Who Needs Brownstones When You've Got The Smith!
Young lovers, beware of the brownstone! This, apparently, is the fable of this week’s Habitats column in The Times. I will never live in another Victorian brownstone, Serine Hastings told the paper of record. I have had two failed relationships while living in them. So what’s a modernist-leaning empty-nester to do? This devoted Brooklynite decided…
Young lovers, beware of the brownstone! This, apparently, is the fable of this week’s Habitats column in The Times. I will never live in another Victorian brownstone, Serine Hastings told the paper of record. I have had two failed relationships while living in them. So what’s a modernist-leaning empty-nester to do? This devoted Brooklynite decided to trade in her Fort Greene brownstone for a sixth-floor two-bedroom at The Smith, in part because she found that it had the best finishes of the other new construction projects she was looking at back in 2006. She also has some perspective on how her decision must look from the outside: I know people must drive by and think, I could never live in that cookie-cutter building, she said. I used to be one of those people.
After All Those Brownstones, a Blank Canvas [NY Times] GMAP
wow the ny times has now fallen to the level of infomercials for developers..remember the “new brooklyn” article a couple of months ago hyping the monstrosities on forth avenue.. it gets worse and worse..
I fully get the appeal of a condo over a Brownstone (no snow shoveling for one – someone else has to fix the leaks for two) and I (in the minority) don’t the “The Smith” is such a bad looking building.
BUT
the thing was clearly horribly constructed using numerous and totally uncoordinated contractors (i.e. as one failed or quit a few months later another was hired to continue) and as a result, critical parts were improperly exposed to the elements for the better part of 2 years. This building is going to be a maintaince NIGHTMARE for years (expect the scaffolding to go up any day now to deal with the leaks and the eventual 11/98 remediation). I think Ms Hastings is going to have trouble with another relationship soon – thats ok though – she is pretty hot for an older (lesbian?) women and she’ll find someone new fairly quickly
I think it’s all about re-inventing yourself. It keeps you young. Not everyone can do it. You have to have a certain attitude, not to mention money. I have known several people who have always lived in old houses filled with beautiful antiques that they collected over the years, suddenly decide to sell the house, auction the antiques, and move to a brand new building with brand new things. I think it’s great. Also, when the knees begin to go, single-level living in a full-serve elevator building is maximo bueno.
T’almod, I hear you on the Times RE section. Up until about a few years ago, they would sometimes publish some real reporting on thorny legal disputes (L&T, co op condo), some horror stories, etc. I remember a story on an entire suburban development in which the buyers were misled about the school district. Then, a few years ago, it seemed the philosophy changed. Prices got the blue type 48-point treatment, the horror stories stopped appearing, and now the Times reader can find residential bliss anywhere — in shoddy new construction, in (gasp) the Bronx, you name it. Everyone’s a winner in the Hunt. You would never know from the Times that there might be some routine pitfalls, bad deals or unscrupulous players out there.
traditionalmod may be right, but truthfully, I did find vertical living a little wearing. I remember that stairs-complaining couple was 50-60ish with knees to match. maybe it’s me (and my family history of early knee and hip replacements), but I didn’t find that soooo outlandish.
I completely totally understand when somebody chooses an easier-to-maintain condo over a brownstone. (I can also believe the stress of a brownstone renovation can break up a marriage!) But the real reason the NY Times published this article is because they make their ad dollars from brokers and developers who are desperately trying to sell condos right now. The NYT real estate section has published pieces about how awful it is to own a brownstone, at least 3 times over the last couple years. Brownstoner posted one that featured a couple who ranted about how hard it is to climb stairs, remember that one? It’s so transparent where these articles are coming from it’s hilarious. The NYT real estate section is fun but it’s not reporting, it’s their job to help their advertisers sell real estate. And condos need the most help right now.
Best of all, with the reopening of the neighboring House of Detention, all she has to do is step outside the front door & meet all sorts of new friends!
As they say, ‘location, location, location.’
I’m with ringo. I love old buildings, and I really wouldn’t give up architectural detail and “ambiance”- but as an artist, seeing all that sunlight flooding her rooms…well I dunno. She did sound very tongue-in-chic about the relationships. Personally, I know this for a fact, people who live in brownstones or old townhouses become suckers for kitties. serious suckers.
I read the article in the Times this weekend. I thought the woman was funny. And I thought her place was really lovely. I’m certainly one of those people who look at places like The Smith and think, who’d buy that? But her place looked great.