Gowanus Blooming, Ripe For Own Chelsea Market?
Maybe most living organisms can’t grow in the Gowanus Canal (though we hear the oysters are doing swimmingly), but a bunch of pollution hasn’t stopped man-made growth. A number of new venues are opening, detailed in this month’s issue of The Real Deal. Union Hall is opening a new club in the neighborhood, joining Bar…
Maybe most living organisms can’t grow in the Gowanus Canal (though we hear the oysters are doing swimmingly), but a bunch of pollution hasn’t stopped man-made growth. A number of new venues are opening, detailed in this month’s issue of The Real Deal. Union Hall is opening a new club in the neighborhood, joining Bar Tano on the eastern side of the canal. Danny Tinneny, Jr. is finishing up a coffee shop and wine bar this summer that would have waterfront seating, joining The Yard and Gowanus Yacht Club on the canal’s west side (possible grounds for an East Side, West Side rivalry). Some people can see the sleepy industrial area becoming Brooklyn’s newest hot spot for gallery and bar hopping, the only place in the city where you can down your favorite night cap alongside a real live canal. What could possibly top that off? Massey Knakal broker Ken Freeman thinks a down-scaled, Gowanus version of the Chelsea Market where light manufacturers could make and sell their work. Freeman is marketing two sleeping giants on Third and Bond Streets, one for $15 million and the other for $10 million, where such a project would be as-of-right. The market would be adjacent to the Third Street bridge and kitty-corner from The Hudson Companies’ townhouse project meticulously documented by principal David Kramer on this blog. “To me, you have to use the water,” Freeman told The Real Deal in an accompanying article. “If you have a little promenade on the water and a café over there, I think you’d be amazed at the amount of people who would sit and eat by the water, or take laptops and work there all day.” What do you think? Could you see it?
More places to see art, party in Gowanus [The Real Deal]
Defending Gowanus [The Real Deal]
Oh My Rockness: Union Hall Expanding in Gowanus [Brownstoner]
Brooklyn Nibbles: Carroll Street Cafe Coming [Gowanus Lounge]
Nokilissa, interesting comparison to the Meatpacking District although that resurgence has the incredible benefit of being bordered by the thriving areas of Chelsea and the West Village. Other than some of the negatives you mentioned re: the Meatpacking District, I still find much to do there; the galleries alone are worth the trip. It’s true this area could be a mini-version / variation on that.
2:15, I don’t see any issue whatsoever with Sarah cross-referencing to her Real Deal article, especially since it was in response to a question she was asked regarding why she covered the area. And some of us are interested in Sarah’s other work.
Lastly, Sarah, I really enjoy when you (or Brownstoner or the others) get “sucked in” and provide your comments. Please continue doing it when you have the time!
2:14, the puny wrath of the Brownstoner trolls shall not be ignored!! How dare you post on topic!
Sarah, no need to explain. I just couldn’t resist the Gabby Does Gowanus setup. I think it’s nice you all cross over into other ‘hoods so we get a different perspective from time to time. We would be honored to have you come cover Brooklyn Heights sometime. I’ll have to click on The Real Deal links as I truly do enjoy your writing.
You just killed any cred you may have by pimping your own story that ran in The Deal.
I have to say it is really an exciting proposition. We live fairly close to the Chelsea Market and have been going there and enjoying it since it opened several years ago.
I’m convinced – chicken and egg argument
aside – that it became the stalwart that encouraged the growth of what is now considered one of the hip-est and edgily beautiful parts of downtown, the Meatpacking District.
Now, before anyone attacks, I am fully aware that much of what sucks about the Meatpacking District, high end shops, hipsters, Euro models and other types of ridiculousness, I am hopeful would not occur in Brooklyn/Gowanus.
I am hopeful that developing Gowanus in much the same way the Chelsea Market was developed, could be truly wonderful and beautiful and cool. Like the Dredgers themselves. And it could retain its sort of wild, weedy edge, while being cleaned up and expanded with shops and art enclaves and coffee spots, meandering paths of cobblestones and brick, little benches… sort of like what they’re doing in Red Hook around the Fairway. (NOT around the monstrosity that is Ikea).
Just my .02.
Oh, and Sarah, this was a great post and I too like your style and your stories.
1:55, no relation other than our shared perceived ambiguous sexuality. To your other point, I also thought Gabby did Gowanus.
Ditto Biff Champion’s comments (Biff, any relation to Sam?).
Also, since ” one of the reporters does live on the border of Gowanus” why doesn’t she (Gabby) own that beat?
1:32, wouldn’t you call Starbucks successful and don’t they invite people to sit and work on a laptop all day. Same for Gorilla Coffee, etc.
Some sort of outdoor/recreation superstore- like a huge REI or EMS would be awesome there- or a patagonia