Glass Construction Towering Over Brooklyn
An article in yesterday’s NY Sun takes a look at the wave of glass-sheathed high-rises under construction in the outer boroughs, with shout-outs to two of Brooklyn’s biggest new towers o’ transparency, Williamsburg’s Northside Piers and Prospect Heights’ On Prospect Park. The article notes that developers say the contemporary aesthetic of glass towers does not…
An article in yesterday’s NY Sun takes a look at the wave of glass-sheathed high-rises under construction in the outer boroughs, with shout-outs to two of Brooklyn’s biggest new towers o’ transparency, Williamsburg’s Northside Piers and Prospect Heights’ On Prospect Park. The article notes that developers say the contemporary aesthetic of glass towers does not detract from typical brownstone neighborhoods’ charm. Done correctly, we’d agree. On Prospect Park’s developers believe the condo will enhance its surroundings because Richard Meier’s design is an opportunity to have an impact on the urban landscape. A spokesman for Toll Brothers, meanwhile, says 20 percent of Northside Piers buyers are from Brooklyn, suggesting that Brooklynites are hungry for translucent architecture. Of course, the Williamsburg waterfront is hardly a typical brownstone ‘hood like Prospect Heights, so it’s difficult to compare how Northside Piers and OPP gel with their respective surroundings. Where do you come down on the great glass debate?
Glass Towers on the Rise Outside of Manhattan [Sun]
I could very well be wrong, but I thought that only a small portion of the brownstones in Brooklyn were landmarked.
But that aside, I will concede your point and will not harp on the window treatment requirements at OPP. The uniformity will probably make it look better. I’ll be curious to see how it looks when finished.
I walked past OPP again this weekend. I realized that it seems familiar because it reminds me of all the smallish office parks that sprouted up around Houston during the late 70s and early 80s.
For the record on the subject of window treatments at OPP, the “house rules” require that any treatments have white backing, but residents are free to have a different color on the inside-facing of the treatment, even pink flamingos. Can anyone seriously dispute tht the building will look best from the outside if the window treatments (i.e., the exterior walls) in every unit are uniform? I’m not sure how this is different from brownstone Brooklyn – I don’t see a lot of brownstones with exterior walls painted different and perhaps clashing colors.
In any event, I imagine that the only people who will want to live at OPP are those who buy into RM’s specific, modern, white, uncluttered aesthetic (like me!).
you can only paint your brownstone, if it pre-dated landmarks.
otherwise you can NOT paint your brownstone for the hell of it and you have to stick with certain colors for the trim, windows, doors, etc.
it’s ridiculous to comment on blinds when landmarked brownstones are under far more scrutiny and rules for such things.
i’m not saying they shouldn’t, i’m just asking that you not be such a hypocrite.
Hey 1:20, Have you ever actually walked around a brownstone neighborhood like Park Slope? I’ve seen brownstones painted white, green, and yes, purple. And they get to hang whatever the hell they want in their windows.
yeah, you’re right. that’s crazy 11:46.
i think i’m going to paint my brownstone white today.
oooh…or maybe purple.
meier is requiring some blinds. ever heard of a little thing called landmarks commission??
Another arrogant starchitect. The building dictates what your window treatment must be, and then makes you pay for them? I’d like to think that is a joke, but it sounds oh-so believable.
Overall i think it is fine. But it does remind me of a giant newly remodeled IKEA kitchen.
It’s not bad looking, but the prices are absurd. The advertisements try to compare it to “brownstone” living. How’s that? Just because you live in a neighborhood with brownstones you can analogize yourself with a brownstone? Might as well just buy a brownstone. It stands out from the surroundings, but not in an offensive way. It’s a decent looking building all in all. One funny note about the glass windows. I went to an OH and apparently all tenants will be REQUIRED to have white blinds on all windows. The windows are pre-wired for them, you just have to pay for them all. I guess the building lives in fear of what might happen if individuals are allowed to choose their own colors and thus clash among themselves. I am reminded of a pink flamingo on the lawn in a nice neighborhood i know. LOL