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
Who knows why HSBC is really selling. Article says they got the building as part of an acquisition of another bank back in 1996. Maybe they don’t want to be in the business of owning real estate. Who knows? But, when we’re talking about being “trendy” I wouldn’t read too much into a headline from a Crains article.
The upper part of Atlantic *could* make sense, but there’s no building that works.
I would argue that the area of Atlantic Avenue with Trader Joe’s, Barney’s on the way, Jonathan Adler, Steve Alan, Jodi Arnold, etc is a far trendier strip (by Apple’s standards) than anything in Williamsburg.
But I think we have different ideas of trendy. I consider Williamsburg to have more “interesting” retail, but Atlantic Avenue is more trendy.
Given the location of Apple stores in Manhattan and in suburban malls, I think they associate a Barney’s Co-op as trendier than Pies and Thighs.
Apple didn’t open on the Lower East Side. They opened across from the Plaza, Crate and Barrel and FAO Schwartz.
They didn’t open on the East Village, they opened on 68th street, across from Barnes and Noble, CB2, and West Elm.
Oh who cares! 🙂
“In a 135-year first, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank building is for sale; owner/occupier HSBC is moving its branch a few blocks north to new building in far trendier section.”
“And the bank is for sale. Not sure Apple is going to invest in BUYING a building in a location deemed not trendy enough for a HSBC bank. ”
It doesn’t say ANYWHERE in the article that HSBC is moving because their current location isn’t trendy enough.
Surely you know the Northside is grossly underserved by bank branches. So it makes perfect sense to tap that market, and probably make some money in the process.
you must also know, being the man about the town you are that this part of Williamsburg is 100x trendier than the Northside.
Then again, Downtown Brooklyn isn’t the epitome of ‘trendy’ either. Yeah, there’s a couple of residential towers and some ugly office buildings and low end retail. Okay – it’s a 15 minute walk to a lot of neighborhoods. Tons of people in Brownstone Brooklyn will still have to use mass transit to get there.
i forgot what my point was….
Holy Shit my Bank’s Chinese!!
The bank also has a parking lot.
DH, this place was a bank too, before they decided to move to a “trendier location” so says the Crain’s article.
And the bank is for sale. Not sure Apple is going to invest in BUYING a building in a location deemed not trendy enough for a HSBC bank.
Here’s the article with the first line:
“In a 135-year first, the Williamsburgh Savings Bank building is for sale; owner/occupier HSBC is moving its branch a few blocks north to new building in far trendier section.”
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100805/REAL_ESTATE/100809902
Apple seems much more concerned with image when opening NYC retail locations than anything else. Why open the MePa one, which is maybe 15 minute walk from the Soho location?
All the retail in DoBro, sadly, seems more suited for Duane Reades and Chase branches.
I mean, I could care less either way, but to say that Apple’s foremost concern is opening a store in Brownstone Brooklyn seems a little off base.
I hope it does open there. It’s a great building. I just don’t personally think it will.