A Slice of City Bakery for Vanderbilt Avenue [Brownstoner] GMAP
12/13/2011 2:00 PM
Comment
Last Week’s Biggest Sales
1. PROSPECT HEIGHTS $1,733,000
1 Grand Army Plaza, #6G GMAP P*Shark
The listing says this unit includes, “Westerly exposure with cityscape and tree top views, privately positioned Master bedroom suite, extra large 2nd and 3rd bedrooms with a shared walk in closet and a sundrenched all glass home office.” 2,107 square feet, five bed/four bath, asking $2,140,000 in 2008. Entered into contract on 10/10/11; closed on 11/21/11; deed recorded on 12/09/2011.
2. MILL BASIN $1,530,000
2620 National Drive GMAP P*Shark
A 2,021-square-foot one-family house. Entered into contract on 9/29/11; closed on 11/23/11; deed recorded on 12/07/2011.
3. WILLIAMSBURG $1,282,995
2 Northside Piers, #21A GMAP P*Shark
The info on this condo unit has been pulled. Entered into contract on 9/16/11; closed on 11/17/11; deed recorded on 12/08/2011.
4. WILLIAMSBURG $1,191,352.50
22 North 6th Street, #10C GMAP P*Shark
A sale at the Edge’s South Tower, listing has been pulled. Entered into contract on 9/29/11; closed on 10/20/11; deed recorded on 12/08/2011.
5. WILLIAMSBURG $1,186,261.25
34 North 7th Street, #9B GMAP P*Shark
A sale at the Edge’s North Tower for a 1,170-square-foot two bed/two bath. Entered into contract on 9/14/11; closed on 11/14/11; deed recorded on 12/07/2011.
12/13/2011 11:30 AM
Comment
tanner
Feb 06, 2012 | 12:32 PM