HSBC Downsizing in The Burg
Yesterday, Crain’s reported that HSBC has hired Massey Knakal to unload its iconic bank branch at 151 Broadway in South Williamsburg. The London-based bank has been ensconced in the 28.500-square-foot domed building since 1996 when it acquired the previous resident, Republic National Bank. Where’s HSBC moving? To a space in a new building at Bedford…
Yesterday, Crain’s reported that HSBC has hired Massey Knakal to unload its iconic bank branch at 151 Broadway in South Williamsburg. The London-based bank has been ensconced in the 28.500-square-foot domed building since 1996 when it acquired the previous resident, Republic National Bank. Where’s HSBC moving? To a space in a new building at Bedford and North 3rd Street, right next to the upcoming Duane Reade. From the looks of this photo sent in by a tipster, it should be opening pretty soon (“late 2010” to be exact).
Towering Williamsburg Landmark Hits the Block [Crain’s]
One of Brooklyn’s Most Beautiful Banks Up for Grabs [Curbed] GMAP
This building is a landmark inside and out – that alone will probably keep Apple (and a lot of others) away. Look at 1 Hanson – other than a the flea market on the weekends, not exactly a retail success story, and that’s at the intersection of a bazillion subway lines AND a commuter RR.
Been watching this week’s Apple store threads with some amusement. I think 11217 is right – Apple isn’t going here or anywhere else in North Brooklyn. Too much proximity to existing Apple stores, and too little access from the rest of Brooklyn. I also think Minard is (unwittingly) right – Apple is more likely to wind up in far southern Brooklyn. It will be similar to its Staten Island store or 95% of its other retail outlets – location-based mall-type retail outlets. If Apple winds up in downtown/brownstone Brooklyn, I’d bet on a smaller more mall-like store – 2,500 sf at the ground floor – not an iconic Manhattan-style store.
But can’t you just picture that iconic apple in the place of the HSBC sign? It would look super cool and everyone on the JMZ would see it everyday. Great advertising opportunity.
Apple store would be cool, but it is unlikely because there is not enough foot traffic around there. The Apple stores i’ve seen are on much busier streets.
Been my bank for many years and the beautiful building is the reason i chose and kept it as my bank. Like going there even if the lines are long. Talk about high ceilings!
Also it seems what is currently the bank is part of a larger building – the other parts of the building seem unused. The parking lot seems to be also used by Peter Luger?
Ah Minard, Minard, Minard.
On this site I’ve seen you get into arguments about whether State Street is in Brooklyn Heights proper. A matter of one block to define the boundaries of a neighborhood.
Here we have a street (Kings Highway) that is 4-5 blocks away (long blacks, I might add)from the boundary of OLD Mill Basin (not NEW Mill Basin, which is what most people consider modern-day Mill Basin and is even further south) and you want to pick an argument with me about whether this distance qualifies as “nowhere near”.
Tsk-tsk.
As for Kings Plaza, yes it is at the start of Mill Basin. What of it? Kings Plaza is on the corner of Ave U and Flatbush Ave, about one mile from Kings Highway at that point.
By the way, Minard, when I was a young lad, Kings Plaza is where us southern Brooklyn denizens used to cruise as mall-rats. That’s where the girls were back in my day.
Benson you said it was “nowhere near” Mill Basin.
And is not “Kings Plaza Shopping Center” in Mill Basin?
Hmmm??
One question:
Are you a Russian Spy?
that will be the last we hear of Minard – if he takes that tour with benson
Minard;
Kings Highway runs through Flatlands and East Flatbush, not Mill Basin.
benson, I just opened up my map of Brooklyn (opened folds that had never been touched) and Kings Highway is near Mill Basin. You impostor!
Minard;
Excellent comeback!!
You won’t need shots, but perhaps some foreign language courses are in order.