150 4th Avenue: The Renderings
[nggallery id=”26821″ template=galleryview] When last we looked at 150 Fourth Avenue at the end of September, not much was happening, thanks to a Stop Work Order and some other snafus. All we knew was the architect’s name, the Oro’s Ismael Leyva, and the info from the DOB: 12 stories and 95 units. So here, courtesy…
[nggallery id=”26821″ template=galleryview]
When last we looked at 150 Fourth Avenue at the end of September, not much was happening, thanks to a Stop Work Order and some other snafus. All we knew was the architect’s name, the Oro’s Ismael Leyva, and the info from the DOB: 12 stories and 95 units. So here, courtesy of Curbed, is what the project will look like someday. And also here, in the last photo, is what the block of row houses looked like before, replete with turreted building on the end. They were demolished, after move outs and evictions, to make way for the project, which Curbed also reports has no construction loan secured yet. So, thoughts on the newest addition to Brooklyn’s Park Avenue?
Huge Ismael Leyva Brooklyn ‘Park Ave.’ Development Revealed [Curbed]
Development Watch: 150 4th Avenue [Brownstoner]
Nokilissa and all;
In addition to what Denton has said, I would add that alot of this comes down to economics – the dismal science, as they say.
Developers know that folks will only pay a certain $/sq_feet for a given location,and they work back from there. They look at the land pricing, their profits, and back out what they are going to spend on construction.
If you would like a higher grade of building in NY – and we can all agree on that point – my suggestion is that folks take a look at what drives up construction costs in NY. Construction costs in NYC are way above that of Chicago’s, for instance. This is a quite involved topic, but let me point to a couple of things:
a) land costs in New York are high. Some of this is just due to the fact that NYC is already dense. Some of it, however, are self-inflicted wounds. Everyone wants downzoning in their neighborhood, everyone wants historic buildings preserved, and there are alot of places off-limits to development (Projects, for instance). The net efect of all this is that it reduces the supply of developable land, and hence drives up costs to a quite high level.
b) construction costs in NYC are out-of-sight. Some of this is due to onerous regulations. For instance, developers in NYC must carry huge liability insurance policies with regard to scaffolding accidents. NYS law states that any scaffolding accident is AUTOMATICALLY the fault of the contractor. This law has led to abuse.
If you want better buidlings – pressure your lawmakers to reduce such obstacles.
Noklissa (and Benson) the zoning on 4th Ave is pretty rigid, limiting what can be built. 12 stories, setbacks after a certain level, etc etc.
Assuming this is built per the rendering, imo it will be the best looking building to go up yet on 4th Avenue. Which is not necessarily saying much, but still, it’s way above the Crest and the Novo.
The Argyle may beat this in terms of aesthetics IF it too is built to the rendering. With real estate faltering, who knows if we won’t see some last minute cost saving downgrades to facades.
There’s nothing special about what was there, which had devolved into low income housing. I presume the previous tenants received handsome buyouts. I have a coupla photos of what was there before at
http://www.pbase.com/dentontay/image/94272288
http://www.pbase.com/dentontay/image/94272290
Balconies on ugly buildings are as lipstick is to a pig.
Benson,
I didn’t claim shouldn’t be built – just kinda a shame not on one of the many other ugly blocks of 4th Avenue.
I only felt that this was only of the few blocks on 4th with a uniform look which could possibly have been rehabbed and could look really nice – not that they would remain tenenment type apts. Even if preserved the facades and built taller setback. I’d love to see lots of developent on 4th. -since so much of it looks so awful.
The balconies are for the marathon. I’m not kidding.
You can cheer and toss bananas and protein bars to the runners from above.
Sense, how will the recession help in this regard – Is there precedent? As in, during times of financial and credit difficulty the buildings that DO get built are smarter, more adoringly designed and lovely?
Lame. Another uninspired developer building. This was an opportunity to either fit in or stand out. I think the ‘design’ is cowardly, it’s neither here nor there. Weak design decisions make ugly buildings that everyone else has to live with. The one good thing about the recession is that there is hope that all these second rate architects will fall by the wayside.
Nice trees- except the developer will be too cheap to plant them. Please explain the balcony’s on all new buildings??? I do not get it.
And front row seats for the marathon.
Benson, no one is saying new housing shouldn’t be built here, people appear to be taking issue with the style and design. Why must new development be “samey”? or Same-o, or Bored-o?
Very samey compared to other new buildings on 4th. I still dont see the attraction of living on 4th ave. Well, perhaps the sheep station which does a decent pint…..