Open Thread

TO: BAY RIDGE GIRL
RE: MIES VAN DER ROHE

There are traces of a Mies project in Brooklyn: University Terrace near Pratt Institute in Clinton Hill, a Mitchell-Lama project, originally planned by Mies.

Although the firm Kelly and Gruzen ultimately did the architecture, Mies’ “slab block” principles are still evident in the three towers that leave most of their superblocks open for lawns and parking lots, quite similar to the Colonnade Apartments in Newark and Lafayette Gardens in Detroit, contemporary urban renewal projects designed by the Great One.

I learned this when friends of my parents bought an apartment at University Terrace when I was a boy. I recall the project’s original name as “The Quadrangles,” no doubt referring to the Pratt campus, and appearing on maps of Brooklyn at the time.

University Terrace was definitely one of the better looking Mitchell-Lama projects. It was built by the Tishman group which, the project’s brochures proudly announced, were responsible for many of the “fine” cooperatives along Park Avenue.

Our friends’ apartment was quite nice and had a big, square living room in the corner of the building, unusual when most other new buildings had bedrooms at this location. This arrangement was similar to Mies’ Lake Shore Drive Apartments in Chicago, where as many living rooms as possible are located at corners to take advantage of the view. But the Brooklyn apartments had an advantage over the Chicago numbers: they had balconies extending the living rooms’ width.

I remember thinking University Terrace very sleek, with its plate glass lobbies approached by private driveways. I don’t know the condition of the project now, but in its day it represented The New for a segment of middle-class Brooklynites who didn’t move to the suburbs.

Nostalgic on Park Avenue

jeffrey…I’m inviting the What in on this at the venture capital stage. if there are any failed trades he gets to use his baseball bat.

Snappy will be hired on as legal council and to fulfill other quotas.

DIBS – Nice system, but who will underwrite the default swaps to hedge against the aggregate of individual FAIL posts?

I’m making a market in posts. There will be a bid and ask price and I will make a small profit on each one. If I do an extremely good job of cleaning up the toxic posts I will pay myself a humungous bonus.

once this business reaches a critical mass, I will float an Initial Public Offering (IPO). Any of the regular Asshats will be able to get in beforehand at a reduced price.

You are guaranteed a profit.

quote:
I just probably ask on Monday when there’s people around to ask.

but what if we are all banned and/or post restricted. i dont think anyone is going to use one of their precious posts to answer your questions about where to get a good dosa! :-/

okay almost time for me to pack up and head out. have a good weekend! <3
*rob*