Bed-Stuy: The New Lower East Side?
The Times has a story about an architectural designer who’s moved to Bed-Stuy from Alphabet City and claims that Brooklyn reconnects me to New York City as a cultural and social phenomenon. Michael Andaloro lived on Avenue B for more than two decades and sold two apartments there for $1.2 million last year; he originally…
The Times has a story about an architectural designer who’s moved to Bed-Stuy from Alphabet City and claims that Brooklyn reconnects me to New York City as a cultural and social phenomenon. Michael Andaloro lived on Avenue B for more than two decades and sold two apartments there for $1.2 million last year; he originally paid $60,000 for the properties. Andaloro recently bought a Bed-Stuy building for $775,000 and spent almost that much on renovating the structure, which he says was a 7 on the squalor scale. The new Brooklynite says he doesn’t miss the East Village, which was like spring break in Orlando on Thursday nights and that his new neighborhood’s diversity and possibilities are like the Lower East Side of lore. And, of course, he’s banking on his Bed-Stuy investment eventually paying off the same way Alphabet City did: I always figure that a bleak or notorious neighborhood translates into cachet one day.
Rediscovering New York as It Used to Be [NY Times]
Photo by …neene…
12:54 – When JB decides to post stories and comments simply about the renovation of dilapidated buildings maybe the vitriol will end but as long as the stories are laced with the healthy tone of cultural superiority that this one was – then opposing viewpoints will sought to be expressed.
Isnt this “diversity” of opinion good?
“But I am constantly astonished by the level of unbridled vitriol in this forum.”
It’s because everyone wishes they could have scraped together that 60K and turned it into 1.2 million dollars.
Instead of being happy for other people, Americans have a special way of being hateful instead.
Prospective Stuy-Heights buyer:
i bought in BedStuy a year ago. Right on the edge of Stuy Heights at Macon and Throop. We gut renovated and moved in three months later. Its been wonderful. I love the neighborhood and our block especially. People have been extremely warm and welcoming. We joined the block association, had a great block party and every time I work in the front yard people stop to say hi, or even help with the yard work!! I have never felt unsafe, even late at night. In the last year a few more stores have opened, including a cute wine shop on the other end of our block and so I hope a few more bars/restaurants will follow. that is all that is lacking for me!
cause lots of people are envious.
they wish they would have bought said homes when they were 200K 10 years ago.
now they have witnessed so many folks in nyc literally make a fortune and they refuse to recognize that there is this immense wealth in nyc that passed them by.
I live just down the block from this guy — me and my wife moved here two and a half years ago — The guy in the NY Times this weekend is doing great work. He has restored a building, established a business, provided a decent roof for decent people to live under and is not gouging them for it. This area needs more like him.
I have written about my nayb in magazines and newspapers all over the world and when I do JB usually posts them here, a service for which I am grateful. But I am constantly astonished by the level of unbridled vitriol in this forum. The frequent accusations of racism toward writers and subjects of stories is a constant, which is often misguided and completely over the top.
Who are you angry people and why does the rennovation of dilapidated buildings by newcomers make you so incensed?
Heh 12:43pm
Thanks, I love Crown heights as well. There were some nice open houses there this summer. But the money is right when it is right. I’ll think seriously on it. Thanks
Pros. Heights Buyer
You can’t count on the “in 5 years you will be kicking yourself” attitude.
Only if your memory only extends to the PAST 5 years.
If it were the next five years and we were here in 1990, your statment would be false.
Please don’t judge the future of Bed Stuy on the last 5 years. It probably will not turn out the way you expect.
Prices in Bed Stuy are sure to come down over the next few years.
I’d say Bed Stuy is a good 10-15 years away from any significant gentrification.
If you can afford a $50k car and a $1.2M house I think you can afford to rent a garage from someone.
Plus, this is NYC where cars parked on the street will be subject to bumps, dings, scratches and scrapes. It doesn’t matter what neighborhood you’re in, if you park your car on the street it will get messed up over time.
Hi Prospective Buyer – do it you and will be fine. In 5 years you will be kicking yourself for not having invested in the neighborhood. I love that area (Sty Heights), but it was a litle $$$ for me and I found a better deal in NW Crown Heights. You will not have a great deal of ammenities out there, for which reason we bought a car and drive to Fairway once a week (very much worth it). We park on the streets and the neighbors look out for us. Just last nite I went out to sweep the leaves and an old timer came buy to chat and went to get her broom, and came back to HELP ME SWEEP. We even sweep up in front of our neighbor, as they hadnt had time to do so…My goodness what was I doing in Manhattan all those years…..I love the guy in the article btw. I think he has the right attitude and is doing go things for the nabe. I also love the multicultural vibe of Bed Sty and Cr. Heights…..